Working longer isn’t a foolproof retirement plan — 46% of 2025 retirees left earlier than planned, survey finds

Working longer is among the best ways to make up for a retirement funding shortfall, financial experts say.

But there’s a big problem with that strategy: There’s no guarantee you’ll be able to work longer.

Almost half — 46% — of people who retired in 2025 did so earlier than anticipated, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute, a think tank, which released its annual Retirement Confidence Survey on April 21.

The bulk do so for unforeseen reasons, including health conditions, layoffs, or caregiving for a loved one, experts said.

Those curveballs can hobble people’s retirement plans.