How Many People Are Still Working at Retirement Age, and Where Are They?

Though the traditional retirement age in the U.S. typically falls between 62 and 67, many Americans continue working beyond that point. As of 2024, slightly more than 22% of adults aged 65 and older are still employed, either full-time or part-time.

Key findings

• New Hampshire, Vermont, and South Dakota have the highest percentage of residents aged 65 and up still in the workforce.
• West Virginia, Arkansas, and Oregon have the lowest rates of retirement-age individuals still working.
• In the United States, adults aged 65 and older are more likely to work part-time than full-time.

Older adults in the workforce: a state-by-state breakdown

States with the highest share of workers aged 65+

1. New Hampshire - 28.6%
2. Vermont - 28.6%
3. South Dakota - 27.6%
4. Massachusetts - 27.2%
5. Maryland - 26.8%

While the national average for adults 65 and older who are working is 22.4%, 25 states exceed that rate. New Hampshire (28.6%), Vermont (28.6%), and South Dakota (27.6%) have the highest shares of workers aged 65 and older.

States with the lowest share of workers aged 65+

1. West Virginia - 16.7%
2. Arkansas - 18.9%
3. Oregon - 19.1%
4. Alabama - 19.2%
5. Arizona - 19.2%

States with the lowest shares of working adults aged 65+ are largely concentrated in the South. West Virginia has the lowest rate at 16.7%, followed by Arkansas (18.9%) and Oregon (19.1%). Interestingly, from this list, only Alabama made the top 10 in our recent study of states where Social Security stretches the farthest.

While adults aged 65 and older are more likely to work part-time than full-time, two states break the norm. In Hawaii and Maryland, the share of full-time workers aged 65 and older is roughly two percentage points higher than that of part-time workers.

​Maryland also has the highest concentration of full-time retirement-age workers, while Vermont leads in part-time employment among retirement-age adults.

Bottom line

The share of Americans working past age 65 highlights the evolution of retirement. Differences in cost of living, job markets, and retirement savings may influence why and how many older adults continue working past retirement age. For some, working in retirement is necessary for financial stability.

Here are a few ways retirees can cut down on their expenses and stretch their savings:

• Work on a financial strategy: Learning how to manage your money keeps retirees on track, helps them avoid common financial pitfalls, and supports smarter spending decisions throughout retirement.
• Open a high-yield savings account: Choosing the right savings account gives retirees a way to keep their cash safe while earning interest.
• Know your Social Security income: Estimating how much you could receive in Social Security benefits allows working retirees to better balance their finances and build a realistic budget around their expected income.

Methodology

To compile the data shown above on where Americans are working in retirement, our research team analyzed the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey one-year estimates for the total number of adults aged 65+ classified as employed (including both full-time and part-time workers) in 2024 (the most recent year available at the time of analysis).

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