Retiring at 65 could be the biggest mistake of your financial life. Here’s why, and what to do instead

As economical pressures mount, galore Americans are feeling forced to hold their status plans.

According to a 2025 study by F&G Annuities & Life (1), 70% of pre-retirees implicit 50 are considering delaying their retirement. A 2024 YouGov canvass recovered that 59% of U.S. adults would similar to discontinue earlier 65, but lone 40% believed it was imaginable for them. (2)

With concerns astir inflation, concern returns and insufficient savings, delaying status until astatine slightest 65 whitethorn look similar a sensible decision.

However, this attack lone focuses connected the fiscal facet of retirement. In reality, moving longer whitethorn present non-financial risks that whitethorn yet diminish the prime of your status years.

Here’s wherefore postponing status until 65 could beryllium a costly mistake.

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From a purely economical lens, delaying status arsenic agelong arsenic imaginable maximizes your nest ovum and monthly income.

If you hold Social Security until 70, for instance, you could boost your monthly payment cheque significantly. (3) And, if you support moving until your 80s, you’ll astir apt adhd a batch much wealth to your nest egg.

But optimizing for wealthiness sacrifices different important aspects of your life, specified arsenic health, relationships and happiness.

For example, if skiing connected the slopes of the Swiss Alps is connected your bucket list, it’ll astir apt beryllium overmuch much enjoyable successful your 60s than successful your 70s, and is practically intolerable by your 80s.

According to the latest information from the World Health Organization (WHO), a emblematic U.S. big tin expect to unrecorded conscionable 63.9 years successful afloat health. (4) If you discontinue astatine 65, you’ve already crossed that threshold and participate your aureate years much apt to spot a infirmary than a skis slope.

Retiring aboriginal besides gives you much clip to walk with your friends and household successful bully health. That means much meaningful conversations with your spouse portion they’re inactive live and much amusive activities with your grandchildren portion you’re inactive nimble.

Put simply, if your extremity is to prioritize prime of beingness implicit finances, you should see retiring earlier 65.

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If you’re convinced astir aboriginal retirement, the adjacent measurement is to fig retired which of the pursuing categories you autumn into: have, astir have, oregon person not.