The traditional concept of retirement continues to evolve as a significant majority of older Americans remain in the workforce well into their golden years. A new study by staffing platform Indeed Flex reveals that a striking 88% of Baby Boomers are still working, challenging conventional expectations about what retirement looks like.
The report, cited in InvestmentNews, highlights that while some Boomers aged 59-65 would typically still be working regardless of economic conditions, the trend extends notably to those between 66-77 years old—an age range where previous generations had largely exited the workforce. This shift represents a fundamental change in retirement patterns across America.
Economic pressures appear to be a driving factor behind an aging workforce. More than one-third of respondents indicated uncertainty about their ability to retire this year, citing the challenging economic environment and escalating cost of living as primary concerns. Additional worries include the potential impact of tariffs on investment portfolios, persistent inflation, and questions about the reliability of Social Security and pension benefits.
When exploring work preferences for their later years, Indeed Flex found that 83% of Baby Boomers expressed interest in temporary positions, particularly in retail, hospitality, or business support sectors. The majority (over 50%) prefer working 10-20 hours weekly, while 27% are open to 20+ hours, and only 14% want to limit their work to a maximum of 10 hours per week.
“As the aging population heads into retirement age, many do not have enough money saved to live financially secure,” explained Novo Constare, CEO and co-founder of Indeed Flex. He noted that Boomers face significant challenges, including long-term care costs and obstacles in saving, making temporary work “a good bridge to make ends meet.”
The report also emphasizes the mutual benefits of this arrangement. Employers gain access to workers with valuable experience, a strong work ethic, and extensive knowledge—attributes that can significantly benefit businesses looking to fill positions and provide mentorship opportunities to younger employees. In today’s multigenerational workforce, the reliability and problem-solving skills that older workers bring to the table make them particularly valuable to employers.
This study adds to a growing body of research suggesting that “retirement” as traditionally defined—completely stepping away from active work life—may be becoming increasingly rare for today’s older Americans.
