State of Retirement and Today’s Workforce survey

Overview

Retirement is being redefined. For today’s workforce, it’s less about stopping work altogether and more about designing a flexible next chapter. At HireClix, we call this ‘flextirement™’: a gradual shift from full-time work to a lifestyle that blends personal freedom with valuable continued income.

From Baby Boomers to Gen Z, workers are rethinking what the end of a career looks like. Financial concerns play a role, but so does the desire for purpose, identity, and more control over how they spend their time. The legacy timeline and model for retirement simply doesn’t fit the needs of employees aging out of the workforce today.

Rather than lose experienced talent entirely, forward-thinking employers are offering more flexible options — part-time or project-based roles, mentorship opportunities, and phased transitions that allow employees to wind down on their own terms while staying connected to the organization.

TOP 10 KEY FINDINGS

1. Retirement at 65 is no longer the finish line.

Only 32% of those surveyed expect to retire by age 65, and 8% say they never plan to retire at all. The traditional “hard stop” is giving way to phased and flexible exits from the workforce.

2. Economic pressure is reshaping retirement plans.

48% of survey respondents say recent economic shifts have forced them to reconsider when or how they’ll retire, signaling demand for more adaptable work options.

3. Financial stress is the biggest retirement barrier.

64% of individuals expressed concerns that they won’t have enough income or savings to cover basic expenses in retirement, let alone enjoy it comfortably.

4. Social Security creates mixed expectations.

- 62% plan to rely on Social Security for a portion of their retirement income.

- Yet, 42% say they are concerned that it will not exist by the time they retire.

5. Traditional savings plans fall short.

While 56% of respondents contribute to 401(k)s and 59% use savings accounts, 17% indicated they have no retirement savings plan at all, highlighting a gap in financial planning and preparation for retirement.

6. Purpose matters as much as a paycheck.

41% fear boredom and lack of fulfillment in retirement. 27% specifically note “loss of purpose” as a major concern.

7. People want flexible work, not full retirement.

While 20% want to fully exit the workforce, 63% are interested in part-time work for income, fulfillment, or both.

8. Flextirement™ programs are rare but wanted.

Only 17% say their employer offers flexible retirement paths, leaving a clear opportunity for employers to stand out.

9. Men and women envision different futures after 60.

30% of men hope to work full-time by choice after 60, compared to just 20% of women, revealing gender differences in both retirement planning and personal ambition later in life.

10. Work still outranks leisure in later-life goals.

When asked about ideal post-60 lifestyles, more respondents chose continued work (54%) in full-time, part-time, or new gig roles rather than retirement, family time, or travel.

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WHAT THIS MEANS FOR EMPLOYERS

The traditional retirement model is fading, as is the assumption that experienced employees will one day leave. Today’s workforce is asking for something different: flexibility, purpose, and the ability to stay engaged on their own terms.  

Here’s how employers can respond:

Rethink “offboarding” as a phased transition. Offer part-time roles, project-based work, or mentorship programs that keep experienced employees engaged while supporting evolving business needs.

Create formal flextirement™ programs. Employers can gain a substantial competitive advantage and effectively attract and retain valuable talent by addressing a critical gap in current retirement program offerings.

Start retirement conversations earlier. Normalize open discussions about retirement paths long before employees reach traditional retirement age.

Leverage purpose as a retention tool. Many workers fear losing purpose after retirement. Providing meaningful opportunities can help retain valuable employees longer.

Build flexibility into every career stage. Flextirement™ reflects a larger shift: people want more control over how and when they work, regardless of age.

SURVEY DETAILS

These findings are based on a nationwide survey of 1,000 respondents aged 18 to 65+, offering insights into how workers are redefining retirement through flexible work arrangements and what factors influence their decisions to stay in the workforce.

Using findings from their State of Retirement survey, HireClix highlighted how individuals approach retirement, what motivates them to keep working, and how employers can better attract and retain experienced talent seeking nontraditional work options.