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undefined | Americans expect to work much longer than they would like. Here's why.

Americans are now expecting to work about four years longer than they would like, according to a new Economist Enterprise survey of 2,063 full‑time workers at midsize and large companies. Only one‑in‑five respondents said they want to stay in the labor force longer because they enjoy their jobs; nearly half cited rising living costs and health‑care expenses as the primary reason for postponing retirement. Short‑term financial pressures are also evident in the fact that roughly one‑third of workers have taken a loan from their 401(k) or made a hardship withdrawal, a record share that Vanguard reports many Americans tapped last year to cover emergencies.

The study highlights how these pressures reshape retirement timelines across generations. Generation Z (born 1997‑2012) is the most pessimistic, expecting to retire 5.2 years later than they would like, while Gen X workers anticipate a delay of about 3.9 years. Although the median U.S. retirement age is 62, many leave the workforce earlier due to health issues or job loss, and only about $50,000 in median savings is found for 55‑year‑olds—well below what is needed for a comfortable retirement.

The findings also point to a broader “great stay” trend, where workers prioritize job security over higher pay or better benefits. About 60 % of respondents would choose long‑term stability over a better offer, and one‑third have stopped looking for new jobs in the past five years. This shift is reflected in the low quits rate, which fell to 1.9 % in February, the lowest level in more than five years, suggesting a more stagnant and risk‑averse labor market.