Gen Z Aims for Early Retirement at 61.6 Years, Survey Finds

NEW YORK, N.Y. — A new survey reveals that Generation Z, aged 18-26, envisions retiring at an average age of 61.6 years, significantly earlier than older generations. The poll, conducted by Talker Research from December 23 to 30, surveyed 1,000 employed U.S. adults, shedding light on generational differences in retirement expectations.

Millennials (ages 27-42) preferred retiring at 62.8 years, while Generation X (ages 43-58) and Baby Boomers (ages 59-77) suggested 63.6 and 66.8 years, respectively. The Silent Generation (ages 78-98) had the highest average retirement age at 69.4 years.

Dovile Gelcinskaite, senior talent manager at Omnisend, attributed the generational gap to economic shifts and evolving financial ideologies. “Gen Z has witnessed older generations delaying retirement due to rising living costs,” Gelcinskaite said. “They’ve also been influenced by social media trends like #actyourwage and #lazygirljob, as well as the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement.”

Last year, a separate survey found that Gen Z prefers shorter workdays, with many advocating for six-hour shifts. Gelcinskaite noted, “Gen Z largely views work as a means to an end, not their life’s purpose. Many in this generation have no desire to partake in grind culture.”

Despite financial challenges, Gen Z is making strides in retirement savings. A September 2024 report revealed that over half of Gen Zers with a retirement plan contribute 11 percent or more of their salary, outpacing millennials, Gen X, and Baby Boomers.