# Nearly Half of Retirees Leave Work Earlier Than Planned The 3 reasons Americans are retiring at 62 instead of 65. - **Source:** [Yahoo Finance](https://brifing.si/source/7f1dcdb9-78c9-4a6d-ac05-c0d4d417b569) - **Published:** 2026-07-19 - **Topic:** [Finance](https://brifing.si/c/finance) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/06c2cca4-535d-4c71-ac23-2c0a87849f31 ## The Reality of Early Retirement Research shows that nearly half of retirees leave the workforce earlier than planned. This can lead to unexpected changes in financial planning. In the U.S., the tendency to retire at 62 instead of 65 is particularly noticeable. ## Health Issues Health problems are one of the biggest reasons for early retirement. Many workers cannot continue working due to physical or mental health issues. This is especially common in high-stress industries. ## Job Layoffs Unexpected layoffs are another major factor forcing early retirement. Older workers often struggle to find new jobs, leading many to retire earlier than planned. ## Financial Preparedness Some who choose early retirement feel financially ready. Those who have planned their savings and investments to support early retirement can leave the workforce sooner. ## Family Reasons Some retirees opt for early retirement due to family reasons. Caring for sick relatives or spending more time with grandchildren leads many to end their careers early. ## Planning is Key Early retirement can lead to financial difficulties if not well planned. Experts recommend considering unexpected situations and building an emergency fund when planning for retirement. ## Sources covering this story - https://finance.yahoo.com/small-business/articles/nearly-half-retirees-leave-earlier-144653221.html — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._