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Retirement is becoming a more distant goal for many American workers as rising expenses, debt, and inadequate savings force them to reconsider when they can stop working.

Thirty-five percent of workers now expect to retire later than they did three years ago, according to a new MyPerfectResume survey. Just 13% have moved their expected retirement date earlier, while 52% said their plans have not changed.

The findings suggest that delays are not simply a lifestyle choice. For many workers, continuing to work appears to be a financial necessity.

The survey found that 55% expect to retire at age 65 or later. That includes 27% who anticipate retiring between 65 and 69, 14% who expect to work until at least 70, and another 14% who do not believe they will ever retire completely.

Twenty-one percent expect to retire between 60 and 64, while 24% hope to leave the workforce before turning 60.

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Everyday expenses are getting in the way

The cost of living was the most commonly cited obstacle to an earlier retirement, selected by 64% of respondents.

Other barriers included:

• Insufficient income: 37%
• Inadequate retirement savings: 34%
• Healthcare expenses: 31%
• Housing costs: 30%
• Debt: 30%
• Job instability or economic uncertainty: 21%
• Supporting children or other family members: 16%

Those pressures can create a difficult cycle. Money needed for rent, mortgage payments, groceries, medical care, and debt cannot be contributed to a 401(k) or individual retirement account. Delaying contributions also leaves less time for investments to grow.

More than half of those surveyed — 51% — said they were behind on retirement savings or had not started saving. Thirty-four percent described themselves as behind, while 17% had no retirement savings underway.

Only 16% said they were ahead of where they needed to be.

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Confidence is beginning to erode

The savings shortfall is also affecting workers’ outlook. Nearly one-third, or 32%, said they were not confident they would ever be able to retire fully.

The idea of retiring early appears especially unrealistic. Fifty-one percent said retirement before age 60 was not practical for someone holding a typical full-time job.

The survey also asked about the FIRE movement — short for Financial Independence, Retire Early —which generally calls for aggressive saving and investing. Seventy-one percent said the strategy was unrealistic for most people or limited mainly to high earners and wealthy households.

MyPerfectResume surveyed 1,000 U.S. workers through Pollfish in May 2026. Because the findings are based on respondents’ assessments rather than an analysis of their financial records, they measure expectations and sentiment, not whether individual workers are objectively prepared to retire.

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Working longer can help, but it carries risks

Postponing retirement can improve a worker’s finances by providing additional years to earn income, make retirement contributions and retain employer-sponsored health insurance. It also reduces the number of years that savings must support the household.

Waiting to claim Social Security can also produce a larger monthly benefit. Benefits increase for people who delay claiming beyond their full retirement age, up to age 70.

But working longer is not always an option. A job loss, disability, caregiving obligation, or health problem can force someone to retire before the age they planned. Workers who expect to solve a savings shortfall solely by staying employed could therefore be vulnerable.

Consumers who are falling behind can begin by reviewing their projected Social Security benefit, taking full advantage of any employer retirement match and increasing contributions when they receive a raise. Paying down high-interest debt and developing a realistic estimate of retirement housing and healthcare expenses can also provide a clearer picture of how much longer they may need to work.