Nationally, the average retirement age in the United States is around 62 years old. But if you break it down by state, that number can go from 61 all the way up to 66, depending on where you live. That’s according to demographic data and labor records. These differences come down to things like local economies, job markets, and how much it costs to get by in each state.
At the federal level, things work a bit differently. The so-called full retirement age (FRA) – when you can get 100% of your Social Security benefits – is currently 67 for people who turn 62 in 2026, based on Social Security Administration tables.
Retirement Age: National Picture vs. State-by-State Reality
Saying the national average is 62 hides a pretty big gap – up to five years – between states where people retire early and those where folks keep working longer.
And the reasons aren’t the same everywhere. In some places, it’s the physical toll of factory or mining jobs that pushes people out early. In others, the main driver is a high cost of living – especially housing – which forces people to delay retirement just to save enough.
States Where People Retire the Latest
Massachusetts – 66 years old:
Massachusetts has an average retirement age of 66, tying with Hawaii and South Dakota for the highest. Why? The state’s economy is packed with skilled jobs: tech, education, healthcare, finance.
Those jobs aren’t as physically demanding, so people tend to stay in them longer. Life expectancy in Massachusetts is about 79.9 years, which gives the average retiree almost 14 years of retirement. To live comfortably through that stretch, estimates say you’d need roughly $1.16 million saved up.
Hawaii – 66 years old:
Hawaii also sits at 66. It has the highest life expectancy in the country – 81.5 years – which makes it the toughest state when it comes to saving for retirement. Experts estimate you’d need around $1.84 million for a comfortable retirement there.
Between the high cost of just about everything and the fact that people live so long, workers have a real incentive to delay leaving their jobs. Retire too early, and you risk running out of money.
States Where People Retire the Earliest
Alaska – 61 years old:
Alaska and West Virginia share the lowest retirement age: 61. In Alaska, it’s tied to the nature of the work there. States with lots of physically tough jobs – manufacturing, agriculture, mining – tend to have lower retirement ages.
The wear and tear on the body, plus job hazards, push people out earlier, often because of health problems. Alaska’s economy runs on oil extraction, commercial fishing, and construction – all of which fit that mold. Even though people retire early, they still face an average retirement of 16.7 years, for which they’d need about $1.34 million in savings.
West Virginia – 61 years:
West Virginia is right there with Alaska at the bottom. One big factor: the cost of living is low – it’s one of the ten most affordable states in the country.
That makes it easier to leave the workforce earlier. Also, a lot of jobs in West Virginia are in coal mining and manufacturing – physically demanding fields that have always led to earlier retirement. Put those two things together – tough work and low living costs – and you get people retiring younger than the national average.
Why All the Differences?
So what’s behind these regional gaps? Basically, workers in states with more manual labor and factory jobs tend to retire earlier. Meanwhile, people in states with more professional, service, or tech jobs stay on the job longer. The physical demands of the work are a huge piece of the puzzle.
Then you add the cost of living: in expensive states like Hawaii or Massachusetts, many people simply can’t afford to retire until they’ve piled up enough savings – whether they like it or not. Looking at the big picture, most U.S. workers are going to have to work more years than previous generations did if they want a financially safe retirement.
