Not Ready for Retirement? Here Are 10 Cities Where Seniors Are Working Longer

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Delaying retirement is a financial necessity for some seniors, while for others it’s a way to stay engaged and productive. No matter the reason, Americans today are staying in the workforce longer than they used to. Census Bureau data cited by LLC.org found that more than 10.6 million seniors were employed nationwide as of 2022, the most recent data available. That was up from about 6.1 million in 2010.

Working past the normal retirement age has certain benefits that go beyond a paycheck. A study has shown that retiring too early can lead to cognitive decline, according to a blog from insurance and annuity firm Brighthouse Financial. Continuing to work not only has a positive health benefit but also keeps you socially engaged.

Thanks to a rise in remote work, it’s a lot easier logistically to stay in the workforce now than it was in the past. For seniors who want to keep working, where you live can play a big role in your ability to do so. Texas is home to three of the top 10 cities where seniors are working longer, according to a study published earlier this year by LLC.org. In the top city — Irving, Texas — nearly 3 in 10 residents 65 and older are employed.

The study looked at senior employment data in 170 of the most populated U.S. cities to determine where senior workforce participation is the most active. Researchers examined the percentage of seniors 65 and over who were actively employed within the previous 12 months, according to Census Bureau data. LLC.org also looked at data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Social Security Administration.

The city with the highest growth in working seniors during the two most recent years surveyed is Clarksville, Tennessee, where the percentage of employed seniors rose by about 70% from 2021 to 2022.

These are the 10 top cities where seniors are working longer, based on the percentage who are employed.

Also see America’s 50 fastest-growing retirement hot spots.

Irving, Texas

• Total senior population (65 and older): 23,215
• Employed seniors: 6,805
• Percentage of seniors who are employed: 29.3%

Salt Lake City

• Total senior population: 22,529
• Employed seniors: 6,239
• Percentage of seniors who are employed: 27.7% 

Plano, Texas

• Total senior population: 41,479
• Employed seniors: 11,454
• Percentage of seniors who are employed: 27.6%

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

• Total senior population: 34,756
• Employed seniors: 9,149
• Percentage of seniors who are employed: 26.3%

Irvine, California

• Total senior population: 29,095
• Employed seniors: 7,649
• Percentage of seniors who are employed: 26.3%

Lexington, Kentucky

• Total senior population: 48,782
• Employed seniors: 12,301
• Percentage of seniors who are employed: 25.2%

Nashville, Tennessee

• Total senior population: 90,849
• Employed seniors: 22,719
• Percentage of seniors who are employed: 25.0%

Austin, Texas

• Total senior population: 105,467
• Employed seniors: 26,276
• Percentage of seniors who are employed: 24.9%

Hollywood, Florida

• Total senior population: 31,526
• Employed seniors: 7,814
• Percentage of seniors who are employed: 24.8%

Washington, D.C.

• Total senior population: 87,354
• Employed seniors: 21,106
• Percentage of seniors who are employed: 24.2%

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