24% of Caregivers Delay Retirement as 56% of Retirees Leave Work Early
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Oct 6
24% of Caregivers Delay Retirement as 56% of Retirees Leave Work Early
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Oct 6
Summary
Twenty-four percent of workers with caregiving duties pushed their target retirement later, versus 17% of non-caregivers, according to the 2026 Retirement Confidence Survey.
Fifty-six percent of retirees who had provided care said they left work earlier than planned, compared with 44% of non-caregivers, showing caregiving can either extend careers or force abrupt exits.
Lost salary, retirement contributions, employer matches and Social Security earnings drive the hidden costs, especially when caregivers leave before completing 35 peak earning years.
Caregiving often hits in workers’ 40s and 50s, advisers said, making time away from work particularly damaging to long-term savings and career growth.
Early family planning on care preferences, documents, costs and shared responsibilities can widen options; eligible workers may also use up to 12 weeks of unpaid FMLA leave.