"Pandemic Push: The Rise of Permanent Early Retirement"

Many Americans who retired early during the pandemic are not planning to return to work, with only 14.2% of retirees saying they plan to do so, according to a survey by Morning Consult. The forces that were luring retirees back to work, such as high inflation and a hot job market, have abated. Instead, it is workers in their prime working years who are returning to the labor force, helping alleviate labor shortages. The share of 55- to 64-year-olds working or looking for jobs fell during the pandemic but reached a peak in October 2022. Many retirees have settled into post-career routines and are enjoying their newfound free time.