Published: Feb. 5, 2026 at 4:22 p.m. ET
Americans become eligible for Social Security retirement benefits when they’re in their early 60s, and for some, that’s all they’re waiting for to leave the workforce.
Almost three in 10 people said becoming eligible for Social Security was a “major reason” for initially retiring, and another two in 10 said it was a “minor reason,” according to an AARP survey conducted in the summer and winter of 2025. Other major reasons behind deciding to retire included having enough money saved, becoming eligible for Medicare, becoming eligible for a pension or other retirement plan, or having an illness or disability.