In 2023, about 17.7 percent of the American population was 65 years old or over; an increase from the last few years and a figure which is expected to reach 22.8 percent by 2050. This is a significant increase from 1950, when only eight percent of the population was 65 or over. A rapidly aging population In recent years, the aging population of the United States has come into focus as a cause for concern, as the nature of work and retirement is expected to change to keep up. If a population is expected to live longer than the generations before, the economy will have to change as well to fulfill the needs of the citizens. In addition, the birth rate in the U.S. has been falling over the last 20 years, meaning that there are not as many young people to replace the individuals leaving the workforce. The future population It’s not only the American population that is aging -- the global population is, too. By 2025, the median age of the global workforce is expected to be 39.6 years, up from 33.8 years in 1990. Additionally, it is projected that there will be over three million people worldwide aged 100 years and over by 2050.

The number of retired workers receiving Social Security benefits increased from approximately ***** million in 2010 to ***** million in 2023. This figure has increased at the same rate year-on-year over the past decade and is likely to continue into the future. What is Social Security? Social Security benefits are payments, which are paid out by the U.S. government to qualified retirees and disabled people, as well as to their spouses, children and survivors. These payments are meant to provide them with partial replacement income. Social security expenditure is forecast to increase year-on-year over the next decade, as it has since the beginning of the 21st century. The impact of demographic change This is likely to the fact that the U.S. population is aging rapidly, which means that seniors will account for a greater proportion of the population in the future. This demographic change will put pressure on government resources, because the workforce whose tax dollars pay for social benefits will make up a smaller percentage of the population than now. Americans who are 65 years and older are the demographic group estimated to grow the most over the next 40 years, whereas the other groups will mostly remain the same.

Graph and download economic data for Population ages 65 and above for the United States (SPPOP65UPTOZSUSA) from 1960 to 2024 about 65-years +, population, and USA.

Retirement Age Men in the United States increased to 66.83 Years in 2025 from 66.67 Years in 2024. This dataset provides - United States Retirement Age Men - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

In 2024, 50 percent of U.S. citizens who were 60 years old or older had some type of retirement savings. This information can be interpreted by the number of people in that age group without any retirement savings, which amounted to 50 percent. The share of individuals with retirement savings was lower in the younger age groups, and among adults from 18 to 29 years old, just ** had retirement savings.

Retirement Communities Market Outlook

The global retirement communities market size was valued at approximately USD 250 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach around USD 400 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of about 5%. This growth is primarily driven by the aging global population, an increase in life expectancy, and changing lifestyle preferences among seniors. The shift towards comprehensive care and the integration of health and wellness services within retirement communities have further fueled this market's expansion. As societies worldwide continue to experience demographic shifts, the demand for retirement communities that offer a blend of healthcare, hospitality, and recreational amenities is expected to surge, underpinning the robust growth trajectory of the sector.

The burgeoning aging population is one of the primary growth factors for the retirement communities market. As advances in healthcare continue to improve life expectancy, a significant proportion of the global population is projected to fall within the senior age bracket, necessitating adequate living solutions for them. This demographic shift is particularly pronounced in developed regions such as North America and Europe, where a considerable percentage of the population is transitioning into retirement age. Additionally, emerging economies in Asia Pacific are also witnessing an increase in the elderly population, driven by improved healthcare infrastructure and living standards. This demographic evolution necessitates the development of retirement communities equipped with facilities that cater to both the healthcare and lifestyle needs of seniors.

Another significant growth factor is the increased financial independence and spending power among seniors. With many from the baby boomer generation having accrued substantial savings and investments, there is a growing willingness to spend on quality living environments that provide comfort, security, and access to healthcare and recreational activities. This financial capability, coupled with the desire for a community living environment that offers social interaction and reduces isolation, is a key driver for the retirement communities market. Furthermore, these communities are increasingly incorporating technology to enhance the quality of life for residents, with features such as telemedicine, smart home technologies, and digital health monitoring, which are appealing to the tech-savvy senior demographic.

Moreover, the changing societal norms and lifestyle preferences among the elderly are also contributing to the market's growth. TodayÂ’s seniors are more active and health-conscious than ever before, seeking retirement communities that offer wellness programs, fitness centers, and social activities that align with their lifestyle choices. The emphasis on holistic well-being has led to a rise in integrated community models that provide a continuum of care, from independent living to assisted living and nursing care, allowing seniors to age in place with dignity and peace of mind. This trend is expected to intensify in the coming years, further propelling the growth of the retirement communities market globally.

In recent years, the concept of Smart Communities has emerged as a transformative force within the retirement sector. These communities leverage advanced technologies to create interconnected environments that enhance the quality of life for residents. By integrating smart home devices, IoT solutions, and data-driven services, Smart Communities offer personalized and efficient living experiences. This technological integration not only improves safety and convenience for seniors but also promotes sustainable living practices. As the demand for tech-savvy solutions grows, retirement communities are increasingly adopting smart technologies to meet the evolving expectations of their residents, positioning themselves at the forefront of innovation in senior living.

Regionally, North America currently holds the largest share of the retirement communities market, driven by a well-established infrastructure, high disposable incomes, and a significant aging population. Europe follows closely, benefiting from similar demographic trends and a strong emphasis on social welfare programs for the elderly. Meanwhile, the Asia Pacific region is anticipated to exhibit the highest growth rate over the forecast period, fueled by rapid urbanization, economic growth, and increasing healthcare investments. Countries such as China, Japan, and India are at the forefront of this expansion, as they adapt to th

In 2022, the state with the highest median age of its population was Maine at 45.1 years. Utah had the lowest median age at 32.1 years. View the distribution of the U.S. population by ethnicity here.

Additional information on the aging population in the United States

High birth rates during the so-called baby boom years that followed World War II followed by lower fertility and morality rates have left the United States with a serious challenge in the 21st Century. However, the issue of an aging population is certainly not an issue unique to the United States. The age distribution of the global population shows that other parts of the world face a similar issue.

Within the United States, the uneven distribution of populations aged 65 years and over among states offers both major challenges and potential solutions. On the one hand, federal action over the issue may be contentious as other states are set to harbor the costs of elderly care in states such as California and Florida. That said, domestic migration from comparably younger states may help to fill gaps in the workforce left by retirees in others.

Nonetheless, aging population issues are set to gain further prominence in the political and economic decisions made by policymakers regardless of the eventual distribution of America’s elderly. Analysis of the financial concerns of Americans by age shows many young people still decades from retirement hold strong concern over their eventual financial position.

Graph and download economic data for Labor Force Participation Rate - With No Disability, 65 Years and over (LNU01375379) from Jun 2008 to Jun 2025 about 65 years +, disability, participation, civilian, labor force, labor, household survey, rate, and USA.

In 2023, the median age of the population of the United States was 39.2 years. While this may seem quite young, the median age in 1960 was even younger, at 29.5 years. The aging population in the United States means that society is going to have to find a way to adapt to the larger numbers of older people. Everything from Social Security to employment to the age of retirement will have to change if the population is expected to age more while having fewer children. The world is getting older It’s not only the United States that is facing this particular demographic dilemma. In 1950, the global median age was 23.6 years. This number is projected to increase to 41.9 years by the year 2100. This means that not only the U.S., but the rest of the world will also have to find ways to adapt to the aging population.

Graph and download economic data for Not in Labor Force - With No Disability, 65 Years and over (LNU05075379) from Jun 2008 to Jun 2025 about 65 years +, disability, labor force, labor, household survey, and USA.

In 2021, about **** million people aged 65 years or older were living in California -- the most out of any state. In that same year, Florida, Texas, New York, and Pennsylvania rounded out the top five states with the most people aged 65 and over living there.

Americans start managing their retirement finances early in life, also thanks to many financial instruments and products for those who want save money for their late years. This is true also for the wealthiest one percent of the population. Among top one percent individuals, those between 65 and 69 years saved on average nearly 2.7 million U.S. dollars for retirement.

The life expectancy for men aged 65 years in the U.S. has gradually increased since the 1960s. Now men in the United States aged 65 can expect to live 17 more years on average. Women aged 65 years can expect to live around 19.7 more years on average.

Life expectancy in the U.S.

As of 2021, the average life expectancy at birth in the United States was 76.33 years. Life expectancy in the U.S. had steadily increased for many years but has recently dropped slightly. Women consistently have a higher life expectancy than men but have also seen a slight decrease. As of 2019, a woman in the U.S. could be expected to live up to 79.3 years.

Leading causes of death

The leading causes of death in the United States include heart disease, cancer, unintentional injuries, chronic lower respiratory diseases and cerebrovascular diseases. However, heart disease and cancer account for around 38 percent of all deaths. Although heart disease and cancer are the leading causes of death for both men and women, there are slight variations in the leading causes of death. For example, unintentional injury and suicide account for a larger portion of deaths among men than they do among women.

This table contains 2394 series, with data for years 1991 - 1991 (not all combinations necessarily have data for all years). This table contains data described by the following dimensions (Not all combinations are available): Geography (1 items: Canada ...), Population group (19 items: Entire cohort; Income adequacy quintile 1 (lowest);Income adequacy quintile 2;Income adequacy quintile 3 ...), Age (14 items: At 25 years; At 30 years; At 40 years; At 35 years ...), Sex (3 items: Both sexes; Females; Males ...), Characteristics (3 items: Life expectancy; High 95% confidence interval; life expectancy; Low 95% confidence interval; life expectancy ...).

In 2023, there were ********* adults aged 65 and older living in California, the most out of all U.S. states, followed by Florida with over *** million adults aged 65 and older. Both California and Florida have some of the highest resident population figures in the United States.

In 2023, 42.14 percent of U.S. men aged 75 years and over were veterans - the highest share of any age group or gender. In comparison, less than one percent of women aged 75 and over were veterans at that time.

In 2020, hospital care services accounted for 41 percent of the total personal healthcare spending on women aged between 19 and 44 in the United States. While, for women aged 85 years and above, spending on nursing care facilities and continuing care retirement communities accounted for 32 percent of total personal healthcare costs.

In the 1st quarter of 2025, personal savings amounted to 3.97 percent of the disposable income in the United States. The personal savings rate peaked in 2020, when U.S. households saved on average over 15 percent of their income. After that, it has remained between three and five percent. Savings during recessions During recessions, households often tend to increase their savings due to economic uncertainty and to compensate for any possible loss of income, which could occur, for example, in the case of falling into unemployment. For example, as seen in this statistic, the savings rate increased noticeably between 2007 and 2012, coinciding with a period of crisis. However, there are also factors that affect the amount of money that households can manage to set aside, such as inflation. Saving can be particularly difficult during periods when the inflation rate has been higher than the growth rates of wages. Savings accounts The value of savings deposits and other checkable deposits in the U.S. amounted to roughly 11 trillion U.S. dollars in early 2025, even after a significant fall in the amount of money placed in those types of instruments. In other words, savings accounts are a type of financial asset that is very widely used among households to save money. Nevertheless, interest rates of savings’ accounts differ a lot from one financial institution to another. Some of the lesser-known online banks had the highest interest rates, while the major banks often offered lower interest rates.

In 2024, Millennials were the largest generation group in the United States, making up about 21.81 percent of the population. However, Generation Z was not far behind, with Gen Z accounting for around 20.81 percent of the population in that year.

By 22034033, the number of military retirees in the United States is expected to reach 2.37 million; an increase from an estimated 2.27 million retirees in 2024. Military retirement pay In the U.S., military retirement refers to pension and benefit plans for those who have accumulated 20 or more years of active service. There are different factors that influence how much is paid out to different veterans, which includes length of service, disability percentage, the year the person entered the military, and type of retirement. The total payment for military retirees is expected to continue to increase, as well as their average benefits. However, the total outlays for the military retirement trust fund is expected to fluctuate, but ultimately rise over the next decade. U.S veterans The United States has one of the largest militaries in the world based on active personnel and has the largest defense budget in the world. However, many veterans in the U.S. struggle to find a job and find affordable housing when they return from deployment due to factors such as post-traumatic stress disorder and physical disabilities. The Department of Veteran Affairs seeks to help those coming back from training or combat assimilate back into everyday life.