5 surefire signs you’re done with work (even if you haven’t admitted it yet). Will you finally retire in 2026?
If you’re planning for retirement, you probably have a date in mind. You’ve also probably planned out your celebrations.
But hold on to that celebratory confetti. For many senior professionals, retirement doesn’t come with a dramatic announcement on a specific day. It creeps up slowly and quietly. The signals are subtle, but after a few months, they become unavoidable, and you’re sometimes pushed into retirement earlier than you expected.
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In fact, about 52% of people in a 2025 survey told the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies they retired earlier than planned [1]. If you’re wondering if you might be one of those early retirees, here are five surefire signs that you’re ready.
Work makes you numb
Let’s be honest, it’s rare to be enthusiastic about your work, regardless of age. As of 2024, only 31% of employees reported feeling engaged at work, according to Gallup [2].
But older employees tend to be more enthusiastic about their careers. Nearly 67% of workers 65 and over admitted that they found their job enjoyable or fulfilling, according to Pew Research [3]. So, if you’re in this age group and feel more detached from your profession, maybe it’s a sign that you’ve outgrown the rat race and are ready for a different pace.
Promotions and raises don’t matter
When you’re young and ambitious, every promotion and salary increase feels like a milestone. But when you’re older (and wealthier), these highlights can feel less significant.
If your nest egg is worth multiple millions of dollars, a 5% raise probably won’t move the needle much. That’s the same with a new promotion or job title in your 50s or 60s. It can sound like more stress and responsibility.
If stepping up to the next rung of the career ladder has lost its appeal, maybe it’s time to step off entirely.
Constantly checking your retirement account
During your career, you’ve probably been building up your 401(k) and IRA without paying much attention. Once you have a steady job and an automated savings plan, it doesn’t make much sense to check your accounts every day or week.
But if you do find yourself increasingly worried about your nest egg, it could be a signal that you’re subconsciously preparing for retirement. After all, these funds are potentially your only lifeline after your worklife is over. So, if you’ve checked your 401(k) balance recently and it’s close enough to your target, consider putting your mind at ease and call it your last day.
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