Many senior professionals find retirement arrives not with a single announcement but through gradual, quiet signals that become unmistakable over months, often leading to an earlier exit than anticipated.
A 2025 survey by the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies revealed that approximately 52% of respondents retired sooner than they had planned.
For older workers, a decline in work enthusiasm can be a telling sign. While Gallup reported in 2024 that only 31% of employees generally feel engaged, Pew Research data shows nearly 67% of workers aged 65 and over typically find their jobs enjoyable or fulfilling. A detachment from one's profession in this age group may indicate readiness to leave the workforce.
Promotions and salary increases also lose significance for some. When personal savings are substantial, a raise or new title in one's 50s or 60s may seem to bring more stress than reward, diminishing the appeal of further career advancement.
Frequent monitoring of retirement accounts like a 401(k) or IRA, after years of automated savings, can signal subconscious preparation for life after work, especially if the balance nears a personal target.
Physical signs of aging have prompted retirement decisions. In 2025, investment legend Warren Buffett, then 95, stepped down as Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, surprising shareholders. He cited his body's inability to keep pace as a reason. "I didn't really start getting old, for some strange reason, until I was about 90," Buffett told The Wall Street Journal. "But when you start getting old … it's irreversible." Similar feelings of fatigue or physical strain may suggest it is time to slow down.
Increased thoughts about family or involvement with local non-profits can also be an indicator. Survey data notes close to 59% of retirees spend more time with family and friends, and about 39% pursue new hobbies. For some, this lifestyle becomes more appealing than continued corporate life.