05/20/2026
🤔 When should you have a thoughtful conversation about retirement planning?
Retirement at 65 is no longer the norm. Nationwide, roughly 22% of Americans aged 65 and older remain in the workforce, and in Colorado that figure is even higher—about 24.5%, placing it above the national average. This is not simply a lifestyle trend; it reflects deeper structural pressures. Rising costs, longer life expectancies, and the gradual shift away from pensions toward self-funded retirement have made working later in life increasingly common. In fact, many older Americans report returning to work primarily to cover everyday living expenses, underscoring the financial fragility that can accompany retirement without a clear plan.
Colorado adds another layer to this conversation. The state’s high quality of life comes with above-average costs—retirement expenses roughly 13% higher than the national average, driven largely by housing and healthcare. While Colorado’s economy offers opportunities for older workers, this same environment increases the risk that individuals feel compelled to keep working well into their later years. But this outcome is not inevitable. Thoughtful, proactive financial planning—starting well before retirement—can help individuals build the assets, income streams, and flexibility needed to make work after 65 a choice rather than a necessity. Structuring diversified retirement income, optimizing tax strategies, and accounting for Colorado-specific cost dynamics can preserve both lifestyle and independence.
Ultimately, the data should be interpreted not as destiny, but as a call to action. The growing share of Coloradans working past 65 is a reflection of planning gaps—not just economic conditions. With a disciplined approach to saving, strategic investment management, and clear retirement income planning, individuals can redefine what retirement looks like on their own terms. The goal is not merely to stop working earlier, but to preserve the freedom to decide—because true financial success in Colorado’s evolving landscape is measured not by how long you work, but by whether you still have to. Work because you want to; not because you have to.
Schedule a meeting with RWP to get your retirement plan ready 👉 http://www.rwp.nm.com/schedule?utm_source=facebook&utm_content=_&agentid=010354