Retirement Is Being Completely Rewritten... Here's What the Data Says

Added: 2026-05-16

[00:00:00]Retirement is being rewritten in real time and the data backs it up.

[00:00:04]Fidelity's 2026 State of Retirement Planning Study just dropped and they said that 72% of Americans now say they expect to retire on their own terms.

[00:00:15]That's up 5% from last year and here's the part that surprised me. Nearly seven in 10 Americans are planning on a non-traditional retirement path, gig work, consulting, starting their own business, switching industries entirely.

[00:00:31]So, instead of just doing a hard stop, 61% of Americans plan to transition into retirement. The last day gold watch goodbye forever version of retirement is slowly dying. 35% of retirees are considering gig work or a side hustle.

[00:00:47]29% want to start a small business. 26% want to consult part-time. So, here's what I tell you. Give yourself permission to create retirement on your terms. Working two days a week at something you love isn't failing at retirement. The old retirement model was built for people whose bodies were exhausted and many people today are still incredibly active and incredibly sharp well into retirement. And so, you get to choose retirement on your terms.

[00:01:16]Retirement isn't ending anymore.

[00:01:19]Retirement for many is a redesign.

[00:01:21]Follow for more.