Retirement is often seen as a reward for a lifetime of work, but for many Black Americans, it’s a phase marked by financial strain and health challenges. New research from the Employee Benefit Research Institute reveals that nearly half of Black retirees left the workforce earlier than planned due to health issues or disabilities—compared to just one-third of non-Black retirees. This disparity underscores how health inequities continue to shape lives long after employment ends.
Poor health outcomes, often tied to environmental exposures, unsafe workplaces, and limited access to quality care, force early retirement. That means fewer years of earning, reduced Social Security benefits, and faster depletion of savings. The result is a retirement marked by financial stress and ongoing health management, rather than rest and security.
The impact doesn’t stop there. Two-thirds of Black retirees report needing to return to work for financial reasons, compared to just over one-third of non-Black retirees. Many take lower-paying or part-time jobs, despite health limitations, just to stay afloat.
Debt adds another layer of complexity. Among higher earners, nearly two-thirds of Black Americans say debt threatens their financial security, compared to less than half of their non-Black peers. These burdens reflect systemic barriers to wealth accumulation and compound the challenges of retirement.
The report calls for systemic solutions—not just better financial planning. Without addressing the root causes of inequality in health, employment, and housing, retirement will remain out of reach for many.
See: “Retirement exposes the fault lines in the American promise” (July 11, 2025)
