retirement age

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 25, 2015

Really depends on the person- there isn't necessarily a "usual" retirement age, although I would bet that most wait until they are eligible for Medicare and Social Security.

If patient safety becomes an issue, it should be addressed by management, but that's nurses of any age, not just those of the older generations.

With the exception of nurses who do not practice safely, the issue of when to retire is an entirely personal one and should be left up to the nurse.

imintrouble, BSN, RN · Sep 25, 2015

Half our nurse staff are late fifties, mid sixties. None of us have plans to retire in the near future.

Airplane pilot id the only profession that I know of that has a mandatory retirement age.

Jensmom7, BSN, RN · Sep 25, 2015

I'm 59 (or will be in 3 weeks). I plan on "retiring" at my full retirement age of 66 and 4 months, but will most likely keep working a few days a week, with a little volunteering thrown in.

What I won't be working at is Nursing. After 44 years, I'm not going to be feeling like driving so much, doing on call, and putting up with physician bs lol.

sailornurse · Sep 25, 2015

The retirement age for medicare keeps climbing gradually. It is 65 if born 1937 or before, 66 for those born between 1943-1954; 67 for anyone born 1960 or later. Many people retire only to return to the workforce. I worked with a professor who was in her 80's!

I plan to work until 67 (which would make a 48 year nursing career)but who knows? I might work part time & I hope it is in nursing.

allnurses Guide · Sep 27, 2015

What is the usual age for retirement for nurses. So many nurses are going to school
at a later age or as a second career to become a nurse. I have heard nurses still working
at 70 years old.
What is your opinion on this subject.

You know old nurses never die they just sort of fade away. I think many nurses stay on the job because they really like what they do. Also there are economics to consider - perhaps they did not plan for retirement well, or lost a lot of Savings due the economic downfall. My husband and I have been very fortunate and with a modest investment portfolio of well performing stocks and mutual funds are set to retire at around age 65. The fact is you need to be putting no less than 10% of your income into some kind of retirement plan. If you aren't you'll find yourself empty-handed and working at the end of the rainbow.

faithfl · Sep 28, 2015

What is the usual time to retire? Some say 67, 68, 69, or even 70. With so many starting as a nurse

later in life and then they work longer and retire later in life. What about you? What is your opinion?

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 28, 2015

You've already started a thread on this subject here and received a few answers. You can ask 50 nurses this question and get 50 different answers. It's completely subjective.