As of October 2021, there were 7 percent more retirees in the U.S. than in January 2020, representing 3.3 million people. The increase in retirees lay mostly in those older than 65, especially those ages 65-74.
Women were more likely to be retired than their male counterparts, around 11 percent more likely for those in the 65-74 age group and 5 percent more likely in people 75 and older, according to the data.
Married people were also more likely to be retired than their unmarried counterparts.
A large share of the older women who retired worked in trade, retail, leisure and hospitality, an author of the study told Fortune, as they possibly were worried about COVID-19 exposure.
Black, Hispanic and Native American workers were also less likely to be retired compared with white workers of similar age.
