How Old Is Too Old to Work?

Today, more and more older Americans are staying on the job: From 2004 to 2024, the number of people over 55 still in the workforce increased by nearly 70%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

This past winter, 7% of all retirees reentered the workforce, according to a recent AARP survey. Nearly half (48%) said the primary reason was financial, with “staying active” a distant second (14%).

But how many extra working years can our brains handle, and how do you know when it’s time to slow down?

Just like our bodies get older, our brains do too, said Sejal Vyas, PhD, a neuropsychologist and founder of The Center for Cognition, Emotion & Behavior, which has locations in New York and Connecticut.

“You may not be able to run a mile at the same speed or intensity as you did when you were 20 if you’re 55 or 65, and you could say the same thing in terms of the brain,” she said.

Like many health care choices, the decision about when to stop work depends on the individual.

“We [talk about] chronological age, but that’s probably not the most accurate thing,” said Mirnova Ceide, MD, a geriatric psychiatrist and associate professor of psychiatry and behavior sciences, geriatrics, and neurology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York.

Instead, A person’s biological age—the actual physical condition of their body—is probably the better measure of their capabilities.

What Happens as You Age?

When we’re young, our brains are in a constant state of development. It starts with the very basics, like learning how to breathe.

In adulthood, the goal becomes homeostasis, which is the body’s natural process of trying to maintain a stable environment. As some things start to deteriorate, other areas regenerate and grow.

Think of it like your muscles after a good workout—those tiny tears in the fibers heal and your muscles come back stronger. Later in life—usually around your 60s, but there’s no hard or fast number—a very minimal, very slow loss in brain matter starts. That’s normal.

“Everybody’s brain matter will shrink a little bit,” Dr. Ceide said. Chronic illnesses such as diabetes or HIV can accelerate it.

As we age, working memory and processing speed slow down. These changes can even start in your late 20s, Dr. Vyas said, though they might not be noticeable for decades. A common example is when you need more time to come up with what you’re trying to say. The information is still there, but it takes longer to find. That’s different for someone with an age-related memory disorder such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, though. In those people, the part of the brain storing the information they’re looking for might actually no longer exist.

But not everything is rooted in biology. There are also psychological or emotional stressors that have an impact on our brain as we age.

Fine motor skills also start to decline with age too. For people with hands-on careers that require precision, such as surgeons, chefs or electricians, to name a few, that could create some challenges.

But not everything is rooted in biology. There are also psychological or emotional stressors that have an impact on our brain as we age.

“Many changes are happening as you’re getting older,” Dr. Ceide said. “You may be losing a spouse; you may be dealing with medical issues. Dealing with all these can [make someone] very overwhelmed. And if you are just overwhelmed and anxious, that will present itself in your executive function.”

The good news is that the brain can call on backup when its resources start to dip.

“We have so much redundancy in our brain,” Dr. Ceide said. “Even if you have damage somewhere, the brain picks up the slack and you often can adapt elsewhere.”

This is an active area of research, according to Dr. Vyas. “Some of the newer studies are actually looking at how you can recruit other brain centers to help you compensate for brain-related changes.”

The Benefits of Working Later in Life

Aside from the economic boost, remaining in the workforce at an older age has other benefits. Challenging yourself cognitively increases or maintains brain folds, strengthening neural networks. “You are really helping to stimulate your cognition,” Dr. Vyas said.

Plus, the wisdom and experience that come with age can be assets in the workplace, promoting efficiency and mentorship.

“You spent your whole life learning things and developing that frontal lobe,” Dr. Ceide said. “It’s important to be able to share that.”

Furthermore, in general, being around others is good for your brain, whether it’s in the office, through volunteer work or regularly meeting friends. A 2017 study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health looked at 7,000 people age 65 and older and found that higher social involvement was associated with better cognitive health later in life.

Assessing Brain Function

While neurological testing isn’t part of a typical annual workup, once you reach age 65, your doctor should be asking you if you’re noticing any cognitive changes. While some changes can be a part of normal aging, others could be early signs of a disease or condition. There are medical teams that specialize in telling the difference—including neuropsychologists—so it can be worth seeking out an evaluation, if you are noticing changes. These appointments may incorporate cognitive testing, a physical exam and brain imaging to help you find answers.

“There’s tons of different things that could cause someone who’s getting older to present with some memory issues,” Dr. Ceide said. “Could this be psychological? Could this be some medical issue? Could it be you’re just on too many medications?”

Dr. Vyas adds that a number of contributing causes—such as sleep deprivation, fluctuating hormone levels and substance use—are reversible.

“These are things we could potentially address, medically or otherwise, that could really have meaningful progress towards optimizing that individual’s functioning,” she said.

What to Do If You’re Not Ready to Stop Working

In most jobs, you’re not required to retire once you reach a certain age. (Jobs with mandatory retirements are often related to public safety, such as airline pilots, air traffic controllers, federal law enforcement, and, depending on the state, police officers.)

Dr. Vyas and Dr. Ceide shared some advice on what older people should consider as they near retirement age:

Look into any challenges. If you start to notice blips in your memory or trouble with your attention span,start with a visit to your primary care physician, Dr. Vyas said. If warranted, an evaluation with a neuropsychologist can help to establish a baseline of where you are.

Look into part-time work or delegate responsibilities. “Think about if your job has an ability for you to do something where you’re still engaged, but not at 100 percent,” Dr. Ceide said. Maybe there is a peripheral or teaching role available, Dr. Vyas added.

Take stock of your work today, and be kind to yourself. You might think that you should be able to keep up with the same job you’ve had for years, not realizing that your role has fundamentally shifted. “Maybe now your place of work has incorporated new technologies so you’re feeling overwhelmed,” Dr. Ceide said. “It’s fair that you might struggle because things have changed.”

Pay attention to your lifestyle. “There’s an overwhelming amount of evidence that there are lifestyle changes that will promote your brain health,” Dr. Ceide said. The Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER) was the first in the world to demonstrate that lifestyle interventions, such as a balanced diet, physical activity and cognitive stimulation, can prevent cognitive decline. The trial’s control group had a 30% greater risk of developing cognitive impairment after two years, compared to the interventions group.

In the U.S., the Alzheimer Association’s Study to Protect Brain Health Through Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Risk (U.S. POINTER) also found that a healthy diet, exercise, good heart health, cognitive stimulation and social engagement can protect brain function.

“The more cognitively challenged, physically active, socially involved you are—these are all protective effects,” Dr. Vyas said.