Social Security has developed into one of the most popular federal programs, though that popularity is tempered by concern over its long-term financial outlook.
Despite a slowly improving economy, about four-in-ten adults (38%) say they are not confident that they will have enough income and assets for their retirement, up from 25% at the end of the Great Recession in 2009.
Older adults are staying in the labor force longer, and younger adults are staying out of it longer. Both trends intensified with the recession and are expected to continue after the economy recovers. One reason: Older workers value not just a paycheck, but the psychological and social rewards.
In the midst of a recession that has taken a heavy toll on many nest eggs, just over half of all working adults ages 50 to 64 say they may delay their retirement -- and another 16% say they never expect to stop working.
A new Pew Social Trends survey finds a yawning gap between the expectations of today's workers, more than three-quarters of whom believe they will work for pay even after they retire, and current retirees, just 12% of whom are actually working for pay right now.
As baby boomers search for the perfect place to spend their golden years, states - especially ones not typically considered seniors' havens - hope to grab a share of the retirement pie.
As the oldest of the nation's 75 million baby boomers approach the age of 60, a Pew Research Center survey finds many are looking ahead to their own retirement while balancing a full plate of family responsibilities - either raising minor children or providing financial and other forms of support to adult children or to aging parents.
