Billionaire Larry Fink: ‘No One Should Have to Work Longer Than They Want To’ — But Retiring At 65 Is ‘Crazy’
- Personal Finance
ThePostMaster- 0
- 6 minutes read
Retirement at 65 isn’t some eternal truth. It’s a relic from a time when most people didn’t live long enough to enjoy it.
In his 2024 annual letter to BlackRock investors, billionaire CEO Larry Fink questioned why Americans still treat 65 as the default finish line. “No one should have to work longer than they want to,” he wrote. “But I do think it’s a bit crazy that our anchor idea for the right retirement age — 65 years old — originates from the time of the Ottoman Empire.”
The 65-Year Benchmark Is Crumbling
Fink pointed to a gap between how long people live and how poorly the system supports them. “If you’re married and both you and your spouse are over the age of 65,” he wrote, “there’s a 50/50 chance at least one of you will be receiving a Social Security check until you’re 90.”
Don’t Miss:
But half of Americans between 55 and 65 had nothing saved in a personal retirement account, according to Census Bureau data.
Trending: Put professional stock research to work in a single ETF — explore Motley Fool Asset Management’s factor-based funds.
He ended that section with a call to responsibility: “Before my generation fully disappears from positions of corporate and political leadership, we have an obligation to change that.”
Two Global Fixes, One National Wake-Up Call
Fink didn’t call for everyone to work into their 70s. Instead, he spotlighted two models other countries are already using:
- In the Netherlands, the retirement age automatically adjusts with life expectancy.
- In Japan, workers in their 60s are encouraged to stay in the workforce if they choose — and are respected for it.
He called for a national strategy to treat retirement not as an individual struggle, but a collective crisis. “America needs an organized, high-level effort to ensure that future generations can live out their final years with dignity,” he said.
See Also: Designed for investors with strong market convictions, REX Shares builds ETFs for income, leverage, and tactical positioning — explore the lineup.
A Plan Still Matters — No Matter What Age You Are
Fink’s letter wasn’t just philosophy. It was a warning. Longer lives mean longer retirements — and without a plan, many won’t make it work.
Because retirement may be changing. But needing a plan? That’s not going anywhere.
Read Next: Why Billionaires Like Warren Buffett Prefer Real Assets Over Speculation—Institutional Real Estate Is Now Accessible to Individuals
Image: Shutterstock
Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs
© 2026 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
To add Benzinga News as your preferred source on Google, click here.
