Retirement Plans and Perceptions Among Rural Nebraskans

• Most rural Nebraskans indicate an ideal retirement age of between 55-64 years (about 55%), or an ideal age of between 65-70 years (under 30%). • However, only one-third of those ideally retiring between ages 55-64 think they will have sufficient income to do so, while nearly one-half of those ideally retiring between ages 65-70 think they will have enough retirement income. • Over 40 percent of rural Nebraskans say they plan to work during retirement. People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to plan on working than those in their 20s and 30s. • A majority of rural Nebraskans plan to spend more time with their spouse and friends (generally over 70%), to travel or participate in recreational activities (about 70%), and spend more time with children and grandchildren (about 60%). • However, few plan to volunteer for community services or to pursue educational goals. • Younger rural Nebraskans are more optimistic that their quality of life in retirement will improve (30% to 50%). By contrast, older people are more likely to say life will remain about the same (60% to 70%). • Across all ages, less than 20 percent expect life to worsen in retirement. People with lower incomes are more likely to think life in retirement will be worse