Read Business Insider’s stories and watch our video after nearly 200 interviews with workers over 80
Jason Henry, Laura Thompson, Lanna Apisukh, Matt Martian Williams, Brittany Greeson, Cassidy Araiza, Alyssa Schukar, Bridget Bennett, Tim Gruber, Michael J. Fiedler for BI
“I’m working because I have to. I don’t want to.” “I’m basically working seven days a week.” “I don’t want to fall into sedentary mode.” “I’m still full of energy. I’m still very much on my game.”
These are some of the stories we heard in interviews with nearly 200 Americans who continue to work past the age of 80. In 2025, Business Insider wrote more than 20 stories and produced a short documentary video — all examining why people over 80 continue to work well beyond the typical retirement age.
Older workers are the fastest-growing sector of the US labor force. Our “80 over 80” project examines the how and why.
Check it out below: