More than half a million people aged over 50 want to work but are unable to, largely due to ill health or disability, according to official figures.
Analysis of workforce data by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) showed 585,000 people aged 50 to 64 were without a job but were willing or wanted to work in 2026, up 13,000, or 2%, year-on-year.
Main reasons for not working
Nearly two thirds – 62%, or 363,870 – of those said they were not looking for work due to being sick, injured or disabled. A further 16% of those classed as economically inactive but willing to work said it was because they were “looking after home or family”.
Overall, around 866,000 people aged 50 to 64 were either actively looking for work, or wanting to work but unable to, down from about 876,000 in 2025.
Financial consequences highlighted
Marianna Hunt, personal finance specialist at Fidelity International, said: “This is a significant cohort of people and the consequences for individuals who fall out of the workforce in their 50s can be enormous.”
“For some people, it can force them into an early retirement they can’t afford. Every additional year out of work means one less year of earning and saving into a pension, one less year for investments to grow, and one more year of retirement to fund.”
Gender differences and employment trends
The data also showed significantly more over-50s women are economically inactive, at 29%, compared with 22.2% of men. Among economically inactive over-50s, women were twice as likely as men to report “looking after home or family” as the main reason for not looking for work, at 16.5%, versus 7.4%.
More over-50s are in work, with the employment rate at 72.2%, up from 66% in 2025, and near the record high seen in 2019. Women are also staying in work longer, with the average age for women to leave the labour market now standing at a new record high of 65.1 years, up from 64.7 years in 2025. The age for men to leave the jobs market remained unchanged at 65.8 years.
Ms Hunt said: “With people living longer and state pension ages rising, many of us may expect – or need – to work for longer. But that only works if people who want to continue working have the opportunity to do so.”
Andrew Western, minister for employment, said: “We know these workers bring a wealth of experience which employers are crying out for. We’re continuing to build on this progress by overhauling Jobcentres, offering dedicated support for older workers through midlife MOTs as well as collaborating with employers to enhance workplace support for women experiencing menopause symptoms.”
