A late 2025 AARP survey found that 75% of parents are providing financial support to a child age 18 or older. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported that as of March 2026, the unemployment rate among recent college graduates ages 22 to 27 was 5.6%, compared to 3.1% for all college graduates, and that as of January 2026, 41.5% of recent graduates were underemployed. Some parents in their early 60s who had been planning to retire within a few years say they are now delaying those plans in order to continue supporting adult children who have moved back home.

What it means for you

For readers approaching retirement age who are financially supporting adult children, the added household expenses and inability to downsize or relocate can affect retirement timing. The AARP survey figure — 75% of parents supporting a child 18 or older — suggests this situation is widespread among people in the pre-retirement years. The Kiplinger article does not identify a specific program, deadline, or benefit change tied to this trend.

Source: Kiplinger (blog/trade), with unemployment and underemployment data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and survey data from AARP. Source URL: https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/retirement-planning/how-the-ai-entry-level-freeze-is-delaying-retirement · July 25, 2026

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