The widespread blackouts that recently brought parts of Spain and Portugal to a standstill triggered global speculation: was it an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack?

Though authorities later ruled out an EMP, the incident reignited urgent questions about America’s vulnerability to similar large-scale disruptions and whether the U.S. is prepared for a modern-day "black sky" event.

According to cybersecurity expert and former Army Cyber Institute board member Bryson Bort, the United States remains dangerously exposed to a range of threats: not just EMPs, but increasingly sophisticated cyber and artificial intelligence (AI) attacks.

"There are a lot of other problems that are higher probability," Bort told Fox News Digital. "The EMP thing is a little bit of a distraction – but that doesn’t mean it’s not a threat."

​​HOW CHINA'S CYBERESPIONAGE HAS CHANGED

An EMP is a sudden burst of electromagnetic energy capable of disabling electronic devices across vast areas. It can be natural – from a solar flare – or man-made, triggered by a high-altitude nuclear detonation.

Unlike cyberattacks that target software, an EMP disables physical systems: from car engines and cellphone towers to hospital generators and water pumps. A major attack could throw society back to the pre-electric age, with devastating consequences.

Former CIA Director James Woolsey once called EMPs "one of the greatest national vulnerabilities," and some estimates suggest an EMP could result in the deaths of up to 90% of Americans within a year due to the collapse of infrastructure.

"The very first thing you’ve got to lose is your water supply," said Dr. William Forstchen, a longtime EMP researcher. "Within days, nursing homes, hospitals, law enforcement – they’re all in deep trouble."

While the Trump administration issued an executive order directing federal agencies to prepare for such an event, Bort said implementation has been inconsistent and fragmented.

"We are not prepared for this at all," he warned.

Forstchen expressed optimism that the administration’s "Golden Dome" project, a proposed ground-and space-based defense system, could intercept EMP threats – but the project remains years from completion. 

NUCLEAR EMP ATTACK MOVES TO BIG SCREEN AS AUTHOR REFLECTS ON 'INVISIBLE LIFELINE'

While EMP attacks remain the stuff of both national security nightmares and Hollywood scripts, experts say cyberattacks are far more probable and still highly destructive. 

"We know that the Chinese have been in the American civilian critical infrastructure since 2010," Bort said. "They haven’t done anything yet, but they are absolutely in there and setting up to do something at some point."

This week, Reuters reported that U.S. officials found communication modules embedded in Chinese-made power inverters – devices used to connect solar panels and wind turbines to the grid.

Bort pointed to "Jack Voltaic," a multi-year cyber warfare simulation by the Army Cyber Institute, designed to test military-civilian coordination in response to attacks on critical infrastructure.

"What we found is there’s a great interdependence," he said. "You can’t even have an electric grid if you don’t have water – because you can’t cool it."

Bort said cyberattacks are often the product of long-term reconnaissance, with hackers quietly positioning themselves inside systems for months or years.

"A cyberattack is not something where Putin says, ‘Hey, hit Detroit tomorrow,’" he explained. "It’s already set in place. When the political situation calls for it, that’s when the trigger gets pulled."

Another, less understood, threat to America’s infrastructure is the rise of AI. In particular, the race toward artificial general intelligence (AGI), or AI systems with human-level cognitive abilities.

Tyler Saltzman, a military technologist working on AI systems capable of operating in disconnected environments like an EMP aftermath, warned that AI – if used maliciously – could bring the grid down entirely. "Our infrastructure is very fragile," Saltzman said. "All you need to do is take down our power grid, and we’re in complete chaos."

Saltzman expressed deep concern about efforts to create AGI – systems he says could eventually surpass human control.

"Once AGI comes online, it could easily take down our power grid, infiltrate our financial systems, destroy our economy," he said. "If it sees how violent humans are to each other, why would it serve us?"

In 2023, a Chinese surveillance balloon drifted over U.S. territory for days before it was shot down by the military. While believed to be for spying, defense officials note that a high-altitude balloon could be used for electronic warfare – including an EMP.

The Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from EMP Attacks has long warned about balloon-based delivery. Others argue a missile would be more effective, since it would be harder to intercept.

Whether the next major threat comes from above or from a keyboard, experts agree: the U.S. is not ready.

"We’re still thinking about wars with tanks," Bort said. "Meanwhile, the real fight is already happening inside our infrastructure."

• Many older Americans are seeking budget-friendly ways to fend off loneliness.
• Some are finding community in new places; others are building ties after the death of loved ones.
• Low-cost activities and returning to the workforce have helped some stay social.

During the colder months, Barbara O'Keeffe, 79, her husband, and their friends journey into the rocky deserts of Arizona. With the intense sun shining on their sunscreen-covered faces, they take walks and admire the vastness.

When May hits and the blistering heat traps them inside, O'Keeffe occasionally wakes up early, tries a new breakfast spot, and bookmarks it for when her snowbird friends return in the winter.

Their finances are stable, but the O'Keeffes have tried to keep costs down while maintaining a healthy social life, though they will splurge on concerts.

But because of rising costs, they've slowed their search for new restaurants and embraced being homebodies during the summer, taking up projects like sewing and going through old photographs. Their over-55 community often holds events in the evenings, and they've maintained online connections with friends from their travels and work. Still, balancing social activities on a budget isn't easy.

"One of the hardest things at our age is that we are starting to lose close friends of 30 to 40 years, and each time it happens, it reinforces our own mortality," said O'Keeffe, who retired over 18 years ago from her role as a university department head.

O'Keeffe is one of dozens of retirees who recently told Business Insider they're trying to stay socially connected despite having limited retirement savings. Some said it's difficult to make friends later in life, especially without workplace connections to fall back on. Others said spending on food, housing, and other essentials has already strained their monthly budgets, making it harder to prioritize relationships and fend off loneliness. Many older Americans, particularly those with lower incomes, have been caught in the nation's broader "loneliness crisis."

What's more, fears about the future of government benefits like Social Security and Medicaid because of federal staffing and budget cuts, along with the stock market's ups and downs, have added to their financial stress. This story is part of a series on older workers.

Some retirees are going back to work to seek connections

For some retirees, going back to work has been the most practical way to address their financial and social challenges.

Carolyn Evans, 71, worked at a Big Four accounting firm for two decades before retiring in 2021 to care for her terminally ill husband. Despite having a pension and 401(k), she didn't have enough saved to retire comfortably — she lost much of her $400,000 in savings during the 2008 recession and paid hefty bills to repair her house after a natural disaster. When her husband died in 2022, she felt isolated and returned to work.

"I wanted to be around people because of the loneliness that I encountered after my husband passed away," Evans said.

Evans, who lives in Texas, said she couldn't find many part-time openings, so she became a full-time accountant for a real estate company. She's enjoyed working with younger people, property managers, and clients. Evans isn't sure when she might be able to retire again, though she's hopeful work will keep her fulfilled and financially stable for the time being.

"I enjoy work because it is very community-connected with various social activities such as bowling and pickleball," Evans said. "My children often entertain with barbecues and other family gatherings, there are church gatherings, and activities where it is often potluck and less expensive."

Finding low-cost activities and returning to work haven't fully solved the social challenges many retirees, like Libby Mintzer, face.

Mintzer, 73, retired from her job as a paralegal in 2022. She relies on her monthly Social Security income, which she says is barely enough to get by. As a result, Mintzer said she's been actively searching for part-time employment — preferably an office job — but hasn't had any luck yet.

The financial strain has also made it harder for her to build new friendships since she relocated from New York to Tampa, Florida, about three years ago. She's tried joining local meetup groups — some of which involved going out to dinner — but said they haven't been a good fit.

"I ended up broke every month because I'd spend $60 on dinner, and I didn't click with anybody," she said.

When a social opportunity catches her interest — even an expensive one — it can be hard to pass on it. If she overspends, she said she typically cuts back on food.

"To me, it's worth spending money or even going over my budget once in a while," she said.

• After five years of relief, student-loan borrowers in default are subject to wage and federal benefits garnishment.
• Some retirees with student debt told BI they're worried their Social Security checks will be seized.
• Some also said they support Trump's intent to ensure borrowers pay back their student loans.

After years of working factory jobs, Mary Glod went to college in 1983, hoping that a degree would give her and her two children a better life.

Now 73, Glod still has $31,000 in student debt, and her Social Security checks are just about the only income keeping her afloat in retirement. She hasn't been paying due to pandemic relief, and her projected student-loan payment of nearly $300 a month isn't feasible, she said.

"When you're only getting a thousand dollars a month, and you've got rent and you've got utilities, I just can't pay that much," Glod told Business Insider. "So it'll probably go into default."

Glod was free of the consequences of defaulting on her student loans for the past five years under a pandemic moratorium on collections. On May 5, however, Trump's Department of Education announced that collections on defaulted student loans are resuming, including the eventual garnishment of wages and federal benefits like Social Security.

Most federal student loans enter default after 270 days of missed payments.

Business Insider heard from over a dozen student-loan borrowers in retirement whose Social Security is their main source of income. While some of them are not in default, they're concerned that they're headed in that direction and don't know how to avoid garnishment of their federal benefits. Some also said they support Trump's motivation to restart collections and ensure loans are paid back.

Linda McMahon, Trump's education secretary, wrote in an opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal that restarting collections is necessary to restore accountability to the student-loan system.

"Borrowers who don't make payments on time will see their credit scores go down, and in some cases their wages automatically garnished," McMahon wrote. "Why? Not because we want to be unkind to student borrowers. Borrowing money and failing to pay it back isn't a victimless offense. Debt doesn't go away; it gets transferred to others."

Glod said she feels "guilty" that she's been unable to make debt payments, and if she could afford to, she would.

"I've always tried to pay bills that I owe and try to be responsible, but sometimes things happen and you just can't. It is just beyond your reach," Glod said. "I don't know how much they're going to take out my Social Security, and I can't stop them. So as long as I can keep the roof over my head and keep the lights on, I guess I'll just have to deal with it."

'I'd like to write a letter to my president that I helped put in office'

The Treasury Department can withhold up to 15% of a student-loan borrower's Social Security check, up to 15% of their federal salary, and up to 100% of a federal tax refund.

The Department of Education said it sent notices to 195,000 borrowers in default on May 5 that they have 30 days until their federal benefits might be seized. Later this summer, over 5 million defaulted borrowers could see their wages garnished. Borrowers in default have three options to avoid wage and benefits garnishment, but they take time and might require legal representation.

Cheri, 67, described herself as a staunch Republican who voted for Trump. She's a retiree with nearly $20,000 in student debt and relies on her $1,700 monthly Social Security checks and inconsistent pay from a freelance job. She's not pleased with the collections restart.

"For them to come right out and say, 'Well, we're putting people in collections,' that really angers me," Cheri said. "Actually, I'd like to write a letter to my president that I helped put in office and say, 'Whoa, wait a minute, buddy. I don't think that's right. I don't think that's right at all.'"

Cheri decided to go to college in the early 2000s because she thought that, as a single mom like Glod, a college degree would allow her to earn more money through a steady career. She eventually dropped out because her student loans became too burdensome, and she acknowledged that she wished she had thought harder about the implications of taking out a loan before she did so.

She said that she supports the Trump administration's stance that loans should be paid back, and she made payments as often as she could. But she has not paid off her debt since the pandemic, and she's not financially prepared to start back up again.

"When I start reading about coming after us and attacking our Social Security checks, I thought, 'Oh my God, I'm going to end up on the streets,' because you can't stop it," Cheri said.

Cheri said she isn't sure what her future student-loan payments will look like, and whether she'll end up defaulting. She said that she believes that "if you borrow something, you have to give it back," but she doesn't think the abrupt restart of collections is the right approach.

"I'm not going to bash the Trump administration. But that being said, I think that turning people over to collections is a very drastic move after what we just went through over the past four years," Cheri said. "I'm opposed to that."

'I'm just scared that I won't get next month's check'

Vickie Bright, 64, received a letter from her student-loan servicer on April 10 that her account is 180 days past due and would be reported to credit agencies.

To make up for her missed payments, her servicer sent her a billing statement with a $2,830 payment due on May 13 — a big surge from her regular $350 monthly payments. She said she can't afford those extra bills. Social Security is her only income — and now she's concerned that income will soon be diminished.

"During the pandemic, I kept all my bills paid. And so my credit score was going up, and now I'm sure it's just going to hit rock bottom again," Bright said. "It impacts every aspect of your life. I wake up in the morning and I think about it. I'm just scared that I won't get next month's check."

The New York Federal Reserve's quarterly household debt and credit report found that in the first quarter of 2025, the number of student-loan borrowers who moved into serious delinquency surged to 8.04%, up from 0.8% one year prior. The report's researchers said on a press call that following the pandemic pause on collections and credit reporting, the increase was expected, but it means that millions more borrowers are at risk of facing the severe consequences of default.

Bright said she's going to contact her servicer for help getting on an affordable repayment plan, but she doesn't see an end in sight to her student-loan payments.

"It is unbelievable that I live in America and they prize dollars over people," Bright said. "It's kind of heartbreaking because at least I still have a home at the moment. And there are people who don't, and they still expect this stuff from them. It's hopeless on top of hopeless."

Do you have a story to share about your student loans? Are you concerned about defaulting? Contact this reporter at [email protected].

Illuminated by a large desk lamp, Fay Pacchioli, 93, crunches numbers in Excel under the watchful eyes of her dogs, immortalized in framed photos on her wall.

It's midnight in Easton, Pennsylvania, and she's hours into her shift. It's when she focuses the best, kept awake by the scent of spring flowers on her desk and the scuttling paws of her petite dog, Miss DeeDee.

Her patterned cane, the black-and-white photo of her late husband, and the medications she's been taking since having a stroke in August are signs of how much has changed in the 50-plus years since she opened her pet supplies store. Still, the buzzing texts on her phone and stream of emails root her in her present bookkeeping tasks for the business, which she does part time on her own schedule.

"I'm not ready to quit yet," Pacchioli said. "I keep seeing in the paper that there are people over 100, and I'm not sure if I'm going to make that, but I feel good."

Pacchioli is one of half a dozen Americans in their 90s who talked to Business Insider about why they're still working. All said they work to keep their minds fresh and have a purpose, though two said they don't have much choice for financial reasons. Most said they work between doctors' appointments and family visits, arranging their schedules to avoid getting too tired or burned out.

It's rare for someone in their 90s to work. A Business Insider analysis of Census Bureau data found that about 36,000 people 90 and older in the US work at least part time. It's a tiny part of the workforce, but valuable for the workers and their employers.

Christina Matz, the director of the Center on Aging and Work at Boston College, said there's a "bifurcation" between more privileged older workers who can retire when they desire, and those who have to work to supplement Social Security. Some older Americans in precarious financial situations take whatever position they can find. Others have tied much of their identity to work and can't fathom giving it up, especially those who built their own businesses or were self-employed.

"To sell their equipment, sell their land, sell their business, is very hard," Matz said. "Oftentimes, you see that farmers will continue to maintain some level of involvement in the field into their 80s and 90s. It's partly because of this fear of what will happen if I let it go."

For Pacchioli, it's taken seven decades to master work-life balance. She recently attended a class reunion with friends from college, and she often plays bridge with others around her age. During the summers, she spends time at her lake house.

"I don't have a million dollars, but I have enough money to live comfortably on," Pacchioli said. "I have money saved to pay for my funeral and expenses, and I have some designated for each of my children and grandchildren, but I don't have a lot."

He has no plans to stop running his company

James "Buddy" Hooper, 91, works more hours in a week than many working professionals half his age.

"I am so driven to get my company to where it will continue to grow without me that all I do is work," Hooper said, adding he typically wakes up at 6:30 a.m. "To qualify that, I work when I please. If I want to take time off, I take time off."

Hooper, who lives in Clearwater, Florida, began his business, OrangeBee Money Global, in 1989. He works with companies and entrepreneurs to generate additional sales and clientele. Hooper doesn't charge an up-front fee or membership cost, but he takes a 10% broker's fee and charges a small monthly fee if OBMG delivers new customers. He runs the business himself but sometimes brings in outside help for more technical projects.

"A football player does not get paid for playing football; he's paid for his time, and what he does with his time determines how much money he makes," Hooper said. "When I discovered that, I realized that everybody has time, and I can turn time into money."

Despite some nerve damage in his legs and feet from car accidents that has had minimal impact on his physical activities, he credits his many early mornings and meeting-heavy days to his parents' work ethic. They grew cotton and vegetables on their farm in Texas and traded in their cows to pay back loans. Hooper, who was in the Marines, also previously worked at Sears and Goodyear Tire.

Now, he said he won't stop as his company continues expanding to global markets.

"You've got to find something that you love to do," Hooper said, adding that it's important not to try to "make a whole lot of money real fast" without enjoying the job.

'I want to be doing something constructive and useful for people'

Dolores Haller, 92, hasn't stopped working since she was 13 and earned $1.35 an hour at a dairy store. Because she has limited savings, Haller said the extra money she earns now as a bookkeeper for a real estate lawyer three days a week is crucial.

Her career included stints as an accounts manager at an electrical wholesaler and a fencing company. She also ran a business selling insurance for 18 years.

Haller, who lives near Buffalo, New York, said she and her late husband didn't focus much on retirement planning and were "very generous" with their children. She said she wasn't anywhere near wealthy growing up, and never had much for most of her life, though she's never needed a lot to be happy.

"It's all gone — everything I've ever had in a savings account has gone toward living expenses," Haller said, adding she earns in the mid-five figures annually from Social Security and what she earns as a bookkeeper. "I'm not wealthy, but I have enough to live on because I don't have a lot of wants."

When she's not working, she cares for her dog, plays games on her iPad, and visits friends and family. She said she has high blood pressure but is otherwise in good health, adding that she had other family members who lived into their late 90s. And while she's mostly deaf, it hasn't stopped her from doing anything.

"I want to be doing something constructive and useful for people," Haller said.

'I'm still reading and learning every day'

For some 90-somethings like Lewis Tagliaferre, 92, "work" means passion projects with a little money coming in.

Tagliaferre, who retired 27 years ago from his job as director of marketing services for the National Electrical Contractors Association, earning $85,000 a year, said retirement has not been a time to kick his feet up and relax. He stopped working after calculating that his pension would only increase by $600 a year if he worked past retirement age. After retirement, he wrote freelance magazine articles and bought and sold motorcycles.

Tagliaferre said that when he retired, he had about $200,000, and his house, which he bought in 1973, was paid off. But he lost half of his investments in 2008 amid the Great Recession. It took him six years to recover.

The death of his wife and many of his close friends compelled him to search deeper to discover his purpose upon retiring.

"In my neighborhood, we had a group of older people who got together occasionally for lunches, but they've all died," Tagliaferre said. "There's nobody around here anymore. The houses have been recycled with new families, and I'm an outlier here."

After retiring, he began the first of 12 books he's written on topics including religion and aging, and he's still hoping to secure a book deal. In 2024, he made $115,000 from his pension and Social Security. He paid for his house and car in cash, so he's kept his expenses low. He's managed his finances carefully and tries to stay occupied, though he said he gets lonely more often.

"We don't know what might happen; I could have a stroke tonight," Tagliaferre said. "I'm still reading and learning every day."

President Donald Trump spent his 17th week as commander-in-chief visiting the Middle East, marking his first major overseas trip of his second term. 

The president left Washington, D.C., Monday for Saudi Arabia, followed by a visit in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. 

The president’s trip comes amid the continuing war between Israel and Hamas, ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, and his plans to broaden his first administration’s Abraham Accords, which normalized diplomatic relations between Israel and Arab League nations such as the United Arab Emirates. 

TRUMP CONDEMNS 'INTERVENTIONALISTS,' PITCHES 'MORE HOPEFUL FUTURE' IN MIDDLE EAST SPEECH

Trump arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, early Tuesday morning, with the nation sending fighter jet escorts to welcome Air Force One to the ground and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman greeting Trump on the tarmac, which was adorned with a lavender-colored carpet.

Upon his arrival to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Trump was also met with a mobile and operational McDonald’s truck. 

The president, during a speech in Riyadh shortly after meeting with Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, vowed to continue America’s partnership with the Saudi Arabian government, but also called for peace in the Middle East, urging the region to pursue economic development rather than Iran’s "self-destructive" path. 

"If the responsible nations of this region seize this moment, put aside your differences and focus on the interests that unite you, then all humanity will soon be amazed at what we will see here in the geographic center of the world, and the spiritual heart of its greatest faiths," Trump said.

"Before our eyes, a new generation of leaders is transcending the ancient conflicts and tired divisions of the past, and forging a future where the Middle East is defined by commerce, not chaos; where it exports technology, not terrorism; and where people of different nations, religions, and creeds are building cities together, not bombing each other," he added.

Trump's speech came after he and Salman signed several economic agreements totaling $600 billion in trade deals. The agreements could help create up to two million U.S. jobs, Trump said.

Several of the agreements tracked with previously stated ambitions by both Washington, D.C., and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, particularly when it comes to defensive deals. 

SAUDIS DEPLOY MOBILE MCDONALD'S FOR TRUMP'S TRIP TO THE KINGDOM

But as for Iran, Trump, during his Saudi Arabia speech, also warned the Islamic Republic of a "massive maximum pressure" campaign if it did not come to a nuclear agreement with the U.S. 

"As I have shown repeatedly, I am willing to end past conflicts and forge new partnerships for a better and more stable world, even if our differences may be profound," Trump said. "If Iran’s leadership rejects this olive branch... we will have no choice but to inflict massive maximum pressure, drive Iranian oil exports to zero."

"Iran can have a much brighter future, but we will never allow them to threaten America and our allies with terrorism or a nuclear attack," Trump said. 

Trump had announced a 60-day time frame to reach an agreement with Iran over its illegal atomic weapons program. The first U.S. negotiating session with Iran commenced April 12. 

Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Iranian officials for a fourth round of nuclear talks over the weekend. 

TRUMP HITS IRAN’S POCKETBOOK AS HE DANGLES A CARROT IN MIDDLE EAST SPEECH

The nuclear talks were "difficult but useful," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said. A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door negotiations, offered more, describing the talks as being both indirect and direct, The Associated Press reported.

An "agreement was reached to move forward with the talks to continue working through technical elements," the U.S. official said. "We are encouraged by today’s outcome and look forward to our next meeting, which will happen in the near future."

The Trump administration has said the flawed 2015 Obama-era Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal, did not prevent Iran from building an atomic bomb. 

Trump, throughout his visit, made stark warnings to Iran — verbally, and through sanctions. 

Just shortly after dangling a carrot of a "brighter future" for Iran, the Treasury Department gave a taste of Trump’s "maximum pressure" campaign and sanctioned more than two dozen firms operating in Iran’s illicit international oil trade. 

TRUMP HITS IRAN’S POCKETBOOK AS HE DANGLES A CARROT IN MIDDLE EAST SPEECH

Trump said Iran has the nuclear "proposal." 

"But more importantly, they know they have to move quickly or something bad — something bad is going to happen," the president said. 

Next, the president traveled to Qatar, where he signed a series of agreements with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha.

Trump and his motorcade were greeted by dozens of mounted camels after his plane landed in Qatar Wednesday morning as he continues his four-day trip to the Middle East. 

The agreements there involved a purchasing agreement by Qatar for Boeing aircraft, as well as letters of intent and "joint cooperation" between Qatar and the U.S. The emir also signed an intent agreement to purchase MQ-9 drone aircraft.

Al Thani said he had a "great" conversation with Trump prior to the signing ceremony Wednesday, adding that the agreements have elevated the U.S.-Qatar relationship to "another level."

The president then met with U.S. service members at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, and cited "substantial pay raises" for U.S. troops in his 2026 budget. 

"You are without a doubt the greatest fighting force in the history of the world," Trump said. "And as your commander-in-chief, I'm here to say that America's military will soon be bigger, better, stronger and more powerful than ever." 

Next, the president traveled to the United Arab Emirates for his final stop — a visit that marked the first time a U.S. president has traveled to the nation in nearly 20 years, following President George W. Bush's trip in 2008.

The Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the tallest building in the world, was illuminated in red, white and blue in honor of President's historic UAE visit. 

Trump visited the Grand Mosque, a rare visit for a U.S. president, and was gifted the UAE’s highest civilian honor, the Order of Zayed, by UAE’s President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. 

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The president wrapped up his visit to the United Arab Emirates with a visit to the Abrahamic Family House, which encompasses a mosque, a church, a synagogue, and a forum, and served as a community for inter-religious dialogue and peaceful co-existence.  

As of this week, Trump has signed 148 executive orders since his inauguration in January, including a whopping 143 within his first 100 days as president, dwarfing the number of executive orders signed by his predecessors stretching back to at least President Franklin D. Roosevelt. 

Fox News Digital’s Emma Colton, Morgan Phillis and Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report. 

President Trump spent his 17th week as commander-in-chief visiting the Middle East, marking his first major overseas trip of his second term. 

The president left Washington, D.C. on Monday for Saudi Arabia, followed by a visit in Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. 

The president’s trip comes amid the continuing war between Israel and Hamas, ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, and his plans to broaden his first administration’s Abraham Accords, which normalized diplomatic relations between Israel and Arab League nations such as the United Arab Emirates. 

TRUMP CONDEMNS 'INTERVENTIONALISTS,' PITCHES 'MORE HOPEFUL FUTURE' IN MIDDLE EAST SPEECH

Trump arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, early Tuesday morning, with the nation sending fighter jet escorts to welcome Air Force One to the ground and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman greeting Trump on the tarmac that was adorned with a lavender-colored carpet.

Upon his arrival to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Trump was also met with a mobile and operational McDonald’s truck. 

The president, during a speech in Riyadh shortly after meeting with Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, vowed to continue America’s partnership with the Saudi Arabian government, but also called for peace in the Middle East, urging the region to pursue economic development rather than Iran’s "self-destructive" path. 

"If the responsible nations of this region seize this moment, put aside your differences and focus on the interests that unite you, then all humanity will soon be amazed at what we will see here in the geographic center of the world, and the spiritual heart of its greatest faiths," Trump said.

"Before our eyes, a new generation of leaders is transcending the ancient conflicts and tired divisions of the past, and forging a future where the Middle East is defined by commerce, not chaos; where it exports technology, not terrorism; and where people of different nations, religions, and creeds are building cities together, not bombing each other," he added.

Trump's speech came after he and Salman signed several economic agreements totaling $600 billion in trade deals. The agreements could help create up to 2 million U.S. jobs, Trump said.

Several of the agreements tracked with previously stated ambitions by both Washington, D.C., and Riyadh, particularly when it comes to defensive deals. 

SAUDIS DEPLOY MOBILE MCDONALD'S FOR TRUMP'S TRIP TO THE KINGDOM

But as for Iran, Trump, during his speech in Riyadh, also warned the Islamic Republic of a "massive maximum pressure" campaign if they did not come to a nuclear agreement with the U.S. 

"As I have shown repeatedly, I am willing to end past conflicts and forge new partnerships for a better and more stable world, even if our differences may be profound," Trump said. "If Iran’s leadership rejects this olive branch... we will have no choice but to inflict massive maximum pressure, drive Iranian oil exports to zero."

"Iran can have a much brighter future, but we will never allow them to threaten America and our allies with terrorism or a nuclear attack," Trump said. 

Trump had announced a 60-day time frame to reach an agreement with Iran over its illegal atomic weapons program. The first U.S. negotiating session with Iran commenced April 12. 

Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Iranian officials for a fourth round of nuclear talks over the weekend. 

TRUMP HITS IRAN’S POCKETBOOK AS HE DANGLES A CARROT IN MIDDLE EAST SPEECH

The nuclear talks were "difficult but useful," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said. A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door negotiations, offered more, describing the talks as being both indirect and direct, The Associated Press reported.

An "agreement was reached to move forward with the talks to continue working through technical elements," the U.S. official said. "We are encouraged by today’s outcome and look forward to our next meeting, which will happen in the near future."

The Trump administration has said the flawed 2015 Obama-era Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal, did not prevent Iran from building an atomic bomb. 

Trump, throughout his visit, made stark warnings to Iran—verbally, and through sanctions. 

Just shortly after dangling a carrot of a "brighter future" for Iran, the Treasury Department gave a taste of Trump’s "maximum pressure" campaign and sanctioned more than two dozen firms operating in Iran’s illicit international oil trade. 

TRUMP HITS IRAN’S POCKETBOOK AS HE DANGLES A CARROT IN MIDDLE EAST SPEECH

And on Friday, Trump said Iran has the nuclear "proposal." 

"But more importantly, they know they have to move quickly or something bad—something bad is going to happen," the president said. 

Next, the president traveled to Qatar, where he signed a series of agreements with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha.

The agreements involved a purchasing agreement by Qatar for Boeing aircraft, as well as letters of intent and "joint cooperation" between Qatar and the U.S. The emir also signed an intent agreement to purchase MQ-9 drone aircraft.

Al Thani said he had a "great" conversation with Trump prior to the signing ceremony on Wednesday, adding that the agreements have elevated the U.S.-Qatar relationship to "another level."

The president then met with U.S. servicemembers at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, and cited "substantial pay raises" for U.S. troops in his 2026 budget. 

"You are without a doubt the greatest fighting force in the history of the world," Trump said. "And as your commander-in-chief, I'm here to say that America's military will soon be bigger, better, stronger and more powerful than ever." 

Next, the president traveled to the United Arab Emirates for his final stop—a visit that marked the first time a U.S. president has traveled to the nation in nearly 20 years, following President George W. Bush's trip in 2008.

The Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the tallest building in the world, was illuminated in red, white, and blue in honor of President's historic UAE visit. 

Trump visited the Grand Mosque, a rare visit for a U.S. president, and was gifted the UAE’s highest civilian honor, the Order of Zayed, by UAE’s President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. 

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The president wrapped up his visit to the United Arab Emirates with a visit to the Abrahamic Family House, which encompasses a mosque, a church, a synagogue, and a forum, and served as a community for inter-religious dialogue and peaceful co-existence.  

As of this week, Trump has signed 148 executive orders since his inauguration in January, including a whopping 143 within his first 100 days as president, dwarfing the number of EOs signed by his predecessors stretching back to at least President Franklin D. Roosevelt. 

Fox News Digital’s Emma Colton, Morgan Phillis and Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report. 

• Running out of money in retirement is a big concern for many Americans.
• Economic uncertainty is making it even harder to afford retirement.
• These are the top states where your retirement nest egg will go the furthest.

As people live longer and spend more time in retirement, it's more important now than ever to plan for life after your job.

To make matters even more complicated, the ongoing trade war has created a tricky economic backdrop for older Americans to retire in, causing people to delay their retirements, wait to collect Social Security, or "unretire" and go back to work.

That's why being smart about where you live in your golden years can have far-reaching consequences, as housing costs — whether it be a mortgage, property taxes, or rent expenses — are typically the largest part of your monthly expenses.

Financial technology company Remitly compiled data on Americans' retirement savings across the country. How much you need in retirement varies, but the rule of thumb is that by the time you retire, you should aim to have around 10 times your salary saved. Remitly found that Americans between the ages of 55 and 64 have typically saved an average of $537,650 and a median of $185,000 — meaning there's high variability in the amounts that people have saved.

When calculating how much money you need for a comfortable retirement, take into consideration annual expenditures such as housing, utilities, transportation, and healthcare — and also factor in an additional 20% buffer for unexpected costs.

Depending on the state you retire in, the cost of living could fluctuate wildly. Remitly looked at the average retirement savings and expected annual expenditures for a comfortable retirement for each state to calculate how long a retirement nest egg lasts in different parts of the country.

While the annual expenditure to retire comfortably in many states hovered in the $60,000 to $80,000 range, a few states took the cake for sky-high costs of living. In Hawaii, Remitly found the average annual expenditure to be $129,296. California was the second-most expensive state, with annual retirement expenditures coming out to $100,687. In those states, retirement savings will only last 2.8 and 4.5 years, respectively.

On the other hand, Kansas takes first place for sustainable living costs in retirement — retirement savings last 7.5 years on average there.

Listed below are the top ten states where retirees can get the most bang for their buck. The average amount of savings at the time of retirement, the annual retirement expenditures, and number of years the retirement savings will last are also included.

Kansas

Average retirement savings: $452,703
Annual expenditures: $60,620
Years of comfortable retirement: 7.5 years

Iowa

Average retirement savings: $465,127
Annual expenditures: $62,565
Years of comfortable retirement: 7.4 years

Minnesota

Average retirement savings: $470,549
Annual expenditures: $65,828
Years of comfortable retirement: 7.1 years

Virginia

Average retirement savings: $492,965
Annual expenditures: $70,342
Years of comfortable retirement: 7 years

Pennsylvania

Average retirement savings: $462,075
Annual expenditures: $66,384
Years of comfortable retirement: 7 years

Illinois

Average retirement savings: $449,983
Annual expenditures: $64,787
Years of comfortable retirement: 6.9 years

Connecticut

Average retirement savings: $545,754
Annual expenditures: $78,605
Years of comfortable retirement: 6.9 years

South Dakota

Average retirement savings: $449,628
Annual expenditures: $64,856
Years of comfortable retirement: 6.9 years

Michigan

Average retirement savings: $439,568
Annual expenditures: $63,745
Years of comfortable retirement: 6.9 years

Kentucky

Average retirement savings: $441,757
Annual expenditures: $64,301
Years of comfortable retirement: 6.9 years

• Sally Ann McCarter, 85, works part-time at a fulfillment company in Pennsylvania.
• She retired at 73 with little savings and quickly returned to work for financial stability.
• Despite minimal savings, McCarter values staying busy and connected in and out of the office.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Sally Ann McCarter, 85, who works part-time at a fulfillment company in Pennsylvania. Though she retired at 73 with almost no savings, she quickly returned to work and has been at her company for over a decade with no plans to stop. She said not doing much planning for retirement, though oftentimes stressful, has its benefits. Her words have been edited for length and clarity.

I am perfectly satisfied with my situation. There could have been things that would have been better had I thought about them, but I can't change it.

I started out as a secretary at a teachers' college before moving to a steel company, where I stayed for 43 years in the sales department.

I didn't have savings at all after buying land for my house because I never thought about retirement. For many years, my Social Security didn't cover everything, which I waited until 65 to take.

I was ready to retire at 73. But I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. I thought I might do some traveling, but my husband was no longer with me, and it's no fun to travel by yourself. I really missed being busy. Within a month or two, I was ready to unretire. I never thought I would have to get hired at my age, but I got hired right away.

I now get $2,547 monthly. I get retirement money from the steel company, which is around $1,000 a month and helps a great deal. I could make it without work, but I would have to be very careful what I spend it on.

Unretiring and working at 6 a.m.

I went back to work. I missed the people and the company. I've been there for 12 years at a fulfillment company, and now I sit at the front desk and greet clients.

I am the first person to come to the office. I unlock the door every morning and let in clients, finding out who they are and who they want to see. I am a very early riser, and while our company doesn't open until 8:30 a.m., I go in and open it at 6 a.m. I do not charge them for it because it's my decision. I work until 12:30 p.m.

I answer the company phone and forward it to the person who should get the call. I've told them that whenever someone has extra work and no one else to do it, I'm available. I've been doing a lot for our accounting department while one of their members is out sick.

With the house and job, I'm making out all right financially, but I'm not saying I have much extra left over. I wish I did, but it just doesn't work that way.

Navigating loneliness and discovering peace

After my husband passed, I've been by myself, and it's a long day when you're by yourself, regardless of the work you have to do. I had two brothers, who I lost, and just lost my sister-in-law. My other relatives are in the Carolinas. People are important in staying mentally active.

I have a couple of friends, including one in his 90s, whom I visit occasionally. I have friends at work, a husband and wife, whom I meet on Friday nights for dinner. I have a neighbor who is very nice and thoughtful and does a lot for me, such as my taxes.

I take no medications whatsoever. I've only been in the hospital once in my life, and that was for appendicitis. I go to the doctor once every three months for a checkup, and he says, "I don't know what you're doing, but keep doing it."

I still have a mortgage and expenses. I used my savings to buy land, and then put a house on it. It's a log house on four acres, ranch-style with three bedrooms and two baths. It's very comfortable.

My husband wanted this house, and he got to enjoy it for about six years before he passed. I now spend my time taking care of the house. There's always some expense around the home I need money for. I just had several trees taken down, and there's an awful lot of dust I'm going to have to clear out.

Try to put something back from your paycheck each week so that you don't have a hard time. Not everybody is as fortunate as I am to be able to get along. Pre-planning is very important, but you should enjoy life.

I'm going to continue working for as long as I can do it. I'm taking each day as it comes. No one knows how long they have. I don't look too far in the future because you never know. That's just life.

• This summer, millions of defaulted student-loan borrowers could face wage and federal benefits garnishment.
• They have options to avoid those consequences, but some routes can take longer than others.
• Options include loan consolidation, loan rehabilitation, and bankruptcy.

This summer, millions of student-loan borrowers could lose some of their wages and federal benefits if they don't start making payments.

They have options to avoid those consequences — but it won't be easy.

After President Donald Trump's administration restarted collections on defaulted student loans on May 5, his Education Department said it sent notices to 195,000 defaulted borrowers that some of their federal benefits, like Social Security, may start being withheld in early June.

"Later this summer, all 5.3 million defaulted borrowers will receive a notice from Treasury that their earnings will be subject to administrative wage garnishment," the department said. Most federal borrowers enter default when they have not made a payment in over 270 days.

Business Insider has spoken to student-loan borrowers behind on payments and worried about how they'll budget th restart and navigate wage garnishment. Millions have been free of benefits garnishment and negative credit reporting for the past five years under a pandemic pause that began under Trump and continued under former President Joe Biden. Now that collections have restarted, borrowers in default can tap into three different options to evade long-term consequences: loan rehabilitation, loan consolidation, or bankruptcy.

Rae Kaplan, a student-loan attorney based in Chicago, told Business Insider that while default consequences were standard before the pandemic, the five-year pause brings extra stress to the collections restart because "a lot of people took this out of their budget," adding that "five years is a long time" to get used to not paying.

"So I think this period where they start ramping up collection activities is going to cause a lot of panic out there for borrowers," Kaplan said. Some borrowers in default previously told BI that they're not confident they'll be able to avoid garnishment.

Here are some options that defaulted student-loan borrowers have to avoid having some of their wages and federal benefits seized.

Loan rehabilitation

Loan rehabilitation can take months, but it has several benefits, including eventual removal of the borrower's default status from their credit reports.

To rehabilitate a defaulted loan, the borrower needs to contact their student loan holder and sign an agreement to make nine payments within 20 days of the due date during a period of 10 consecutive months.

The payment amount is intended to be affordable; according to Federal Student Aid, the payment will be equal to up to 15% of the borrower's discretionary income divided by 12. Kaplan said that it's helpful to hire an attorney or an advocate to negotiate low payments, and it's possible that borrowers can end up with payments as low as $5 a month through this route.

Notably, wage and benefits garnishment will continue during part of the loan rehabilitation process, and the benefits that are seized would be in addition to the agreed-upon rehabilitation payments. Garnishment will continue until the borrower has made at least five rehabilitation payments or the loan is no longer in default.

Additionally, borrowers can only rehabilitate a defaulted student loan once; if the loan defaults again, rehabilitation will not be an option.

"Once we get you rehabilitated, then your credit score will go up," Kaplan said. "So it's a nice feature that you can both get back to current and in good standing, get your loans back into good status, and get that negative credit removed from your credit report."

Loan consolidation

Consolidating a defaulted student loan is quicker than rehabilitation, but the record of the default will remain on the borrower's credit history.

Borrowers can apply with Federal Student Aid to consolidate their defaulted student loans into a federal direct consolidation loan. To be approved for consolidation, the borrower must agree to pay off the consolidated loan under an income-driven repayment plan or make three consecutive, on-time, full monthly payments before consolidating.

After the loan is consolidated, the borrower can make use of all federal student-loan benefits, including deferments, forbearances, and loan forgiveness.

Bankruptcy

If a defaulted borrower does not think that consolidation or rehabilitation is feasible, they can file for bankruptcy.

Dustin Baker, an Iowa bankruptcy attorney, told BI that filing for bankruptcy is "a very efficient way" to stop wage and benefits garnishment because once a bankruptcy petition is filed, creditors are no longer allowed to contact and collect from the borrower.

"If nothing else, it's kind of a four or five-month break to figure out what to do," Baker said, adding that he's already received an increase in requests from borrowers worried about collections on defaulted student loans.

Prior to 2022, student-loan borrowers had to clear a high and burdensome threshold to discharge their loans in bankruptcy. However, Biden issued new guidance in November 2022 to streamline the process, and Baker said he's had much greater success discharging borrowers' student loans in recent years.

"It seems like it's moving more quickly now," Baker said. "They've allocated the appropriate resources, and it's not a partisan thing. Biden started this process, Trump reaffirmed it, and it sounds like the administration at least is providing the appropriate resources to make it happen."

• Top Democrats are urging the Social Security Administration to halt plans they say would make firings easier.
• SSA's acting commissioner said the agency would reclassify some employees, making termination easier.
• SSA is already facing a shrinking staff amid federal cost-cutting, causing alarm for recipients.

Top Democrats are urging the Social Security Administration to scrap plans that they say could make it easier for agency employees to be fired by DOGE. It's the latest push from the party's "Social Security War Room."

In a Friday letter exclusively obtained by BI, Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Ron Wyden, and Kristen Gillibrand called on new SSA Commissioner Frank Bisgnano to immediately stop any action that would reclassify staff members to a new category labeled Schedule F or Schedule Policy/Career.

The move would give the White House more control over the hiring, firing, and management of SSA employees by categorizing some as "policy-influencing" — a designation that means workers who were civil servants before, with the protection that affords, would become at-will, and are therefore able to be terminated more easily.

"Converting these SSA employees' status is a deliberate maneuver to make it easier to get rid of critical SSA staff, endangering the program and the benefits earned by millions of Americans," the senators wrote.

An April internal email sent by former acting commissioner Leland Dudek, who helmed the agency during its transition to Bisignano's full-time stewardship, said that senior executives, some advisors, and staff of certain offices within the agency should be reclassified as policy-makers.

Dudek told BI in a statement last week that the Trump administration is getting rid of "unnecessary bureaucracy" within the agency that "will deliver on President Trump's promise to protect Social Security by providing the high-quality service and stewardship that the American people expect and deserve."

The SSA said the ongoing staff cuts are part of a"workforce optimization plan that focuses on reducing employees in non-mission-critical positions and bolstering staff in mission-critical roles."

Turbulent times at the Social Security Administration

The agency operates America's largest social safety net, ensuring that 73 million older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income households receive their monthly benefit checks. Since President Donald Trump returned to office, federal cost-cutting efforts have hit the agency hard, contributing to historically low staff numbers and a slew of anxious baby boomers. Organizations like the AARP have also sounded an alarm about the agency's crumbling customer service.

In addition to older Americans worried about benefit disruptions, BI has heard from current and former SSA employees in recent months who are worried about losing their livelihoods and described the "chaos," "stress," "confusion," and "fear" they feel working at the agency under DOGE. And, while White House policy changes will not impact the monthly checks beneficiaries receive, several of the employees BI spoke with warned that continued staff cuts may cause delays in processing paperwork and Social Security claims.

"We're at the tip of the iceberg; this is just going to get worse and worse and worse," Jill Hornick, a field office employee of 33 years and administrative director for AFGE Local 1395, previously told BI, adding, "I don't think the Social Security that we know is going to be something we'll see again."

The senators said a potential reclassification to Schedule F would put employees at greater risk of losing their jobs. They asked Bisignano to halt planned reclassifications and to restore any employees who had already been made Schedule F to their original civil servant status.

"By indiscriminately making senior officers and rank-and-file employees at will, you are politicizing Social Security," they wrote. "Americans receiving their earned benefits is not a political call — it is a right."

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A group that once campaigned to put Donald Trump in the White House now says they feel abandoned by his administration’s decision to revoke legal protections for thousands of Afghan refugees living in the U.S. under Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

Zoubair Sangi, the leader of the "Afghans for Trump" movement, formed after the chaotic 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, said his community turned to Trump after the Biden administration’s exit left their homeland in turmoil. 

Now, he is urging the president to reconsider.

"The reality is that Afghanistan is not safe," Sangi told Fox News. "Over the last three years, since the return of the Taliban, the country has been as dangerous as ever."

He said the Department of Homeland Security’s claim of an "improved security situation" fails to reflect the reality on the ground.

TRUMP PUSHES TO RECOVER 'BILLIONS OF DOLLARS' OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT LEFT BEHIND IN AFGHANISTAN WITHDRAWAL

"The Taliban, at the end of the day, are a terrorist group," he said. "They target anyone who disagrees with them – anyone who worked with the U.S. government or allied forces. Their lives are in grave danger."

Sangi added that women face especially grim conditions in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, where they are banned from education and public life without a male escort.

"They view women as subservient. They treat them worse than cattle," he said. "There is no freedom for ordinary Afghans. It’s a prison. People are essentially under house arrest, and they can’t escape."

Despite his frustration, Sangi said he has not withdrawn his support for Trump – but he is pleading with him to rethink the decision. "We do have hope that any kind of mistake that is made specifically in regards to Afghanistan will be corrected."

He praised Trump for refusing to recognize the Taliban and ending foreign aid to Afghanistan that fell into their hands, and he urged him not to strike any deals.

"The Taliban mock America, reject your demands for the return of our $7 billion in military equipment, and harbor terrorists who threaten our homeland," said Sangi. "Engaging with them isn’t America First."

AFGHANS FOR TRUMP GROUP LOOKING TO MAKE FOREIGN POLICY — AND 2021 WITHDRAWAL — FRONT AND CENTER IN ELECTION

On Monday, the Department of Homeland Security officially ended TPS for Afghan nationals, potentially forcing more than 9,000 individuals to return to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem cited an "improved security situation" and a stabilizing economy as justification.

"This administration is returning TPS to its original, temporary intent," Noem said. "We’ve reviewed the conditions in Afghanistan with our interagency partners, and they do not meet the requirements for a TPS designation."

Afghans’ protected status is set to expire on May 20, with the program formally ending on July 12. Noem added that terminating the designation aligns with the administration’s broader goal of rooting out fraud and national security threats in the immigration system.

TPS allows foreign nationals from countries facing armed conflict, natural disasters or other emergencies to live and work legally in the U.S. Then-President Joe Biden had originally designated Afghanistan for TPS following the Taliban’s takeover in 2021.

While many Afghans who assisted the U.S. military during the two-decade war arrived under the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program, others – including former Afghan government workers and those tied to U.S. missions – entered under TPS amid the post-withdrawal chaos. These individuals now face potential deportation. 

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Former Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Mike McCaul argued against the assertion that the security situation had improved, and urged the administration against moving to revoke the immigration status of Afghans here on SIVs or P1 and P2 visas.

The Taliban, he said, "have made their thirst for retribution against those who help the United States clear. Until they demonstrate substantial behavorial changes, I urge the administration to continue prioritizing the safety of the Afghan men and women who risked their lives to help our troops." 

Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House and DHS with requests for comment. 

• Economic-slowdown concerns are prompting Americans to rethink their retirement plans.
• Financial advisors and researchers advise older adults to keep working and delay taking Social Security.
• This is the final installment in BI's six-part series on making major life decisions during this period of massive change.

An uncertain macro environment makes now a difficult time to make major retirement decisions. Dozens of older Americans have told Business Insider that in recent months.

They're worried about a recession, staff cuts at the Social Security Administration, their 401(k)s amid market volatility, and inflation exacerbated by tariffs.

The primary drivers of these concerns — the unpredictable and ever-fluctuating policy initiatives of President Donald Trump — are a far cry from the comparatively placid approach of his predecessor. It's created a difficult set of circumstances for older Americans.

We're looking at the steps people at or near retirement age can take to safeguard their nest eggs and investments. Detailed below is what financial advisors, researchers on aging, and retirees told us about making major choices about retirement in 2025.

Delay retirement if you can

For those who can continue working and saving, now may be a good time to extend their retirement timeline, said Wes Battle, a Certified Financial Planner at the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association.

BI has spoken with older Americans who are doing just that: choosing to delay retirement by a few years or return to part-time work.

"Many people have never even calculated what it would cost to retire and what their retirement income would be," Battle said. "Just looking at these things is a step in the right direction."

Because of a hiring slowdown and economic uncertainty, it may be best to hang on to your job a little longer, if you have one, Battle said.

And if you do decide to retire soon, you can try to go back to work if your financial needs change. Unretirements are increasingly common: LinkedIn Economic Graph reported about 13% of baby boomers on the platform returned to the workforce in 2023 — which was a five-year high.

Consider holding off on adjusting investments and taking Social Security

On the finances front, Battle said he'd seen a recent increase in clients who are worried that current economic conditions will hurt their retirement nest eggs.

"That's the crux of all of this: 'Am I going to be OK?' And that could be different for everybody," he said.

While it can be tempting to make changes to your 401(k) or investment portfolio in times of volatility, Battle advises riding out the market.

BI has heard from retirees who swear by this hands-off approach. Some said they continued to save through 2008 and other recessions — instead of adjusting their investment strategies — and now feel secure in their retirement assets.

Besides 401(k)s, Battle said individual retirement accounts could also be a great way to build savings, even if you can afford to save only small amounts at a time.

As for Social Security, Battle said that it's best to delay claiming benefits until you reach full retirement age, which is typically 67, and can receive a higher monthly check. Still, many older Americans have told BI that relying on Social Security as their primary source of income is not enough and they still need to work, at least part time, to pay their bills.

Make sure your 'longevity planning' goes beyond finances

Madonna Harrington Meyer, a sociology professor who works with Syracuse University's Aging Studies Institute, said that cultivating a healthy social life is just as important as saving money when it comes to retirement planning. That's because even the best-laid retirement plans can be derailed by a divorce, the loss of a spouse, medical bills, job loss, or other unexpected expenses. Whatever your life circumstances, a strong support system in retirement is crucial.

So even if you aren't sure whether you can retire, you can work on your community, which might involve pursuing hobbies, moving to live near family, and investing in friendships. Harrington Meyer said that continuing to work part time, volunteering, or caring for grandchildren could also be social outlets. Working on your relationships can also give you a sense of agency, which is valuable in uncertain times.

In a survey from AARP and the University of Michigan, one-third of older adults of all income levels reported feeling lonely sometimes or often in 2024. Harrington Meyer said loneliness could worsen during economic downturns because people are less likely to spend on social outings.

That's why a holistic retirement strategy, or what Joseph Coughlin, the director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology AgeLab, calls "longevity planning," is so important.

"Yes, it's about how much money you've saved — but it's also about all those other little things that make you smile and contribute to quality of life," he previously told BI. "That has to be planned as much as your 401(k) or whether you've had your annual checkup."

Harrington Meyer said that community is a key part of physical and mental health, especially during an economic downturn.

"What's going to be most important to you?" she said. "And then try to build your retirement around that."

Do you have a story to share about retirement? Reach out to this reporter via email at [email protected] or on Signal at alliekelly.10.