Emma Echols has worked since she was 12 as a babysitter, chef, and convenience store manager.
The 68-year-old should be preparing for retirement, but she believes she’ll have to work for the rest of her life.
Echols lives in Alabama. She said she never made much money and has always lived frugally, but her rent and transportation alone cost her $1,000 monthly. She started taking Social Security early and receives $1,056 monthly — 25% less than she would have gotten had she waited until the federal retirement age of 67.
But she’s still working part-time as a bus driver making $26 per hour to pay the rest of her bills.
“I don’t see myself being able to retire, but I’m grateful and healthy,” she said.
She’s not alone: According to a NerdWallet study published last week of 2,100 adults, just 30% of respondents said they believe Social Security alone will allow them to live comfortably in retirement.
Over the …