Grandparents Delay Retirement to Care for Grandchildren

Many grandparents are taking on more caregiving responsibilities, forcing them to work longer and make financial sacrifices

Mar. 12, 2026 at 8:07am

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A growing number of grandparents are becoming full-time caregivers for their grandchildren, either due to family circumstances or to support their adult children. This has led many grandparents to delay retirement, work longer hours, and make significant financial and lifestyle changes. The trend highlights the evolving role of grandparents in modern families and the challenges they face in balancing caregiving, work, and their own needs.

Why it matters

As more grandparents take on active caregiving roles, it raises questions about the support systems and resources available to help them manage the physical, emotional, and financial strain. The trend also reflects broader shifts in family dynamics and the challenges facing older Americans, many of whom are having to work later in life to make ends meet or support their loved ones.

The details

Many grandparents, like Dorenne Simonson, have had to step into a more active parenting role, becoming full-time caregivers for their grandchildren. This can involve significant lifestyle changes, such as waking up early, driving children to daycare, and working around the clock to manage the household. For some, the costs associated with caregiving have led to financial hardship, forcing them to delay retirement or work multiple jobs. Others, like Rebecca Reed, have had to file for bankruptcy or rely on savings and government assistance to make ends meet.

  • Dorenne Simonson took over as the primary caregiver for her granddaughter just two months after her daughter gave birth.
  • Rebecca Reed and her husband took in their grandchildren, who were 13 and 11, after their son-in-law and daughter died within a year and a half of each other in the mid-2000s.
  • Annie Nicol started homeschooling her grandson during pandemic-era school closures and retired a few months ago to focus on his education.

The players

Dorenne Simonson

A 66-year-old single mother of five grown children who is now the primary caregiver for her four-year-old granddaughter.

Rebecca Reed

An 87-year-old woman who took in her two grandchildren, ages 13 and 11, after her son-in-law and daughter died within a year and a half of each other in the mid-2000s.

Annie Nicol

A 76-year-old woman who started homeschooling her grandson during the pandemic and retired a few months ago to focus on his education.

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What they’re saying

“I've always been in a situation where I pretty much had to spend whatever I made, and so I do look at the future and go, 'This is going to be interesting.'”

— Dorenne Simonson (San Francisco Chronicle)

“At 90, I'm retiring from work no matter what. I don't know if I'll be able to even pick up a baby at that age. I really hope I'm around for that because that would be icing on the cake.”

— Rebecca Reed (Business Insider)

“There isn't a whole lot of support out there for this, but I think culturally, we're going the wrong direction because family is so important, and everyone in that family has a value and can contribute.”

— Annie Nicol (Business Insider)

What’s next

As more grandparents take on active caregiving roles, policymakers and community organizations will likely need to explore ways to provide additional support, resources, and financial assistance to help these grandparents manage the physical, emotional, and financial strain.

The takeaway

The evolving role of grandparents in modern families highlights the importance of intergenerational support and the need for a more comprehensive approach to caring for older adults and their loved ones. As grandparents delay retirement to care for their grandchildren, it underscores the challenges facing many older Americans and the need to address the systemic issues that are forcing them to make difficult choices between their own needs and the needs of their family.