Age 65?
 

Do most pilots medically make it to 65, or formally 60? Or do a large number leave their airline before that age?

Anecdotally I think most make it to 65. The closer to 65 a percentage decide to leave early, then some medicals.

One gets more vacation then often has sick time built up, allowing some to ‘part time’ the last years.

These days most make it, especially if they care enough to take care of themselves.

The original age 60 rule was not based on science, but on a political deal (A mAAjor AAirline exec wanted to get rid of his senior CA's, who were highly paid and prone to labor agitation).

Also people are generally healthier today than they were in the 1950's.

The last time that I checked, which was 2 years ago, 31% of the pilots at my employer who were between 60 and 65 were on long term medical. That seems to have decreased, but I have not run the numbers.

There are a lot of variables, and YMMV. I believe that the best generic plan for a pilot is to save for retirement and plan to be debt free by 55ish. Those two steps will make a forced medical retirement nearing 60 a problem rather than a disaster.

Many pilots retired early, knowing that they had earned and could rely on a secure and adequate pension. Today’s pilots are unlikely to make that mistake. :(