How Covid-19 changed retirement planning When to claim Social Security is the top question for new retirees. March 15, 2021 3 MINS The Covid-19 pandemic has affected many Americans’ concerns and plans for retirement. The pandemic’s impact has been uneven, with some workers enjoying the newfound freedom of working from home, allowing them to extend their careers without the dreaded commute, while others have lost their jobs or decided to take early retirement as a result of health concerns. “The economic fallout from the pandemic may create substantial uncertainty about financing retirement that could trigger Americans to work longer or rethink retirement altogether,” according to a new report from the National Institute on Retirement Security.