• 10% of Americans are planning a career break in 2025. Their top reasons for taking a micro-retirement include mental health recovery (57%), travel or life experiences (52%), and relief from work stress (47%).
• 1 in 8 millennials (13%) and nearly 1 in 10 Gen Zers (9%) are planning a micro-retirement in 2025—a planned, extended break from work to rest, travel, or explore personal and career goals.
• 1 in 5 Americans (20%) have previously taken a micro-retirement, including 22% of millennials and 17% of Gen Zers.
• Nearly 3 in 5 Americans (59%) would consider a micro-retirement in the future, including 3 in 5 millennials (60%) and 63% of Gen Zers.
• Planning to take a micro retirement in 2025 by industry:

1. 1. Tech
   2. Healthcare
   3. Retail
   4. Hospitality
   5. Finance

• On average, Americans aim to save $15,000 before taking a micro-retirement and hope to be on a career break for 4 months.
• 2 in 3 would rely on savings to fund a micro-retirement, while 36% plan to freelance or work a side hustle.
• 38% of millennials and 36% of Gen Z would rely on a side hustle or freelance work to fund their micro-retirement.

• 75% of Americans, including millennials (81%) and Gen Z (85%), believe employers should offer structured micro-retirement policies, such as unpaid sabbaticals or extended paid time off.
• About 1 in 3 millennials (32%) and more than 1 in 3 Gen Zers (37%) believe micro-retirement will become a standard career practice in the future.
• Over half of Americans (54%) believe micro-retirement helps prevent burnout and improves well-being, making it the top perceived workplace impact. Over half of millennials (54%) and Gen Zers (57%) agree.
• Nearly 2 in 5 Americans say micro-retirement increases workplace flexibility and work-life balance expectations, as do 38% of millennials and 45% of Gen Zers.
• Less than 1 in 10 (9% of millennials, 6% of Gen Z) think micro-retirement has no impact on the workplace, suggesting that most people see it as a major shift in work culture.

We surveyed 1,000 American employees to explore the popularity of micro-retirement in 2025. The average age of employees was 40; 54% were women, 45% were male, and 1% were non-binary. Generationally, 4% were baby boomers, 25% were Gen X, 55% were millennials, and 17% were Gen Z.

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