Here's the Average Credit Score of Americans in Their 60s (How Do You Compare?)

Americans in their 60s typically have credit scores in the upper 700s. Experian's latest data puts the average at 747 for baby boomers ages 61 to 79, comfortably above the 2025 national average of 713.

That strong number matters even if you're no longer planning to buy a home. Credit could still affect what you pay to borrow, refinance, or insure a vehicle. Knowing how you compare and what could put your score at risk may help you prepare yourself financially for retirement. Here's what the numbers show and how to protect your credit history you spent decades building.

The average credit score is 747

According to Experian data from September 2025, baby boomers ages 61 to 79 had an average FICO score of 747. That's two points higher than the group's 2023 average and one point higher than in 2024.

Experian doesn't separate people ages 60 to 69 into their own category, so 747 is the closest current figure for Americans in their 60s. Other reports may show slightly different numbers because they use different age brackets, years, credit bureaus, or scoring models.

Average credit score by age

Usually, credit score rises with age. Experian found that Generation X, ages 45 to 60, averaged 709 in 2025.

Baby boomers averaged 747, while members of the Silent Generation ages 80 and older averaged 760.

A score in the 740s is considered very good

A 747 FICO score falls within the "very good" range. Someone with a score in the mid-700s may have access to competitive borrowing terms, although lenders also consider income, debt, assets, and the type of loan requested.

The next bracket up, "exceptional," begins with a score of 800.

Time does some of the heavy lifting

Older adults aren't necessarily more financially responsible than everyone else. They've simply had more time to build the ingredients that scoring models reward.

Payment history makes up 35% of a typical FICO Score, while length of credit history accounts for 15%. Someone who has used credit for 40 years could have decades of on-time payments and several long-standing accounts. A 25-year-old can make every payment perfectly and still be unable to manufacture that history overnight.

Lower debt balances can also help

Many older adults have paid off mortgages or substantially lowered their balances. They may also have fewer reasons to finance another vehicle or open several new accounts.

That combination can help in several ways. Lower revolving balances may reduce credit utilization, while fewer applications mean fewer hard inquiries and newly opened accounts. Experian's 2025 data shows that consumers with very good FICO scores used an average of 15% of their revolving credit, compared with 39% among those in the good range.

Retirement income doesn't directly change your score

Switching from a salary to Social Security, a pension, or retirement-account withdrawals doesn't automatically lower your credit score. FICO scores don't consider income, age, or employment history.

However, your income still matters when you apply for credit. Lenders may compare your monthly debts with your gross income to assess whether you can handle another payment. A retiree could therefore have an excellent credit score but face a smaller borrowing limit if their documented income has declined.

One missed payment could do real damage

A decades-long record of responsible borrowing doesn't make your score untouchable. Payment history remains the largest FICO scoring factor, and a payment that becomes at least 30 days late could be reported to the credit bureaus.

This can become easier to overlook during retirement. A move, a closed bank account, or a change in who manages household bills could cause a payment to slip through. Automatic payments and account alerts may provide a useful backup.

Think twice before closing an old card

Retirees sometimes close unused cards to simplify their finances. That might be reasonable if a card charges an annual fee or creates an overspending risk, but it can also have unintended consequences.

Closing a card reduces your total available credit, which could raise your utilization immediately. The account's age doesn't disappear right away. A closed account in good standing may remain on your reports for up to 10 years. Once it drops off, however, it could shorten your credit history. Keeping a no-fee card open and using it occasionally may be the simpler option.

Protect the scores you've already earned

Good credit can still matter in retirement. It may influence refinancing and other borrowing costs, while insurers in many states may use a separate credit-based insurance score when setting premiums.

To protect your score, keep balances low, pay every bill on time, avoid unnecessary applications, and be cautious about closing older accounts. You can also review reports from all three bureaus for free each week.

Bottom line

A 747 average shows that many Americans enter retirement with very good credit. Protecting that score by paying on time and keeping card balances low could help you qualify for better rates and stretch your retirement dollars further.

As an extra safeguard, consider freezing your credit with all three bureaus when you aren't applying for anything. A freeze is free, doesn't affect your score, and could help prevent someone from opening a fraudulent account in your name.

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