There are lots of factors that could come into play.

Age, age differences, military service, occupation, retirement plan, delayed start to working, etc.

In the case of my mother, she didn't start working until both myself and my brother were well into school.

My father qualified for full retirement a couple of years earlier than her.

I think he worked an extra year, and my mother chose to retire early. They had enough savings and retirement benefits that they could afford her taking early retirement. & it worked out better that way.

An option would be to start a home business.