Explore the research and findings behind our first examination of longevity and financial preparedness.
Exploring longevity to build financially secure futures
Explore what longer lives could mean for our goals, relationships, financial security and sense of control
Preparing for more life
We are all, on average, living longer than ever before.
This demographic shift, often called the ‘longevity megatrend’, could mean more time with the people we care about and more opportunities to enjoy, experience and contribute to the world around us.
But longevity also raises new questions about our goals, relationships, health, care and financial security. In our first Life100+ report, we set out to understand how prepared people are for the years ahead and what could help them approach the future with greater confidence.
Our findings showed that preparation is not only about money. Having clear goals, supportive relationships, meaningful conversations and a greater sense of control can all play an important part.
Longevity, conversation and financial planning
In The Power of Three, Canada Life’s Lindsey Rix-Broom and Keily Vanstone are joined by longevity and consumer insight expert Lisa Edgar, founder and Chief Executive of Big Window Consulting and a Global Ambassador for the Stanford Centre on Longevity.
Together, they discuss what longer lives could mean for individuals, families and financial planning. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding longevity, having meaningful conversations and turning those conversations into considered financial plans.
Life 100+ The power of three
The power of conversation
Open conversations can help families share their intentions, understand one another’s expectations and approach subjects such as retirement, care and inheritance before decisions become urgent.
Audrey’s story: Starting the conversation early
Audrey and her family have spoken openly about their plans for later life for many years. She and her husband began having light-hearted conversations with their sons when they were still teenagers, including discussions about the care they might want in the future.
Their experience shows that important conversations do not need to begin with a crisis or a formal financial decision.
The power of control
We commissioned independent research to understand how people across the UK feel about living longer, how prepared they are for the future, and what could help them make the most of longevity. We found that only 47% of those surveyed felt in control of the direction their life was taking. Yet among those who did feel in control, 90% were satisfied with life, compared with 65% overall. The implication is clear – understanding our choices and feeling prepared can give us greater confidence and a stronger sense of direction for the years ahead.
The power of advice
Financial advice can help people understand their options, balance competing priorities, and make informed decisions. By starting with a person’s goals, relationships and circumstances, an adviser can help build a financial plan that reflects the life they want to lead and adapts as their needs change.
Financial planning is life planning
Preparing for a longer life is about more than reaching a particular savings target. It begins with understanding the life someone wants to lead, the people who matter, and what future choices they may have.
Clear goals, meaningful conversations and informed financial decisions can help people approach longevity with greater clarity, control and confidence.
Discover more Life100+ research and explore how longer lives are changing the world of work.
See how our ongoing research is exploring the opportunities and challenges created by longer lives.
Get professional support to understand your options and plan for the future you want.
Access insights and practical resources to support richer conversations with clients about longer lives.
About the research
Canada Life UK commissioned independent research from The Big Window Consulting. Fieldwork was conducted from May to July 2024 with a representative sample of 3,400 UK adults aged 18 and over.