The 100-Year Life

1. Longevity is reshaping the traditional three-stage life model

A hundred years provides more time than required by the evolutionary imperative to breed, and more time in which to meet any financial security needs.

The traditional life model is outdated. The three-stage life of education, work, and retirement no longer fits the reality of increasing lifespans. As people live longer, they have more time to explore different career paths, relationships, and personal interests.

New life stages are emerging. These include:

• Explorer stage: A period of self-discovery and experimentation in early adulthood
• Independent Producer stage: Creating entrepreneurial ventures or freelance work
• Portfolio stage: Balancing multiple activities and income streams later in life

Flexibility becomes crucial. With longer lives, individuals need to be more adaptable and open to change. This includes being prepared for multiple careers, ongoing education, and periodic reassessment of life goals and priorities.

2. Financial planning for a 100-year life requires new strategies

The simple truth is that if you live for longer then you need more money. This means either saving more or working for longer.

Traditional retirement planning falls short. The idea of working for 40 years and then retiring for 20-30 years is no longer financially viable for most people. Individuals need to rethink their approach to saving, investing, and working.

New financial strategies are needed:

• Higher savings rates throughout working life
• Extended working years, potentially into the 70s or 80s
• Multiple careers and income streams
• Periodic sabbaticals for re-skilling and rejuvenation
• More flexible retirement concepts, such as phased retirement

Financial education becomes critical. As financial planning becomes more complex, individuals need to develop greater financial literacy to make informed decisions about savings, investments, and retirement planning.

3. Intangible assets are crucial for a fulfilling long life

For most people, a good life would be one with a supportive family, great friends, strong skills and knowledge, and good physical and mental health.

Intangible assets complement financial assets. While money is important, other factors contribute significantly to a fulfilling long life. These intangible assets include:

• Productive assets: Skills, knowledge, and professional networks
• Vitality assets: Physical and mental health, relationships, and well-being
• Transformational assets: Ability to adapt, learn, and navigate transitions

Investing in intangibles is essential. Throughout a long life, individuals need to actively develop and maintain these assets. This might involve:

• Continuous learning and skill development
• Regular health and fitness routines
• Nurturing relationships and building diverse social networks
• Developing adaptability and resilience

Balance is key. Successfully navigating a 100-year life requires balancing tangible and intangible assets, ensuring neither is neglected in pursuit of the other.

4. The employment landscape is evolving with technological advances

Over the coming decades there will be significant churn in the labour market as some traditional jobs disappear and new ones appear.

Technological disruption is reshaping work. Automation, artificial intelligence, and other technological advances are changing the nature of work and the skills required for many jobs.

Key trends include:

• Disappearance of routine and repetitive jobs
• Growth in high-skill and low-skill jobs, with a "hollowing out" of middle-skill jobs
• Increased importance of creativity, emotional intelligence, and complex problem-solving
• Rise of the gig economy and remote work

Adaptability becomes crucial. Workers need to be prepared for multiple career changes and ongoing skill development. This might involve:

• Regular upskilling and reskilling
• Developing transferable skills
• Embracing lifelong learning
• Being open to career transitions and new work models

5. New life stages are emerging to support extended lifespans

These new stages create opportunities to experiment, to build the life you want.

The Explorer stage allows young adults to experiment and discover their interests and strengths before committing to a specific career path. This stage often involves travel, diverse experiences, and self-discovery.

The Independent Producer stage enables individuals to create their own businesses or work as freelancers, often leveraging technology and global networks. This stage provides flexibility and autonomy.

The Portfolio stage typically occurs later in life, allowing individuals to balance multiple activities, including part-time work, volunteering, learning, and leisure. This stage offers a more gradual transition from full-time work to retirement.

These new stages provide opportunities for:

• Greater self-discovery and personal growth
• More diverse career experiences
• Better work-life balance throughout life
• Gradual transitions between different life phases

6. Time management and work-life balance are being redefined

With longer lives there is more opportunity for change and options become more important.

Traditional work patterns are changing. The standard 9-to-5, five-day work week is giving way to more flexible arrangements that support longer working lives and better work-life balance.

Emerging trends include:

• Four-day work weeks
• Sabbaticals and career breaks
• Phased retirement
• Remote and flexible work arrangements

Leisure time is being repurposed. With longer lives, individuals are using leisure time not just for relaxation but also for personal development, learning, and building intangible assets.

Time becomes a valuable resource. Managing time effectively over a 100-year life involves:

• Balancing periods of intense work with periods of regeneration
• Allocating time for continuous learning and skill development
• Investing in relationships and personal well-being
• Planning for multiple transitions and life stages

7. Relationships and family structures are adapting to longer lives

Across a long life, dedication and focus are crucial.

Partnership dynamics are evolving. Long-term relationships need to be more flexible and adaptable to support changing roles and aspirations over an extended lifespan.

Key changes include:

• More equal partnerships with shared responsibilities
• Greater need for communication and negotiation in relationships
• Increased likelihood of multiple relationships or marriages over a lifetime
• More diverse family structures, including blended families and non-traditional arrangements

Intergenerational relationships gain importance. With more four-generation families, there are increased opportunities for:

• Intergenerational learning and support
• Shared caregiving responsibilities
• Transfer of wisdom and resources across generations

Friendships become more crucial. As lives extend, friendships play an increasingly important role in providing support, companionship, and a sense of purpose throughout different life stages.

8. Education and skill development become lifelong pursuits

Over a long life, learning and education are crucial.

The front-loaded education model is obsolete. Instead of concentrating education in the early years of life, individuals need to engage in continuous learning throughout their extended lifespans.

New educational approaches include:

• Multiple periods of formal education throughout life
• Increased focus on vocational and practical skills
• Growth of online learning and MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses)
• Development of micro-credentials and alternative certifications

Skills for a long life. Key abilities for navigating a 100-year life include:

• Adaptability and resilience
• Digital literacy
• Emotional intelligence
• Creativity and innovation
• Self-directed learning

Education institutions must evolve. Universities and other educational providers need to adapt to serve learners of all ages and support multiple career transitions.

9. Corporations and governments must adapt policies for longevity

The agenda for governments is far-reaching and complex and will be ongoing for decades.

Corporate policies need updating. Companies must revise their approaches to:

• Recruitment and career development
• Work arrangements and schedules
• Retirement and succession planning
• Training and continuous learning

Government policies require significant reform. Key areas for policy change include:

• Retirement age and pension systems
• Education and lifelong learning support
• Labor laws and employment regulations
• Healthcare and long-term care

Social institutions need redesigning. Many aspects of society, from education systems to social security, were designed for shorter lifespans and need to be reimagined for the era of longevity.

10. Addressing inequality is crucial in the era of extended lifespans

Not everyone will have the prospect of a 100-year life.

Longevity gains are unequal. Life expectancy increases are not distributed evenly across socioeconomic groups, with the wealthy generally living longer than the poor.

Access to opportunities varies. The ability to navigate a 100-year life successfully depends on factors such as:

• Education and skills
• Financial resources
• Social networks
• Health and healthcare access

Policy interventions are necessary. Governments and society need to address these inequalities through:

• Improved access to education and lifelong learning
• Enhanced healthcare and preventive medicine for all
• Policies to support career transitions and skill development
• Measures to reduce income and wealth inequality

Individual action is important. While systemic changes are necessary, individuals can also take steps to improve their prospects for a fulfilling long life, such as investing in their health, education, and relationships.

Last updated: August 10, 2024