Introducing Q3: New Longevity report by RBC Wealth Management reveals how 45-75 year olds are redefining later life

• People generally feel younger than they are, as 72% of UK 45-75 year olds say they feel younger than their actual age by an average of nine years
• 18% of individuals in their third quarter (Q3) have not set aside time in the last 12 months to consider their finances, with a further 25% doing so just 1-2 times per year
• For Q3 individuals, it’s life events that trigger a rethink. More than four in five respondents (83%) mention an event that made them reassess what matters most, whether that’s their health, finances or overall sense of purpose

LONDON, 15 July 2026 – Longevity is fundamentally reshaping the way we live. Our financial strategies and retirement thinking must also evolve to keep pace. As life expectancy rises and retirement horizons extend, the traditional life model of learn, work and retire is no longer fit for purpose. RBC Wealth Management is responding to this new reality with dedicated research and expert insight, shedding light on the opportunities and challenges facing clients whose lives may well extend to 100 years and beyond.

RBC Wealth Management has commissioned a survey of 5,672 UK adults aged 45 – 75 with more than £2,000 in investable assets to better understand the ambitions and personal goals of individuals who are planning for, entering or living through what can be seen as the “third quarter” of life (Q3) – the phase between later working life and retirement. The research has revealed how people are actually navigating this stage of their life, the barriers to embracing new opportunities and the different transitions they will go through.

RBC Wealth Management’s research uncovers that planning for later life extends well beyond financial considerations, with purpose, health and wealth shown to be closely interconnected. More than half (57%) of respondents say that having a clear sense of purpose motivates them to stay financially disciplined, while 53% agree that it gives them the drive to take care of both their health and finances.

Q3 individuals are optimistic that their best years are ahead, but lack the confidence to plan for the future

The survey reveals a strong sense of optimism among the Q3 generation, with 72% saying they feel younger than their actual age. While respondents are 60 on average, they see themselves as closer to 51 – nearly a decade younger – reflecting a broader shift in how people view later life. This younger self-perception is positive but could also, alongside other factors, create a psychological barrier to planning ahead. This is especially important as more than one in ten (13%) of those surveyed think it is likely they will live to 100 years old, and these potentially longer retirements will require careful planning.

Many (35%) believe their best years are still ahead of them, with their priorities reflecting a desire to make the most of what lies ahead and embrace opportunities to pursue new experiences. Key aspirations include:

For many, financial confidence is a foundation for living well, with 63% of respondents saying it gives them the freedom to lead healthier, more meaningful lives. Despite this, 18% have not set aside time in the last 12 months to consider their finances – split between those who do not actively think about their finances (8%) and those who feel their plans are already set and do not need reviewing (10%). A further 25% doing so just 1-2 times per year.

As aspirations evolve, RBC Wealth Management’s research highlights several barriers that may prevent people from embracing new opportunities in Q3:

• A quarter of respondents (25%) cite confidence and emotional barriers
• More than one in five (22%) believe they have left it too late to start something new
• 24% of respondents said they feel stuck in their current routines or habits

Michelle Holgate, Director, Wealth Manager, RBC Brewin Dolphin, comments: “As people live longer and healthier lives, the concept of the “100-year life” is becoming a lived possibility. Yet retirement planning for many remains rooted in outdated assumptions, treating retirement as a single cliff-edge moment rather than a new phase of life filled with opportunities and ambitions.

“People need to start planning for their third quarter in this way, and they shouldn’t wait for a big life moment or trigger event to start. While uncertainty about the future can make long-term planning feel daunting, this should not discourage people from taking the first step. Building a plan early gives you a foundation that can grow and adapt as your circumstances and goals evolve, helping you create a more fulfilling future.”

Women are more determined to make the most of later life, yet less confident about the financial planning needed to support their goals

Women are embracing longer lives with a greater sense of optimism and purpose than men. More than half (55%) believe this stage of life can be empowering, compared with 44% of men, while 52% see it as full of possibility, versus 46% of men.

Women also place a stronger emphasis on the importance of social connection, with 66% saying staying connected to others is essential to living well for longer, compared with 52% of men.

The findings suggest that while many women are motivated to make the most of the years ahead, greater support and proactive planning could help them turn those aspirations into reality.

Having a clear sense of purpose provides the foundation for more confident planning

Clients today are living longer, staying active deeper into retirement, and carrying wealth across time horizons that may exceed 30 to 40 years post-retirement.

Yet priorities are often shaped by life events rather than proactive planning. More than four in five of respondents (83%) say they have experienced an event that prompted them to reassess what matters most, whether in relation to their health, finances or sense of purpose. Health scares or a change in health are the most common catalyst for change, cited by 41% of respondents.

To better understand the evolving needs and aspirations of those in Q3, RBC Wealth Management has brought together leading experts across health and purpose to provide a more holistic view of longevity and retirement planning.

Dr Radha Modgil, Medical Doctor and General Practitioner, comments: “Retirement is no longer a single event or endpoint; for many, it is a transition that unfolds over years and can include new careers, caring responsibilities, volunteering, travel, learning and personal growth. With any change in life, we can handle it better if we take the time, space and invest the energy into understanding what is happening, and importantly reflect emotionally and mentally on who we are now, what we want for that next period, and ask for support in getting the expert knowledge needed to navigate it successfully.

“Whether it’s looking after our health, building social connections or planning for financial security, these are not things that should begin at retirement. They are habits, skills and behaviours that need to be developed throughout life. The earlier people start focusing on these areas, the greater the opportunity to enjoy not just a longer life, but a healthier, more fulfilling and more meaningful one, and to create one that truly reflects us authentically.”

Annie Coleman, Global Ambassador for the Stanford Center on Longevity and Founder of RealiseLongevity, adds: “We’ve been taught to ask one financial question: Will my money last? But as we live longer, there’s a more important question: What do I want my money to make possible? We’ve added decades to life, but we haven’t redesigned life. Purpose isn’t something you discover by sitting still; it emerges through engagement, contribution and connection. As we live longer and Q3 becomes a substantial chapter of life, financial planning isn’t simply about funding retirement. It’s about giving people the confidence and freedom to design a life that is healthy, purposeful and worth living for decades to come. After all, a pension keeps the lights on. Purpose gets you out of bed in the morning.”

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For more information, visit RBC Wealth Management’s Longevity Hub.

Disclaimers

The value of investments can fall and you may get back less than you invested.

This does not constitute tax or legal advice. Tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in the future. You should always check the tax implications with an accountant or tax specialist.

Information is provided only as an example and is not a recommendation to pursue a particular strategy.

About the survey

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 5,672 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 7th May – 1st June 2026. The survey was carried out online. The sample consisted of a weighted and representative sample of 5,047 UK adults aged 45-75 with £2k+ in investable assets, and a boost of 625 UK adults aged 45-75 with £750,000+ in investable assets.

Press information

For further information, please contact:

Nick Burns-Howell: nick.burnshowell@rbc.com / Tel: +44 (0) 7926 291 489

Georgia Embrey: Georgia.embrey@rbc.com / Tel: +44 (0) 7704 667 842

About RBC Wealth Management

RBC Wealth Management directly serves affluent, high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients globally with a full suite of banking, investment, trust and other wealth management solutions, from its key operational hubs in Canada, the United States, the British Isles, and Asia.

The business also provides asset management products and services directly and through RBC and third-party distributors to institutional and individual clients, through its RBC Global Asset Management business (which includes BlueBay Asset Management). It also includes our Investor Services business. RBC Wealth Management has over C$5.5 trillion of assets under administration, over C$1.6 trillion of assets under management and more than 6,000 financial consultants, advisors, private bankers, and trust officers. For more information, please visit www.rbcwealthmanagement.com.

RBC Brewin Dolphin’s expert investment managers and financial planners are based in over 30 offices across the UK, Jersey and Republic of Ireland, with a commitment to high standards of client service, long-term thinking and strong industry knowledge.

As part of Royal Bank of Canada, RBC Brewin Dolphin is able to draw on the strength of a global financial institution to enhance the services it provides to its clients and to drive further innovation across the business.