On International Longevity Day on 1 October 2026, a new longevity study by RBC Wealth Management explores how 45 to 75-year-olds are investing in themselves to design their third quarter.

A new longevity study by RBC Wealth Management shows that more than one in 10 (13 per cent) of respondents surveyed believe it is likely that they will live to 100 years old, which will require careful planning for potentially longer retirements.

RBC Wealth Management surveyed 5,672 UK adults aged 45 to 75 with more than £2,000 ($2,640) in investable assets, exploring the ambitions and goals of those in their third quarter, the pivotal phase that spans later working life and the transition into retirement.

It shows that people generally feel younger than they are, as 72 per cent of UK 45 to 75-year-olds said they feel younger than their actual age by an average of nine years. This younger self-perception is positive but could also, alongside other factors, create a psychological barrier to planning ahead.

Sixty three per cent of respondents also said financial confidence gives them the freedom to lead healthier, more meaningful lives and therefore stay connected to what’s on their doorstep.

The report comes on 1 October 2026 which marks International Longevity Day: the Centre for Ageing Better is celebrating the people, places and services that help people to stay active and connected in our community. Living to 100 is no longer a rare exception, yet retirement planning for many remains rooted in outdated assumptions.

People are not just living longer, they are rethinking what those extra years should look like. The traditional milestones of retirement are being reimagined, and with them, the habits, decisions and mindsets that shape how we experience later life.

RBC Wealth Management’s survey findings aim to reflect how central that sense of connection is to the way people approach later life. The survey revealed that more than half (57 per cent) of respondents said that having a clear sense of purpose motivates them to stay financially disciplined.

Giving back or supporting local communities is a priority in their third quarter of life for 23 per cent of respondents, whilst maintaining or growing social connections is a priority for 27 per cent of those surveyed, showing the importance of interacting with local communities.

With 35 per cent believing that their best years are still ahead of them, staying active in communities is more important than ever for providing purpose.

“As people live longer and healthier lives, the concept of the 100-year life is becoming a lived reality for more of us,” Michelle Holgate, director, wealth manager, RBC Brewin Dolphin, said. “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 goals and opportunities.”

“To mark International Longevity Day, we want to highlight the need to start planning for the third quarter in a holistic way, not waiting for a big life moment or trigger event to start,” Holgate continued. “While the future will always carry uncertainty, that is no reason to delay. Starting early gives you a foundation that can grow and adapt alongside your goals and circumstances, helping you build a longer, more fulfilling life on your own terms."

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. The total sample size was 5,672 adults, and the fieldwork, carried out online, was undertaken between 7 May and 1 June 2026. The sample consisted of a weighted and representative sample of 5,047 UK adults aged between 45 and 75 with £2,000+ ($2,645.55) in investable assets, and a boost of 625 UK adults aged beween 45 and 75 with £750,000+ in investable assets.