The Reality: Economic Pressures and Longer Lives 

Let’s be honest: the economic case is real — and while it’s uncomfortable, it’s also necessary to talk about. As life expectancy rises, pension systems originally designed for much shorter retirements are under mounting pressure. In the UK, the Office for Budget Responsibility projects that by 2050, state pension costs will grow by 1.2% of national income —equivalent to around £32 billion a year in today’s terms — driven by a 25% increase in the number of pensioners. 

Internationally, governments are responding. The OECD reports that by 2060, most European countries will push retirement ages beyond 67, with Denmark potentially reaching 74. Denmark already plans to raise its pension age to 70 by 2040, adjusting it every five years based on life expectancy. The UK is on track to reach 68 by the mid-2040s. Belgium, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands have similar reforms underway. Even China — where retirement ages haven’t changed since the 1950s — has announced phased increases starting in 2025, gradually raising the thresholds for men and women over the next 15 years. 

These policies aim to make pension systems more sustainable. But what happens when policy forgets the person? If we’re going to ask people to work longer, we also need to ask: what kind of work will make that not only possible, but meaningful? That’s where purpose comes in. 

In many countries, particularly across East Asia and Northern Europe, large numbers of people continue working well into their 70s and 80s — not because they have to, but because they want to. In places like Japan, Korea, and Iceland, cultural values, population ageing, supportive policies, and a strong sense of contribution all play a part. 

Take Dr. Chou in Taiwan, 65, whom we spoke to for This Curious Life. He doesn’t plan to retire anytime soon  — because his work continues to give him something valuable. 

“We all need to listen to our hearts,” he told us. “I think everyone eventually reflects on the meaning of life. I knew early on that mine was to contribute to society, serve people, and help meet their needs. Some people discover their purpose later—but for me, that calling has never changed. I’m incredibly lucky to keep doing what I love.” 

His story is just one example, but it echoes a global truth: the desire for purpose doesn’t retire when we do. For some, working longer is a burden. For others, it’s a lifeline. Globally, the trend is clear — retirement is happening later, whether by choice, necessity, or something in between. 

Work That Works — for a Lifetime 

That mindset shift is something we’ve heard time and again in our conversations at This Curious Life —  especially from people still working in their 80s and 90s. One theme consistently rises to the top: purpose. They’re not just working because they have to. They’re working because it brings them joy, connection, and meaning. 

John Ayling, 81, founder of John Ayling Associates, offers a powerful example. He doesn’t see retirement as a finish line, but as a flexible horizon. “Jobs should evolve as people do,” he says. “Let people dial up or down based on their lives. Give space for other interests.” 

Dr. Lin in Taiwan, 80, has lived many lives  — doctor, cultural advocate, model, lifelong learner. What drives him isn’t just professional skill, but personal curiosity. “Medicine often focuses on extending life, but not always on improving its quality,” he says. His path is a celebration of reflection, tradition, and the joy of learning. 

Bridgit Crowley, 89, still writes, teaches, and creates. She works as an audio describer for dance companies at Sadler’s Wells and contributes to the National Gallery. “I know what I do is good,” she says, “because our audiences say so.” 

And in Australia, there’s Harold Fryar — still working at 94. He is the oldest employee at Bunnings, a major hardware retailer, and a much loved figure among customers and colleagues alike. His view on ageing is refreshingly grounded:“You might not be fast anymore. But you bring depth. If you want to work, you work. And if you don’t, that’s okay too. But don’t hold yourself back just because of age.” 

These aren’t outliers  — they’re quiet pioneers. Together, they remind us that when work is meaningful, it can be life-giving. The challenge isn’t just how long we work — it’s how we shape work to match who we are becoming.  

The Bigger Opportunity: Redesigning Work for Longer Lives 

If we’re living longer, shouldn’t work grow with us? What if it was totally normal to shift direction in our 40s, 50s, or 70s— take a break, retrain, or try something new? What if flexibility and autonomy weren’t perks, but the way things just are? Imagine a world where a universal basic income took the pressure off, and learning wasn’t something you finished at 21, but something you kept doing your whole life. What if doctors prescribed purpose — not just pills — because having something to wake up for is part of being well? Maybe our retirement plans could even include time to invest in ourselves— gap years in later life to pause, reflect, or recharge before starting a new chapter. Because living longer shouldn’t just mean working longer. It should mean living better.  

There’s no single solution. But we know this: people want to feel useful, respected, and connected. If work can offer that, many would gladly stay engaged longer. But if it can’t — raising the retirement age just feels like an extra burden. 

Toward a New Kind of Retirement 

We need policy, yes. But we also need imagination. Let’s start to think about retirement  as a flexible frontier — one that can be navigated in different ways by different people. Let’s invest in work that supports us across the whole of life: from our 20s to our 80s and beyond. This isn’t just about surviving longer — it’s about thriving. 

If we’re going to ask people to work into older age, we also need to ask what kind of work makes that joyful rather than punishing. The real opportunity isn’t just about extending careers — it’s about reimagining work as something that can energise us, connect us, and evolve with us. That means creating systems flexible enough to support different needs, energies, and dreams across a lifetime. It means valuing contribution not by age, but by curiosity, creativity, and connection. Because in the end, this isn’t just a story about pensions or policy — it’s a story about how we value work, and one another, as we grow older together.