Life right now
Enjoying a steadier lifestyle and less financial worry after decades of career and family pressures. Owning her home provides comfort and pride.
Life100+ Personal stories
How people in Ireland feel about living to 100
- Personal stories: read people’s in-depth thoughts on longevity
- Understand their views on the opportunities and challenges of longer lives
- The importance of living well for longer, planning proactively and feeling confident
Meet Susie
Age 51, single parent, 2 children
Work and career
Enjoying a steadier lifestyle and less financial worry after decades of career and family pressures. Owning her home provides comfort and pride.
Planning future goals and more freedom
Optimistic about the future, she is saving for a camper van for remote work and travel. Expecting to work until 67, she plans to work part-time to stay active.
Financial planning and retirement
Aims for a modest retirement rather than luxury, relying on State and company pension. She sees the benefit of financial advice to tighten up her savings.
Susie's thoughts on the 100-year life
"If I was living at home up to 100, I’d be happy." Inspired by her grandmother, she views longevity positively if independence is maintained.
Life right now
Enjoying a steadier lifestyle and less financial worry after decades of career and family pressures. Owning her home provides comfort and pride.
Work and career
Enjoying a steadier lifestyle and less financial worry after decades of career and family pressures. Owning her home provides comfort and pride.
Planning future goals and more freedom
Optimistic about the future, she is saving for a camper van for remote work and travel. Expecting to work until 67, she plans to work part-time to stay active.
Financial planning and retirement
Aims for a modest retirement rather than luxury, relying on State and company pension. She sees the benefit of financial advice to tighten up her savings.
Susie's thoughts on the 100-year life
"If I was living at home up to 100, I’d be happy." Inspired by her grandmother, she views longevity positively if independence is maintained.
Meet Philip
Age 47, newlywed
Life right now
Enjoying a stable role within a charitable organisation. Managing financially, but unexpected costs cause pressure. Marriage changed his outlook on planning for the future, family and his goals
Work and career
Moved from stressful casework to a more suitable role in admin and team management. Loyal to his employer and expects to stay with the charity.
Planning future goals and more freedom
Saving for a home and starting a family. Mindful that age might impact mortgage eligibility. Expects future care responsibilities for his elderly mother.
Financial planning and retirement
Has a workplace pension but needs to review its value and outcomes. If he knew he would live longer, he’d consider developing a private counselling practice
Philip's thoughts on the 100-year life
"I can't really comprehend living another 53 years." Based on family history, his target is reaching 75 in good health. He welcomes longevity, provided he has good health and no financial worries.
Life right now
Enjoying a stable role within a charitable organisation. Managing financially, but unexpected costs cause pressure. Marriage changed his outlook on planning for the future, family and his goals
Work and career
Moved from stressful casework to a more suitable role in admin and team management. Loyal to his employer and expects to stay with the charity.
Planning future goals and more freedom
Saving for a home and starting a family. Mindful that age might impact mortgage eligibility. Expects future care responsibilities for his elderly mother.
Financial planning and retirement
Has a workplace pension but needs to review its value and outcomes. If he knew he would live longer, he’d consider developing a private counselling practice
Philip's thoughts on the 100-year life
"I can't really comprehend living another 53 years." Based on family history, his target is reaching 75 in good health. He welcomes longevity, provided he has good health and no financial worries.
Meet Margaret
Age 45, lives with partner and 2 children
Life right now
Managing a busy home and remote work schedule. Carefully tracks finances with high living costs. Believes health is your true wealth.
Work and career
Works flexibly from home in education. Family and wellbeing are her priority, more than career ambition. She believes we work to live.
Future and retirement
Hopes to move into part-time work around age 60. Aims to completely stop by 67 to stay socially connected and young at heart.
Financial planning and retirement
Due to family history losing her mother at a young age, she prioritises health checks. She would prioritise boosting her pension savings if she knew she was going to live longer.
Margaret's thoughts on the 100-year life
She finds the idea of living to 100 overwhelming. Living longer only appeals if she stays independent, mentally sharp and physically healthy.
Life right now
Managing a busy home and remote work schedule. Carefully tracks finances with high living costs. Believes health is your true wealth.
Work and career
Works flexibly from home in education. Family and wellbeing are her priority, more than career ambition. She believes we work to live.
Future and retirement
Hopes to move into part-time work around age 60. Aims to completely stop by 67 to stay socially connected and young at heart.
Financial planning and retirement
Due to family history losing her mother at a young age, she prioritises health checks. She would prioritise boosting her pension savings if she knew she was going to live longer.
Margaret's thoughts on the 100-year life
She finds the idea of living to 100 overwhelming. Living longer only appeals if she stays independent, mentally sharp and physically healthy.
Want to Read more interesting stories
View the Life100+ report
Read more about people’s views on the prospect of living to 100 in the Life100+ report.
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