The Dynamics of Planning To Live to 100
A new year often brings fresh goals—fitness, family or maybe a little more balance. But here’s a goal you probably haven’t considered: planning to live to 100.
It’s more attainable than many think. For healthy non-smokers, there’s nearly a one-in-five chance that one member of a married couple will reach this milestone. With advances in medicine and technology, longevity is quietly becoming the rule rather than the exception.
The Longevity Shift
Some key facts highlight the trend:
- Canadians are living longer than ever: average life expectancy is 82, and those who reach 65 can expect to live to 86.3
- Our centenarian population has more than tripled since 2000.4
- Centenarians are the fastest-growing age group, projected to increase nearly tenfold in the next 50 years.4
We’re not just living longer—we’re living healthier, more active lives. Longevity has become a thriving field of innovation and investment. From Dr. Peter Attia’s work on healthspan to Bryan Johnson’s highly publicized biohacking experiments, billions are being invested in research, technologies, therapies and products aimed at adding quality years—not just more years—to life.5
As lifespans increase, the financial question shifts from “Do I have enough?” to “How do I optimize what I have for 30–40 years of income, tax efficiency and financial security for loved ones?”
You’re in a Good Position
Having an investment plan puts you ahead of most Canadians. Nearly 60 percent of working Canadians believe they’ll never be able to retire, according to a recent Globe & Mail article.6 Anxiety and financial instability are real concerns, but a long-term plan helps mitigate both.
Key Considerations for Longevity Planning
Personal longevity literacy — Understanding your longevity risk is a good place to start. Family history, lifestyle and medical advances influence longevity—and how long your plan should last.
Extending the financial horizon — Your plan should account for additional years of spending, balancing today’s needs—helping children, supporting education or making charitable gifts—with tomorrow’s, while factoring in inflation and rising costs. It may also mean working longer, by necessity or by choice. The average working life has risen from 34 to 38 years since 2000.2
Health care inflation — Health and long-term care costs continue to outpace inflation, putting pressure on savings if care is needed for extended periods. Some HNW retirees choose to insure against this risk.
Strategic decumulation — This is where strategy meets sustainability: structuring withdrawals that optimize for taxes, longevity and flexibility over time.
The Tactics May Evolve Over Time
The tactics may also change as plans adapt to longer lifespans, such as:
- Delaying government benefits — Deferring CPP/OAS to age 70 provides a higher guaranteed lifetime income, which can serve as valuable “insurance” if you expect to live past 90.
- Using the TFSA as a longevity backstop — Tax-free growth and withdrawals make the TFSA a powerful vehicle for later stage income and estate flexibility.
- Maintaining a growth tilt in retirement — A longer horizon may justify maintaining more equity exposure to hedge inflation and support a longer retirement.
- Incorporating different assets, such as private alternatives — More illiquid strategies, such as private equity, private credit and real assets, may better align with greater longevity, depending on risk tolerance.
Of course, all this depends on individual circumstances. Thoughtful planning and guidance can make all the difference. Longer lifespans require plans that evolve—and that’s where we/I can provide support. Today, retirement planning is about building flexibility for a life that keeps changing—and getting longer!
The good news? We’ve got plenty of chapters left to write.
1. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-age-of-the-longevityeconomy/
2. https://www.goldmansachs.com/insights/articles/aging-populationnot-a-risk-to-the-global-economy-after-all
3. Statistics Canada, Table: 13-10-0114-01
4. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/canadacentenarians-fastest-growing-1.7246790
5. https://www.cfainstitute.org/insights/articles/healthspan-investing
6. “Our Retirement Dreams Are Slipping Away,” Globe & Mail, Meera Raman, June 17, 2025. Based on Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan survey
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