From Gen Z to baby boomers, new research from Corebridge Financial finds a significant disconnect between retirement expectations and longevity outlook

2025 Corebridge Financial Living and Funding Longer Lives study examines the interplay between health and wealth in comprehensive retirement planning

New research from Corebridge Financial reveals that living to 100 is no longer viewed as a distant dream but a realistic possibility. Half of Americans (50%) believe they could live to be 100 years old, and 49% say they want to reach the century mark, highlighting the importance of how individuals approach planning for longevity and retirement.

What’s driving this positive outlook for the possibility of living to 100? Centenarian hopefuls cite these reasons for their optimism about reaching age 100—ongoing advances in healthcare and medicine (77%), current health and lifestyle (73%), improved access to tools and resources for living a longer life (67%), family longevity (66%), and their plan for financial well-being (61%). And for those who want to live to 100, they say the top benefits of achieving this milestone would be continued meaningful relationships with family and friends (76%), more time to explore and have new experiences (64%), witnessing new discoveries (64%), and enjoying more leisure time in retirement (54%).

“As Americans begin to reimagine what it means to live longer, both thoughtful planning and purposeful action today can help make longevity a cause for celebration instead of a burden,” said Bryan Pinsky, President of Individual Retirement and Life Insurance at Corebridge Financial. “Taking care of your physical health is of course crucial to living longer but so is tending to your financial well-being. The math is clear – longer lives will require lasting savings and income strategies that can support extended, meaningful retirements.”

Disconnect Between Retirement Expectations and Longevity Outlook

The new Corebridge research reveals a concerning disconnect between retirement expectations and longevity outlook as many may be seriously underestimating the length of their retirement. Among non-retired Americans, 39% expect to retire before age 65 and another 41% by age 69—yet 50% expect to spend only 20 years or less in retirement, potentially creating a significant planning gap as today’s working Americans could spend upwards of three decades or more in retirement.

This gap is most pronounced among younger generations, with Gen Z having the highest expectations of retiring before age 65 while also being the most optimistic about the possibility of living to 100. More than half (52%) of Gen Z expect to retire before 65, with a comparable number from this generation (57%) believing they could live to be 100. Millennials also believe in their ability to live to 100 (49%), but a smaller number from this generation (40%) expect to retire before they reach 65.

The Health-Wealth Interplay in Retirement

The new Corebridge research also identifies the interplay between health and wealth as a critical topic to address in comprehensive retirement planning:

• Non-retired survey respondents say the top three actions they would take if they knew they’d live to age 100 are taking better care of physical health (60%), starting to save more (56%) and focusing on activities to manage cognitive health (50%)
• The top three longevity concerns relate to physical and mental well-being, including physical decline (87%), quality of life (86%) and serious health problems (85%)
• Boomers are leading the way in taking action to improve physical and mental well-being, with having an annual physical exam (88%), connecting with family and friends on a regular basis (78%), and getting the recommended diagnostic exams for age / health history (77%) being the top physical and mental health actions this generation takes

“The goal is not just for people to live longer lives, but to live those years in good health,” said Ken Stern, Chair of the Longevity Project. “Americans increasingly recognize this means being socially connected and living with purpose, taking care of physical and cognitive well-being, and staying abreast of their personal medical condition. It also means strengthening and maintaining their financial health, because there is a clear connection between healthy aging and financial security.”

Professional Guidance Bolsters Financial Confidence

At the same time that the new Corebridge research reveals an optimism around a longer life, there are also strong connections between longevity and financial concern. Most dramatically, given a choice between the two, significantly more people fear running out of money than they fear death (62% compared to 38%). Additionally, 69% say running out of money is a concern they have with longevity.

Working with a financial professional stands out as one way to bolster financial confidence. Only 32% of Americans who do not work with a financial professional are very confident in their ability to plan for a successful future, but that number increases to 53% for those who work with a financial professional. Similarly, only 28% of those who do not work with a financial professional are very confident they can cover healthcare costs throughout retirement compared to 43% of those who work with a financial professional.

“In today’s era of increasing longevity, it’s important to rethink what retirement can and should be, and professional guidance can move you from just getting by to having a life well lived,” said Pinsky. “Having the knowledge and guidance of a financial professional can help align your decisions with your long-term goals while also helping to remove the emotion that can often be a part of finances.”

Protected Lifetime Income Can Help Americans Enjoy a Longer Life

Fewer than three in 10 Americans (29%) are very confident they won’t outlive their money. And nearly four in 10 retirees (39%) say that they feel worried or anxious when they take money out of their retirement account to fund their lifestyle. Annuities can provide an additional source of lifetime income beyond Social Security, and protected lifetime income from an annuity can help people feel more comfortable spending their savings and boost retirement happiness.

In significant numbers, non-retired Americans say having guaranteed lifetime income that can’t be outlived, in addition to Social Security, would have a positive impact on:

• their ability to spend money on things that make them happy (75%)
• their general retirement outlook (75%)
• their ability to manage retirement concerns (75%)
• their current level of happiness (74%)

Raising Longevity Awareness and Helping Americans Take Action

In partnership with the Longevity Project, the new Corebridge research includes important action steps individuals can take in their financial lives as they plan and prepare for the possibility of a very long life—whether they are just getting started in the workforce, mid-career, nearing retirement or already retired. Additionally, action steps are laid out for financial professionals to work with their clients as well as for employers to support the evolving and expanding financial wellness and future planning needs of their employees.

The 2025 Corebridge Financial Living and Funding Longer Lives study includes findings from a national online survey conducted by Greenwald Research in September 2025 among 3,416 non-retirees and 984 retirees age 18+ with household income of at least $35,000.

Corebridge is not affiliated with the Longevity Project.

This material is general in nature, was developed for educational use only, and is not intended to provide financial, legal, fiduciary, accounting or tax advice, nor is it intended to make any recommendations. Applicable laws and regulations are complex and subject to change. Please consult with your financial professional regarding your situation. For legal, accounting or tax advice consult the appropriate professional.

Annuities are long-term products designed for retirement. Withdrawals may be subject to federal and/or state income taxes. A 10% federal early withdrawal tax penalty may apply if taken before age 59½ in addition to ordinary income tax.

About Corebridge Financial

Corebridge Financial, Inc. (NYSE: CRBG) makes it possible for more people to take action in their financial lives. With more than $360 billion in assets under management and administration as of June 30, 2025, Corebridge Financial is one of the largest providers of retirement solutions and insurance products in the United States. We proudly partner with financial professionals and institutions to help individuals plan, save for and achieve secure financial futures. For more information, visit corebridgefinancial.com and follow us on LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram.

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