Life After 50 – Two Decades of Change in Canada

Only 45% of Canadians aged 50 and older in 2026 believe their generation has a better quality of life than their parents did at the same age, down 20 percentage points from 2005. Explore new research into aging in Canada, including changing attitudes toward health, financial security, quality of life and retirement.

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Canada’s population is aging, but the experience of later life is also changing.

Life After 50: Two Decades of Change in Canada compares nationally representative studies of Canadians aged 50 and older conducted in 2005 and 2026. The report examines how Canadians experience aging, where confidence has weakened and what people need to continue living well as they age.

Canadians 50+ continue to lead active, meaningful and engaged lives. However, compared with people at the same stage of life in 2005, they are less confident that their generation is better off than their parents’ generation. They are also less likely to say their health and quality of life have exceeded the expectations they formed when they were younger.

Download the report for insights into Canada’s aging population, healthy aging, retirement expectations, financial security and the changing experience of life after 50.

Expectations about aging in Canada

How do Canadians aged 50 and older feel about getting older and has that outlook changed over the past two decades?

The report examines whether today’s 50+ population feels better or worse off than its parents’ generation. It also explores whether later life has lived up to the expectations Canadians formed in their 20s.

In 2005, 46% of Canadians 50+ said their quality of life was better than they had expected when they were younger. In 2026, 36% say the same.

The report addresses questions including:

Do today’s Canadians 50+ feel better off than people at the same life stage in 2005?

Are older Canadians better or worse off than their parents’ generation?

Has life after 50 met the expectations Canadians formed in their 20s?

What do Canadians consider the best and most difficult aspects of aging?

Health and healthy aging

Health remains one of the foundations of healthy aging in Canada, as well as the challenge Canadians most often associate with growing older.

Most Canadians 50+ continue to evaluate their overall health positively, but their assessments have shifted over the past 20 years. In 2026, 25% say their health is better than they expected it would be at this age, down from 34% in 2005.

The report explores:

How do Canadians 50+ rate their overall health?

How have perceptions of health changed since 2005?

Has later-life health met the expectations Canadians formed when they were younger?

What role does health play in quality of life and confidence about aging?

Retirement in Canada

Retirement remains an important life stage, but the path to retirement has become more varied and less predictable. Lifestyle, health, financial security and personal circumstances all influence when Canadians retire and what they expect life after work to include.

Among non-retired respondents able to identify an expected retirement age, the estimated average increased from 60.9 in 2005 to 64.8 in 2026.

The report examines important questions about retirement in Canada, including:

How have retirement expectations changed since 2005?

How optimistic are Canadians about retirement?

What do people look forward to most and least about life after work?

How do purpose, social connection and mental stimulation shape retirement plans?

Financial security and retirement planning

Financial security remains central to retirement confidence. Canadians must consider their ability to cover everyday expenses, avoid running out of money and manage healthcare, long-term care or emergency costs.

In 2026, 29% of Canadians 50+ feel financially worse off than their parents’ generation was at the same age, compared with 15% in 2005.

The report explores:

What are the leading financial concerns for Canadians approaching retirement?

How confident are Canadians in their future financial security?

Are Canadians 50+ financially better or worse off than their parents?

How do financial concerns affect retirement timing and expectations?

FAQ's

Among non-retired Canadians 50+ in this study who provided an expected retirement age, the estimated average was 64.8 in 2026. The comparable estimate was 60.9 in 2005.

Canadians 50+ remain positive about many aspects of later life, but confidence has weakened. Fewer say their generation has a better quality of life, health or financial security than their parents’ generation.

Most prospective retirees remain at least somewhat positive about retirement, but strong optimism has declined. In 2026, 36% described themselves as very optimistic, compared with 54% in 2005.

Financial security is a central concern, including having enough for everyday living, avoiding running out of money and covering health or long-term care costs. Canadians also worry about boredom, reduced productivity, mental stimulation and social contact.