The way we talk about ageing matters. Describing demographic change as an “age wave” or worse, a “retirement tsunami”, fuels a fear-based narrative that frames longer lives as a crisis rather than an evolution. As a 67-year-old psychologist and later-life coach with a doctorate in meaningful ageing, I see this shift not as a disaster to brace against, but as an opportunity to redefine what it means to live well in later life.
The metaphor of a tidal force about to overwhelm society is limiting. It reinforces outdated notions of retirement as a problem to be solved rather than a phase of life with its own unique potential for contribution, growth, and fulfilment.
Moving Beyond the “Retirement Crisis” Narrative
The persistent narrative of retirement as a financial puzzle, with longevity framed as an economic burden, fails to capture the full reality of later life. The focus on how people will “pay” for their longer years ignores the equally vital question of what those years could mean beyond finances. Instead of reducing retirement to an equation of savings and spending, we should be asking:
- How do we reimagine later life as a time of purpose and possibility?
- What structures and support systems can help people thrive, not just survive, in their later years?
- How do we shift the focus from fearing decline to embracing evolution?
This requires a radical shift in thinking, one that acknowledges financial security as important but places equal weight on well-being, connection, autonomy, creativity, and continued contribution.
The Real Challenge: Reframing Retirement
One of the biggest challenges facing the financial and insurance industries, as well as policymakers and society at large, is that traditional models of retirement no longer fit. The idea of a clean break from work at 65 is outdated. People are living longer, healthier lives and want choices that reflect that reality. For many, that means continued work, whether through consulting, part-time roles, or entrepreneurial ventures. For others, it means deep engagement in creative, social, or voluntary projects.
Instead of forcing people into a rigid “work-then-stop” paradigm, we should be advocating for a more flexible approach to later life, one that embraces the fluidity of working, learning, and contributing in different ways at different stages.
The Power of Contribution, Not Just Consumption
Too often, the conversation about ageing focuses on consumption, how much older people will need, how they will strain resources, how they will “burden” the economy. But this ignores the enormous contributions that people in later life continue to make:
- Older workers bring experience and stability to the workforce, filling skills gaps and mentoring younger generations.
- Grandparents provide crucial unpaid childcare, allowing younger family members to work.
- Retirees contribute billions in volunteer hours to communities, charities, and local organisations.
- Older consumers drive markets for travel, education, and technology, spurring innovation and economic growth.
This is not a passive demographic waiting to be taken care of. It is a powerful force for social and economic progress, if we choose to see it that way.
A New Model for Later Life
In my work, I emphasise that later life is not a decline but a transition into new forms of engagement. Instead of fixating on “decumulation” and withdrawal, we should be supporting people to:
- Stay engaged in meaningful work (paid or unpaid)
- Maintain and expand social connections
- Prioritise well-being and lifelong learning
- Contribute to their communities in meaningful ways
- Design a future that aligns with their personal values and aspirations
This is a future we must build intentionally, through policies, business strategies, and cultural shifts that empower people to see ageing as an opportunity, not a crisis.
The Role of Thought Leaders
As someone who has spent decades researching and coaching individuals on finding meaning in later life, I believe it is our responsibility, as thought leaders, policymakers, and professionals, to change the conversation.
We must move beyond fear-driven metaphors and start talking about later life in a way that inspires, rather than alarms. The “age wave” is not something to be endured; it is something to be harnessed.
Let’s stop using the language of crisis and start using the language of possibility. Because ageing is not a tsunami. It is an evolution, and one we should embrace with intention, wisdom, and vision.
