The retirement concept as we understand it today is less than 140 years old. In 1889, German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck established the world’s first state pension in his country, setting the retirement age at 70 – a milestone that only a fraction of the population actually lived to see.

The principle was straightforward: continue working until physical limitations made it impossible, at which point society would provide care during your remaining years.

That world has vanished. The forces transforming how we live and work are so profound that tomorrow’s retirement will likely bear little resemblance to yesterday’s. The real question isn’t whether retirement will evolve, but how swiftly we can adjust our mindset to embrace this emerging reality.

For the first time in human history, we possess both the tools and the longevity to fundamentally reimagine what our later decades could become.

The forces driving change

Several powerful trends are rendering traditional retirement planning outdated.

Firstly, longevity has surged. A 65-year-old couple today has a 50 per cent probability that at least one partner will reach 92. Modern retirees are facing 25 to 30-year retirements − far exceeding the 10-year periods our grandparents prepared for.

Secondly, health spans are expanding. People aren't merely living longer − they're maintaining vitality much further into their lives. Numerous 70-year-olds today possess the vigour that 50-year-olds had just a generation ago.

Then, consider how t