What does it really take to feel ready for retirement?

It’s a question that’s more complex than ever – and one that sits at the heart of our latest
edition of Bringing retirement into focus, our retirement research report. 

The retirement conversation has moved firmly into the mainstream. More people recognise the importance of having a pension, yet uncertainty about retirement remains stubbornly high.

Because retirement decisions don’t hinge on one number. They come down to a personal judgement about what feels like enough: income, security, purpose and connection. Drawing on 16 years of retirement research and five years of tracking retirement readiness across Ireland, Bringing retirement into focus helps advisers understand the attitudes, behaviours and barriers influencing retirement decisions today.

 

Only 1 in 3 know what they’ll need to retire comfortably. This is where advisers make the biggest difference.

Inside the report you’ll find:

  • A clearer definition of modern retirement readiness, across financial, social and mindset factors.
  • Five years of readiness trends showing how sentiment is shifting over time.
  • Behavioural insights through the lens of gender, generation, geography and engagement with financial advice.
  • Real perspectives from retirees, bringing the experience of retirement planning to life. 

 

Read the report

Turning insight into action

Bringing retirement into focus is designed to do more than highlight the challenge today, it’s built to support how advisers can respond to it. Our research informs the tools, content and resources we develop. Learn how you can use the voice of the retiree to support more relevant client conversations.

  • Explore Second Life content

  • Explore adviser tools

We believe retirement isn’t the end of something, it’s the start of your second life

At Standard Life we’ve been working to change the retirement conversation for years. Guided by almost two decades of research, we offer a different perspective – one that sees retirement not as a finish line, but as the start of your second life. It’s not just a financial milestone, but a meaningful new chapter where thoughtful, tailored planning matters most. 

That’s why we created Second Life – a platform designed to help people think differently about what comes next. Through Second Life, we continue to develop tools, content, and events that influence better conversations – ones that balance the human and financial side of retirement planning.

Adviser toolkit

Download ready-to-use Bringing retirement into focus campaign assets to share retirement insight across your social channels and client communications. There is also a PDF guide on how to use the assets.

Second Life content

  • Retirement Chats

    Our Retirement Chats videos give an insight into life in retirement, with retirees speaking about the moments and mindsets that have shaped their journeys.

    Connect more with the human side of planning, watch the videos today and share with your clients to spark reflection.

  • The Ultimate Guide for Women and Pensions

    Women remain far less comfortable talking about money and are less likely to seek financial advice.

    Understanding that conversations influence action, we created The Ultimate Guide for Women and Pensions podcast to help demystify pensions and use relatable, entertaining storytelling to influence more women to take action for their financial future.

  • Better with age

    Better with Age is our advertising campaign aimed at pre-retirees. Grounded in insight, the campaign reframes ageing as a time of opportunity – showing how with expert guidance and planning along the way, things can get better with age.

    We run this campaign regularly throughout the year across video, radio, social and print channels with a clear call to action to speak with a financial adviser about second life planning.

A broader view of retirement readiness

Our retirement readiness framework highlights the financial, social and mindset factors that influence how ready clients today feel for their second life.

  • Financial readiness

    A strong financial foundation can help create more freedom and choice in retirement. 





    30% of working adults in Ireland feel financially ready for retirement.

     

  • Social readiness

    The people, routines, and support around us shape how connected and fulfilling life after full-time work feels.





    44% of working adults in Ireland feel socially ready for retirement.

  • Mindset readiness

    Retirement looks different for everyone. Mindset readiness is about feeling ready for what comes next, whether that includes work or not, and having a sense of what will bring meaning, structure, and purpose in your second life.

    49% of working adults in Ireland feel mindset ready for retirement.

Hear from our experts

  • Learn more about Women and Pensions

    Explore the latest insights, recommendations and tools to better support women with planning. 

  • Read insight and opinion pieces from our experts

    Our experts share their reflections on the research and how to use it.

The information on standardlife.ie/adviser is designed for financial advisers. It's not suitable for anyone else. If you're not a financial adviser, please go to standardlife.ie for information about the products and services we offer.