by HRHQ Editorial Team
A new survey suggests that many workers in Ireland are facing significant financial barriers to retiring at a traditional age. According to Royal London Ireland’s annual Retirement Age Financial Feasibility Survey, almost one in five workers (18%) believe they will be unable to afford retirement until they reach 70. The findings highlight a growing concern about long‑term financial security, particularly as living costs continue to rise.
The survey of 1,000 adults reveals that early retirement feels increasingly unattainable for most people. More than six in ten respondents (62%) said retiring before the State Pension age of 66 “feels out of reach”. Despite this, the report notes a slight shift in sentiment, with “optimism rising” among a small but growing group. Six percent of workers now hope to retire by 55—double last year’s figure of 3%.
For the majority, however, expectations remain closely aligned with the State Pension threshold. Over half of workers (52%) anticipate retiring at 65 or 66, while fewer than four in ten (38%) expect to stop working before the State Pension age. The data also reveals a notable gender divide: almost half of men (48%) believe they will retire before 66, compared with just 30% of women.
The survey also points to changing attitudes toward retirement itself. Close to one in five people nearing retirement age (18%) say they never want to fully retire—up from 13% in 2024. Women were more likely to express this view (15%) than men (10%), suggesting evolving expectations around work, purpose, and financial necessity later in life.
