Longevity - the facts
We now live, on average, about twice as long as people did 200 years ago* and today more than a million people in the UK are aged 85 and over. This figure is predicted to double in the next 20 years and treble in the next 30 years.**
Most people, however, are unaware of their improved life expectancy. Did you know that if you're a 55-year-old man today, your chance of reaching the age of 95 is now nearly 1 in 4 and well over 1 in 4 if you're a woman?
The table below shows the likelihood of living to 85 and beyond for people of different ages. You may be surprised to learn your chances of living to well into your 80s, 90s or beyond.
Add to this fact that life expectancy is still increasing. Find out more.
To discover your own chances of reaching advanced ages and see how inflation can affect retirement income over time, visit our longevity and inflation calculator.
*Professor Thomas Kirkwood, Professor of Medicine and Director of the Institute of Ageing and Health at the University of Newcastle
**Office of National Statistics
Longevity calculator
Find out your own chances of reaching advanced ages
Longevity video
Watch Professor Sarah Harper explain more about increasing longevity