Is life after 50 tougher now than it was for our parents’ generation?

edsharp100
15 minutes ago
2 min read

As part of my Henley Business School PCEC (Executive Coaching Certificate) studies, I’ve been exploring the concept of “life stages” through books like Gail Sheehy’s New Passages and Thomas Armstrong’s The Human Odyssey. Both were written 20–30 years ago, which made me wonder: is life actually tougher now for people aged 50+ than it was for our parents’ generation?

My conclusion: despite the huge improvements technology has brought to our quality of life, systemic changes over the past few decades have made things harder for many.

🔹 Work & Ageism - it's tough to find employment once you are fifty plus

1 in 3 over-50s believe they’ve been rejected for a job because of age.
37% of people in their 50s and 60s say they’ve faced age discrimination at work in the past year.
Half of HR departments reportedly view applicants aged 57 as “too old to hire.”
Post-pandemic, 68% of over-55s feel the job market is effectively closed to them.

🔹 Retirement & Financial Security - we haven't saved enough to fund a long "late middle age' and old age

Only 43% of UK households are on track for an adequate retirement.
High earners face projected pension shortfalls of £64,000+, while nearly half of all working-age people are under-saving.
Final salary pensions are almost extinct.
Nearly 2 million older people now live below the poverty line, many relying solely on the State Pension.

🔹 Family Dynamics - we're squeezed at both ends

With childcare costs soaring (up to £2,000 per month in South EastLondon I'm reliably informed), grandparents are often expected to help out—yet many are still working themselves.

In summary: by many measures, life is more challenging today for the 50+ generation. But these pressures are also starting to spark conversations about what we should be seeking in a second career; how we can achieve flexible working patterns structured around well-being; thing more creatively around how much we need to earn and how we might achieve this; the impact and opportunities of AI for our generation and much more.

At Stay Curious, I coach people in their 50s and 60s to face these challenges with confidence, creativity, and resilience.

👉 If this resonates with you—or someone you know—let’s talk: www.staycurious.com