Marvin Onumonu42% of Brits thought they would have to retrain or work in more than one career if people keep living longer, research from Canada Life found.
The research showed people were already moving away from traditional job paths.
24% had switched industries, 20% had changed professions, 11% had gone back to education to support a career shift and 8% had retrained completely.
Adults aged 18 to 25 had already worked for an average of six employers, the same as those aged 65-74, showing job-hopping is becoming common among younger people as well as over-65s.
Half of adults (49%) thought they would need to change their work and retirement plans by taking a sabbatical or career break.
A quarter (26%) had already taken extended leave, with many already adapting to changing work lives.
Nearly two-thirds (65%) of employers agreed the idea of learning, working and retiring in order was outdated and that work and life paths need to be more flexible.
79% said learning and development should last a lifetime, while 73% of employees said gaining new skills and knowledge motivated them at work.
72% of employers agreed they would need to invest more in employee development as people live longer, but only 12% funded training for new skills over time.
32% of employers did not offer any specific policies or benefits to support longer careers.
Of those that did, phased retirement was the most common (25%).
Nick Harding, chief people officer at Canada Life, said: “As people live longer, healthier lives, we need to rethink traditional models of education, work, and retirement.
“A more flexible life and work structure—one that allows for pausing, retraining, and pivoting—is likely to become more common.
“This shift requires action from both employers and individuals.”
Harding added: “It is important that employers become ever more flexible with benefits, as well as investing in lifelong learning, and help to create career pathways that are able to adapt to different life stages and changing skills needs.
“At the same time, individuals need to plan ahead—financially and professionally—to manage the growing demands of a longer life.
“Taking time out to study, reskill, or recharge can be invaluable, but it requires foresight.”
He said: “Our ability to enjoy flexibility and fulfilment later depends on the decisions we make today.
“This isn’t just a challenge—it’s an opportunity. Longer lives can mean richer lives, if we build systems and habits that support learning, wellbeing, and adaptability at every stage.”
