When EML started helping people make the most of living longer we would often find ourselves in a Catch 22 situation. Older people would say that we should target the young ‘as they were too old to change’ while the young would say target the old ‘as they were the ones who needed to change’. In fact we needed to work with all ages as we all face the very real prospect of living longer.

If you were born in the 1990s and are nearer 19 than 90, here are some thoughts that might shape your long-term plans.

• Expect to ‘retire’ between age 80 and 90, but will only stop working when you can afford to do so. Paid retirement is a passing trend
• During your working life you should plan to have a number of distinct careers separated by period of retraining and ‘re-invention’.
• Expect to take more responsibility for maintaining your physical and mental health – you need to be in the best shape possible to enjoy those extra years!
• Physical possessions are increasingly being replaced by experiences and memories plus a digital archive. iTunes and e-readers have replaced CDs and books, DVDs have given way to NetFlix while social media now host personal photos and videos.
• As life become transitory and increasingly mobile you will grow to value the support provided by a small group of ‘good friends’ – look after them!