Retirement Preparation and Perceptions of Longevity

How long do we expect to live, and to what extent does this perception influence how we prepare for retirement? Beyond knowledge about longevity, uncertainty surrounding one’s own chances of survival may also play a role in saving and retirement decisions.

On October 27, from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., the Retirement and Savings Institute and the Financial Education Lab will hold a luncheon-conference with Irina Gemmo, Assistant Professor in the Department of Finance at HEC Montréal. The presentation will cover highlights from the 2026 edition of the RSI Index of Knowledge of the Retirement Income System, including longevity literacy. Irina Gemmo will also present recent research on survival ambiguity—the uncertainty involved in assessing one’s own survival probabilities—including how it is measured, its demographic determinants, and its relationship with savings, retirement preparation, and expected retirement age. The event will conclude with a discussion period.