A recent survey conducted by YouGov and commissioned by private market exchange ADDX has found that people who invest their wealth expect to retire, on average, three years earlier than non-investors. The survey covered both Europe and Asia and found that the retirement expectation gap is even more pronounced among investors with allocations to private market assets, who expect to retire nine years earlier than non-investors. The average expected retirement age for non-investors is 62.1, while investors expect to retire at an average age of 59.2. For those who invest in private markets, the average expected retirement age is even lower, at 53.5.
The survey also revealed a significant gender gap in investment behavior, with nearly four in 10 women saying they do not invest compared to just two in 10 men who said the same. This gap also translated into a difference in retirement expectations, with 76% of women expecting to retire after the age of 60, compared with 68% of men. Women, on average, expect to retire at 61.1, while men expect to retire at 59.
The survey found that men who invest tend to adopt a “do-it-yourself” style of investing, compared to women. Women, on the other hand, tend to value investment advice from financial advisors and family members, while men are slightly more likely to value advice from online forums and social media.
The survey also uncovered regional differences in investment instruments, with investors from Asia expressing a preference for fixed deposits, while investors from Europe preferred a more balanced allocation across asset classes. Respondents from Hong Kong also leaned heavily towards stocks, while investors in Frankfurt were slightly more keen to take part in funds.
Overall, the survey found that 29% of respondents globally do not invest, with the share of non-investors higher among Generation Z, Baby Boomers, and respondents from London. The survey's results highlight the importance of investing and the negative impact that not investing can have on an individual's ability to retire earlier, particularly for women. The survey's implications are clear: every individual and household needs to think about channelling some of their savings into investments to secure their well-being in the long term.
