Unlock Your Career Freedom: The Rise of Multi-Retirements and How They're Changing Work-Life Forever

The Rise of Multi-Retirements

Retirement is no longer just a single event at the end of a career—it's evolving into a series of intentional pauses. According to the Quality of Life 2025 report by HSBC, affluent individuals are embracing 'multi-retirements' to realign or reinvent their lives.

Key Insights from the Report

Based on a survey of over 10,000 affluent adults across 12 global markets, the data reveals:

• 49% of those planning a mini-retirement intend to take two to three over their lifetime.
• The preferred duration for these pauses is between six and 12 months.
• The average ideal age for a first career pause is 47.
• Among those who have experienced at least one mini-retirement, 87% report a positive impact on their overall quality of life.

Mindset Shift Across Generations

This trend is gaining traction across all age groups, with Gen Z and Millennials leading the charge. Dr. Cora Pettipas, a Financial Planner and Retirement Specialist at HSBC, emphasizes that multi-retirements are not a fleeting trend but a fundamental shift in mindset. People are increasingly taking time to live their wealth rather than just accumulate it, planning carefully to fund multiple career pauses that align with their values and family needs.

Motivations Behind Multi-Retirements

The report highlights the top reasons for taking these intentional breaks:

• Spending quality time with family, including children and elderly parents (34%).
• Focusing on individual wellbeing—physical, mental, and emotional (31%).
• Traveling and exploring new cultures without the limits of standard holidays (30%).
• Pursuing lifelong passions and personal development activities (28%).
• Reassessing career goals and pivoting to new opportunities (25%).

Note: The survey defines affluent investors as those aged 21 to 69 with investable assets ranging from US$100,000 to US$2 million.