The number of centenarians in England and Wales - those aged 100 or more - has more than doubled since 2002, according to new data from the Office for National Statistics.
The number of centenarians has increased two fold in less than 25 years to 15,172 in 2025, with most of them women (12,322).
There were also more than 581,000 people aged 90 and over living in England and Wales in 2025, an increase of 3% year-on-year and a 54% increase over the past 20 years.
According to analysis by fund manager and wealth manager Fidelity, UK pre-retirees expect their retirement savings to last on average around 19 years, leaving a potential income shortfall.
Fidelity's Longevity Revolution research found that more than a third (35%) of UK adults aged 50 and over could be underprepared for retirement by at least a decade when their plans are compared with average life expectancy. When tested against the possibility of living to 100, this rises to almost three-quarters (74%).
Ed Monk, pensions and investment expect at Fidelity, said: “The risk is not simply living longer; it is planning as though we will not. Retirement plans should be stress-tested against inflation, weaker investment returns, and unexpected later-life costs, while recognising that spending is likely to change over time.
“Planning for a longer life is ultimately about retaining flexibility. Reviewing pension contributions, making full use of employer matching, adjusting spending expectations and, where appropriate, considering sustainable withdrawals or a phased move into retirement can all help make a plan more resilient.”
• Fidelity’s “The Longevity Revolution: Preparing for a New Reality” report surveyed 11,800 over 50s. The survey was conducted by Opinium between 11 August and 1 September 2025.