Career

The 100-Year Life: 8 key ideas

by Lynda Gratton & Andrew Scott

The core ideas of The 100-Year Life, each in under a minute, written in our own words. Want the full depth? Get the book.

1. IDEA 1 OF 8

   People may live to a hundred

   Gratton and Scott, professors at London Business School, argue that many people born today may live to around a hundred.

   This, they say, will change how we plan education, work and retirement.

2. IDEA 2 OF 8

   The three-stage life is ending

   The authors argue that the old pattern of education, then work, then retirement will no longer fit long lives.

   In their view, longer lives stretch the later years, so a single straight path no longer matches how people actually live.

3. IDEA 3 OF 8

   Lives will have many stages

   The authors predict multi-stage lives, with several careers, breaks and periods of learning.

   In their view, people will move between roles, learn new skills and take planned breaks, so the old order will blur.

4. IDEA 4 OF 8

   Intangible assets matter

   The authors argue that skills, health, relationships and adaptability are as important as money.

   In their view, such qualities can be built over time and shape how people cope with change. They call them overlooked wealth.

5. IDEA 5 OF 8

   Three kinds of intangible assets

   The authors describe productive assets such as skills, vitality assets such as health and friendship, and transformational assets such as self-knowledge.

   In their view, each kind supports the others, so a gap in one can hold back the rest.

6. IDEA 6 OF 8

   New life stages may appear

   The authors describe stages such as explorer, independent producer and portfolio, mixing different activities.

   In their view, each new stage gives people a different balance of work, learning and personal time. They present these as possible patterns.

7. IDEA 7 OF 8

   Long lives need new planning

   The authors discuss how people may need to work longer to support longer lives.

   In their view, a long life tends to need a longer working life or a different pattern of work and rest.

8. IDEA 8 OF 8

   Institutions must adapt

   The authors argue that governments and companies will need to change policies for longer lives.

   In their view, rules about schooling, work and later life were built for shorter lives and will need rethinking.