Just 21% of Hong Kong workers feel financially prepared for retirement amidst AI uncertainty

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Nearly 60% of surveyed workers believe they will need more than HK$5mn in savings and investments to retire with peace of mind.

More than half (55%) of Hong Kong working adults believe artificial intelligence (AI) will make their path to retirement more unpredictable than that of previous generations, yet only 21% feel financially prepared to achieve their ideal retirement, according to a new survey by T. Rowe Price.

The concern is particularly evident among workers in their 30s, with 61% expecting AI to make their retirement journey less predictable.

Conducted in August 2026, the survey gathered responses from 1,004 Hong Kong residents aged 30 and above who were employed and earning at least HK$15,000 per month.

Retirement becoming a phased transition

For employees, retirement is increasingly being viewed as a gradual process rather than a single point in time marking the end of working life.

Among respondents who have a clear vision of how they intend to retire, nearly three-quarters (72%) expect to transition through multiple stages instead of moving directly from full-time employment into retirement.

Many believe AI will play a significant role in shaping this transition:

• 63% believe the growing use of AI in the workplace will increase the need for flexible retirement arrangements.
• 72% are already using, or would consider using, AI to work more efficiently and extend their careers.
• 60% have already started, or would consider, using AI to reduce their working hours or move towards retirement earlier than expected.
• 69% have returned, or would consider returning, to paid work after retiring from their primary career, using AI to work more flexibly and effectively.

AI is also prompting workers to explore alternative career paths before retirement. The survey found that:

• 81% have already invested, or would consider investing, time or money in developing skills likely to become more valuable in an AI-driven economy.
• 73% are using, or would consider using, AI to support freelance, consulting, or project-based work.
• 58% are using, or would consider using, AI to start a business or side venture.

Financial preparation lagging behind

Despite growing interest in more flexible retirement pathways, financial planning has not kept pace.

Only:

• 35% have prepared financially for extending their careers.
• 27% have prepared financially for reducing working hours or retiring earlier.
• 26% have prepared financially for returning to paid work after retirement.

Many respondents also believe AI could increase the amount of money they need to retire comfortably. Some 44% said the potential impact of AI on their work, income, and retirement journey means they may require more money for retirement.

However, just 21% feel fully or substantially financially prepared to stay on track for their ideal retirement.

The planning gap is equally pronounced, with only 15% saying they have a comprehensive retirement plan that they review regularly.

When it comes to retirement savings targets, nearly 60% of respondents believe they will need more than HK$5mn in savings and investments to retire with peace of mind. Among them, 22% estimate they will need more than HK$10mn.

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