Australians are increasingly planning multiple intentional breaks during their careers.

Retirement, once understood as a single life event bookmarked at the end of a career, is being quietly replaced by a new rhythm: multi retirements.

The Rise of Multi Retirements is a special report from HSBC’s Quality of Life: Affluent Investor Snapshot – a global survey of more than 10,000 affluent adults in 12 markets. It shows that Australians are increasingly planning multiple intentional breaks during their careers to reflect, reset, and reinvent.

Australians leading the shift

The survey also found:

• Quality of life boost: 68% of Australians believe a mini retirement enhances their quality of life.
• Frequency: Of the 34% of Australians planning to take a mini retirement, almost half (47%) are planning to take 2–3 mini retirements in the future.
• Timing: The average Australian expects to take their first mini retirement at age 48, closely in line with the global average of 47.
• Duration: 34% of Australians who are planning a mini retirement are planning breaks lasting 6–12 months.
• Confidence gap: 67% of Australians feel confident in their financial planning for mini retirements, below the global average of 74%.

Globally, 87% of those who have already taken a mini retirement said it positively impacted their overall quality of life.

Key motivations for Australians

The top reasons Australians give for taking a mini retirement are:

1. Travel and explore new places without work constraints (38%)
2. Focus on individual wellbeing – physical, mental, and emotional (35%)
3. Spend quality time with family (32%)

A new life rhythm

According to the global study, almost half (49%) of those intending to take a mini retirement plan to take between 2-3 months, with a preferred duration of 6 to 12 months (32%), and the ideal age to take the first break being 47 years old. This trend can be seen across all generations, led by Gen Z and Millennials who aspire to take an average of three mini retirements in their lifetime. 

Jessica Power, Head of International Wealth & Premier Banking, HSBC Australia, said: “Australians across all age groups are re-thinking retirement. With people working longer and often changing careers, there is no longer a one size fits approach to retirement. Our research shows that people are embracing retirement breaks as an opportunity to reset, travel, and prioritise family and wellbeing. It’s a fundamental shift in how people think about work, money, and quality of life, meaning planning is key for those wanting to embrace this trend.”

About the survey

The Affluent Investor Snapshot 2025, a global Quality of Life special report by HSBC, delves into the investment portfolios, behaviours, and priorities of affluent individuals worldwide. Conducted in March 2025 through an online survey across 12 markets (Australia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Mainland China, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America), the research captures insights from 10,797 affluent investors aged 21 to 69, each possessing investable assets ranging from USD 100k to USD 2M. Of those respondents, 736 were Australian.

HSBC launched the inaugural edition of the Quality of Life report in 2023 to explore the concept of a good Quality of Life across different generation of affluent individuals and investigate the relationship between physical and mental wellness, and financial fitness.

The study was conducted by Ipsos Asia Limited.

Read the report.

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• 90% of Australians say we are living through an era of rapid change; over a third of Australians (34%) say uncertainty keeps them from living a full life and 25% indicate they struggle with decision block
• Almost a third of Australians say a decision made solo will usually turn out to be poor, despite the majority (73%) caring about how their family and friends view their decisions
• Australians feel more confident navigating unexpected events in their health (63%), work (63%) and personal relationships (67%) over their finances (54%)
• HSBC developed decision-making model, The Decision-Making Guide, with Professor David Tuckett

Around the world, people are united in their struggle with decision block and often regret making decisions on their own according to HSBC’s global study, Seizing Uncertainty. Australians are feeling the impacts of uncertainty with three-quarters finding it harder to plan for the future than it used to be.

The global study of 17,555 individuals across 12 markets, including 1,200 people in Australia, has uncovered that people are struggling to navigate change and make decisions in their lives. 

Commenting on the research, Jessica Power, Head of Wealth and Personal Banking, HSBC Australia said: “Our research found that compared to the rest of the world, Australians are less likely to consult our inner circles on important decisions, and are more likely to regret the decisions we make on our own.

“Against a backdrop of uncertainty, Australians are overlooking the value of mateship, a fundamental part of our society. This is despite Australians saying the support from family and friends in the past have helped make the most of opportunities.

“Drawing on the people around you for valuable, different perspectives, together with doing your research, being willing to fail and listening to your instincts helps to build more confidence in decision-making and feel better prepared for the future.”

To help more people navigate uncertainty and seize more of life’s opportunities, HSBC and Academic Advisor to Seizing Uncertainty, Professor David Tuckett, Director of the Centre for the Study of Decision-Making Uncertainty at UCL, have identified the anatomy of a ‘good’ decision and translated this into a practical Decision-making Guide. 

Professor David Tuckett said: “Across the world change and uncertainty are the norm, not the exception. In this context of radical uncertainty, individuals are facing heightened complexity and constant disruption.  

“Addressing this gap and empowering more people to be confident when making decisions will be a key factor in creating opportunities.” 

Read the report.

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