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Closer Look - Insightful, credible, unfiltered conversations that matter

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Closer Look - Insightful, credible, unfiltered conversations that matter

Not so golden: Older adults are a lot more lonely (and broke) these days

January 23, 2026

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Golden years? Not so much, it seems.

A new survey suggests optimism about aging fell sharply over the last year, with financial insecurity and loneliness dampening how many Canadians feel about their retirement years.

The National Institute on Aging surveyed just over 6,000 adults aged 50 and older for its fourth annual report: Perspectives on Growing Older in Canada.

While the majority of respondents — 57 per cent — said they had positive feelings about aging, that’s down from 62 per cent in 2024.

Another troubling figure: Approximately one in five respondents say they have saved less than $5,000 for retirement.

Our guest on tonight’s episode of Village Media’s Closer Look podcast is Talia Bronstein, director of policy at the National Institute on Aging.

Hosted by Village Media’s Michael Friscolanti and Scott Sexsmith, and produced by Derek Turner, Closer Look is a new daily podcast that goes way beyond the headlines with insightful, in-depth conversations featuring our reporters and editors, leading experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.

Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right in your local news feed — and on the show’s dedicated website: closerlookpodcast.ca. Of course, you can also find us wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

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