A mortgage in retirement is becoming a fact of life for many Canadians as the rising cost of living, later-life debt and a pricey housing market stretch borrowing into their later years.

The Fidelity Retirement Report out this week found that debt and rising economic uncertainty are complicating the retirement outlook for many Canadians. The report surveyed 2,000 Canadians with the median age of 62.

Twenty-two per cent of retirees polled still have a mortgage, more than half of which do not expect to pay it off in under 10 years.

More than 20 per cent of retirees and 12 per cent of pre-retirees do not expect to be able to pay off the mortgage at all.

Household indebtedness has been rising for all Canadians, making it more likely that a bigger share of the population will enter their retirement years carrying debt.

According to Statistics Canada, the number of senior families with debt rose to 42 per cent in 2016, up from 27 per cent in 1999. The proportion with mortgage debt almost doubled.

About two-thirds of the total increase in debt for seniors was attributable to an increase in mortgage debt, said the agency.

Since then the challenges have only increased.

In another survey by EQ Bank this week more than half of Canadian homeowners aged 45 and older said their retirement savings have been negatively impacted by economic uncertainties over the past year. And there have been plenty of those, including the U.S. trade war that has battered Canada’s economy and the Iran war that has sent fuel prices soaring.

Inflation tops the list of Canadians’ concerns about their retirement in Fidelity’s poll at 80 per cent, followed by turmoil in world politics and a weaker economy or recession in Canada at 60 per cent.

More than a third of retirees said that they have moved their assets into more conservative investments such as GICs, bonds and cash because of worries about global conflicts and volatile stock markets.

Canadians are also concerned about their social safety net.

“Nine in 10 Canadians expect to rely on government programs for retirement income. But far fewer expect these programs to remain as generous as they are today,” said the Fidelity report.

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As Ottawa gets set to unveil its national artificial intelligence strategy this week, a national poll reveals that most Canadians doubt government is up to the task of controlling the technology.

An Angus Reid Institute survey found that two thirds of Canadians believe the government should heavily regulate AI and tech companies, even if it slows development. Yet 74 per cent say that no government is equipped to regulate AI quickly enough to keep pace with the technology. Only 14 per cent had faith that could be done.

Most Canadians are also leery of Ottawa adopting artificial intelligence for fear of unintended consequences, and they definitely don’t want AI moving in next door.

Sixty-eight per cent said they would oppose a large AI data centre being built within a few blocks of where they live.

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Millennial and gen Z Canadians face huge financial obstacles, but while some see retirement as “impossible,” others are finding ways to retire early. The Financial Post’s Serah Louis talks to young Canadians about their financial priorities and plans for the future. Read more

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McLister on mortgages

Want to learn more about mortgages? Mortgage strategist Robert McLister’s Financial Post column can help navigate the complex sector, from the latest trends to financing opportunities you won’t want to miss. Plus check his mortgage rate page for Canada’s lowest national mortgage rates, updated daily.

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Today’s Posthaste was written by Pamela Heaven with additional reporting from Financial Post staff and Bloomberg.

Have a story idea, pitch, embargoed report, or a suggestion for this newsletter? Email us at posthaste@postmedia.com .

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