55+ South Africans Survey: Share Your Views on Home
Most of us picture where we will spend our later years, but have you mapped out what that actually looks like? You’ve Earned It is running a survey for 55+ South Africans to understand what home, independence and the years ahead really mean to this generation.
What is this survey about?
This survey asks 55+ South Africans to share their views on three things: where they want to live, what independence means to them at this stage of life, and what would make ageing in place easier. The findings will shape research and content from YEI and its partner Lifta SA, helping the sector understand this market more accurately.
What 55+ South Africans really think about home and independence
For many 55+ South Africans, home is about far more than four walls. It is where independence, comfort and connection come together as life moves into a new stage. That is why You’ve Earned It wants to hear directly from you. Tell us how you picture your living situation in the years ahead. Tell us what independence means to you, and what would make that picture easier to achieve. Every response helps build a clearer, more accurate view of what this generation actually wants, not what others assume on their behalf.
How long does the survey take?
Five minutes. That’s it.
What can I win by taking part?
Everyone who completes the survey stands a chance to win one of two R5,000 vouchers.
Why is You’ve Earned It running this survey?
South Africa’s 55+ population is growing. Yet research and product design rarely include their voice directly. You’ve Earned It exists to close that gap. So instead of relying on assumptions, we are asking 55+ South Africans directly.
Complete the survey below👇🏻
Closing date for entries: Friday 28th August 2026
Terms and Conditions:
- You are only eligible to enter this competition if you have completed the survey and have signed up to or already receive the FREE YEI newsletter
- Two (2) winners will each receive a R5,000 grocery voucher. No alternative prizes or substitutions will be offered.
- The winners will be selected randomly from all eligible entries.
- The winners will be contacted via email. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new winner will be selected.
- By entering, the prize winners accept the terms and conditions, and in addition, agree that their names will be shared on our platforms when announcing the winners.
- YEI reserves the right to cancel or amend the competition and these terms at any time without prior notice.
- No correspondence will be entered into with entrants of competitions.
- I consent to YEI collecting and storing the data I submit. I also consent to being added to YEI’s free newsletter mailing list, if I am not already signed up.
Please Note the Following:
- Your personal data is collected and stored solely for YEI purposes related to this competition—specifically, to contact you if you win and to send you the free fortnightly newsletter.
- YEI values your privacy and will never share, sell, or disclose your data to third parties, except where required by law.
- By accepting these terms and conditions, you consent to the collection and storage of your personal data as described above.
I’m very blest to have 3 generations on my property. My wife’s 87 year old Mom that now lives with us in our main house. My married daughter and her husband in the granny flat which has since been upgraded and extended to the size of a 2nd home on my property. So we a very blest happy tribe. We live in a quiet beautiful suburb, Very central within 10 mins to Medi clinics and professional health care, 5 mins from a large shopping complex and 5 mins from the N1. So as we age we will maybe one day move into the 2nd property but currently we all happy in our own spaces.
Hi Shaun
What a wonderful example of intergenerational living at its best! You’ve turned “ageing in place” into “ageing together”. Three generations, everyone with their own space, yet close enough to support one another. It sounds less like a property and more like a very happy little village! What a wonderful way to age in place.
The YEI Team
Ngihlala Eshowe Emzini ka Aunt ongasekho ,nabantwana bami ababili, 21and 22.
Yize kuyindawo eseduze nezakhiwo eziningi, njenge clinic, isibhedlela, idolobha, njengesifiso sami seminyaka , ngyafisa ukub nendawo yam, lapho engyokhululeka khona nabantwana bami.
Yebo Sonke syayifuna impilo engcono , kalhulukaz ngakwezimpilo njengoba sekukhulekile , Kodwa ke ngokwam angikhethile ukut ngikuphi ngokwenhlalo, Uma nje kuphephile, futhi kukhona zonke izinsiza zomphakathi ngyophumula ngoxolo
We hear you, Bonginkosi. Our lives change over the years, and having one’s own house to call home is so very important. Longevity is real, and as we live longer, we all want and need to live in good health to be able to cope with, and enjoy, the later years. Thank you for your interesting comments.
The YEI Team
Impela, ikhaya, yikhaya ngentokozo nothando kanye noku khululeka
We are keen to move into a retirement estate. However it is simpler said than done. The issues are location, cost, size and – hugely – availability.
Hi Arddy, we completely understand and sympathise with your challenges. Keep your eye out for upcoming content that seeks to tackle exactly those issues that you are referring to. Perhaps it will trigger an idea or two for you.
The YEI Team
We live in a comfortable one story home, with a beautiful garden. We have ensured that our security is maintained and we have a security company who looks after us. Our married daughters stay within 5 Km from us. Our Busamed Hospital is less than 7km from us. We each have a secure pension that allows us to save every month. We both belong a reliable medical aids and we have a top up Medical plan.
If in 10 years we need medical assistance, we will pay for the help. We believe in the saying “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”
I own my home, have a home in a retirement village, and spend 5-6 months of the year travelling and visiting my families in UK and Australia.
If only I could decide where I want to settle!
While I’m on the move I thoroughly enjoy being a nomad with few assets!
I am grateful for all my blessings and good health, but this procrastination and indecision has persisted for the past 3 years.
In my fantasy life I have a remote beach house, but in reality the lack of security makes this but a dream!
Because I stay in a complex it is easy to go on holiday and no worries about the house. I dont have any pets.
At this stage I dont think about moving to a retirement complex. A view of my friends stay there but I love my own space and garden.
We live in a lovely recently renovated 3 bedroom home. Very cozy. Good neighborhood. Good security overlooking our home and our safety. Enjoying retirement.
My son that got divorced moved in with me with his 8 year old daughter.. He does most of the cooking and cleaning and trying to make a living from his hobby.. If there is a little extra money he spend it on paint and hinges, screws, whatever is neede to do some fixing in the house.. My house is very old, my husband bought it 1980, passed in 1990.. Im still living the same house where I had to bring uo my 5 kids as a singke mother.. So during the years nothing was fixed, kids were very small, 2 were babies 6 months and 3 and half years. So bringing up 5 kids left no time or money to do any fixing, which my son now try to do when he has a little money.. However. we might not have money but we do have the Lord that is looking after us
We plan to move to an estate between Jhb & Pretoria to be closer to our children and be self-sufficient and independent until our needs change ie frail care.
We are very fortunate to be living with our daughter and her family. They purchased our house from us. We have made our room bigger, and it is very comfortable. I can see us staying here for a long time.
I am 71 years old at this stage of my life, only if one had a chance of good planning for life beyond retirement. Especially when n physical condition are at a gradual frail stages. As a black African, family is my favourite place to be, unfortunately not always possible. I’m living in a complex currently, though safe, lock and go comfort, the cost of levies is too hard and too much. The owners of these places are so in safe units such that you only see people very scarcely. It just feels extremely lonely. I don’t want a retirement village, I’m comfortable in my own space, only if one can get medical support and payment of bills taken care of. Only if basic living conditions can be looked after, that will make one feel more secured. Also to have a church , library and other social facilities. There’s nothing as bad as home for old aged, treatment is terrible especially the government owned or NGO s in the townships. Provision must be equal across all racial homes regardless of your affordability, class and race.
At 83 and 80 we are in the same home for the last 26 years all set up to suit us perfectly so will be here a s long as possible. My wife is in stage 6 dementia and we have an extra bedroom in case we need a live in carer at some stage. We have looked at retirement villages in the area that we live in and like but they are mostly unaffordable. The purchase price of a 123 sq metre 2 bedroom home is not the problem, it’s the absurd monthly levies (just short of R10k a month on a R4m home) that is not sustainable long term. No matter how they try to sell it, my current house is far cheaper to maintain.
I still don’t understand the pricing of the Retirement village homes. If I use their sq meter formula then my current house should be worth R2 more above the current market price.
One day if one of us are left on our own we will have to make a decision to downgrade, until then we are happy where we are.
Anyway, that’s my story.