# How Age Affects Investment Choices

> Investment strategies shift with age: younger investors favor growth, older ones seek stability.
- Title: How Age Affects Investment Choices · MoneyWeek | Shortify
- Summary: Investment strategies shift with age: younger investors favor growth, older ones seek stability.
- Keywords: stocks and shares isa, age group, investment strategy, hargreaves lansdown, gilt, cash isa, exchange traded funds, tracker funds, investment trust, MoneyWeek
- Source: MoneyWeek — https://moneyweek.com/investments/average-investments-by-age
- Published: 2026-11-13T05:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: stocks and shares isa, age group, investment strategy, hargreaves lansdown, gilt, cash isa, exchange traded funds, tracker funds, investment trust
## Investment Approach by Age
People of different ages tend to invest differently based on their financial goals and time horizons.
## Retirement-Approaching Investors
Those nearing retirement shift to less risky assets to protect pension wealth as they start drawing from it.
## Younger Investors
Younger investors often take on more risk due to longer time horizons for their investments to mature.
## Average ISA Values by Age
Under 25: £18,240; 25-34: £41,060; 35-44: £68,500; 45-54: £116,420; 55-64: £150,990; 65-74: £176,600; 75-84: £204,870; 85+: £227,250.
## Investment Preferences by Age
Younger investors favor exchange-traded funds and tracker funds, while older investors prefer investment trusts, gilts, and cash ISAs.
## Hargreaves Lansdown Data
70% of ETF and tracker fund holders are under 55, while only 6% and 7% are aged over 75.
## Global Investing Trends
Investors aged 35 to 54 hold nearly half of their shares overseas, indicating international exposure.
## Retirement Strategy Shift
As retirement approaches, investors dial back on higher-risk assets and introduce more stable returns or income-generating investments.
## Investment Trusts and Gilts
42% of gilt holders and 41% of cash ISA holders are aged 55-74, while 57% of investment trust holders are 55 or over.
## Key Investment Principle
Portfolios evolve gradually with growth assets, income-producing investments, and lower-risk holdings playing different roles at different life stages.
## Key takeaway

People under 25 average £18,240 in ISAs, while over 85s hold £227,250, with strategies adapting to retirement timelines.