As perceptions of happiness and well-being shift throughout life, expectations for the future may influence subjective well-being (SWB) differently depending on age. Younger individuals, particularly in uncertain social and economic contexts, may place greater emphasis on anticipated life satisfaction than on their present circumstances. Generational differences are important in exploring how people form and are affected by future expectations, as well as the psychological and contextual factors involved. Such research may deepen our understanding of age-specific pathways to well-being and inform more effective strategies for supporting mental health across different life stages. This paper emphasizes that expectations of future life satisfaction represent a valid and distinct construct that plays an important role in shaping SWB, particularly among younger individuals. Unlike present satisfaction, which reflects current circumstances, anticipated satisfaction functions as a forward-looking cognitive resource, offering accountability in developmental contexts where the current quality of life may not align with optimism or happiness.