When you think about living to 100, what’s your first thought? If it’s “Only if I’m healthy and financially stable,” you’re not alone. Thanks to advances in medical science, nutrition, and technology, living past 90—or even to 100—is becoming less rare. But longevity comes with a catch: your retirement income needs to last much longer than it used to.
Welcome to the age of “SuperAging.”
Living Longer Is the New Normal
In the 1980s, there were roughly 32,000 centenarians in the U.S. Today, that number is over 100,000—and growing fast. If you’re 65 today and in good health, the odds are pretty high that you’ll live well into your 80s or 90s. In fact, the average healthy couple has a 20% chance that at least one spouse will live past 95.
That’s great news for your longevity—and a serious challenge for your finances.
Your Retirement Plan Needs a Reality Check
A longer life means more years of spending, and possibly more years of unexpected expenses like healthcare or home maintenance. If you’re planning retirement income based on outdated life expectancy numbers, it might not stretch far enough.
Ask yourself:
- Am I planning for 20 years or 35 years of retirement?
- Will I still be comfortable if inflation or healthcare costs spike?
- Do I have enough guaranteed income to cover the basics no matter how long I live?
Biological Age vs. Retirement Age
Thanks to tools like the RealAge Test, you can get a better picture of your biological age (how old your body is acting) versus your chronological age. A younger biological age means you might live longer than expected, which is great—but you’ll need income to match that longevity.
So, What Should You Do?
- Reassess your timeline. If you’re planning to retire at 65, assume you’ll need income for at least 30 years.
- Add protected income. Consider strategies like annuities that offer lifetime income—you can’t outlive it, and that peace of mind is priceless.
- Stay healthy. Movement, nutrition, sleep, and stress management all factor into how long—and how well—you live.
Final Thought
Living longer is a gift. But without the right financial plan, it can become a burden. Ready to make sure your money lasts as long as you do? Let’s run the numbers and build a retirement income plan that goes the distance. CLICK HERE to schedule your Right Fit Call now.