Understanding Longevity Risk and Financial Planning: A Guide for Individuals
Are you planning for retirement and wondering how long your money needs to last? The answer may not be as straightforward as you think. While many financial institutions use age 95 as a default assumption for life expectancy, recent research suggests that this figure may be too generous for many individuals.
According to HealthView Services, the projected life expectancy for a 65-year-old with no chronic conditions is age 90 for women and age 88 for men. However, only around 5% of people over 60 have no chronic conditions, which means that for many individuals, their actual life expectancy may be lower.
Chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and obesity can significantly reduce life expectancy. For example, a healthy 65-year-old man may have a 19.3% probability of living to age 95 or longer, but if he has high blood pressure, that probability drops to 17.5%.
These differences in life expectancy can have a significant impact on retirement funding needs. A healthy 65-year-old man may need around $1.1 million to maintain an 80% income replacement rate, assuming he lives to age 95. However, if his life expectancy is lower due to a chronic condition, he may need less money for retirement.
Understanding your personal life expectancy and how it may be affected by your health can help you better plan for retirement. By taking into account your specific health status, you can personalize your financial plan and make more informed decisions about when to retire, how much to save, and how to allocate your retirement funds.
While age 95 may be a common assumption in the financial industry, it’s important to remember that everyone’s situation is unique. By working with a financial advisor and considering your personal life expectancy, you can create a retirement plan that is tailored to your individual needs and goals.
So, don’t just rely on the default assumptions – take the time to understand your own life expectancy and plan accordingly. Your future self will thank you for it.