“You’re not getting old; you’re getting ready.”
-Ernestine Shepherd, the world’s oldest female competitive body builder.
Life Expectancy Fact: AmericansAreLiving Longer
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), the average life expectancy globally now stands at 75 years for women and 70 for men.
Based on OECD data, women continue to outlive men. In the U.S. male life expectancy is 76.1, and female life expectancy is 81.1 years, albeit Covid may skew this data (or represent an outlier). Life expectancy varies according to race and ethnicity. It is highest for Asians (86.5), for both males and females, and lower for African Americans (74.6), whites (78.9), Native American Indians (76.9), or Hispanics (82.8).
However, do not plug those numbers into a retirement calculator! It is a mistake to assume that the average 78.6 years (up by 8.7 years since 1960) is YOUR life expectancy. Chances are, you will live much longer than you think you will, as we will explain.
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Table Of Contents:
- Life Expectancy Fact: AmericansAreLiving Longer
- Life Expectancy for Americans: Understanding the Statistics
- Longer Life Expectancy After Retirement: The Reasons and the Challenges
- Life Expectancy Calculator – What is My Life Expectancy
- Ernestine Shepherd – A Testimony to Living Longer, Living Better!
- What Life Expectancy for Americans Means for Retirement
Life Expectancy for Americans: Understanding the Statistics
Statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau reveal that the 85-and over age group is the fastest-growing age group in America:
According to the Census Bureau and Aging Stats, the over-65 population grew from 3 million in 1900 to 52 million in 2018, an increase of more than 1733%. And yet, during this same time, the over-85 population grew from just over 100,000 in 1900 to 7 million in 2018—an increase of 7000%! From 2010 to 2020, the 65 and overpopulation increased by 34.2%.
What do these numbers indicate? One of the reasons that the over-85 crowd is becoming a much larger crowd is this: The longer you have already lived, the longer you can expect to live!
Life expectancy figures include those who die from all reasons and at all ages—whether young or old, by accident, illness, or natural causes. The U.S. actually ranked 43rd globally for life expectancy with underlying reasons including child mortality, high obesity rates, and lack of universal health care.
In a Statista global projected life expectancy chart, by 2030, South Korea would rank highest (men 84.07, women 90.82). The U.S. would rank 79.51 for men and 83.32 for women.
So a life expectancy of 78.6 years from birth includes everybody—those who pass away in their childhood or youth. And if you are reading this at age 40, 50, or 60, your life expectancy is already longer.
In a 2020 study, the American Academy of Actuaries, which compiles the statistics used by life insurance companies, found that a 21-year-old non-smoking male in average health could expect to live to age 76. A 60-year-old non-smoking male in average health could expect to live to age 81. And for those men who have lived to age 84 already? Actuarial math projected they might live to age 91. And those that live until 92 were likely to reach 95, and so on.
Furthermore, a 97-year-old non-smoking woman, according to the AAA source above, can be expected to live to 100! And if she lives until 101—then the odds are that she will live to 103! Hence, diet, exercise, reducing stress factors, and maintaining optimal health are important.
Below, see two life expectancy tables based on life expectancy for men and women:
Age = current age. Life expectancy = in additional years.
Source: HNY
Longer Life Expectancy After Retirement: The Reasons and the Challenges
The reasons for our increasing life expectancy after retirement include:
- Advances in healthcare have reduced deaths from heart disease, strokes are on the decline, and diseases like diabetes and some cancers can be managed and treated more successfully than 20 or 30 years ago.
- More senior citizens are prioritizing their health by remaining active, eating right, and taking supplements.
- Continuing care retirement communities provide opportunities for aging Americans to have better access to help or care as needed while maintaining active lives in a supportive community setting.
Of course, increased life expectancy can bring challenges as well. This is discussed in financial circles as more of a “risk factor” than a blessing. Longevity combined with inflation is a recipe for disaster for seniors who have not saved enough or quit working too early.
According to aCensus Bureau report, in 2010, Americans age 65 or older accounted for about 13% of the total population (40.3 million people). However, in 2019, that number increased to 50.4 million Americans. And the number of Americans age 65 or older is expected to increase more rapidly in the next 10-20 years.
About 180 million Americans were covered under Social Security benefits last year. Of the total benefits paid out, retired people and their dependents account for 74.2%. The disabled and their dependents make up 13.8%.
For every Social Security beneficiary, there are approximately 2.8 workers. By 2035, that will change to 2.3 workers for each beneficiary. Unfortunately, 48% of U.S workers have no private pension coverage, while only 68% have savings set aside for retirement.
While Social Security benefits comprise only about 33% of income for those over 65, about one-third of recipients rely on social security for 90% or more of their income, according to the Social Security website. The average monthly benefit is $1,544 for retired workers and their dependents and $1,277 for disabled workers and their dependents. Hence, Social Security is clearly not enough to live on (at least, not in the United States) without supplementation.
Life Expectancy Calculator – What Is My Life Expectancy
We fully believe that living longer presents tremendous opportunities, not just challenges. Knowing how long you might live can help you estimate how much money you need to save to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle, one that does not leave you dependent on social security. We recommend the Life Expectancy Calculator at Living to 100 for anyone looking to calculate life expectancy. (Chances are, you will be surprised that it is longer than you thought.)
Developed by Thomas Perls, M.D., founder of the New England Centenarian Study, Living to 100’s calculator combines actuarial math with a survey that asks about family history, personal background, stress level, health habits, marital status, and more. As a result, it is not only among the most accurate life expectancy calculators but the website also offers suggestions on how to increase YOUR longevity! (It told me to eat fewer sweets and increase my exercise.)
Ernestine Shepherd – A Testimony to Living Longer, Living Better!
Exercise, decreasing stress, healthy eating, a positive attitude, and social support can positively impact your health and longevity. Just ask Ernestine Shepherd, the inspirational and determined 86-year-old who holds the world record as the oldest female competitive bodybuilder. She teaches a formula of “health, happiness, and prosperity.”
Inspired to start exercising in her mid-50s by her sister, Ernestine did not begin seriously training or competing as a bodybuilder until age 71. She is now a personal trainer who leads popular exercise classes, blogs, and radio shows, runs every morning, trains with a former Mr. Universe, and has been featured in documentaries by the BBC and Prevention.com. She is also up at 3 a.m. every day to work out like her Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone), one of her idols. For Ernestine, “being out of shape” is an option that anyone can change, and it is never too late to start.
What Life Expectancy for Americans Means for Retirement
It is time to rethink retirement! Let Prosperity Thinkers, help you pursue retirement strategies that encourage you to build wealth that you won’t outlive. Our goal is not simply to teach you how to never run out of money in retirement. We want to help you live a life of purpose your whole life.
Register for a free webinar on time-tested financial strategies which can assist you in securing your financial future if you do live longer than you expect!
Contact us to schedule an appointment with Kim Butler or one of our associates to see how you can save, grow, and use your money in safer, more flexible, and tax-advantaged ways.
