We are experiencing a longevity wave; worldwide more people are living to age 100 and beyond – and Americans are leading the pack. Today’s centenarians are living relatively active lives. The secret may be preparing physically, mentally, and financially.
Physical mobility does not begin at retirement. It’s something you have to work on throughout life. Centenarians who enjoy an active lifestyle do so because they adopted an active lifestyle early on that includes regular physical activity. Finding a like-minded community gives these active seniors a sense of purpose and a reason to make an effort each day. Activities such as pickleball, swimming, and dancing have gained popularity among retirees.
Mental outlook has a significant bearing on a centenarian’s sense of wellbeing. You have met them; these are the people who seem to have an endless smile and a consistent, positive outlook on life – regardless of their personal situation. Keeping an active mind is every bit as important as staying physically active. Staying involved in a community and regularly getting together with friends provide a sense of belonging and help prevent feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Financially, these folks have weathered many changes. Most receive some type of pension along with Social Security benefits, which provide an income base, and investments help supplement their income needs. However, they are facing a challenge they may not have believed would occur. Longevity. The longer they live, the more difficult it will be to maintain their standard of living as inflation takes its toll.
Cost of living increases (COLA) are built-in to Social Security benefits, but many pensions do not provide COLAs. Inflation’s impact steadily eats away at the purchasing power of money. For someone who will be retired for 30 to 40 years, the reality can be disheartening. And while general inflation over a long period of time averages 3 percent, retirees face an even steeper inflation trend when it comes to medical costs, which increase between 5 and 6 percent annually.
You have heard us say it before, but the statistic warrants repeating. A married couple age 65 today has a 50 percent chance that one of them will live to age 92. That is both exciting and alarming. What can you do to prepare financially? Save as much as you can – then save some more!
Pensions are becoming obsolete for future retirees. In 1979, 30 percent of retirees had pension benefits. In 2014, that number had dropped to 2 percent, and the downslide continues. Without a pension to help provide a portion of retirement income, we have to pick up the slack. Rather than living only for today, we must look to the future. This is difficult, especially when faced with “present bias” – weighing today twice as heavy as the future. Planning for a longer life is essential, and it requires a balanced perspective now.
While we cannot make up for lost time, we can start saving more today. Adopt a mindset of preparing for the future. Each year increase the amount you are saving, even if by just one percent. When you reach centenarian status, you will appreciate every dollar you saved. Not sure you are saving enough or what to expect when you reach retirement age? Let us help you determine your retirement goals and map out a plan to get started. If you are closing in on retirement, let us help you create a retirement income plan. We can determine your sources of income when you retire and how to make your nest egg last as long as you do.
