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Americans today live longer than previous generations, and that added longevity is putting stress on traditional retirement plans and financial strategies.
On average, men and women who reach the standard retirement age of between 65-67 can anticipate living into their eighties, according to the Social Security Administration.1
Many might not think living longer sounds like a problem — it’s safe to assume most want to. But a long life is only a dream come true if the quality of that life is high from beginning to end. And quality of life is often dependent on money and means.
Unfortunately, when folks regularly live into their 80s, 90s and beyond, old philosophies on retirement financial planning go out the window. (Related: Beyond 80: Redefining financial priorities in the age of longevity)
How does a longer life impact retirement spending, costs?
After you retire, you’ll hopefully begin receiving regular payments withdrawn from the savings you worked to accrue during your younger years, either through 401(k) plans, individual retirement accounts, or other savings plans. Pensions are also a possible retirement income source for some people.
Obviously, the level of retirement income will depend on the level of savings accumulated over the years. Another factor would be how much of the nest egg is tapped on a monthly basis after retirement. Market performance may also be a factor, depending on the type of retirement investments involved. Also, many people plan on combining their own savings with Social Security benefits.
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However, a lack of positive Social Security cost of living adjustments could plateau a substantial portion of a retiree’s savings plan. In 2015, for example, Social Security recipients did not see a cost-of-living-adjustment increase, although this is only one of a handful of times COLA stagnation has occurred in the last 50 years. 2 Of course, in other years the COLA increased substantially after bouts of inflation. This kind of COLA volatility may be an indicator that those approaching retirement age ought not to rely too heavily on Social Security as the generation before.
There are also ongoing debates about the financial soundness and future of the Social Security program. Indeed, in its 2025 Trustees Report, the Social Security Administration reiterated its ongoing concern that the trust fund paying out Social Security benefits may be depleted by the early-2030s unless changes are made to the current system; such changes, should they occur, may have an effect on the level of individual payments.
Beyond questions about how much money a retiree is likely to receive, there is the prospect of increased costs in retirement and how those costs may be exacerbated by longevity. Inflation compounds the longevity challenge — a retirement that lasts 30+ years means decades of rising costs eroding purchasing power.
The cost of healthcare in extended retirement
Retirees spend considerably on health care. No surprise there — advanced age tends to come with increased health risks. What is surprising, however, is how much health care costs balloon as retirees get older.
According to Fidelity Investments, the average couple who retires today at age 65 with traditional Medicare coverage can expect to spend roughly $350,000 (after tax) during retirement on copays, deductibles, insurance premiums, and other health care expenses in retirement not covered by insurance.3 That does not include costs associated with long-term care (LTC), the median annual cost of which was $127,750 per year in 2024 for a private room at a nursing home facility.4 (Related: Healthcare costs in retirement)
In the face of these costs, those approaching retirement may want to look at health savings accounts (HSAs). These savings vehicles, offered through employers, offer tax advantages for those with high-deductible health plans and can serve as a powerful retirement healthcare savings tool. (Learn more: Using health savings accounts for retirement)
Longevity action plan
Luckily, there’s still time to adjust how you save to plan effectively for these potential financial issues. The options include:
- Taking advantage of catch-up provisions to maximize tax-advantaged savings options.
- Saving more beyond retirement accounts.
- Delaying retirement.
While considering these options, work out what your expenses may be in retirement and calculate the gap between those expenses and your guaranteed income.
Remember also, longer lifespans also mean more years of required minimum distributions (RMDs) from traditional retirement accounts, potentially pushing you into higher tax brackets in your 80s and beyond. (Required Minimum Distribution Calculator)
Catching up
The first thing retirement-worried investors should look at is whether to make catch-up contributions through qualified retirement plans they participate in. These are extra contributions to tax-advantaged retirement accounts that older savers can make without exceeding IRS limits. Essentially, it’s a way of depositing more money now as retirement approaches to draw from a bigger pool later. (Related: Retirement catch-up)
This is not always ideal, as many people don’t have the flexibility or desire to compromise comfort today for comfort tomorrow. Besides, according to the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, which established catch-up contributions, only those older than 50 years of age can take advantage. What about everyone else? (Related: Retirement plan contribution limits)
Try reining in your budget now — if you learn to spend less before you retire, it can be easier to manage your day-to-day finances after you take the plunge. Another low-risk alternative to catch-up contributions would be to peruse your tax-deferred funds to ensure you’ve maximized opportunities there. Who knows? You might be able to capitalize on something you missed earlier in life.
Explore additional income and benefit sources
Other savings and investment options — from market accounts to real estate or commodities for example — may yield higher financial rewards, but they also include their fair share of risks. Sometimes investments can backfire just as easily as they can deliver. (Related: Investing basics)
Because of the longevity concern, many savers and investors are looking at annuities, which can provide guaranteed lifetime income. They can be funded either through personal savings or a rollover of retirement funds. But different annuities offer different types of advantages and drawbacks. (Related: Does an annuity fit your retirement goals?)
Given the variety of savings plans available and the building questions about longevity, many people opt to consult a financial professional to sort out what choices might best fit their personal circumstances.
Of course, there’s the option of delaying retirement in order to prepare for a longer life span. Delaying your retirement by three years can boost your assets meaningfully, thanks to the combination of making extra contributions to your employer-sponsored retirement plan, not taking withdrawals, and allowing your funds more time to grow.
Social Security timing
Also, in regard to Social Security retirement benefits, it’s important to understand that monthly benefits differ substantially based on when you start receiving them and the filing option you choose. If you were born in 1960 or later, for every year you postpone collecting benefits beyond your full retirement age (typically 66 or 67), you can earn an annual delayed retirement credit of up to 8 percent. That’s a big bump in benefits every year up to age 70. (Related: When to file for Social Security?)
Unfortunately, working longer isn’t always an option for many people due to the effects of age or the job market. This reinforces the need to examine options now and take what steps are necessary to ensure a financially comfortable life in the growing number of later years for most Americans.
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1 Social Security Administration, “Life Expectancy Calculator.”
2 Social Security Administration, “Cost of Living Adjustments.”
3 Fidelity Investments, “How to plan for rising health care costs,” 2025.
4 Genworth, “Genworth and CareScout Release Cost of Care Survey Results for 2024,” March 4, 2025.
