Plan For a Retirement That Could Last 8,000 Days

by Adam Felts

An article in US News & World Report on investing for retirement begins with some of AgeLab Director Joseph Coughlin's insights on the longevity economy:

Having a plan to manage your investments for a retirement lasting 8,000 days – or more – can spell the difference between a successful retirement and a long-term struggle.

For future retirees, 8,000 days may sound like a strange number to consider. But experts such as Joseph F. Coughlin, director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology AgeLab, frequently describe aging stages in the context of days. For example, a new retiree in 2021 may spend as much as 20 to 30 years – 8,000 days or more – in retirement.

In his book "The Longevity Economy: Unlocking the World's Fastest-Growing, Most Misunderstood Market," Coughlin elaborates on how both a current global slowdown in population growth and enhanced longevity will impact how we think about and plan for retirement in the future.

One major factor: increased longevity. A 65-year-old American can expect to live an additional 20 years on average, according to federal data. A 65-year-old in 2000 could expect to live another 17.6 years. In 1975, that retiree could expect to live another 16 years.

So, what are some practical ways to address longevity within your retirement portfolio? Strategies to consider include expanding your retirement income options and rethinking future market returns.

Read the full story here.

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About the Author

Photo of Adam Felts
Adam Felts

Adam Felts is a researcher and writer at the MIT AgeLab. Currently he is involved in research on the experiences of family caregivers and the future of financial advice. He also manages the AgeLab blog and newsletter. He received his Master's in Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Boston University in 2014 and his Master's of Theological Studies from Boston University in 2019.

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