Lifespan vs. Health Span: Why Retirement Planning Is About More Than Money

James Conole — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 12:34:21 +0000

When most people think about retirement planning, they focus on a single number: lifespan. The average American lives to around 77 years old. But here’s the catch our health span averages only until age 66. That means many people spend more than a decade living with declining health, even if they technically “retired.” Planning only for lifespan ignores the reality that the best years the ones where you can travel, enjoy family, and pursue passions are limited.

Retirement Timing and Quality of Life

This is why the timing of retirement matters so much. Too often, people delay retirement to save a little more money, only to sacrifice the healthiest years of their lives. If you make it to age 60, your life expectancy jumps to 84. But what good are those extra years if they aren’t lived in good health? Retirement isn’t just about money it’s about maximizing the years when you’re healthy enough to enjoy it.

Financial Planning Beyond the Numbers

Effective retirement planning should balance financial independence with life quality. That means knowing your financial independence number the point where your income sources and savings cover your lifestyle while also asking: What will I do with my time once I get there? True retirement success is about more than assets on a balance sheet. It’s about whether you have the health, relationships, and freedom to enjoy them.

The Hidden Cost of Working Longer

Working beyond financial independence has hidden costs. Yes, you may increase your net worth, but you might also miss time with family, opportunities to travel, or the chance to invest in your health. Stress and long hours take their toll. The trade-off isn’t just financial it’s deeply personal. Every year spent working longer may be a year of active living lost.

Redefining Wealth and Success

That’s why wealth needs to be redefined. It’s not just about financial assets it’s about time, health, relationships, and purpose. True wealth is being able to say yes to what matters most: spending time with loved ones, staying active and healthy, and living intentionally. Your financial strategy should serve these goals, not overshadow them.

Living With Intention

The takeaway is clear: retirement planning should prioritize both security and fulfillment. Work with a financial advisor to create a plan that balances money with meaning. Reflect on your values, your relationships, and how you want to spend your healthiest years. Wealth isn’t just what you accumulate it’s how you live. The goal is not just to retire, but to retire well.

You should always consult a financial, tax, or legal professional familiar about your unique circumstances before making any financial decisions. This material is intended for educational purposes only. Nothing in this material constitutes a solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. Any mentioned rates of return are historical or hypothetical in nature and are not a guarantee of future returns.

Past performance does not guarantee future performance. Future returns may be lower or higher. Investments involve risk. Investment values will fluctuate with market conditions, and security positions, when sold, may be worth less or more than their original cost.