Americans Value Healthy Years Over Longer Retirement

Living longer does not necessarily mean living better, according to a new survey that examines how U.S. consumers define longevity and what they hope to preserve as they age. The findings suggest that health, independence and the ability to remain active may be as important to people’s retirement expectations as financial security.

The report, “Perceptions of Healthy Aging: A Survey of U.S. Adults on Healthspan, Age Thresholds, and Trade-Offs,” examines how surveyed U.S. adults view longevity and the choices they would make to preserve their health and independence. Commissioned by nutrition technology company L-Nutra, the study explores attitudes toward healthy aging and its implications in later life.

Respondents most often associated the term “longevity” with good physical health (78%), ahead of living as long as possible (60%). Physical strength and mobility (59%), mental sharpness (54%), maintaining energy (43%) and staying independent (43%) also ranked among the qualities most often associated with longevity.

That preference was evident in a direct trade-off. Seventy-two percent of respondents said they would choose fewer total years of life if a greater share of those years were spent in good health, rather than living longer in poorer health. The preference was stronger among older adults, rising from 70% of respondents ages 18 to 34 to 82% of those 65 and older.

Respondents’ ideal lifespan averaged approximately 90 years, although 24% said they would ideally live to 100 or beyond. Respondents reporting excellent or good health were somewhat more likely to envision living to 100 or older (25%) than those reporting fair or poor health (18%).

Health Influences Retirement Outlook

The findings suggest that expectations about “healthspan,” defined in the report as the number of years a person lives in good health, may influence decisions about work and retirement.

For example, 82% of respondents said they would accept a lower-paying, less stressful job if doing so meant gaining an additional decade of healthy years. Among those willing to make that trade-off, 71% would accept an annual pay reduction of at least $5,000 in exchange for greater flexibility, lower stress and better preventive-health benefits.

Another 82% said they would delay retirement if it meant remaining healthy, active and financially secure longer. Together, the findings suggest that some workers may be willing to rethink traditional retirement timelines to preserve their health and financial security.

At the same time, financial security remains a concern. Nearly half of respondents (46%) said they were very or extremely concerned about outliving their savings. That concern was considerably higher among households earning less than $50,000 annually, at 58%, compared with 36% among households earning $100,000 or more.

Rethinking Later Life

The prospect of gaining at least 10 additional healthy years could prompt significant lifestyle alterations: 87% of respondents said they would change something, and 39% would make a major change, such as taking a major trip, switching careers, starting a business or pursuing further education. Among respondents 18 through 34, 46% said they would make a major change.

The most common considered changes involved everyday habits, such as to exercise more regularly and spend more time with family and friends (34% each) or to reduce stress (30%). Looking ahead, 41% said they would be more likely to take an adventurous trip if they expected to remain active, mobile and mentally sharp later in life. Interest was higher among households earning $100,000 or more (45%) than among those earning less than $50,000 (36%).

Health and independence were also priorities. Respondents most wanted to preserve memory and mental sharpness (37%), independence (22%) and freedom from chronic disease (19%). Mobility was the physical ability they most wanted to maintain (46%).

Income Shapes Expectations

Although 96% of respondents reported at least one practice to support healthy aging, what they chose and participation varied by income. Overall, 49% exercised regularly for longevity, 43% took vitamins or supplements, and 40% ate a healthy diet. Regular exercise was more common among adults 65 and older (62%) than among younger age groups (47% to 49%).

Respondents earning over $100,000 were more apt to exercise regularly—57% vs. 41% for those earning less than $50,000; to eat a healthy diet; and to obtain preventive-health screenings. They also were more likely to rate their health as excellent or good (86%) than were lower earners (64%).

Respondents differed in their expectations for physical improvement as they age. Only 32% said they believed people can become significantly stronger and fitter at almost any age, while 57% said fitness can be maintained, but major improvement becomes difficult. Another 11% viewed physical decline as largely unavoidable.

These differences suggest that the ability to enjoy a longer, healthier retirement may depend in part on financial resources, not just individual choices.

L-Nutra surveyed 2,002 U.S. adults, ages 18 through 85, online, from September 28 through October 5.