Seniors Resource Guide

How Long Will Your Money Last?

Article submitted by Val Vogel of Burns, Vogel & Associates.
For more information, he can be at 504-465-8557.

Consider the following demographic information:

  • There are over 35 million people over age 65, and likely to be over 70 million by the year 2030.
  • About one in every eight Americans is 65 or older.
  • Life expectancy for someone 65 ranges from 17 years for a male, smoker, to 23 years for a female, nonsmoker.
  • There are well over twice the number of ladies age 85 as men.
  • Among older citizens, there are four times as many widows as widowers.

Consider this excerpt from a Life Expectancy Table:

Issue Age Male
Nonsmoker
Male
Smoker
Female
Nonsmoker
Female
Smoker
55 26 22 30 26
60 22 19 26 23
62 21 18 26 22
65 19 17 23 20
67 18 16 21 19
69 16 15 20 17
71 13 11 16 14
75 10 9 14 11
78 9 8 12 10

Having a secure income, one you cannot outlive, may be contractually guaranteed.

A retirement annuity provides a dependable form of financial security to escort you into the twilight years of your life. For anyone who fears that their poor spending habits will cause them to plow through their savings over a relatively short timeframe, a retirement annuity offers the option of spreading the annuity distribution out over the course of a specified timeframe or to receive a lump sum payment. When thought of in this manner, a retirement annuity is not too different from a pension.

With an immediate annuity, your income payments start right away (technically, anytime within 12 months of purchase). You choose whether you want income guaranteed for a specific number of years or for your lifetime. The insurance company calculates the amount of each income payment based on your purchase amount and your life expectancy.

For more information on income options and planning strategies call your professional advisor.