Fascinating findings are surfacing from the inaugural 2025 Longevity Preparedness Index (LPI) – a joint study of the MIT AgeLab and the John Hancock Insurance Company. The study finds U.S. adults are largely unprepared for longer lives, scoring an average of 60 out of 100 in terms of preparedness. Yikes!
The study measured “how ready US adults are to thrive in older age across eight areas: health, finance, care, home, daily activities, social connection, community, and life transitions.” Let’s talk about what it really means to be ready for retirement – not just financially, but in all the ways the study measured for getting older.
- Care: Have you thought about who might need your help down the road? Or who might be helping you? It’s easy to put this off, but a little planning now can save a lot of stress later.
- Community: Look around your neighborhood. Is it set up for easy living as you age? Good healthcare, grocery stores, fun hangouts, and reliable transportation all matter? Feeling supported by your community makes a huge difference.
- Daily Activities: Retirement isn’t just about endless free time (although that’s very, very nice). It’s about filling our days, weeks, and years with things that bring us joy and purpose. What lights us up and keeps us engaged?
- Finance: Yes, money matters. Making sure you have a solid financial plan helps you feel secure and lets you focus on enjoying life, rather than worrying about bills.
- Health: Staying healthy – physically, mentally, and emotionally – helps make the most every day. What routines can we build now to keep feeling our best?
- Home: Is your home ready for aging in place? Staying independent longer may require minor tweaks such as adding grab bars or smart home tech. It could also require larger changes like moving the primary bed and bath to the first floor or installing an elevator. What about in-home service providers? Or maybe you’re dreaming of a new place altogether!
Cause4Pause: The study revealed that 88% of adults 50+ years of age believe it important to age in place yet home readiness has a long way to go.
- Life Transitions: Retirement brings big changes – leaving work, caring for loved ones, requiring care, coping with loss, and end of life. Planning ahead can make these transitions smoother and even open up new opportunities.
- Social Connection: Last but definitely not least, staying socially connected with people daily – whether it’s with family, friends, or your wider community – can make all the difference in how happy and fulfilled you feel.
Ready to take charge of your retirement journey? Grab a pen and journal (or open a new doc) and do your own retirement life preparedness check using the list above. Where are you feeling confident? Where could you use more preparation? Jot down your thoughts, swap ideas, and determine next steps for upping your preparedness. The best retirement is the one you design with intention – so let’s get proactive and make your next chapter truly amazing!
Carol Bergeron coaches people through major life transitions with a focus on self-reflection, visualization, and collaboration. She helps clients adapt to personal and professional changes, especially when shaping modern retirement lifestyles, which involve emotional, social, lifestyle, and health-related shifts converging all at once.
Learn more about navigating life’s transitions by:
- Exploring upcoming small group coaching programs: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/6-session-retirement-life-design-program-registration-1458536615279?aff=odcleoeventsincollection
- Subscribing to Carol’s Transition Touchpoints newsletter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/transition-touchpoints-7342996223898923008
The content contained herein is provided for informational purposes only and should not serve as a substitute for consultation with professionals in any field, including but not limited to legal, financial, medical, psychological, or other professional advisors.
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