Can You Afford a 200th Birthday?

If you're worried about running out of money in retirement... you should be.

Most people working today assume they will retire sometime around age 65 and then live another 20 or so years. That's also the basic assumption in most retirement plans. The U.S. Social Security Administration is certainly counting on it as its trust will deplete by 2034.

But consider this...

In 1900, your expected life span would have been 47 years. By the 1960s... the idea that everyday folks would live deep into their 70s was a new and outrageous idea. Today, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention pegs average life expectancy at about 77 years...

And for people who make it to retirement age, the news is even better.

Someone who is 65 years old today is expected to live 20 additional years... to the age of 85. But when this 65-year-old was born, scientists expected him to only live to the age of 68. So right now, the average retiree is already 17 years "ahead of the curve."

And there's no reason this trend won't continue...

Valter Longo, a University of Southern California professor of gerontology (the study of the elderly), has already increased the life spans of yeast and mice... extending their lives to the equivalent of 800 and 150 years, respectively, for humans. And as medical advancements continue, that number could grow even higher... even faster. Imagine that in the future, you could celebrate your 200th birthday.

So, what does this mean for you?

Already, outliving one's retirement savings is the biggest fear for most folks approaching retirement age. According to the Employee Benefit Research Institute, 61% of those aged 44 to 75 say running out of money in retirement scares them more than anything.

And with everyday prices and expenses soaring with inflation, it's a bigger worry than we've seen in years.

So last night, I released a critical update for folks...

It has to do with something I'm very worried about...

Something I call "Retirement Lockdown."

I call it Retirement Lockdown because rapidly rising inflation could push millions of Americans down... out of the middle class... out of private retirement... out of private health care... and out of a decent life based on independence and privacy...

You see, all the facts you or your financial planner used to help you plan and save for retirement have changed in the last 12 months – and it means that tens of millions of older Americans may NEVER have the retirement they planned.

But I'm here today because I've been preparing for this very moment since 2019...

So if you're like me and near retirement age, it's time to make a BIG change.

The good news is that you can preserve your wealth and enjoy terrific returns during market environments like we're seeing right now.

And today, I want to help you learn how to do exactly that.

Click here to see all of the details for yourself.

Keep sending us your questions, comments, and suggestions. We read every e-mail... [email protected].

Q: What's better for pain? Advil or Tylenol? – S.L.

A: The two main types of over-the-counter pain relievers are acetaminophen (Tylenol) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ("NSAIDs") – like aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve).

As the name suggests, NSAIDs don't just relieve pain... They're also anti-inflammatory, making them a popular choice for pain stemming from issues like arthritis and muscle sprains.

The risk people associate most with NSAIDs is upper-gastrointestinal bleeding. Non-aspirin NSAIDs – like ibuprofen – increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. While aspirin reduces blood clotting, non-aspirin NSAIDs can cause clotting.

I prefer using Excedrin when I really need a painkiller. The key is to moderate your painkiller intake. Pay close attention to the dosage limits on the bottle.

Q: Sorry if this is a stupid question... Everyone keeps writing about the Fed and interest rates, but I don't get it. Interest rates on loans and bank accounts? Things like that? – J.C.

A: Not a stupid question at all, J.C. The only interest rate the Federal Reserve controls is the "federal funds rate." This is the rate at which banks and credit unions lend to each other on an overnight basis.

When the economy is strong, the Fed could raise rates. During a weak economy (like the Great Recession), the Fed will try to support the economy by lowering rates.

In theory, if you can earn more overnight, you should also earn more for 90 days, one year, or 10 years. So most folks take the simplistic view that the Fed raising rates means that all other rates – like on savings accounts, loans, or Treasury bonds – will increase, too. But the Fed rate only marginally impacts other interest rates. Supply and demand is what really drives interest rates you'd see in your brokerage or bank accounts.

What We're Reading...

Here's to our health, wealth, and a great retirement,

Dr. David Eifrig and the Health & Wealth Bulletin Research Team
March 11, 2022