Noel Whittaker is the author of Wills, Death & Taxes Made Simple and numerous other books on personal finance. Email: [email protected]

Life expectancy is back in the news, with recent revelations that Australians’ life expectancy has fallen for the second year in a row, thanks to COVID-19. Well, of course, bad news makes good headlines, but do you need to be worried? Not at all. Life expectancy tables are just a snapshot of the population as a whole and have nothing to do with individuals. And, like the property market, it varies from region to region. For example, life expectancy in North Britain is six years less than life expectancy in the South – all because of lifestyle.

Of course, getting an idea of how long you might live is important when you're deciding how much money you will need when you retire. But the biggest factor in how long a person lives is really how they live – that’s the good news! Keep in mind that you should treat any projected life expectancy figures with healthy scepticism – how can anybody accurately forecast what medical breakthroughs will occur over the next 100 years?

Is life expectancy really declining? Image Credit: Shutterstock

Not long ago, National Geographic featured a striking headline: ‘This Baby Might Live To 120,’ highlighting medical breakthroughs extending human life spans. One notable aspect was a genetic disorder that stunts growth, but also shields against cancer and diabetes. Isolating this gene could mean breakthroughs in preventing these diseases altogether.

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[MaggieMay1948]

Natural attrition. The world cannot sustain longevity. Although a possibility we should be worried seeing what Healthscope is up to.

 

[NotNats]

Me - if I had my wish I would like to die tomorrow as this country no longer has anything I want or need. I'm only 63. Who wants to live longer, just to live in major poverty and to lose everything you have worked so hard to get.

 

[BruceC]

Of cause Covid is to blame.
The Plandemic was deliberate and it‘s main purpose was to kill off the ageing population.
90% of those who died were over 70.
Most of those people would have lived longer lives if they weren’t force to take the poisonous “vaccines” that were actually developed years before and they worked perfectly.
If you kill off the ageing population then it’s only natural that the life expectancy numbers will drop.

 

[Maicar]

Wow. totally blown away by this, score. Yes, I'm active, have a dog, we walk daily. Moved to the country 3 yrs ago. Which made us comfortable and more financial, we had planned to do this for years. I have a partner, and we have family nearby, who along with friends we see at least weekly. Meet up with friends who we've known for years again, go on Car/Caravan trips together. Have hobbies, enjoy gardening. Find that we always have something to laugh about or be grateful for. In contact with children and grandchildren at least 2-3 times a week. Have planned out our next move if we become unable to sustain this lifestyle.

 

[fairdry]

I believe aged care keeps there patients living as long as they can even though there quality of life is very ordinary, mainly because of the $ they make. If people were given more options to leave this planet rather be a burden to society and family they would take the see you in the after life option. That keeps life expectancy high. However the state of Australias hospital system may counter act those stats.

 

[Mr Chips]

Me - if I had my wish I would like to die tomorrow as this country no longer has anything I want or need. I'm only 63. Who wants to live longer, just to live in major poverty and to lose everything you have worked so hard to get.

Oh no, don't say that! You are an important and valued member of our society and you should treat yourself that way. Please get positive and look at what you have, not what you don't have, you will soon have all you want.
I will pray for you NotNats and hope you have a wonderful and long future.
With all my love,
Mr Chips and dog.

 

[mOiOz]

As youngsters, longevity was the most important goal in our lives, but the older we get, the more ridiculous it sounds. What is the point in extending your life to one that would be twice the age of a human being 100 years ago?
We all know (from experience) how health declines and how pain increases, whether you can handle it or not, after a while it will weaken you and create other issues, besides becoming unbearable.
I would rather my kids get their inheritance a decade or two earlier, than I squander it on doctors and medication.

On a greater level, poverty, sickness and death, at a very young age, has been rampant on this planet since..., what seems forever!
As if that's not enough, look at the population explosion, caused mostly by those who are in a wealthier and healthier position, donating money to the poor, homeless, uneducated and starving - so they can breed and have more poor, homeless, uneducated and starving!
Don't get me wrong..., since I was a kid aged 10, to this day, my mind has NEVER erased the pictures and footage of the thousands in Biafra that suffered severely, before their ultimate death. How can one NOT have life-long feelings of empathy and sorrow?

The worst part is... it's even worse today! It's hard enough to stop a population explosion by breeding... but to extend it with longevity...? This only takes away more from the new generation.
Sooner than we think, the day will come when there will be no cake to have, let alone eat....

 

[Mr Chips]

Wouldn't your kids prefer to have you around rather than their inheritance? Enjoy your kids, they are the thrill that helps you to evade the pains caused by increased age. I am 73 and understand your comments fully but I still cling to life as best I can because I love to wake up with the sunshine and to face a wonderful day doing things that please me.
Cannot do much about Biaffra unfortunately, I did do some fundraising in the UK at the time but am not sure just how much got there. Maybe you could do something for a family who might be suffering from the current wars or pestilences? Offer part of your home to a refugee, for instance, that would make you feel good knowing that you are doing something worthwhile.
I wish you well and hope your thoughts turn around quickly and realise what you have and what you have achieved so far,
Have a wonderful day.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Me - if I had my wish I would like to die tomorrow as this country no longer has anything I want or need. I'm only 63. Who wants to live longer, just to live in major poverty and to lose everything you have worked so hard to get.

Keep your chin up, buddy!

 

[Veggiepatch]

Of cause Covid is to blame.
The Plandemic was deliberate and it‘s main purpose was to kill off the ageing population.
90% of those who died were over 70.
Most of those people would have lived longer lives if they weren’t force to take the poisonous “vaccines” that were actually developed years before and they worked perfectly.
If you kill off the ageing population then it’s only natural that the life expectancy numbers will drop.

Natural selection will take its course, starting with the least intelligent.

You are at the front of the queue.

 

[Babbie]

Me - if I had my wish I would like to die tomorrow as this country no longer has anything I want or need. I'm only 63. Who wants to live longer, just to live in major poverty and to lose everything you have worked so hard to get.

Not everything is about money. Not everyone is miserable in their twilight years . I certainly love my life and everyone in it. We all make our own bed and life is only what YOU make it.

 

[Greentrees]

Exactly.Not everything is about money. Not everyone is miserable in their twilight years . I certainly love my life and everyone in it. We all make our own bed and life is only what YOU make it.

 

[Da Freddo]

Me - if I had my wish I would like to die tomorrow as this country no longer has anything I want or need. I'm only 63. Who wants to live longer, just to live in major poverty and to lose everything you have worked so hard to get.

Mate, do as I do and remember that almost "LATIN SAYING" we would say as kids.
Nil illigitimi carborundum, digitus extracti joyous porkus excretus..
Translation = Don't let the bastards grind you down pull your finger out , be happy as a pig in shit..
Ladies sorry about the language.
Every time somebody was feeling down, we would say that to him/her.
Failing that go fishing and listen to the water and wildlife SO CALMING.
==

 

[Ebby]

Me - if I had my wish I would like to die tomorrow as this country no longer has anything I want or need. I'm only 63. Who wants to live longer, just to live in major poverty and to lose everything you have worked so hard to get.

l'm sorry to hear you feel like a this and l'm sure some of us have felt like this too at sometime or another Cheer up! Join some club or go to church.You need to meet new people .Play some nice happy music .Plant something .Get a dog they are good company.lf you have financial problems go to Social Security and see what they can do to help.63 is too young to give up so don't.

 

[IAN3005]

'One of the most significant advantages of a retirement village is the support the community can offer when one partner passes away.'
Quote from Noel Whittiacre.... I would not dream of going into a retirement village...they are nothing short of money-making thieving mongrels.. to put it nicely. I would prefer to die on the street.
I talk from experience...

 

[Phantom55]

Me - if I had my wish I would like to die tomorrow as this country no longer has anything I want or need. I'm only 63. Who wants to live longer, just to live in major poverty and to lose everything you have worked so hard to get.

your not alone my friend