Retired in America

Your Guide to a Confident Retirement

  • Home
  • Personal finance
  • Retirement Life
  • Saving & Spending

10 Warning Signs Your Retirement Will Cost More Than Expected

April 16, 2020 · Personal finance

You Underestimated Your Life Expectancy

Life expectancy is a crucial part of retirement planning. Living longer than the insurance tables predict is a good thing, but if you haven’t made an educated guess about how long you will live and a plan to have enough income to last you beyond that timeframe, then you’re going to have a problem.

If you managed to save enough money to last you for 20 years in retirement but end up living 10 years more than planned, you’ll need to figure out a way to stretch that and most likely diminish your quality of life.

A senior man jogging on a beach at sunrise.
A senior man jogs along a scenic coastal trail to stay fit and lower retirement costs.

What To Do

To make sure you live the retirement of your choice, Littell recommended using the life expectancy calculator at Livingto100.com. Based on your health and family history, you will be able to estimate your life expectancy and plan accordingly.

To improve the chances that your retirement savings will be enough for you in retirement, you can also try to have more sources of income during your golden years. Diversify your investment portfolio and place a portion of your retirement savings in growth investments, to grow your savings even more.

In addition, Littell recommends adopting a balanced approach by having a source of lifetime income such as an annuity. Also, don’t withdraw more than four percent a year if you want your nest egg to provide for a comfortable retirement life.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Share this article

Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search

Latest Posts

  • Watercolor illustration of a scenic riverside town commons with a church, library, shops, and gathered residents at sunset. 10 Affordable Retirement Towns With Strong Faith and Community Groups
  • Illustration of a camper driving along a road transitioning from a snowy winter landscape into a sunny coastal village. 10 Retirement Towns Where Snowbirds Settle Each November
  • Two senior neighborhood watch volunteers in a golf cart patrol a residential street past a neighborhood watch sign. 12 Retirement Towns With Strong Neighborhood Watch Programs
  • A smiling older man and woman laughing together over wine and food at an outdoor patio table. 11 Places Retirees Move to Find a Second Chance at Love
  • An older woman with dreadlocks and an art history tote bag walks and talks with a young man on a sunny college campus. How Retirees Can Go to College for Free (or Nearly Free) in Every State
  • A mature man sitting at a wooden table examines a printed Social Security annual benefit statement. Are You Paying a $54 Social Security Fee You Don't Owe?
  • Illustration of suburban houses along a street marked as a ballot with checkboxes, under a sunset sky. Property Tax Ballot Measures in 7 States: What Homeowners Need to Know
  • Illustration of a mountain valley town with houses, a clock tower, a wooden directional sign, and lupines at sunrise. 15 Scenic and Affordable Mountain Towns to Retire In
  • An older man with drafting tools overlooks a landscape labeled with ages 60, 70, and 80 along mountain ridges. 401(k) Mistakes Retirees in Their 80s Wish They'd Avoided
  • An older couple sits on the tailgate of a pickup truck holding mugs and overlooking a small valley town at sunset. 8 States Where $250,000 Is Enough for a Comfortable Retirement

Newsletter

Get retirement planning tips, savings strategies, and lifestyle insights delivered to your inbox.

Related Articles

A mature man in a fleece vest holds a gutter guard and work gloves while standing outside a suburban home in autumn.

7 Insurance Policies Worth Reviewing Every Fall

Review these 7 essential insurance policies every fall to lower your premiums, optimize Medicare coverage,…

Read More →
An older woman smiling and laughing while talking on her phone at a sunlit kitchen table with a mug of tea.

Telephone Reassurance Programs: Getting Paid to Chat With Seniors

Discover how telephone reassurance programs offer flexible remote jobs by paying you to chat, verify…

Read More →
Defined contribution retirement plans in the private sector

25 Tips to Boost Your 401(K) Now!

2. Build an Emergency Fund If you’re relying on your 401(k) as an emergency fund…

Read More →
An older woman at her sunlit dining table organizing paperwork and folders.

Supplemental Security Income: Do You Qualify for Extra Help?

Learn the 2026 eligibility rules, income limits, and application process for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)…

Read More →
Older couple reviewing tax returns and moving paperwork at a table with cardboard boxes stacked behind them.

7 Tax Surprises for Retirees Who Move Across State Lines

Learn 7 hidden state tax surprises that hit relocating retirees, from aggressive residency audits and…

Read More →
2027 calendar graphic highlighting shifted payment dates and key transition milestones for Social Security benefits.

9 Social Security Dates to Mark on Your 2027 Calendar

Mark your 2027 Social Security calendar with these 9 key payment shifts, COLA adjustments, tax…

Read More →

10 Retirement Benefits You Should Claim Now

Roth IRA – Having a Roth IRA is good because you can prepay tax on your…

Read More →
A senior couple smiling while looking at a laptop in a bright, modern kitchen.

20 Tips to Earn More Only for Smart Seniors

Discover 20 practical ways to generate extra income in retirement without sacrificing your freedom or…

Read More →
An active retired couple laughing together on a wooden lakeside porch in New Hampshire during a warm autumn morning.

The 10 States Where Retirees Receive the Highest Median Social Security Benefit Checks

Discover the 10 states where retirees receive the highest median Social Security checks and understand…

Read More →
Retired in America

Your Guide to a Confident Retirement

Inedit Agency S.R.L.
Bucharest, Romania

contact@retiredinamerica.com

Trust & Legal

About Us

Editorial Policy

Advertiser Disclosure

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Us

Disclaimer

Terms and Conditions

Privacy Policy

Subscribe

Unsubscribe

Categories

  • Personal finance
  • Retirement Life
  • Saving & Spending

© 2026 Retired in America. All rights reserved.