In the last couple of decades, experts have had a sense of impending doom. It came from one of the rare times where too much of a good thing can have bad consequences.
The life expectancy of Americans kept going up and up.
While that is great for any individual, the consequences were potentially troubling for the public as a whole.
What it could have led to, is the eventual bankrupting of programs designed for the elderly, such as pensions, Social Security and Medicare. Programs founded based on the presumption of lower life expectancies, were not funded enough for greater life expectancies.
However, the life expectancy of Americans has now gone in reverse, as Financial Advisor reports in "Americans Are Dying Younger, Saving Corporations Billions."
It is not certain yet whether this is a statistical aberration or the start of a new long-term trend.
The change is significant enough, however, that it can now be used in long-term macroeconomic forecasting.
Another thing that is not certain, is the reason for the change.
Many people believe it is a result of economic trends in middle America, which are believed to have contributed to an increase in alcoholism, suicide and opioid abuse.
On an individual level, of course, this does not mean that you should do anything different.
It is still important to plan for your retirement and your estate, under the assumption that you will live to a ripe old age.
The Petrosewicz Law Firm can assist you with your estate planning needs. Contact us today at (281) 344-9455 or info@petrolaw.biz.
Reference: Financial Advisor (August 8, 2017) "Americans Are Dying Younger, Saving Corporations Billions."
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