What does longevity look like to you? Tips to prepare to live well, not just long.

Working Americans increasingly expect to live long lives — often into their late 80s or 90s. Longevity may sound appealing, but what will those years actually look like for you? When people picture “aging well,” they’re thinking about maintaining independence, being physically active, staying mentally sharp, and feeling financially stable enough to make choices.

Essentially, longevity feels positive, as long as quality of life keeps pace.

Big expectations require strong foundations

Many working Americans desire to live long, capable lives. Yet fewer than half are consistently exercising or keeping up with preventive care. Our research consistently shows a gap between how people imagine their later years and how they’re preparing today.

For instance, almost half (42%) of people say they don’t get enough exercise.¹ Over a third (35%) of people say they don’t do a good job of taking care of their mental health. And a whopping 61% say they’re not good at living within their means.

Consider how often you put off paying down debt or scroll on your phone for hours rather than meet up with friends. Half of American workers say they’ve even skipped or avoided doctors’ appointments, missed routine screenings, or put off seeing a specialist because of high out-of-pocket medical costs.² These actions don’t support wellness now, or living well in the future.

Just 18% of Americans under age 65 often think about what life will be like in their 70s and older. We tend to treat that as a retirement-age problem. In reality, it’s shaped by habits and decisions made decades earlier in your 20s, 30s, and 40s.

The 3 pillars of aging well: Mind, body, and wallet^®

First, let’s talk about your physical health. Thirty-seven percent of people worry that their health and mobility will impact their quality of life when they’re older. Physical habits are easier to maintain than to rebuild. That doesn’t just mean workouts; it also means incorporating things like preventive care and screenings into your annual medical routine, getting enough sleep, and learning how to avoid burnout.

Next, staying sharp, connected, and purpose-driven is of vital importance to your mental wellness. Fostering lifelong learning, curiosity, and adaptation is a great tool for emotional resilience. “Take care of yourself before your mind and body make the decision for you,” says Monica Elliott, Associate Director of Clinical Training at Spring Health. “Connecting with people and setting boundaries are not extras; they are essential.”

Think of social connections as a protective factor of your mental wellness. Unfortunately, loneliness is a relatively common challenge for older Americans. One in 3 older adults say they experience loneliness and isolation. That reality may point to why so many Americans are opting to remain in the workforce longer: Thirty-nine percent of Americans worry they’ll be bored in retirement, and 19% worry they’ll be lonely and won’t feel useful. This is why purpose beyond work is so vital, even before retirement.

Finally, let’s focus on what is arguably the most important pillar of your overall well-being: your wallet. Financial wellness is the linchpin of the three pillars of aging well. Not only because it either ensures or denies whether your retirement savings will last as long as you need, but also because it affects your mental wellness. Do any of us get through a single day without thinking about money? Probably not. Half of working Americans say that it’s their top source of stress.

Since financial anxiety can limit independence later, try to aim for consistency over perfection when saving. “You don’t have to save a lot to get started,” says Wealth Management Advisor Nichole Mayer.³ “What matters most is starting early and sticking with it. Putting away even a little in your 20s and 30s helps build a strong foundation for long-term financial confidence.”

Here are four tips to help build financial confidence before retirement:

1. Save now for medical costs later

Personal savings rates in the US have decreased dramatically.⁴ But, at the same time, medical costs are rising. This is particularly true for those who need at-home care: The demand for paid care workers is outpacing the supply, leading to significant shortages in the health care workforce.⁵ Guardian data shows that 43% say they plan to work until their health begins to deteriorate, which isn’t surprising given current estimates that show Americans are expected to spend a total of about $172,000 on medical expenses during retirement.⁶

2. Prioritize your debt

Student loans, credit cards, mortgage loans, medical bills. It can be hard to figure out what to pay off first. Pay down high-interest debt first, before you start using your money for investments, as the interest charges can quickly accumulate and outweigh any other investment returns.⁷ Then, call in a financial advisor to work with you to help build a customized approach.⁸

3. Take on a side hustle 

Roughly 1 in 4 (27%) of US adults have a side hustle.⁹ In any economy, having an additional revenue stream can be a great way to earn extra cash or explore new interests.

4. Protect your income 

Consider: One in 4 of today’s 20-year-olds will be out of work for at least a year due to a disabling condition before retirement.¹⁰ What would happen if you became disabled or ill and could no longer work? Often this kind of income interruption depletes savings accounts or drives people into debt to cover basic expenses. A payment into disability insurance ahead of time can help protect your savings, helping ensure you remain financially confident if the unexpected happens.

For a decade-by-decade timeline of action items to support your longevity, check out Mind, Body, and Wallet® 2026.

Start where you are

Wherever you are right now in your well-being journey is exactly the right time to start planning for your longevity:

• Habits compound — for better or worse. So go for small, repeatable behaviors toward healthy living instead of more dramatic late-stage changes.

• Aging is a social endeavor. Community and relationships support resilience.

• Planning helps reduce fear. So, it’s no wonder that people who prepare earlier report more confidence and less regret later.

You don’t need a perfect plan to prepare for a long, satisfying life. Aging well isn’t about doing everything at once. Simply give yourself a gentle call to action to align your mind, body, and wallet early and consistently. Remember, a longer life isn’t just about adding years, it’s about making those years count.