13 States Where Retirees Have the Longest Lives (And Where They Are the Shortest)

Retirement planners don't just need to think about how much money they'll need. They also need to think about how long they're likely to live. A longer lifespan means more years of spending on housing, health care, food, travel, and fun. 

Knowing which states offer longer or shorter retiree lifespans can help you set yourself up for retirement with more confidence.

Below, we dive into the states where retirees tend to live the longest after age 65 (and those where lifespans are shortest), the factors behind the differences, and how to account for longevity in your financial planning.

Understanding retiree life expectancy

In the U.S., people who reach age 65 can expect to live, on average, to about age 84.5, roughly around 19.5 years of life that must be funded with a retirement plan. But that average hides meaningful differences across states. Some places offer extra years of life after age 65, while others fall well below the national norm.

Life expectancy after age 65 isn't just about genetics. It reflects long-term lifestyle habits, access to health care, environmental quality, social support networks, and more. Where you live (or plan to retire) can likely influence how many healthy years you enjoy.

States where retirees live the longest

Here are the states with the highest life expectancy after age 65:

• Hawaii: 20.5 years after age 65
• Connecticut: 19.8
• New York: 19.8
• Massachusetts: 19.7
• California: 19.7
• Minnesota: 19.6
• New Jersey: 19.6
• North Dakota: 19.5
• Vermont: 19.5
• South Dakota: 19.4
• Colorado: 19.4
• Rhode Island: 19.4
• Florida: 19.4

Retirees in these states could expect roughly one extra year compared with the national average. Hawaii stands out with over 20 years beyond age 65, while several Northeast and West Coast states cluster close behind.

States where retiree lifespans are the shortest

At the other end of the spectrum, these states have the lowest life expectancy after age 65:

• West Virginia: 16.6 years after age 65
• Mississippi: 16.7
• Kentucky: 16.8
• Oklahoma: 16.8
• Arkansas: 17
• Alabama: 17.1
• Tennessee: 17.2
• Louisiana: 17.5
• Indiana: 17.7
• Missouri: 17.8
• Ohio: 17.8

Retirees in these states may average two to three fewer years of life past age 65 compared with those in top-ranked states. Many of these are Southern or Midwestern states with higher rates of chronic disease and limited access to some forms of preventive care.

Why these differences matter

Differences in retiree longevity aren't random. They reflect real-world disparities in:

• Health care access and quality: States with better access to preventive care, specialists, and early diagnosis can likely keep older adults healthier longer.
• Lifestyle patterns: Diet, activity levels, smoking rates, and obesity prevalence vary by region and influence long-term health.
• Economic and social supports: Income levels, education, community networks, and social services might all contribute to longevity trends.
• Environmental factors: Air quality, walkability, and pollution exposure also play a role.

Understanding these factors helps retirees contextualize state-level life expectancy and set financial expectations accordingly.

For many retirees, living longer than expected can strain savings, especially when health care costs climb with age. Here's how to account for longevity in your financial planning.

Build a "longevity buffer"

Assume you could live into your early 90s (or longer). Planning for 25+ years of retirement makes your strategy more resilient in case you do live that long. Don't forget to account for required minimum distributions from your 401(k) and other retirement accounts, though.

Prioritize health-sensitive expenses

Don't forget to factor in the rising costs of health care expenses, including Medicare supplements, long-term care, and out-of-pocket medical expenses. Health care tends to be one of the highest costs during retirement. According to Fidelity, the average retiree can expect to spend $172,500 in health care expenses throughout retirement.

Revisit your investment strategy

Longevity risk may justify a diversified approach that balances growth with stability later in retirement. While stability during retirement is important, if you're expecting to live another 20+ years in retirement, it might be worth prioritizing growth during the early retirement years.

Consider geographic costs of living

Places with longer life expectancy can also be expensive, so weigh longevity against retirement cost dynamics. If you're living longer and paying more, you're much more likely to run out of money. Don't forget to factor this into your retirement plan, too.

Use Social Security timing strategically

Delaying Social Security benefits increases monthly income and might help cover costs if you live longer than average. If you have a family history of longevity and live in a high-life-expectancy area, consider delaying a few years to increase your monthly benefit.

Bottom line

Where you live can shape how long retirement might last, but no state-level average can predict your personal outcome. The real takeaway is to plan for a longer-than-expected horizon so your savings, health care strategy, and income sources are flexible enough to avoid wasting money in retirement.

The Social Security Administration estimates that about one in three 65-year-olds today will live to age 90, and a meaningful share will reach their mid-90s. That kind of longevity doesn't require perfect health or perfect planning, but it does require building extra margin, because a retirement that lasts five or ten years longer than expected is where financial stress usually shows up.

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