Planning tool
Couples life expectancy calculator
For a couple, the planning horizon is not either person's life expectancy. It is how long at least one of you is likely to live, which is usually several years longer.
Two lives, one plan
Expected years together
18.1
Both living
Years at least one is living
30.1
Plan horizon for joint savings
At least one reaches 90
48%
At least one reaches 95
20%
| Years from now | Both living | At least one living |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 78% | 99% |
| 20 | 45% | 90% |
| 25 | 26% | 77% |
| 30 | 9% | 55% |
| 35 | 2% | 27% |
Treats the two lifespans as independent, using the SSA 2023 life table. Real couples share habits and circumstances, so outcomes are somewhat correlated.
Why the joint number matters
For a 65-year-old man and woman, there is roughly a coin-flip chance that at least one of them reaches the early 90s. Joint savings, survivor benefits, and long-term-care plans all need to cover that second, longer life, not the average of the two.
The "expected years together" figure is also worth seeing on its own. Many couples find it is the most motivating number on the page.
SSA 2023 period life table, treating the two lifespans as independent. Educational only.
Questions
What is joint life expectancy?
It is the expected length of time until the second of two people dies. It is longer than either person's individual life expectancy because only one of the two needs to survive.
Does it matter which partner is older?
Yes. An age gap stretches the planning horizon, especially when the younger partner is a woman, because women have longer average remaining lifespans at every age.