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People in certain regions of the world routinely live past 100, and researchers have spent decades trying to understand why. These regions are known as Blue Zones, and the lifestyle patterns found there offer real, evidence-based lessons for anyone thinking about a longer life, and how to pay for it.
Just how long might that life be? The Society of Actuaries' Actuaries Longevity Illustrator is a free tool built by actuaries specifically to help you estimate your own odds based on your age, gender, and health. Kiplinger ran the numbers for a sample case and reported that a 65-year-old woman in above-average health has better than a 50/50 chance of living to 90, and even in average health, roughly a 1-in-4 chance of reaching 91. Your own odds will depend on your specific health and circumstances, which is exactly what the tool is designed to estimate. Longer lives are becoming more common, and that has real financial implications.
At Savvly, we believe a long life should be celebrated, not feared. That's why the Savvly Longevity Benefit is designed to help investors build scheduled income for the later years of retirement, so a long life becomes a financial opportunity instead of a risk.
Because longevity is central to what we do, we wanted to dive into the secrets of the Blue Zones and explore how their insights can be applied to help improve our own lives, and how they connect to planning for a longer retirement.
Originally published: May 31, 2024
Blue Zones are regions where people live significantly longer than average, often reaching 100 years old while maintaining active, healthy lifestyles. They were identified by Dan Buettner in partnership with National Geographic, as part of a global research project to uncover the secrets of longevity. These areas are marked by an unusually high number of centenarians (people who live to be 100 or older) and low rates of chronic disease.
The five regions identified as Blue Zones are:
The people living in these five Blue Zones share several lifestyle habits that contribute to their extraordinary longevity, and none of them require dramatic life changes. Dan Buettner groups these themes in the image below.
A common thread among Blue Zones is a diet primarily based on plant sources. Residents consume a significant amount of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes, with meat typically eaten in small amounts. In Okinawa, for instance, the traditional diet includes sweet potatoes, green vegetables, and soy products, with minimal processed food and sugar. In Italy and Greece, it's not uncommon for folks to drink a glass of wine every night. The key here is eating and drinking everything in moderation.
Rather than engaging in intense exercise routines, inhabitants of Blue Zones incorporate physical activity naturally into their daily lives. This includes doing chores by hand and opting for mechanical tools instead of automatic tools. It also means walking, gardening, and yard work. This consistent, moderate physical activity is a cornerstone of their lifestyle.
Strong social connections are another key feature of life in Blue Zones. These communities often have close-knit family ties, partnerships both old and new, robust support networks, and frequent social gatherings. These structures, what Buettner calls "the right tribe," provide emotional support and a sense of belonging, both linked to better mental and physical health.
People in Blue Zones have routines to unwind and shed stress, which is important as chronic stress can lead to a variety of health problems. Many also have strong faith and believe there is more to come in the afterlife. Finally, having a sense of purpose is common among the residents of Blue Zones. This "reason to live," often referred to in Okinawa as "Ikigai" and in Nicoya as "Plan de Vida," has been shown to contribute to longevity by providing a positive outlook and driving daily activity.
The lifestyles of Blue Zones offer valuable lessons on how to enhance health and increase lifespan. Incorporating more plant-based foods, increasing daily physical activity in enjoyable and sustainable ways, fostering stronger community ties, managing stress, and finding a personal sense of purpose can all help mimic the longevity patterns seen in Blue Zones.
Whether you're looking to overhaul your lifestyle or make small adjustments, the lessons from Blue Zones can help guide you toward a longer, healthier life. Savvly can help make sure you have the resources to make it through those years.
The Savvly Longevity Benefit is designed to deliver scheduled income at later-life milestones for investors who reach them. It adds a longevity-based reallocation layer to market-linked performance, adding scheduled payouts at ages 80, 85, 90, and 95 for investors who reach those milestones. Savvly is not insurance and not FDIC insured; payout amounts are not guaranteed. Learn more at savvly.com/disclosures.
What are the five official Blue Zones?
The five regions identified by Dan Buettner and National Geographic are Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Loma Linda, California; the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica; and Ikaria, Greece.
What do people in Blue Zones have in common?
Common habits include a mostly plant-based diet, regular natural movement rather than intense exercise, strong social connections, and a clear sense of purpose.
How does longevity connect to retirement planning?
Longer lifespans mean retirement savings need to stretch further. Products designed around longevity, rather than a fixed retirement age, can help address the risk of outliving savings.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or investment advice. Consult a qualified financial professional before making retirement planning decisions.
Disclosures
The information on this page is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended as investment, legal, or tax advice. It is designed solely to illustrate how longevity-linked investment benefits may work under certain assumptions. Actual results will vary. All illustrations, examples, and case studies are hypothetical and are intended to demonstrate potential scenarios — not to predict or guarantee actual outcomes. They do not represent the performance of any individual investor, portfolio, or account.
Key Assumptions Used in the Illustrations
Life expectancy and mortality projections are based on the most recent Social Security Administration (SSA) tables available at the time of simulation.
In the event of death or early withdrawal, hypothetical scenarios assume that investors who exit early, or their estate in the event of death, may receive 75% of the lesser of the initial investment or current market value, plus 1% for each full year the account was active. Case studies assume standardized market growth of 8% annually and do not incorporate unexpected market volatility, inflation, changes in interest rates, or changes in an investor's personal circumstances.
Simulations may assume a 3% annual early withdrawal rate prior to payout or death. All figures shown are net of fees. No forecast, projection, or hypothetical return should be relied upon as a promise or representation of future performance.
Past performance is not indicative of future results. The 8% annual market growth rate used in illustrations is a standardized assumption for modeling purposes only and does not represent the historical or expected performance of any specific investment. Note that early or voluntary withdrawals by other participants can affect fund performance and the size of distributions, and that a higher-than-expected number of participants reaching payout milestones may reduce the per-participant benefit received.
Savvly's Longevity Benefit is not a bank product, not FDIC insured, not insured by any federal government agency, and not insurance; payout amounts are not guaranteed. Investment values may decline..
Savvly's Longevity Benefit may not be suitable for all investors. Eligibility to invest is subject to qualification requirements and not all investors will be eligible. Investors should carefully consider their investment objectives, risk tolerance, time horizon, and financial situation before investing. See savvly.com/disclosures for current eligibility criteria, fees, risks, withdrawal terms, and fund assumptions.
This content is published by Savvly, Inc. Savvly has a financial interest in the products described and this content should not be interpreted as independent financial research or analysis. Investors should carefully evaluate their own circumstances and consult a qualified financial professional before making any investment decision.
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