US Adults Appear Underprepared for Longer Lives

Despite increased attention on longer lifespans, U.S. adults remain underprepared for their longevity, according to John Hancock Life Insurance Co. and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology AgeLab’s 2026 Longevity Preparedness Index.

The LPI measured whether respondents established healthy habits and long-term planning in the areas of caregiving, community, daily activities, finance, health, home, life transitions and social connection. For the second year in a row, surveyed U.S. adults scored an average of 60 out of 100, with scores particularly low in the caregiving (43), health (56) and home (56) measures.

Respondents were more prepared this year than last, by an average of two points, in life transitions (63). They reported the highest preparedness in social connection (69) and community (71).

“The data tells us that awareness—while profoundly important—is not enough,” said Brooks Tingle, president and CEO of John Hancock, in a statement. “Most Americans are living longer, but the systems, policies, workplaces and support needed to help them thrive have not kept pace.”

Comparing Demographics, Use of Advice and Benefits

Respondents who work with a financial professional scored higher (67) than those who have never done so (58), both overall and within each index section. Similarly, last year, respondents working with a financial adviser scored 65, compared with 58 for those who did not.

“Our research is clear: People who work with a financial professional are better prepared for longer lives, not only financially, but across key aspects of overall well-being,” said Wayne Park, CEO of Manulife John Hancock Retirement, in a statement. “Financial professionals can help people connect the dots between their finances, health, caregiving responsibilities and life transitions so they can approach the future with greater confidence.”

Owning life insurance was again also linked with overall preparedness. Consistent with the index from 2025, respondents with life insurance scored 63, compared with 58 for the uninsured.

The LPI also found that longevity preparedness was highest among older age groups, rising from 61 for respondents aged 55 through 64, to 65 for respondents aged 65 through 74 and 68 for respondents aged 75 and older. Preparedness stayed relatively flat among adults through age 54.

Social connection scores averaged high for younger adults (70), dipped to 65 for respondents aged 45 through 54 and rose again at older ages, hitting 75 for respondents aged 75 and older.

The index showed similar overall preparedness (60) between men and women. The most significant outscoring occurred in the finance domain (65 for men vs. 61 for women), and in caregiving (45 for women vs. 41 for men). In addition, respondents who were married or living with a partner outscored their counterparts across nearly all domains, and most significantly in finance (67 vs. 61).

There were racial and ethnic disparities in preparedness again this year, with white respondents scoring highest (61) and Hispanic respondents scoring lowest (57).

To provide the data, NORC AmeriSpeak Panel at the University of Chicago conducted online and phone surveys with 1,340 U.S. adults in May. The LPI will be updated annually over the next three years as part of a five-year research collaboration between John Hancock and MIT AgeLab.