Do This Now, and Enjoy a Healthier Retirement Later

As you plan for retirement, most of your concerns probably fall into two main categories: Enjoying your retirement and affording your retirement. As you're saving money and making plans, you know that inflation and a longer life span are working against you to constrict your budget and restrict your potential lifestyle in the future.

What if there was one thing you can do, that would both increase your happiness while cutting certain expenses in retirement? As it turns out, there is. And the answer might surprise you.

Commit to a healthier diet and regular exercise, and lose 15 pounds now.

At first glance, you might wonder what your weight has to do with your eventual retirement. But when you consider the following facts, the answers become more clear.

• According to a study by Fidelity, the average 65 year old couple (who just retired last year) will need $220,000 to cover out-of-pocket medical expenses over the course of their retirement.      
• For those retiring before Medicare eligibility (age 65), the average couple    can expect to spend $17,000 per year on health care before Medicare benefits kick in.   

As a nation, our health care costs are rising due to a number of factors. But consistently we hear that our junk food diets, sedentary lifestyles, and obesity are linked to more health problems and the financial consequences that come along with illness. As you take control over your own health, you also gain a measure of control over your own health care expenses. The effects of being overweight increase as we age, so the longer you stay overweight, the more out-of-pocket healthcare expenses you can expect in retirement.

Aside from health care expenses in retirement, regular exercise might actually increase your earning potential now! Researchers have described a link between exercise and a higher income.

• Men who exercise at least 3 times per week earn about 6 percent more than men who don't exercise.
• Women who exercise earn about 10 percent more than women who abstain.        

Since exercise improves your mood and increases mental acuity, it is theorized that it will also help you boost productivity at work. While the main objective of exercise is to enjoy better health both now and later, it might actually help you earn (and save) more money! It's certainly worth the effort to improve your health, lower future medical bills, and enjoy a happier, healthier retirement.