At the KAHN CENTER, we provide in depth visits, examinations, laboratory and imaging studies, and follow-up with a focus on preventing chronic diseases and extending healthspan, heartspan, and lifespan. But are you prepared for the aging years ahead? The US population aged 65 and up will grow from 58 to 82 million people by 2050 so this is a common concern.
A new interactive tool builds on John Hancock and MIT AgeLab's inaugural Longevity Preparedness Index, which established national benchmarks for US adults' preparedness to thrive as they age. On average, US adults scored 60 out of 100 in overall preparedness, revealing significant room for improvement in areas such as care, housing, health, and financial readiness. The new personalized assessment tool transforms this research into an engaging, insightful and actionable experience for consumers and advances John Hancock's strategic ambition to empower customer health, wealth, and financial well-being.
"Longevity isn't just about more years lived; it's about how well prepared we are to live them. We first launched the Longevity Preparedness Index as a way to start a new conversation around preparedness – beyond the usual focus on health and wealth," said Brooks Tingle, President and CEO, John Hancock. "Giving people access to their own longevity preparedness scores sparks self-reflection, and ideally action, for a better future. With this new tool, we're equipping individuals – and financial professionals alike – with useful, personalized insights that can guide better planning, deeper conversations, and more informed decision-making for a longer, healthier, better life."
The new tool, available at www.johnhancock.com/readyforbetter, invites adults to assess their personal longevity preparedness by answering a short series of questions across the eight domains. Upon completion, participants receive personalized longevity preparedness scores – an overall score and domain-specific scores – on a scale of zero to 100, where higher scores indicate higher levels of preparedness. Participants will also receive actionable insights to help them take meaningful steps to strengthen their readiness for later life – whether that's focusing on financial planning, bolstering social connections, or addressing future care needs.
"The Longevity Preparedness Index was designed to highlight the many elements that contribute to a life well lived – not just more years, but better years," said Dr. Joseph Coughlin, Founder and Director of the MIT AgeLab. "By giving people access to their own longevity preparedness score, we can empower them to understand their strengths and gaps, and to take tangible steps toward greater readiness. Research is most valuable when it drives informed action, and this tool is designed to support that goal."
In addition to empowering consumers to leverage this tool for their own planning, and with friends and family, it is also expected to become a helpful resource for financial professionals, who can use the tool to deepen client conversations around longevity risk and opportunity, help align long-term planning goals with personal readiness, and identify next steps tailored to each client's needs.
"This is more than a planning tool—it's a resource that can help translate insights into real-world decision-making" said Wayne Park, CEO, Manulife John Hancock Retirement. "It's a powerful catalyst for holistic planning conversations, helping individuals prepare for longevity with confidence and clarity."
The "Ready for Better" link above is an easy tool to assess your preparedness for the years ahead. At the KAHN CENTER, we take a holistic approach to health, and this tool is a useful guide to be as prepared as possible for challenges that may be faced in the future. Things as simple as thinking about the layout of your home, access to wheelchairs, and safety issues are worth considerations.
The hope is that your healthspan, years without disabling chronic diseases, heartspan, your years without suffering from poor cardiac status, and lifespan can all be optimized. This tool is one step towards that goal.
