Longevity

Researchers have been studying roundworms to try and understand how germline cells might impact human longevity. The cells of roundworms have some similarities to sperm and egg cells or germline cells. Unlike somatic cells which replicate and wear-out, germline cells are capable of replicating indefinitely. It is this characteristic that researchers think may provide links to human longevity and regenerative medicine : “Given that protection of the germ line is an evolutionarily shared trait...

Financial planning and estate planning have been brutally difficult over the past decade. High levels of market volatility , the possibility of deflation , and now threats of inflation have complicated the financial lives of millions of people. Almost anyone in or nearing retirement is faced with incredibly complex decisions. If, for example, you retired in 2000 yet remained fully invested in the S&P 500 you would have watched well over a third of your retirement nest-egg evaporate. Do you...

Investors seem to be aware of the fact that they need to hedge longevity risk . In other words, people are concerned about the risk of outliving their assets. Sales of deferred fixed annuities increased 60% in 2008. While many different types of annuity products may be used to hedge longevity risk, the longevity annuity may be optimal if the sole concern is in fact avoiding a scenario in which one outlives their money: "A 60-year-old with a $1 million portfolio but no pension might allocate...

One of the nation's top financial planners is bearish on the recent upsurge in immediate annuity sales. An advocate of maintaining options and flexibility with retirement planning , this financial advisor sees immediate annuities as too restrictive for many financial plans. In contrast to the views on immediate annuities, longevity insurance or longevity annuities are discussed in light of the income and asset allocation options they create for retirees: "Of all the products that are out there...