But an article I read recently shows that for baby boomers, there’s a dramatic rise in mobility-limiting disabilities.  The upward trend for baby boomers is shocking, because for adults 65 and over, the number of disabilities is actually declining. 

The study on which the article was based found that 40 percent of the people age 50 to 64 reported having trouble with at least one of nine physical functions that were surveyed.  These are basic things we do every day, like bending, kneeling, climbing 10 steps, or walking a quarter of a mile.  In addition, more baby boomers are finding that they have to rely on special aids, like canes or wheelchairs, than ever before.

The researchers weren’t really clear on the causes of this alarming increase in mobility-related disabilities for baby boomers.   More and more people are reporting problems with back and neck pain, and there’s a national epidemic of obesity that I believe is part of the problem as well.  Heart disease, diabetes, nerve, muscle and joint problems can all be tied back to poor diets and lack of exercise.

But whatever the reasons may be, one thing is clear:  this trend will have consequences that extend far into the future.  And that’s because, in general, we don’t get healthier as we age.  If we’re having big problems earlier in life, it’s to be expected that those problems will only get worse with time.  There will be an even greater need for disability coverage and for long term care coverage in the years ahead. 

I once heard a speaker give the following advice:  do what you have to, as fast as you can, so that you can do what you want to as long as you can.  If it’s time to make some changes in your personal life, like eating better, or getting more exercise, the best day to begin is today.  And if your financial life needs some work, the best time to begin that is today, too. 

Do you have your own disability income insurance policy?  Do you own long term care insurance?  The need is there, and the best time to secure your future is today.

1. American consumers spend more money on average in 2 months than all the consumers in China and India spend in a year (source: Time Magazine). 2/04/08 issue, bullet # 14

2. 54% of American investors do not read financial literature (e.g., newspaper or magazine articles) because they believe the content is “too hard to understand” (source: AARP). 4/28/08 issue, bullet  # 13

3. More than 1 in 4 Americans (27%) believe they will be able to withdraw at least 10% per year from their accumulated assets throughout their retirement years (source: Investment News, USA Today). 5/12/08 issue, bullet # 14

4. 46% of the mortgages taken out by US home buyers in calendar year 2006 utilized greater than 95% financing, i.e., the home buyer put less than 5% down (source: Money). 5/26/08 issue, bullet # 7

5. The average amount of money that more than 2,000 adults anticipated they will need in order to retire comfortably was $1.13 million (source: USA Today, Kelton Research). 6/16/08 issue, bullet # 4

6. Americans are projected to be assessed $52 million a day in late fees charged by credit card companies during calendar year 2008 (source: R.K. Hammer, USA Today). 8/04/08 issue, bullet # 13

7. The top 1% of US taxpayers is responsible for the payment of 40% of all federal income tax.  Ten years ago (1998), the top 1% of taxpayers paid 35% of all federal income tax.  Twenty years ago (1988), the top 1% of taxpayers paid 28% of all federal income tax (source: Tax Foundation, IRS). 8/18/08 issue, bullet # 11

8. The oil ministers from 7 of the 13 OPEC countries were educated at US colleges, including Texas A&M, University of Colorado, University of North Carolina, Tufts University, Harvard, Lehigh University and Stanford University (source: OPEC). 9/08/08 issue, bullet # 9

9. As of 1/01/34, an estimated 43.8% of all owner-occupied homes in the US that had a first mortgage were in default on that loan (source: Department of Commerce, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis). 10/20/08 issue, bullet # 9

10. In the 1-year following the low point from each of the 9 bear markets that have occurred since 1957 (not counting the current 10th bear market) the S&P 500 stock index has experienced a double-digit return.  The best of the 9 produced a +58.3% return.  The worst of the 9 was up +23.2% (source: BTN Research). 11/24/08 issue, bullet # 1

11. Nearly 1 out of every 3 US homeowners (32%) believes the value of his/her primary residence has increased in value over the last year (source: USA Today). 12/01/08 issue, bullet # 8

12. As of 9/06/08, the S&P 500 stock index had produced 26 days that resulted in a gain or loss of at least 4% in the previous 7,626 days, a period of almost 21 years.  In the 100 days from 9/06/08 to 12/15/08, the S&P 500 also had 26 days that resulted in a gain or loss of at least 4% (source: BTN Research). 12/15/08 issue, bullet # 3

Learn more about life insurance, college savings, retirement savings, disability insurance, long term care and find the best term life rates and life insurance quote.

Have a happy holidays and prosperous new year.

CBO Director Peter Orszag testified before the House of Representatives that Americans have lost $2 trillion in their 401k’s in the last 15 months. Only two weeks after Orszag’s testimony, Congressman George Miller announced that 401k losses had doubled to $4 trillion in just two weeks. That is forty percent of the value of 401k’s gone in less than a year and a half! People who haven’t retired yet are equally disturbed as retired who are living on investment income! Many will have to postpone retirement, and many will never make back what they have lost. This equates to a lower standard of living for many Americans. People who have some time should definitely consider the whole life insurance as a retirement savings supplement. Whole life policy provides guaranteed cash value with a non-guaranteed dividend so you can stop worrying about stock market risk. It is a life insurance policy so – it covers premature death and disability benefits if waiver of premium rider is added with a very attractive return. Please call (866) 973 -3262 to speak with whole life specialist or complete this whole life quote request form now.