Studies show that the average retiree will need $280,000 just to pay for medical expenses. Individuals over 65 with high health literacy have up to 20% fewer hospital visits than those with lower health literacy. A report published in the New York Times estimates that exercise (even walking 30 minutes at least 5x per week) results in an average savings of $2500 a year on healthcare costs and $400 on prescription medication costs with far fewer emergency room visits.
To get the best rate class rating for life insurance, utilize your health equity the same way you would home equity when attempting to get a line of credit.
Be Your Best Healthy You
Most life insurance policies require a physical exam in order to identify any health issues that may impact you in the future. The healthier you can be at the time of that exam the better your chance of securing a high rate class and low rate. If you’ve recently hit a weight loss milestone, are in training for a marathon, or have improved your blood pressure or other key health metric it’s a great time to arrange a physical for a new policy!
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
If you see your doctor regularly then odds are you already know the state of your health and a physical will not raise any surprises, so options for receiving an online life insurance quote can be more accurate for rate approvals. Maintaining a good and steady level of health over the years rather than yo-yo dieting is a key way to prevent long term chronic illness and injury.
Health IQ has identified a new asset class called health equity. Those with more health equity will need less money for health expenses in retirement. See how much you could save on life insurance rates right now.
Increase Your Health Literacy
A recent Health Literacy in the 50 States Report shows those with high health literacy have better health outcomes over the long term. Paying attention to health news and recent studies (not just recent health fads) can help to increase your knowledge about things that impact your physical, mental and emotional health.
Internalizing that knowledge is shown to improve your actions, which in turn improves your chances of avoiding common health issues that will increase your mortality risk, such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity and cancer. For example, you know that junk food isn’t good for you, so as you grow up you opt to eat better more regularly, and that results in fewer nutrition related issues. The more you know the better your decisions can be.
Health IQ App users have completed over ten million health literacy quizzes, a key way they identify health knowledge gaps and improve their daily choices and actions to build more health equity.
Track Your Activity
If you do any type of physical activity, adhere to a healthy nutritional approach, or are actively pursuing health knowledge … track it! Data helps the insurer verify that you’re as active as you claim to be, and also enables you to understand key insights about how your body works.
There are thousands of apps to help you achieve your fitness, nutritional, weight loss, performance, mindfulness, and health literacy goals. Choosing an insurer that can utilize that data can help you to save on life insurance rates.
For example, if someone was paying $76 a month for a 30 year term policy but is a runner, has race results, and an active Strava profile, there could be lower rate options available by working with insurance companies that specialize in life insurance for runners. If they can help secure a rate savings of $54 a month, that’s $648 a year and $19,440 total for the length of the policy!
Health IQ combines your current health, health literacy and active lifestyle to better predict your long-term health, securing clients rates up to 33% lower. See how much you could save.
If you think of your body as an investment, consider approaching your health equity in the same way as your home equity. Maximize its potential.
How much can my health equity save me?
This content was provided by Health IQ. Kiplinger is not affiliated with and does not endorse the company or products mentioned above.
-
Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Taxes on Social Security Benefits?Quiz Social Security benefits often come with confusing IRS tax rules that can trip up financially savvy retirees and near-retirees.
-
Are You Ready for 65? The Medicare Initial Enrollment Period QuizQuiz Turning 65 soon? Test your basic knowledge of Medicare's Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) rules in our quick quiz.
-
3 Ways to Stretch the 2026 Social Security COLA For Your BudgetThree steps retirees can take to stretch the Social Security COLA to fit their budgets.
-
Amazon Resale: Where Amazon Prime Returns Become Your Online BargainsFeature Amazon Resale products may have some imperfections, but that often leads to wildly discounted prices.
-
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2026Roth IRAs Roth IRAs allow you to save for retirement with after-tax dollars while you're working, and then withdraw those contributions and earnings tax-free when you retire. Here's a look at 2026 limits and income-based phaseouts.
-
Four Tips for Renting Out Your Home on Airbnbreal estate Here's what you should know before listing your home on Airbnb.
-
Five Ways to a Cheap Last-Minute VacationTravel It is possible to pull off a cheap last-minute vacation. Here are some tips to make it happen.
-
How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?insurance When assessing how much life insurance you need, take a systematic approach instead of relying on rules of thumb.
-
When Does Amazon Prime Day End in October? Everything We Know, Plus the Best Deals on Samsonite, Samsung and MoreAmazon Prime The Amazon Prime Big Deal Days sale ends soon. Here are the key details you need to know, plus some of our favorite deals members can shop before it's over.
-
How to Shop for Life Insurance in 3 Easy Stepsinsurance Shopping for life insurance? You may be able to estimate how much you need online, but that's just the start of your search.
-
Five Ways to Shop for a Low Mortgage RateBecoming a Homeowner Mortgage rates are high this year, but you can still find an affordable loan with these tips.
