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    Why do women live longer?

    fEBRUARY 28, 2025

    why do women live longer?

    It’s a question that has intrigued researchers for years: why do women live longer than men? In fact, women live nearly six years longer than men on average.1

    If you’re a woman reading this, you might wonder why you have this natural advantage. Or maybe how to maximize your longevity, and even ways that your lifespan might affect your retirement goals. This article will help answer those questions.

    And if you’re a man reading this, don’t worry. While there are some reasons women live longer that are out of your control, this article will explore the ideas you can take from your female counterparts to live longer, too.

    Here are the main factors that contribute to female longevity…
     

    5 reasons women live longer than men

    No single factor can fully explain why women live longer than men, but a combination of biological, lifestyle, and healthcare-related factors start to tell the story.
     

    1. Biological advantages

    Genetic and hormonal differences between the genders actually give women a big advantage.

    For example, women generally have much higher levels of the hormone estrogen - which provides numerous health benefits, including stabilized blood pressure, reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, boosted immune system, and protection against inflammation.2, 3

    Also, women possess two X chromosomes, providing a genetic backup that can mitigate the risk of certain diseases.
     

    2. Lifestyle choices

    Men are more likely to engage in risky behaviors, such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, leading to higher rates of associated diseases like lung cancer and liver cirrhosis. Men also tend to take more risks, making them more susceptible to life-threatening injuries.

    Conversely, women tend to engage in healthier behaviors, like maintaining a balanced diet and exercising regularly. And according to the National Library of Medicine, women also maintain a bigger social circle and deeper relationships over the course of their lives.4 This has positive effects on health, well-being, dementia risk, and longevity.5
     

    3. Medical care

    Women are better at staying on top of their healthcare, seeking medical care more often than men. In fact, the Cleveland Clinic found that nearly 60% of men don’t regularly see a doctor.6 This gets in the way of early detection and prevention of health conditions like cancer and heart disease.
     

    4. Education

    Women have outpaced men in continuing education for decades. In 2024, 47% of U.S. women ages 25 to 34 had a bachelor’s degree, compared with 37% of men.7 Higher levels of education could positively influence women's health, mentality, and overall well-being.
     

    5. Gender norms and societal expectations

    Society often emphasizes the importance of maintaining good health, seeking healthcare, and preventative care for women. These norms may influence women to prioritize their well-being, leading to healthier lifestyle choices and a longer life expectancy.

    And traditionally, men are encouraged from a young age to harbor their emotions - which can lead to pent-up stress. Stress can exacerbate a plethora of health woes, like obesity, heart disease, depression, gastrointestinal issues, hypertension, and more. Women tend to have better emotional support systems and express their feelings more freely.
     

    Is longevity a threat to women’s retirement?

    Women face unique challenges in their retirement planning; understanding these challenges can help women make better-informed decisions about their financial future. Here are some of the biggest issues we see:
     

    Less retirement savings

    Jackson’s Psychographics of Retirement Gender Study report found that women are less likely to identify as a saver, or view saving money as appealing.8

    Researchers have speculated that this disinterest in saving could be related to a lack of financial education, a lack of freedom to discuss money, simply part of the female money personality, or something else.

    We’d like to point out that factors like the gender pay gap, career breaks for caregiving responsibilities, and lack of taking the lead in household finances could contribute to this disparity.9 As a result, women may have less accumulated wealth and smaller retirement savings.

    Whatever the cause, women should be saving more for retirement due to their longevity, not less.
     

    Lack of planning

    Unfortunately, our research shows women are less likely than men to have a financial plan.10

    Regardless of gender, here are some questions you should answer in your financial plan:

    • Which investments make sense for your life?
    • How should you diversify your portfolio?
    • When can you retire?
    • Would an annuity provide stability to your retirement income?
    • Will you need long-term care?
    • How will you leave your estate?

    Creating a written retirement plan can give women confidence in their future. A fiduciary financial professional can help you create a customized strategy that aligns to your goals and risk tolerance.
     

    Longevity risk

    The downside of living longer means your money needs to last longer. So, women may be at a higher risk of running out of money in retirement due to their longer life expectancy and potentially lower savings. It is crucial for women to plan ahead and develop strategies to ensure a sustainable income throughout their retirement years.

    You can read more about how longevity is affecting American retirement for both genders in our Longevity Risk research.
     

    Two key pieces of good news for women who live longer:

    Our research found two positive mindsets that generally differentiate women from men in their retirement planning:

    1. Women are more open to working with financial professionals. In Jackson’s Psychographics of Retirement Gender Study report, we found that women who don’t currently work with a financial professional are significantly more likely than men to consider working with one in the future.11 Partnering with an experienced financial professional may help women gain piece of mind through financial education, emboldening them to make decisions from a position of knowledge.
    2. Women are realistic about their average lifespan. An effective financial plan should be based in reality, right? Our research uncovered that men generally overestimate their life expectancy, while women predict much closer to actual averages.12 Assessing the factors in your life that affect longevity can help you accurately assess your risk of outliving your assets.  

    At Jackson, we want to clear up the confusion and complexity around retirement planning. Understanding your unique lifestyle, longevity factors, and financial goals is key to achieving your desired outcome.  

    1. JAMA Internal Medicine, “Widening Gender Gap in Life Expectancy in the US,” accessed January 3, 2025.

    2. National Library of Medicine, “Level of Estrogen in Females—The Different Impacts at Different Life Stages,” accessed January 3, 2025.

    3. Cleveland Clinic, “Estrogen: What It Does and 5 Benefits,” accessed January 3, 2025.

    4. National Library of Medicine, “Gender and Social Isolation across the Life Course,” accessed January 3, 2025.

    5. National Library of Medicine, “Social connections as determinants of cognitive health and as targets for social interventions in persons with or at risk of Alzheimer’s disease,” accessed January 3, 2025.

    6. Cleveland Clinic, “Men will do Almost Anything to Avoid Going to the Doctor,” accessed January 3, 2025.

    7. Pew Research Center, “U.S. women are outpacing men in college completion,” accessed January 3, 2025.

    8, 9, 10, 11. Jackson, “Psychographics of Retirement Gender Study,” accessed January 3, 2025.

    12. Jackson, "Retirement Investor Segmentation Study," accessed January 9, 2025.

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