The short answer
A life expectancy table shows the average number of additional years a person at a given age is expected to live. Per the latest SSA actuarial data, a 65-year-old man has a 50% chance of reaching age 84, and a 65-year-old woman has a 50% chance of reaching age 87. Roughly 1 in 4 people who reach 65 today will live past age 90.
For retirement planning, the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table is used to calculate required minimum distributions (RMDs) starting at age 73. At age 73, the IRS divisor is 26.5, which translates to an RMD of roughly 3.77% of your December 31 retirement account balance.
This guide covers every life expectancy table that retirees, financial professionals, and researchers actually need: the latest SSA Period Life Table, the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table for RMD calculations, cohort life expectancy data, state-by-state averages, and how to apply this data to retirement income planning.
What Is a Life Expectancy Table?
A life expectancy table is an actuarial chart that shows how many additional years a person at a specific age is statistically expected to live. The two most common types are:
- Period Life Tables use current-year mortality rates to estimate remaining life expectancy. The SSA’s Period Life Table is the standard for retirement planning.
- Cohort Life Tables use projected mortality rates over a person’s entire remaining lifetime, incorporating expected medical and longevity improvements. Cohort estimates are typically 1 to 3 years higher than period estimates for the same age.
Annuity carriers use modified versions of these tables, called annuitant mortality tables, to price lifetime income products. Because annuity buyers self-select for longer life expectancy, annuitant tables assume longer lifespans than the general population, which is why annuity payout rates are sometimes lower than people expect. See our SPIA guide for how this affects payouts.
SSA Period Life Table: Life Expectancy by Age (2026)
The Social Security Administration’s Period Life Table is the most widely used actuarial reference for retirement planning. Below is the latest SSA data showing remaining life expectancy and survival probabilities by age, sex, and the death probability within one year.
| Current Age | Male: Life Expectancy | Male: Death Prob. Within 1 Yr | Female: Life Expectancy | Female: Death Prob. Within 1 Yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 30.0 years (to age 80) | 0.43% | 33.7 years (to age 83.7) | 0.26% |
| 55 | 25.7 years (to age 80.7) | 0.65% | 29.2 years (to age 84.2) | 0.42% |
| 60 | 21.7 years (to age 81.7) | 1.00% | 24.9 years (to age 84.9) | 0.66% |
| 65 | 17.9 years (to age 82.9) | 1.56% | 20.7 years (to age 85.7) | 1.04% |
| 70 | 14.3 years (to age 84.3) | 2.46% | 16.7 years (to age 86.7) | 1.67% |
| 75 | 11.1 years (to age 86.1) | 3.92% | 13.0 years (to age 88.0) | 2.79% |
| 80 | 8.2 years (to age 88.2) | 6.40% | 9.7 years (to age 89.7) | 4.76% |
| 85 | 5.8 years (to age 90.8) | 10.7% | 6.9 years (to age 91.9) | 8.27% |
| 90 | 4.0 years (to age 94.0) | 17.8% | 4.8 years (to age 94.8) | 14.4% |
| 95 | 2.8 years (to age 97.8) | 28.4% | 3.3 years (to age 98.3) | 24.1% |
Source: SSA Period Life Table, Actuarial Study No. 124. Figures are remaining-years and the probability of dying within one year of the listed age.
The single most important takeaway from this table: average life expectancy understates how long retirees actually live. The “average” includes everyone, including those who die early. For someone who has already reached age 65 in good health, the realistic planning horizon is the upper end of these averages, not the average itself.
Life Expectancy by Sex: Why It Matters for Retirement Planning
Women live, on average, 3 to 5 years longer than men at every age. For a married couple, the probability that at least one spouse will live past 90 is much higher than for either spouse individually.
| Probability of Living Past… | Male, Age 65 | Female, Age 65 | Couple, Both Age 65 (at least one survives) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age 80 | 63% | 74% | 90% |
| Age 85 | 45% | 58% | 77% |
| Age 90 | 25% | 37% | 53% |
| Age 95 | 8% | 15% | 22% |
| Age 100 | 1.5% | 3.5% | 5% |
The “at least one spouse” column is the planning reality for most married retirees. A 65-year-old couple has a 53% chance that one of them will live past 90, and a 22% chance one of them will reach 95. That timeline is what retirement income plans need to fund.
IRS Uniform Lifetime Table for RMDs (2026)
The IRS Uniform Lifetime Table (Table III) is used to calculate required minimum distributions (RMDs) from traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, and most other tax-deferred retirement accounts starting at age 73. To find your RMD, divide your December 31 prior-year account balance by the divisor for your current age.
| Age | IRS Life Expectancy Factor (Divisor) | RMD as % of Balance | RMD on $500,000 Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 73 | 26.5 | 3.77% | $18,868 |
| 74 | 25.5 | 3.92% | $19,608 |
| 75 | 24.6 | 4.07% | $20,325 |
| 76 | 23.7 | 4.22% | $21,097 |
| 77 | 22.9 | 4.37% | $21,834 |
| 78 | 22.0 | 4.55% | $22,727 |
| 79 | 21.1 | 4.74% | $23,697 |
| 80 | 20.2 | 4.95% | $24,752 |
| 81 | 19.4 | 5.15% | $25,773 |
| 82 | 18.5 | 5.41% | $27,027 |
| 83 | 17.7 | 5.65% | $28,249 |
| 84 | 16.8 | 5.95% | $29,762 |
| 85 | 16.0 | 6.25% | $31,250 |
| 86 | 15.2 | 6.58% | $32,895 |
| 87 | 14.4 | 6.94% | $34,722 |
| 88 | 13.7 | 7.30% | $36,496 |
| 89 | 12.9 | 7.75% | $38,760 |
| 90 | 12.2 | 8.20% | $40,984 |
| 95 | 8.9 | 11.24% | $56,180 |
| 100 | 6.4 | 15.63% | $78,125 |
Source: IRS Publication 590-B, Appendix B, Table III (Uniform Lifetime). Use this table unless your spouse is more than 10 years younger and is your sole beneficiary (then use Joint Life Table II).
Quick RMD Example
Henry turns 73 in 2026. His traditional IRA balance on December 31, 2025 was $400,000. To calculate his 2026 RMD: $400,000 divided by 26.5 = $15,094. Henry must withdraw at least this amount by December 31, 2026, or face a 25% IRS penalty on the shortfall (10% if corrected within two years).
One strategy retirees use to reduce future RMDs is converting a portion of their IRA to a Roth before age 73. Another is purchasing a Qualified Longevity Annuity Contract (QLAC), which can defer RMDs on up to $210,000 of IRA assets until age 85. See our QLAC guide for details.
Cohort Life Expectancy Tables
While period life tables use current mortality rates, cohort life tables incorporate projected longevity improvements over a person’s remaining life. For long-horizon retirement planning, cohort tables are often the more realistic reference.
| Calendar Year | Male | Female | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1940 | 70.4 | 76.3 | 12.7 | 14.7 |
| 1941 | 70.8 | 76.6 | 12.8 | 14.9 |
| 1942 | 71.4 | 77.1 | 12.8 | 15 |
| 1943 | 71.7 | 77.4 | 12.9 | 15.1 |
| 1944 | 72 | 77.6 | 12.9 | 15.3 |
| 1945 | 72.2 | 77.9 | 13 | 15.4 |
| 1946 | 72.7 | 78.3 | 13 | 15.6 |
| 1947 | 73 | 78.7 | 13 | 15.7 |
| 1948 | 73.1 | 78.8 | 13.1 | 15.9 |
| 1949 | 73.3 | 79 | 13.1 | 16 |
| 1950 | 73.5 | 79.2 | 13.1 | 16.2 |
| 1951 | 73.6 | 79.4 | 13.1 | 16.3 |
| 1952 | 73.7 | 79.4 | 13.1 | 16.4 |
| 1953 | 73.9 | 79.6 | 13.1 | 16.5 |
| 1954 | 74.1 | 79.7 | 13.1 | 16.6 |
| 1955 | 74.2 | 79.8 | 13.1 | 16.7 |
| 1956 | 74.3 | 79.9 | 13.1 | 16.9 |
| 1957 | 74.5 | 80 | 13.2 | 17 |
| 1958 | 74.5 | 80 | 13.2 | 17.2 |
| 1959 | 74.7 | 80.1 | 13.2 | 17.3 |
| 1960 | 74.9 | 80.3 | 13.2 | 17.4 |
| 1961 | 75.1 | 80.4 | 13.3 | 17.5 |
| 1962 | 75.2 | 80.5 | 13.3 | 17.7 |
| 1963 | 75.4 | 80.6 | 13.4 | 17.8 |
| 1964 | 75.6 | 80.7 | 13.4 | 17.9 |
| 1965 | 75.7 | 80.8 | 13.5 | 18 |
| 1966 | 76 | 81 | 13.5 | 18.2 |
| 1967 | 76.2 | 81.1 | 13.6 | 18.3 |
| 1968 | 76.4 | 81.3 | 13.7 | 18.4 |
| 1969 | 76.7 | 81.4 | 13.7 | 18.5 |
| 1970 | 76.9 | 81.6 | 13.8 | 18.5 |
| 1971 | 77.1 | 81.7 | 13.9 | 18.6 |
| 1972 | 77.2 | 81.9 | 14 | 18.6 |
| 1973 | 77.4 | 82 | 14.1 | 18.7 |
| 1974 | 77.6 | 82.2 | 14.2 | 18.7 |
| 1975 | 77.8 | 82.3 | 14.2 | 18.7 |
| 1976 | 78 | 82.4 | 14.3 | 18.7 |
| 1977 | 78.2 | 82.6 | 14.4 | 18.7 |
| 1978 | 78.3 | 82.7 | 14.5 | 18.8 |
| 1979 | 78.5 | 82.9 | 14.6 | 18.8 |
| 1980 | 78.7 | 83 | 14.7 | 18.8 |
| 1981 | 78.8 | 83.1 | 14.9 | 18.8 |
| 1982 | 79 | 83.2 | 15 | 18.9 |
| 1983 | 79.1 | 83.3 | 15.1 | 18.9 |
| 1984 | 79.2 | 83.4 | 15.2 | 19 |
| 1985 | 79.3 | 83.5 | 15.4 | 19 |
| 1986 | 79.5 | 83.6 | 15.5 | 19.1 |
| 1987 | 79.6 | 83.7 | 15.6 | 19.1 |
| 1988 | 79.7 | 83.8 | 15.8 | 19.2 |
| 1989 | 79.8 | 83.9 | 15.9 | 19.2 |
| 1990 | 79.9 | 84 | 16 | 19.3 |
| 1991 | 80.1 | 84.2 | 16.1 | 19.3 |
| 1992 | 80.2 | 84.3 | 16.3 | 19.4 |
| 1993 | 80.3 | 84.4 | 16.4 | 19.4 |
| 1994 | 80.5 | 84.5 | 16.6 | 19.5 |
| 1995 | 80.6 | 84.6 | 16.7 | 19.6 |
| 1996 | 80.7 | 84.7 | 16.9 | 19.6 |
| 1997 | 80.8 | 84.8 | 17 | 19.7 |
| 1998 | 80.9 | 84.8 | 17.2 | 19.8 |
| 1999 | 81 | 84.9 | 17.3 | 19.8 |
| 2000 | 81.1 | 85 | 17.5 | 19.9 |
| 2001 | 81.2 | 85.1 | 17.6 | 20 |
| 2002 | 81.3 | 85.2 | 17.7 | 20.1 |
| 2003 | 81.4 | 85.2 | 17.9 | 20.2 |
| 2004 | 81.5 | 85.3 | 18 | 20.2 |
| 2005 | 81.6 | 85.4 | 18.1 | 20.3 |
| 2006 | 81.7 | 85.5 | 18.2 | 20.4 |
| 2007 | 81.8 | 85.5 | 18.3 | 20.5 |
| 2008 | 81.9 | 85.6 | 18.4 | 20.5 |
| 2009 | 82 | 85.7 | 18.5 | 20.6 |
| 2010 | 82.1 | 85.8 | 18.6 | 20.7 |
| 2011 | 82.2 | 85.8 | 18.7 | 20.7 |
| 2012 | 82.3 | 85.9 | 18.8 | 20.8 |
| 2013 | 82.4 | 86 | 18.9 | 20.9 |
| 2014 | 82.5 | 86.1 | 19 | 20.9 |
| 2015 | 82.5 | 86.1 | 19 | 21 |
| 2016 | 82.6 | 86.2 | 19.1 | 21.1 |
| 2017 | 82.7 | 86.3 | 19.2 | 21.1 |
| 2018 | 82.8 | 86.4 | 19.3 | 21.2 |
| 2019 | 82.9 | 86.4 | 19.3 | 21.3 |
| 2020 | 83 | 86.5 | 19.4 | 21.56306962 |
Source: SSA Cohort Life Tables. Cohort estimates assume gradual improvement in mortality rates over time.
A 65-year-old today is generally expected to live 1 to 3 years longer under cohort projections than the period table suggests, particularly women, who have benefited most from medical advances over the last several decades.
Life Expectancy at Birth by State
Where you live affects how long you live. CDC data shows a roughly 7-year gap between the longest-lived states (Hawaii, California, Minnesota) and the shortest (Mississippi, West Virginia, Alabama). State-level life expectancy is shaped by income, healthcare access, smoking and obesity rates, and environmental factors.
| Rank | State | Total | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | 80.7 | 77.8 | 83.6 |
| 2 | California | 80.1 | 77.7 | 82.5 |
| 3 | Minnesota | 79.8 | 77.7 | 81.9 |
| 4 | New York | 79.4 | 77.0 | 81.7 |
| 5 | Connecticut | 79.2 | 76.7 | 81.6 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | 79.0 | 76.6 | 81.3 |
| 7 | New Jersey | 78.9 | 76.5 | 81.2 |
| 8 | Washington | 78.8 | 76.8 | 80.8 |
| 9 | Colorado | 78.7 | 76.6 | 80.8 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | 78.5 | 76.0 | 81.0 |
| 15 | Vermont | 78.1 | 76.0 | 80.3 |
| 20 | Oregon | 77.7 | 75.4 | 80.0 |
| 25 | Florida | 77.5 | 74.9 | 80.0 |
| 30 | Texas | 76.5 | 74.0 | 79.0 |
| — | United States average | 77.5 | 74.8 | 80.2 |
| 35 | Michigan | 76.0 | 73.6 | 78.4 |
| 40 | Indiana | 75.3 | 73.0 | 77.6 |
| 45 | Oklahoma | 74.1 | 71.6 | 76.7 |
| 48 | Kentucky | 73.5 | 70.9 | 76.1 |
| 49 | Alabama | 73.2 | 70.3 | 76.1 |
| 50 | West Virginia | 72.8 | 70.3 | 75.4 |
| 51 | Mississippi | 71.9 | 68.8 | 75.1 |
Source: CDC National Center for Health Statistics, Health, United States 2024. Showing selected states; full ranking includes all 50 plus DC.
How to Use Life Expectancy Tables for Retirement Planning
Most retirees use life expectancy tables in three specific ways:
- Setting a planning horizon for income. Use the upper end of the SSA period table for your sex and current age, not the average. A 65-year-old man should plan for at least age 90, and a 65-year-old woman for at least 92, because roughly 25% of each group will live past those ages.
- Calculating annual RMDs. Use the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table starting at age 73. Divide your December 31 prior-year balance by the divisor for your current year-end age.
- Deciding when to claim Social Security. If you expect above-average longevity, delaying Social Security to 70 produces meaningfully more lifetime income. See Social Security at 62 vs. 67 vs. 70 for the full break-even math.
Married couples should plan for the longer of the two life expectancies, not the average. Joint-life planning tools are essential for couples in their 60s; a single-life approach undershoots reality for half of all marriages.
Life Expectancy and Annuities: The Longevity Risk Angle
Life expectancy data drives every annuity payout rate in the market. Insurance carriers price lifetime income annuities based on actuarial tables that assume slightly longer lifespans than the general SSA tables, because annuity buyers self-select for above-average longevity. This is why a 65-year-old man buying a Single Premium Immediate Annuity (SPIA) today typically receives a roughly 7.5% to 8% annual payout rate, lower than the simple “1/life expectancy” calculation would suggest.
The flip side: if you live longer than the tables predict, an annuity is the only retirement product that continues paying regardless. This is the entire point of longevity risk pooling. The carrier collects premiums from many annuitants, some of whom die early, and uses those funds to keep paying the ones who outlive the tables. For a retiree with above-average health expectations, a lifetime income annuity is one of the highest-value insurance contracts available.
Common annuity strategies that incorporate life expectancy planning:
- SPIA at age 65-75 for guaranteed lifetime income. Payout rates rise with age, so waiting until 70 or 75 often produces a better lifetime yield than buying at 65.
- QLAC (Qualified Longevity Annuity Contract) for deferred income starting at 80 or 85. Useful for hedging the tail of the longevity distribution.
- FIA with lifetime income rider for retirees wanting upside growth with a longevity hedge built in.
Compare current annuity rates from 90+ top annuity companies to see how today’s payouts stack up against your projected longevity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average life expectancy in the United States in 2026?
The most recent CDC data shows U.S. life expectancy at birth of approximately 77.5 years overall (74.8 for men, 80.2 for women). For someone who has already reached age 65, the planning horizon is much longer, an average of about 18 additional years for men and 21 for women.
What is the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table used for?
The IRS Uniform Lifetime Table (Table III in Publication 590-B) is used to calculate required minimum distributions (RMDs) from traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and most other tax-deferred retirement accounts starting at age 73. The divisor for each age represents an actuarial life expectancy figure designed to draw down the account over the owner’s expected remaining lifetime.
At what age do RMDs start?
Under the SECURE 2.0 Act, RMDs begin at age 73 for anyone born between 1951 and 1959, and at age 75 for anyone born in 1960 or later. The deadline to take each year’s RMD is December 31, with a one-time exception that allows the first RMD to be deferred until April 1 of the following year.
What is the difference between period and cohort life tables?
A period life table uses today’s mortality rates at every age to estimate remaining life expectancy, essentially asking “if mortality rates stayed at current levels forever, how long would I live?” A cohort life table adjusts for projected improvements in mortality over your remaining lifetime, typically producing estimates 1 to 3 years higher. Cohort tables are more accurate for long-horizon retirement planning.
How do insurance companies use life expectancy tables for annuities?
Insurance carriers use proprietary annuitant mortality tables, which assume longer lifespans than the general SSA tables because annuity buyers self-select for above-average health. These tables determine annuity payout rates: the longer the assumed lifespan, the smaller the monthly check for the same premium. For an annuity buyer, that lower payout is the price of guaranteed income for life, no matter how long you live.
Why has U.S. life expectancy declined recently?
U.S. life expectancy peaked at 78.9 years in 2014, declined during the opioid crisis and COVID-19 pandemic (dropping to 76.4 years in 2021), and has been recovering since. The current 77.5-year figure reflects partial recovery but remains below the pre-pandemic peak. Other developed countries continue to outperform the U.S. on this metric.
Related Reading
- Social Security at 62 vs. 67 vs. 70 – How life expectancy drives the optimal claiming age
- Social Security break-even calculator – Apply your longevity estimate to claiming decisions
- SPIA guide – How annuity carriers use life tables to price lifetime income
- QLAC guide – Defer RMDs and hedge longevity risk
- Annuity bridge strategy – Using annuities to delay Social Security
- Annuity calculators – Model income scenarios against your projected longevity
- Compare current annuity rates – Live rates from 90+ carriers
- Full Retirement Age chart – SSA’s age-based reference
Sources and Further Reading:
