MILWAUKEE, April 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Northwestern Mutual released today the Longevity & Preparedness Study that reveals Americans appear to be startlingly unprepared financially to live into their 70s, 80s and 90s. The study is the second in a series of research exploring the state of planning in America.

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The study asked people, based upon their current financial plan, how prepared they feel to live to age 75, 85 and 95. Findings revealed that only slightly more than half of Americans surveyed (56%) feel financially prepared to live to the age of 75. Less than half (46%) indicated that they feel financially prepared to live to the age of 85. And barely more than one-third (36%) said they feel prepared to live to age 95.

This stands in contrast to current longevity data. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), average life expectancy in the U.S. has increased to 78.2 years (75.7 for men and 80.6 for women). For couples age 65 today, there is a 50 percent likelihood that one partner will live to age 94, and one out of 10 couples will have a partner that lives to be 100 or older[1].

"This research indicates that many Americans are financially unprepared to live long lives," said Greg Oberland, Northwestern Mutual executive vice president. "With longevity comes an increased need to proactively manage your personal finances, which includes a solid risk management strategy. No matter what age you'll live to, it's important to protect the dollars you'll eventually depend on to provide an income in your retirement years."

Northwestern Mutual's Lifespan Calculator is an online quiz that gives you a sense of your own life expectancy. Taking 13 different lifestyle factors into account, such as diet, drinking, smoking and stress, the tool calculates how long you might live. Social networkers on Facebook can download the new Lifespan Calculator Facebook application to compare their life expectancy score with that of other Facebook friends.

Women, Young Americans Report Feeling Least Prepared

When it comes to certain segments, the findings are even more revealing. Women who on average life five years longer than men feel significantly less financially prepared to live longer lives.

The research indicates:

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Northwestern Mutual Research Indicates Many Are Financially Unprepared to Live Beyond Average Life Expectancies