Many are ready to retire not long after they first start working. Unfortunately, working multiple decades usually has to happen first before getting to the point of retirement. But that doesn't mean you can't dream, in the meantime, about what it will be like! If you're planning on spending your golden years in America, there are many fantastic locations with a plethora of perks. Whether you desire four seasons, balmy temperatures, freezing cold and beautiful, hot and humid, or just plain hot, it's a nation of environment variety. Take this quiz to find out in which U.S. state you're meant to retire. If you've been debating over one location or another, an archipelago, semi-enclave, or one of the contiguous states, this could be the chance to make a final decision and put your plans into action. Let's find out your dream retirement destination in the United States!
History lesson
Surprising facts about retirement in the states
- Retirement May Last Longer Than You Think: With advances in healthcare and general living standards, many people live much longer than they expect. On average, a 65-year-old man can expect to live until 84, and a 65-year-old woman can expect to live until 86.5. That's a lot of years to fill with meaningful activities!
- Social Security Won't Cover All Your Bills: Social Security is designed to replace approximately 40% of an average wage earner's income after retiring. Most financial advisors say retirees will need 70% or more of pre-retirement earnings to live comfortably.
- Retirees Could Spend More on Healthcare Than They Think: A 65-year-old couple retiring in 2022 can expect to spend $220,000 on healthcare throughout retirement. This figure doesn't even include the cost of nursing home care.
- Many Retirees Rely Heavily on Social Security: For 36% of retirees, Social Security accounts for 90% or more of their income. For 65% of retirees, it makes up more than half of their income.
- Retirees Aren't Moving to Florida or Arizona: The stereotype of retirees flocking to warm-weather states isn't entirely accurate. Most retirees, about 6 in 10, don't plan to move at all.
- Retirees Aren't Always Completely Retired: Many people work during retirement. According to a recent survey, 82% of retirees say they have worked or plan to work during retirement.
- Retirees Are Giving Their Money Away: A significant number of retirees are providing financial support to their adult children or aging parents, which can put a strain on their retirement savings.
- Retirees Aren't Saving Enough: Many people have saved less than $25,000 for retirement, and many have saved nothing at all.
- Retirees Are Worried About Running Out of Money: The majority of retirees are concerned about having enough money to get through retirement. This is a valid concern, given the potential for unexpected healthcare costs and longer lifespans.
- Retirees Are Happy: Despite financial concerns, retirees report feeling happier and more content than younger people. They also tend to stress less than their younger counterparts.
Quiz Writer
Joselyn wasn’t too keen on multiple choice in high school. She vividly remembers the first biology exam she passed by only the skin of her teeth, which dragged her overall average down into the embarrassingly low 90s (she doesn’t want to talk about it). After swearing off any high school or university courses that required multiple choice tests, Joselyn managed to get an English degree by sweet-talking her professors into offering only essay-style exams. Needless to say, this did not exactly endear her to her peers. This rocky start smoothed out in time, though, and after tumbling down a black quiz hole one day while putting off job hunting, Joselyn realized her hatred of all things a-b-or-c had faded and she actually enjoyed dreaming up new ideas for questions and dangerously correct-sounding answers. You won’t find her quizzes an easy ride, but Joselyn just wants to make sure you’re really testing your knowledge.
Did you know?
Retirement was invented in the 1800s
As much as Americans love retirement, it was Otto von Bismarck who came up with the whole idea. The German Chancellor invented it in the 1800s, and although it was absolutely his idea, it was another gentleman who got the ball rolling. Von Bismarck told the then-German Emperor, William the First, to include it in a letter that was going to be sent to the German Parliament. The letter was written in 1881, but the retirement idea wasn't implemented until 8 years later, in 1889. And to think what things would be like if these two men didn't come together to share this brilliant idea!
The retirement superhero supposedly did it, for the most part, as a way to look out for the best interests of the German workforce. However, the qualifying age for retirement in Germany was set to 70 years old, which was also approximately the life span in the country at the time. Today, the global life expectancy average is about 73.4 years.
How to Play?
Our personality quizzes are set up a little differently than your basic trivia quiz, but you’ve probably seen their kind around. Rather than having to choose the right answer from a list of multiple choice options, in this case, there is no “right answer”! (Two plus two will always be four, but every Golden Girls character is equally awesome.)
So, stop stressing. Just click on the answer that suits you best, and enjoy the ride. These quizzes are just for fun but who knows – you might just learn something about yourself along the way!
About Heywise
Get knOwledgeable! Heywise is where entertainment and trivia meet, like a turducken of fun. Anytime. Anywhere. Since 2017, Heywise has been a leader of quizzes on the web, on mobile devices, and across social media.
We explore a broad range of topics – from sports to history, language to pop culture, personality to health. Our quizzes motivate readers to test their knowledge and learn new and exciting facts.
We’re inspired by food and unique destinations around the globe. We love movies and TV shows, but most of all we love having the opportunity to share these passions with you.
Have you ever wondered what color represents your personality? Do you know which Hogwarts House you belong to? Are you a Pessimist or an Optimist? Our unique personality quizzes will help you find out! We want to share the knowledge of all things awesome with you.
We’re the best quiz site on the internet. That might be our opinion, but it’s pure fact that we get up in the morning expressly to share awesome, eye-opening knowledge with you. So, come get your brain pumping.