What’s the difference between lifespan and healthspan?
Lifespan is the number of years that you’re alive. Healthspan is the number of years you live in good health.
These 2 numbers are not always the same for one person.
For example, when Anita was 65 her health began to decline. She developed Type 2 diabetes, and then broke her hip because of osteoporosis 5 years later. This meant she needed a mobility device, and couldn’t exercise or see friends and family as much anymore. By the time she died at 75, she was bedbound in a long-term care facility.
Her lifespan was 75 years, but her healthspan was 10 years shorter than that.
This example is for illustrative purposes only. Situations will vary according to specific circumstances.
The gap between healthspan and lifespan – and why it matters for your retirement longevity
In Canada, life expectancy at birth is currently 79.9 years for men and 84 years for women. This means the average lifespan in 2025 is around 82 years.
That said, according to Statscan, the average Canadian can only expect to spend 69.7 years in good health.
That means the average person could have a 12- year gap between their healthspan and their lifespan.
That’s possibly over a decade of poor health and declining quality of life.
You could be living with a chronic condition like diabetes or heart disease. Your mobility could be impacted by a stroke or a fall. You could become socially isolated and suffer poor mental health as a result.
This gap between healthspan and lifespan also matters for your retirement planning. Declining health can have practical consequences on your retirement.
You might need to pay for in-home health aides, for example, or move into long- term care rather than stay in your home. If you had planned on working part-time during retirement, poor health could make this tricky. Or, if you planned to pursue hobbies or travel, bad health might make these dreams challenging.
How can you improve your healthspan?
According to a 2025 article published in the Journal of Public Health, there are a few things that impact your healthspan: Genetics, access to healthcare, environment and lifestyle.
While you can’t always control the first 3, you can take some action when it comes to lifestyle choices.
According to the National Institute for the Care of the Elderly, you could try:
- Getting regular physical activity, which can strengthen your body and mind.
- Getting enough sleep, usually 7 to 8 hours a night.
- Getting socially connected, which can reduce your risk of chronic illnesses.
- Quit smoking.
- Maintain a healthy weight for your body Reduce chronic stress.
How private insurance can help improve your healthspan
Taking care of your physical and mental health can add up, especially if you don’t have workplace benefits.
Private health insurance like Freedom to Choose™ health and dental insurance can help bridge some of that gap.
For example, private insurance can help pay for:
- A physiotherapist to help you recover from an injury so you can keep active.
- An acupuncturist to help you relax and deal with any potential stress in your life.
- A massage therapist who can help ease muscle soreness so your bad back doesn’t keep you from getting out and about.
- A psychologist who can support you in your mental health journey.
- A dietitian who can help you stay well-nourished and maintain a healthy body weight.
- Hearing aids so you can keep up with conversations and stay socially active.
Freedom to Choose health and dental insurance also has no termination age, meaning you’re never too old for coverage. They also have Guaranteed acceptance plans, meaning you’ll always have a coverage option, no medical exam needed. Plans can start at just dollars a day, and you can apply online in 15 minutes.