Ep 193 - The #1 Retirement Mistake Most People Make - And It Has Nothing to Do With Money
In this episode of Your Retirement Planning Simplified, Joe Curry explores the most overlooked retirement planning risk: your health. While many Canadians focus on RRSPs, CPP timing, and investment returns, Joe explains why your health span - not just your lifespan - may determine whether you truly enjoy retirement. He breaks down the importance of strength, cardiovascular fitness, nutrition, routine, and social connection in building a fulfilling and independent life after work.
Key Takeaways
Your health span matters as much as your wealth plan.
A successful retirement isn’t just about having enough money. It’s about maintaining the energy, mobility, and independence to enjoy your life.
Strength and cardiovascular fitness are powerful longevity predictors.
Maintaining muscle mass and improving VO2 max can significantly reduce the risk of physical decline, cognitive decline, and loss of independence.
Retirement can unintentionally lead to inactivity.
Without the structure of work, many retirees become more sedentary, even if they have more free time.
Nutrition becomes increasingly important after age 60.
Protein intake and consistent eating routines help preserve muscle mass, strength, and long-term vitality.
Purpose and social connection influence healthy aging.
Retirees who stay socially and physically engaged often experience a more vibrant and fulfilling retirement lifestyle.
Insights Worth Sharing
“Your health span and your wealth plan are not separate things.”
“The question isn’t just whether your money will last. It’s whether you’ll last in a way that lets you enjoy it.”
“Retirement removes structure - and without a replacement routine, many people quietly become more sedentary.”
“Strength and cardiovascular fitness aren’t optional extras in retirement. They’re foundational.”
“We all know someone who retired and came alive, and someone who seemed to age quickly. The difference is often physical and social engagement.”
Resources
Outlive. The Science and Art of Longevity, by Peter Attia
The Biggest Retirement Mistake Has Nothing to Do With Money
When most people think about retirement planning, they focus on the financial side of the equation - RRSPs, investment returns, CPP timing, tax-efficient withdrawals, and estate planning. Those things matter. But there’s another piece of the puzzle that often gets overlooked until it’s too late: your health. In this episode of Your Retirement Planning Simplified, Joe Curry discusses why your health span may be the single biggest factor in determining whether you truly enjoy retirement.
Lifespan vs. Health Span
Longevity researchers make an important distinction between lifespan and health span. Your lifespan is simply how long you live. Your health span is how long you live well - with energy, independence, mobility, and the ability to do the things that matter most to you.
Many Canadians approaching retirement worry about whether their money will last long enough. But according to Joe, there’s another important question: Will your health last long enough for you to fully enjoy the retirement you worked so hard to build?
The Two Most Important Health Indicators
Research consistently points to two major predictors of healthy aging:
Muscular strength
Cardiovascular fitness (often measured through VO2 max)
This isn’t about bodybuilding or training like an athlete. It’s about preserving the practical abilities that support independence later in life - carrying groceries, climbing stairs, travelling comfortably, and recovering from falls. The encouraging news is that these areas can improve significantly even into your 60s and 70s.
Why Retirement Can Quietly Reduce Activity
Ironically, many people become less active after retirement. Work naturally creates structure. You wake up at a certain time, move throughout the day, interact with people, and maintain routines. Once retirement begins, that built-in structure disappears. Without intentional planning, physical activity often declines. Joe emphasizes that retirees should approach their health with the same intentionality they bring to retirement income planning. That means creating routines, accountability, and weekly habits around movement and exercise.
Nutrition and Social Connection Matter Too
Another overlooked issue is nutrition. As routines disappear, eating habits often deteriorate. Protein intake declines, meals become inconsistent, and social meals become less frequent. Maintaining muscle mass becomes increasingly important as we age, and adequate protein intake plays a major role in supporting strength and vitality.
Joe also highlights the importance of social engagement. Retirement isn’t just a financial transition - it’s a lifestyle transition. Staying connected to others through meals, activities, and shared routines can significantly improve both mental and physical well-being.
Retirement Planning Is About More Than Finances
At its core, retirement planning is about building a life you can enjoy. Financial security creates options. But your health determines whether you can fully experience those opportunities. The most successful retirees are often the ones who stay physically active, socially connected, and purposeful long after their careers end.
Learn more about our retirement planning process at MatthewsAndAssociates.ca