Northwestern Mutual’s The Longevity Game asks you a few simple questions to predict how long you’re likely to live. This isn’t your typical Web meme. Unlike the average LJ quiz or carnival barker, insurance companies have decades of data that tell them who is likely to live a long life and who is likely to die relatively young. Life insurers keep this data constantly updated because they bet trillions of dollars on guessing right. The statistical gurus who crunch the numbers are called actuaries (one of my favorite bloggers, btw, is Mike the Actuary).
Naturally, insurers aren’t always right in individual cases. One can’t foresee a falling piano or terrorist attack. But life insurers make money because, on average, they know that being healthier and wiser leads to a longer life. With this knowledge, they’re able to charge healthier, smarter people less money in exchange for the small risk these people might die young.
Anyhow, take a look at your future. Apparently, I’m going to live until I’m 87. Not a bad guess. My grandfather died when he was 89.
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