Got this from another genealogy list. Makes sense to me! JF Quoting from an article by Kenneth L. Fisher that appeared in Forbes Magazine, October 30, 2000 issue "Portfolio Strategy", he relates a genetic formula for determining longevity based on ages of parents/grandparents. Does it work? "How long are you likely to live? It is mostly genetics. Average your parents' ages at death and then add four years. Average all your grandparents and add eight years. Each generation lives longer on average. Only natural deaths count; if one of them died in an auto accident, skip that person. Find the average of these two sets of numbers and you'll know how long you likely have. Of course, you may die tomorrow in a plane crash, but you had better plan on living fully as long as your ancestors did. If you're married, remember that the money must last for two." The thrust of the investment article is to invest wisely to insure you do not outlive your money!