In the USA we always have the risk of wiping out our savings from serious illness late in life. It's better to drop dead. Although there is health care for the elderly, their savings are often eaten up by what isn't covered. My father was not retirement age when he fell ill. He had to be completely destitute to receive any assistance. We had to sell off all of his assets. As bad as it can be, I can imagine that it is likely worse in other parts of the world.