BOSTON -- Inflation is the top retirement concern of the Baby Boomer generation, and women are more concerned about it than men, according to a new study.

The survey of retirees and pre-retirees shows most are worried about what they may face in retirement, including their ability to afford long-term care, the high cost of health care and their ability to maintain their standard of living after losing a spouse.

An increase in life expectancy for the 65-and-older population is at the center of older Americans' concerns over inflation.

The study, done by the Society of Actuaries, cited data that show a life expectancy of 17 years for 65-year-old American men and 20 years for women of the same age.

Additionally, 30 percent of all women and nearly 20 percent of 65-year-old men can expect to reach age 90.

As people live longer, they are questioning the adequacy of their retirement investments and savings -- particularly that inflation will accelerate the depletion of their resources.

For a retired couple over 65 not on Medicare, the study showed, medical costs with a catastrophic illness can exceed $1 million over the couple’s lifetime.

“For retirees living on a fixed income, the longer the period of retirement, the greater the impact of inflation,” explained Anna Rappaport of the Society of Actuaries.

The study also found that women, because of their longer life expectancy and potential loss of a spouse, are more concerned than men over the effect on their retirement.

“Traditionally, women have been younger than their husbands,” said Rappaport. “Therefore, periods of widowhood of 15 years or more are not uncommon.”

Consistent with their concern over inflation, women in the study were more concerned than men about the cost of long-term care, the cost of health care, the depletion of savings and the ability to stay in their own home.