According to the Fidelity Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate, an average retired couple of age 65 in 2023 may need approximately $315,000 saved (after tax) to cover health care costs in retirement. With health care costs on the rise (1), it’s never too soon to start planning how to cover these expenses during retirement. Whether you’re up for enrollment this year, five years from now, or already receiving Medicare benefits, it’s important you review and understand the nuances of Medicare offerings each year—along with the rules, restrictions and potential financial impacts to your retirement plans. Making the wrong decision can be expensive, and even making the right decision one year doesn’t mean it’s still the right decision the following year.
When it comes to coverage options, the first big decision to make is whether you want “traditional Medicare” (shaded grey in the chart at right) or a Medicare Advantage Plan. You should apply before turning 65 to guarantee coverage, but you have 3 months after turning 65 before you incur any penalties.
There’s a lesson in David’s tale. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that your estate plan is complete simply because wills and other documents are current. Talking with your loved ones about your plan and how it will affect them is an important part of the process. Here’s how to prepare for a money talk with your adult children.
Click here for more details on Medicare options, including estimated premium costs.
When you’re developing a retirement budget, it’s easy to forget about health care costs since health insurance premiums are typically pulled from your paycheck before the funds hit your checking account. It’s critical to include these future monthly premiums and anticipated out of-pocket expenses into your retirement plan—and you’ll want to isolate these expenses from other retirement expenses in your financial plan, given that health care costs have been increasing two to three times the normal inflation rate.
Medicare Part B and D premiums are dependent on your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI)—so, you’ll want to keep an eye on your total income for the year. For example, pulling funds from a retirement account for a large one-time distribution instead of pulling from a taxable account, Roth IRA or a home equity line can push your MAGI above certain brackets. This may double or even triple your Part B and D premiums in the coming years. A good financial advisor who has tax professionals on staff can help you manage these variables. Click here for more information on MAGI and some reduction strategies.
If you choose traditional Medicare (Parts A and B), it’ll pay for most of your health care, but it doesn’t pay for everything. For example, Medicare still has many out-of-pocket costs in the form of deductibles and coinsurance. There’s also no coverage for the cost of glasses, contacts, hearing aids, routine dental work, routine footcare, routine eye exams and long-term care. These expenses can be overwhelming for people who need a lot of medications and services, so make sure you get the supplemental coverage you need. Purchasing the most suitable additional coverage plan can significantly limit your total health care expenses for the year.
If you decide to purchase Medicare Parts A and B, “Medigap” or supplemental coverage plans can be purchased through private companies to help with additional costs and out-of-pocket expenses. By law, all supplemental coverage plans are standardized (labeled by letter) and must cover the same benefits no matter which insurance company sells them. While all Medigap plans with the same letter are identical when it comes to coverage, insurance companies can charge different prices—so, it pays to shop around every year. Prices will vary based on where you live and your age. Note: Medigap plans are not available for individuals who opt for a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C). To help decide whether a Medigap plan or Medicare Advantage plan is right for you, click here.
Majority of long-term care services are not covered by Medicare. If you’re at risk of Alzheimer’s, dementia, or if you don’t have family to care for you in the event that you can no longer perform daily activities, you may want to look into a long-term care insurance policy to protect you from spending down all of your retirement assets on a long-term care facility. These policies vary greatly and can be very expensive—so it’s important you compare policies from multiple providers to guarantee the best price. If you purchase a policy, don’t forget to include the premiums in your retirement budget—as well as room for those premiums to potentially rise.
If you choose to work with a financial advisor to navigate through your Medicare enrollment, be certain it’s someone who is competent in the rules of Medicare and knows the nuances of the all the available supplemental and Medicare Advantage plans.
If you end up working with an insurance specialist or agent,* make sure they only charge a fee or an hourly rate—not a commission. Commission-based agents may be incentivized to suggest plans that are more lucrative for their business, and not the right fit for your financial situation or retirement goals.
The Mather Group, LLC (TMG) is a registered investment adviser (RIA) with a fiduciary duty to its clients. That means we have a legal obligation to always act in your best interest. While we don’t sell policies directly, we can discuss how your unique situation and retirement goals may influence your insurance needs. TMG also has a full staff of tax professionals, allowing us to take a comprehensive approach to your financial plan and offer strategies that can optimize cash flow in retirement, while reducing income that may impact your Medicare premiums.
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