Though it’s not pleasant to contemplate, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services, an individual who is 65 years of age today has a nearly 70% chance of needing some type of long-term care in their older years. Long-term care is a blanket term that incorporates care over an extended period of time, both in your home or in a facility and it can range from general assistance with daily tasks to more comprehensive medical care. AARP reports that the national average for a private room in a nursing home is $108,405 per year and $61,776 for a home health aide.
High Earners and Health Savings Accounts
Health Insurance Enrollment Explained, Including Medicare
Whether you’re eligible for Medicare, signing up for employer-sponsored healthcare, or finding an individual plan on the marketplace, health insurance can be one of those topics that finds its way to the bottom of our to-do list and makes us all sigh.
Understanding your health coverage options can be a daunting task to navigate, but avoidance can have real consequences to your health and well-being! It’s important to be mindful of what coverage you need, annual enrollment and change periods, and potential penalties of missing deadlines in order to ensure you’re signed up on time for a plan that fits your needs.
How to Prepare for Healthcare Costs in Retirement
Healthcare is one of the biggest and most unpredictable line items to prepare for in retirement. Medicare kicks in when you turn 65 however there is a big gap in what Medicare covers vs. the coverage you’re used to from your employer’s group plan.
For a couple retiring in 2015, Fidelity Investments reports that they will need to have an additional $245,000 in savings to cover their healthcare costs in retirement.