January 18, 2017 - The Cost of Healthcare and Elder Care in Retirement

| January 19, 2017

When preparing for retirement, imagining the new lifestyle you’ll embark on can be exciting. From travel to family time to relaxation, a fulfilling retirement looks different to each individual. But preparing for the quality of life you desire goes beyond simply ensuring you can support your daily costs and fulfill your dreams. You should also address two other looming financial responsibilities: healthcare and elder care.

Read on for some reminders about the shifting realities of retirement planning — and items that everyone should prepare to cover in their golden years.

We Are Living Longer

Thanks to medical advances, more awareness of healthy living, and other factors, retirees are living longer than ever before. In 1970, 10.3% of the total population (20.9 million people) lived to be 65 years old or older. By 2000, that number jumped to 12.4% (34.9 million people).^{1 2} And the trend continues. On average, a man turning 65 years old today can expect to live to 84.3 years old; meanwhile, on average, women turning 65 years old today can expect to live until 86.6.³

And many people will have an even longer lifespan: About one of every four 65-year-olds today will live to be more than 90; and one out of 10 can expect to live past 95 years old.⁴ As a result, if you’re in good health, you need to prepare for your longer lifespan and the associated medical costs that come with older age.

Healthcare and Long-Term-Care Costs Are Rising

Not only are we living longer, but our healthcare costs are also increasing. Today’s average 65-year-old couple can expect to pay $260,000 (before inflation) on healthcare costs during retirement. This cost even excludes your long-term-care financial needs.⁵ Here are some other essential facts to be aware of:

As of 2015, a retiring couple could expect to spend 67% of their lifetime Social Security benefits on out-of-pocket healthcare costs.⁶
Today’s average annual cost for an in-home health aide for 44 hours each week is $46,332.⁷
Today’s national average annual cost for a private room in a nursing home is $92,378.⁸
Today’s average annual cost of assisted living is $43,539.⁹

Generally, a retiree’s Medicare and employer-sponsored insurance do not cover long-term-care costs. So, understanding the financial gap you have in your planning is critical.

Retirement Savings Shortfalls Are Hurting Us

While many people are making strides in preparing for retirement, as a whole, we may not be saving enough money. The median 45-year-old male’s projected savings shortfall for retirement at 65 is $212,256; meanwhile, the median 45-year-old female’s projected savings shortfall is $268,404.¹⁰

In addition, many individuals are not putting enough money away into healthcare savings accounts (HSAs). The average HSA account balance for people 65 years and older is $5,016.¹¹ So, to say that retirees are not fully preparing themselves for costs to expect in their later years is an understatement. You need to take an honest look at if you have a retirement savings shortfall — so you can create a strategy now to fill that gap.

Overall, these costs are just a snapshot of key retirement healthcare expenses to plan for. Factors such as your unique lifestyle, current health, financial profile, and more will guide how you need to financially prepare for health-related costs throughout your retirement. To start the conversation, contact us and schedule your consultation. We’re ready to help you live comfortably in your golden years, so instead of worrying you can focus on enjoying life to its fullest.

_{By clicking on these links, you will leave our server, as they are located on another server. We have not independently verified the information available through this link. The link is provided to you as a matter of interest. Please click on the links below to leave and proceed to the selected site.}