Healthcare is a retirement budget line item you don’t want to ignore. In fact, a recent study from Fidelity calculates that a couple in retirement will require $280,000 for medical costs.¹ And the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) reports that some couples might need to have as much as $325,000 put away for healthcare, depending on their circumstances.

The good news is that Medicare offers great options to help cover costs. And even better, a 2020 EBRI report² says that a new formula used by the Medicare trustees resulted in an 8 percent to 10 percent dip in the savings amount that a retired couple might need in retirement.

Still, as of 2020, Medicare generally covers only about two-thirds of the cost of healthcare services for Medicare beneficiaries ages 65 and older, according to EBRI. So, it’s wise to consider where the remainder will come from. A little research can help you find the most cost-effective way to combine Medicare options with personal savings to pay for healthcare in retirement. It’s reassuring to know that you have options.

Make sense of the options and save

As you begin delving into how much you should save toward future healthcare costs, a financial professional can help you plan and prepare. Together you can find solutions that keep in mind your best interest—from both a health and financial perspective.

You’ll benefit from starting the planning process early. Set up an appointment to strategize with your financial professional about your Medicare-related decisions before you approach age 65. That will give you time to understand and think through your options without the pressure of an enrollment deadline.

Key points to cover include:

• Your available retirement income sources for out-of-pocket medical costs and premiums related to whichever Medicare plan you choose. Income sources may include Social Security, pensions, and annuities.
  
• How long you anticipate needing those income sources to cover healthcare costs. With rising life expectancies, consider that an annuity can guarantee a stream of income for as long as you live.
  
• Keep in mind that while Medicare Part B premium cost is tied to your income level, the Medicare formulas that determine what premium price you’ll pay don’t include distributions from Health Savings Accounts, Roth IRAs, or cash value life insurance policies.³

You’re in control

Planning for healthcare costs now can give you confidence about your finances in retirement―even as National Historic Expenditure data⁴ projects that medical spending in the U.S. will grow 5.5% between 2018 and 2027.

Now’s the time to make choices about where to put your retirement savings and how to save. These choices can set you up for potentially robust streams of income. There are options that can allow you to pay for healthcare costs in stride during retirement—with less stress or worry. Your financial professional can help you home in on the options that are best for you.