If you have elderly parents or know someone who does, you already know that there are many hard decisions to make when it comes to long-term care, especially during the pandemic. And figuring out the finances can be even harder. Trends could change in the coming decades, such as moving long-term care into the home, and it's important to think about how you want to be cared for when creating your retirement plan. Luckily, November is [...]
One of your largest retirement expenses could be your healthcare costs. An average 65-year-old couple retiring today will need an estimated $363,946 to cover their healthcare costs, according to one study.[1] With the Medicare fall open enrollment period starting on October 15th, it’s time to assess your options or start thinking about your Medicare strategy for when you turn 65. Beyond this enrollment season, we could see changes to the Medicare program based on the outcome [...]
There is a shift away from providing long-term care services in hospitals and nursing homes to proving them in individuals’ homes. This was happening before the pandemic, but the trend is now accelerating for several reasons. Many nursing homes did not allow visitors for months during the pandemic, understandably leading to many worried families and lonely older people. Many COVID-19 deaths have occurred in nursing homes and those who were not infected often experienced long periods [...]
We’ve all heard that exercise is good for us, but it can be hard to commit to when our normal routines are disrupted. Over the course of a career spent working countless hours and long nights, we may have gotten somewhat out of shape, and this trend is likely to continue if we’re stuck inside more than usual. We might think it’s too late to get back into shape by the time we’re retired, or pointless [...]
Consider that the average 65-year-old couple retiring today will need an estimated $363,946 to cover their healthcare costs in retirement, and this does not include long-term care costs.[1] Many people assume that Medicare will cover all of their healthcare needs, but Medicare is neither free nor comprehensive healthcare coverage. There can potentially be many out-of-pocket healthcare expenses in retirement, and a comprehensive retirement plan factors them in. No matter what your health is like now, know [...]
As coronavirus spreads across the U.S., public health officials are issuing more warnings. Some schools have shut down, and more companies are having employees work from home. While the coronavirus is quite contagious and can be serious, it’s important to know who should be most concerned. While much is still unknown about the virus, it seems that people 50 and over, those with underlying health problems, and nursing home residents are most at risk. People 60 [...]
If you’re in your 50’s, 60’s, or 70’s, you probably watched your parents age and maybe took on caregiving responsibilities. In fact, about 34 million U.S. adults provide unpaid care to an adult over the age of 50, usually a parent.[1] Whether you’re working full-time, part-time, or are retired, this can be time consuming and straining. And while we all want to do what’s best for our aging loved ones, it’s important to take care of [...]
A research study from the National Bureau of Economic Research estimated that an average 50-year old has approximately a 53% to 59% chance of entering a nursing home during their lifetime. And, 14% of people need long-term care for longer than five years. When you consider that the average rate for a private room in a nursing home is $100,375 a year, covering long-term care costs is a major feat. Without proper preparation, you may be [...]
Your healthcare needs can change in retirement, as can the way you pay for them. At 65, most Medicare beneficiaries must start navigating a new system. If you are or will be a Medicare beneficiary, one important date that should make it onto your calendar is October 15th. This is the beginning of the Medicare Open Enrollment period, which ends on December 7th. Everyone knows that good healthcare is important for a good retirement, but unless [...]
Some of the major expenses you’ll need to anticipate in retirement are your healthcare costs. There are many choices to make when it comes to choosing a Medicare plan, using an HSA, and qualifying for Medicaid. One healthcare cost that is easy, but possibly detrimental to overlook is long-term care. It’s estimated that 52% of people turning 65 will need some type of long-term care during their lifetimes. On average, women will need 2.5 years of [...]