A common misconception about Medicare is that it is free and will cover all of a retiree’s medical costs in retirement. Medicare pays for some healthcare costs but won’t cover everything. There can also be late penalties for those who delay enrolling. Medicare Part B premiums, which provide outpatient coverage, are also increasing by 14.5% in 2022. This is an increase equal to $21.60 which is the largest dollar increase in the program’s history[1]. Since 2007, an enrollee’s Medicare Part B premium is based on income which means the more an individual makes, the more they pay in premiums. (Please see Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) brackets at Medicare.gov for more information.)
Another important point to keep in mind is that the majority of those with Medicare will also see a 5.9% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) which increases an individual’s social security benefit. This is the largest increase in 30 years. This COLA increase should cover the increase in the Medicare Part B premium for most retirees.

Listed below are a few steps participants can take now to prepare for these rising healthcare costs in retirement:   

Utilize A Health Savings Account (HSA)

An HSA is only available in conjunction with a high deductible health plan. If your company offers an HSA program, now may be a good time to remind employees of this benefit and how to enroll into the account. This can be an effective and tax efficient way to save for healthcare costs in retirement. These accounts are triple tax-free meaning:

1. Contributions are made on a pre-tax or tax-deductible basis
2. Savings will grow tax-free
3. Withdrawals are also tax-free if used to cover qualified medical expenses

There is also a lesser known fourth advantage – Contributions made through a payroll deduction avoid Social Security and Medicare taxes, commonly known as FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) taxes.

Consider Postponing Retirement

Approximately, one-third of early retirees who claim Social Security benefits at age 62 are doing so to help pay for medical expenses until they turn age 65 and are eligible for Medicare[1]. It’s important for participants to know their healthcare options prior to retirement. If an individual does not have access to an employer-sponsored healthcare plan or a spouse’s plan, waiting at least until age 65 until they are eligible for Medicare can be beneficial. Alternative options include COBRA and private insurance, but both typically come with a higher cost.
Social Security is always an important topic for participants getting ready for retirement. However, participants need more than education, they need personalized planning on how to tie Social Security in with their other savings. A retiree can start taking Social Security at age 62 but their benefit will be smaller throughout the duration of their life - monthly benefits may be reduced by 30%. The longer someone waits to collect Social Security benefits, the higher the benefit will be. The benefit increases between 7.5% and 8% every year that you wait from Full Retirement Age to age 70.

Where A Retiree Lives Matters

Where an individual lives in retirement could have an impact on healthcare costs. Some areas are more expense than others. Although traditional Medicare coverage is the same throughout the country, Medicare Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, and Part D which covers prescription drugs could vary. These plans are sold privately and vary by state. In the case of Medicare Part C, these plans generally have a limited-service area so a retiree could lose coverage if they move.
 
Income In Retirement

Encouraging participants to start saving early and increase their contribution amount over the course of their career to cover future healthcare costs in retirement is important. Knowing that healthcare use generally increases as an individual ages is something to keep in mind. A great tool participants can utilize if they are age 50 or older is the catch-up contribution. This tool allows an individual to contribute an extra $6,500 for a 401(k), 403(b) or 457 plan and an extra $1,000 for an IRA in 2022.

We Are Here To Help

If you are looking for additional resources to help participants prepare for healthcare costs in retirement, let’s talk.  

[1] https://www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/personal-finance/plan-for-rising-health-care-costs