Why Health Care Costs Could Be Your Retirement Plan's Weakness

By Jane Farrell

A majority of affluent older Americans who are nearing retirement share the same concern – that health care costs could strike a blow to their retirement plans.

In fact, 63 percent of them choose the word “terrified” to describe how they feel about the subject, according to an annual Nationwide Retirement Institute survey.

But while health costs are a legitimate concern, rather than fretting, people need to start planning so they can feel confident that their retirement savings and income are up to the task, says Travis Chance, president and founder of CFG Wealth Management, LLC (www.chancefinancialgroup.com), and CFG Insurance Planning.

“There’s no doubt that medical expenses can add up for retirees,” Chance says. “That’s why everyone needs to keep those costs in mind when they are investing and saving for retirement.”

Just how expensive can health costs become?

A healthy 65-year-old married couple can expect annual health-care expenses of $6,999, according to a 2015 study by HealthView Services. That would grow to $14,530 annually by the time the couple reaches 85, the study says.

That could represent a huge chunk of savings for many retirees, especially when fewer people have pensions that give them a steady stream of income in retirement, Chance says.

Here are a few steps worth taking as you contemplate how health care costs may throw a wrench in your retirement plans:

• Acknowledge the concern. Even though so many people are worried about health costs in retirement, the majority of them (53 percent) don’t discuss those worries with their spouses or significant others, the Nationwide survey showed. One in 10 of those surveyed say they just don’t want to think about it. “Anything that could end up affecting your retirement nest egg is worth talking about with your spouse,” Chance says. “This is especially important because one thing I have seen is that people often underestimate just how long they might live in retirement. Life expectancies are getting longer, so you could be retired for 20 or 30 years or more and your health expenses could be growing with each year.”
• Talk to a financial advisor. The Nationwide survey revealed that a disconnect exists between people’s thoughts and their actions when it comes to discussing with their financial advisors how medical expenses fit into their retirement plans. While 53 percent of older adults who have talked to a financial advisor say it’s important to include health-care expenses in those discussions, just 10 percent actually had done so. “That’s a topic that really needs to come up when you and your financial planner are mapping out your retirement needs,” Chance says. “You will have much more confidence in your plan if you are able to at least estimate what your health costs likely will be, and plan for those expenses, rather than leaving it all up to luck.”
• Take care of yourself. One way to reduce health costs is to avoid the need for medical treatment to begin with. If you exercise regularly, eat nutritious meals and get annual checkups, you will be in better physical shape when you reach retirement age. While there are no guarantees when it comes to good health, you can certainly improve your odds of a healthier retirement.

Travis Chance (www.chancefinancialgroup.com) is a certified financial planner (CFP), and has been awarded the Retirement Income Certified Professional designation through the American College. He also holds the Certified in Long-Term Care designation. His financial planning practice, CFG Wealth Management, LLC, based in Statesboro, GA.