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Healthcare Costs in Retirement: Planning and Preparation
Trivia: What plant, native to South America, was originally called “the fever leaf” and is the source of quinine, used to treat malaria?
RetireHub
July 21, 2025
Rise and shine, RetireHub community! ☀️ Your Monday newsletter is here!
Today we’re sharing smart tips on healthcare costs in retirement: planning and preparation, along with the best deals, fun trivia, and more!
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 | By: Mia Gold Knockout kicks off a fast-paced mystery series starring Holly Hands—a tough, witty single mom and ex-boxer who’s just trying to get by as a repo agent in gritty Baltimore. When a routine job lands a corpse in her trunk, Holly is thrown into a dangerous hunt for the real killer before she’s wrongly convicted and torn from her daughter. Gritty, funny, and full of heart-pounding twists, this one’s perfect for fans of Stephanie Plum and Miss Fortune looking for their next fierce female lead. |
On this day in 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin completed their historic moonwalk after the Apollo 11 lunar module landed on the Moon’s surface—an event that marked the first time humans set foot on another celestial body.
Healthcare Costs in Retirement: Planning and Preparation
As Americans approach retirement, many envision a life of travel, relaxation, and time with loved ones. But one of the most significant—and often underestimated—expenses in retirement is healthcare. While Medicare provides essential coverage, it doesn’t cover everything, and out-of-pocket costs can quickly add up. Planning ahead for healthcare costs is essential to maintaining both financial stability and peace of mind in retirement.
According to recent estimates from Fidelity, the average 65-year-old couple retiring today can expect to spend around $315,000 on healthcare throughout retirement. This includes premiums for Medicare Parts B and D, supplemental insurance (Medigap or Medicare Advantage), and out-of-pocket costs for co-pays, prescriptions, dental, vision, and hearing care. These costs don’t even factor in the potential for long-term care, which can be financially devastating without proper planning.
One of the most effective ways to prepare for these expenses is by utilizing a Health Savings Account (HSA) during your working years. HSAs offer triple tax advantages: contributions are tax-deductible, growth is tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are tax-free. While you can no longer contribute to an HSA after enrolling in Medicare, you can still use accumulated funds to pay for many healthcare costs in retirement.
In addition, retirees should evaluate their options when enrolling in Medicare. Original Medicare, while comprehensive, often benefits from supplemental Medigap insurance to cover deductibles and coinsurance. Alternatively, Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans bundle coverage and often include additional services like dental or vision but may have more limited provider networks. Comparing plans annually ensures you’re getting the best coverage for your health needs and budget.
It’s also important to consider long-term care insurance. While not cheap, it can help offset the costs of assisted living or nursing home care, which are rarely covered by Medicare. Purchasing a policy while you’re still relatively young and healthy can significantly reduce premiums.
Finally, budgeting for healthcare should be a key line item in your overall retirement plan. Work with a financial advisor who understands the healthcare landscape and can help you build a realistic, flexible plan that accounts for rising medical costs, changing needs, and unexpected expenses.
Being proactive about healthcare planning can make all the difference in preserving both your financial health and your physical well-being during retirement. It’s never too early to start preparing—and it’s one investment in your future you won’t regret.
Yesterday’s Poll Results: Have you ever volunteered your time or skills after age 50?
Nearly half of all respondents said they’ve volunteered after age 50—and loved it—which suggests a strong desire for purpose and community connection later in life. Another 21.5% said they haven’t volunteered yet but are interested, pointing to a real opportunity for more accessible or flexible ways to get involved.
About 15% mentioned they used to volunteer but don’t anymore. That could reflect changing life circumstances, health, or simply a shift in priorities. Meanwhile, 12.6% shared that volunteering isn’t really for them, and a small group (just under 2%) selected “Other,” hinting at more personal or unique perspectives behind their choices.
Overall, it’s clear there’s a lot of energy and openness around volunteering in this age group—especially when it’s meaningful, doable, and welcomed.
TOP COMMENTS
“Delivered food for the food bank. Everyone was so nice and grateful.”
“I have been volunteering at my local hospice house for 7 years (1000 + hours) and find this to be extremely rewarding. After my son passed this was just what I needed to get my life going again. After my husband passed 18 years ago I volunteered as a Guardian Ad Litem (testifying in court on behalf of abused children) for 3 years, I found that to be very rewarding also.”
“I volunteer at an amazing music venue doing many things and able to hear and see so many incredibly talented performers.”
Older Women Embrace Tattoos as Spark for Self‑Expression
A quiet but powerful shift is taking place: as many as 15% of American Baby Boomers are now sporting tattoos—marking a growing trend among older women who once shunned ink. What was once considered daring is becoming a heartfelt form of self-expression, a way to honor personal journeys, spiritual beliefs, and meaningful memories. Whether it’s a small, secret butterfly or a dramatic piece of body art, tattoos are offering a fresh canvas for creativity, independence, and a celebration of life’s chapters beyond youth.
More than just a fad, tattoos are helping older women reject stereotypes and assert their identity—drawing on cultural traditions and even providing a private symbol of resilience or purpose. And with modern tattoo techniques that respect mature skin, there’s no reason to wait. A little color, a little courage—and a whole lot of life—can be inked well after fifty.
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Slang Phrase of the Day
Phrase: Sksksk
Meaning: “Sksksk” is a playful bit of internet slang that younger generations (especially teens and young adults) use when texting or commenting online. It doesn’t have a literal meaning—instead, it’s more like a burst of keyboard gibberish that people type to express excitement, laughter, surprise, or awkwardness. Think of it as a modern-day version of writing “haha,” “OMG,” or even gasping.
It first became popular with a social media trend called “VSCO girls” around 2019, where the phrase was often used alongside expressions like “and I oop!” It’s rarely said out loud, but when it is, it sounds like a fast repetition of “sk-sk-sk.”
So if you see “sksksk” popping up online or in a text, just know it’s a lighthearted way of showing enthusiasm or reacting when something feels over-the-top in a fun way.
In a sentence: “My granddaughter showed me her prom dress and all her friends were commenting “sksksk” — I guess that means they loved it!”
Good News of the Day
Teens Rediscover “Grandma’s Hobbies” — and Find Unexpected Benefits
A growing number of teenagers are embracing so-called grandmacore activities—like knitting, gardening, baking, and embroidery—that once felt old-fashioned, and using them as a surprising source of calm, creativity, and connection.
Recent surveys show teens increasingly feel anxious and lonely from too much screen time. These analog crafts offer a restorative escape—a chance to produce something tangible and satisfying, without the pressure of constant digital stimulation. The result? Better mood, reduced stress, and a renewed sense of self-worth even in small projects.
More than nostalgia, these hobbies foster genuine benefits: they nurture patience and dexterity, encourage social bonding over shared projects, and allow young people to step into meaningful tradition. It's no surprise that many teens find lasting joy—and even a bit of heritage—in these simple, hands-on experiences.
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RetireHub Trivia
Want more trivia? Play our “Nostalgia Trivia Game” on our site! We add fresh questions daily, so there’s always something new to test your knowledge.
Not into trivia? No worries! We’ve got plenty of other fun games to enjoy, like:
What global event in 1936 marked the first Olympic Games broadcast on television? |
Which social justice movement, beginning in the 1950s and 60s, was led by figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks? |
What plant, native to South America, was originally called “the fever leaf” and is the source of quinine, used to treat malaria? |
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