Healthcare in Retirement: What Medicare Won't Cover (And How to Plan for It) | Episode 149

Most people spend decades planning for retirement income — but healthcare? That's the expense that can quietly derail even the best-laid plan. In this episode of Safer Retirement Radio, Brad Geddes, CFP® breaks down the three healthcare phases every retiree faces: Phase 1 — The Gap Years (Before Medicare) If you want to retire before 65, healthcare costs don't have to stop you. Brad explains why he's never had a client delay retirement solely because of pre-Medicare insurance costs — and how a straightforward budgeting exercise can make early retirement more attainable than you think. Phase 2 — Medicare Reality Check Medicare helps, but it doesn't cover everything. Dental. Vision. Hearing aids. Supplemental premiums. Fidelity estimates the average healthy 65-year-old couple will spend over $315,000 out-of-pocket on healthcare in retirement — and that number doesn't include long-term care. Ten years ago it was $225,000. Do the math on where it's headed. Phase 3 — Long-Term Care This is the planning conversation most people avoid — and can least afford to. Brad explains the self-insuring strategy, asset-backed long-term care policies, and why the real purpose of long-term care coverage is often protecting the surviving spouse, not just paying the bills. You've worked too hard to have an unexpected healthcare expense blow up your retirement. The answer isn't fear — it's a plan. 📞 Ready to build yours? Call us at 833-707-3030 or visit DeckerRetirementPlanning.com Download Brian's book The Decker Approach and 11 other free retirement resources at DeckerRetirementPlanning.com under Safer Retirement Education.