Summary
How much does retirement health care cost? Find out how to estimate your health care costs in retirement.
How much does retirement health care cost?
It doesn't have to be that way! Health care is a line item in your annual retirement budget, just like food, clothing, and shelter. And like those other expenses, you can plan for it.
Our research has revealed 6 factors that can nudge your personal annual health care spending higher or lower.
1. Health status
How healthy are you? Your current level of health risk makes a big impact on how much you might spend.
Median annual spending by health status
Low risk$3.4k Nonsmoker, no chronic conditions
Medium risk
$3.9k
High risk
$7.5k Smoker, 2 or more chronic conditions, and/or visits the doctor frequently
2. Medicare choice
There are lots of Medicare plans available, with different levels of coverage. You'll need to choose based on your health needs.
What do people choose?
3. Amount employer subsidizes
If an employer has been carrying part of the weight of your health care costs, the loss of those subsidies can make your retiree health insurance costs feel much higher.
–$5,300
Amount of subsidies lost at retirement, on average**
4. Retirement age
If you retire before age 65, you'll need to cover your own health insurance until Medicare kicks in.
How your median costs could change when you reach 65
5. Location
Depending on where you retire, you'll pay higher or lower than the average cost of health care.
Annual premiums for a Medigap plan†
6. Income in retirement
If you have a lot of money coming in, you'll pay higher premiums for Medicare.
$170,000
in combined earnings annually
A married couple whose income is higher than this will pay additional amounts for Medicare††
$170,000
in combined earnings annually
A married couple whose income is higher than this will pay additional amounts for Medicare††
Things to remember
Your own costs will vary
Your expected health care costs will be different than anyone else's. You'll need to take into account the factors above to get an accurate assessment.
Consider health care options before you retire
Your total retirement spending might be higher than planned once you accurately account for the cost of health care in retirement—especially if your employer has been generously subsidizing your preretirement costs.
As health costs rise, others come down
For most people, increased costs on health care later in life will be somewhat offset by reduced spending on other categories.
Make health care spending part of your budget
You'll find it much more useful to think about health care spending as an annual part of your budget, as opposed to a huge lifetime lump sum.
Long-term care costs are different
You might not need to pay for long-term care at all, but if you do, it can be really expensive. Your retirement plan should separately address the potential for long-term care costs.
FIND OUT WHAT YOU MIGHT SPEND ON HEALTH CARE
When it comes to retirement planning, knowing the "average" only gets you so far. We can help! As part of our advice service, you'll receive a retirement plan that includes a personalized health care estimate for every year you're in retirement, taking into account your health status, coverage choices, retirement location, and more.
Where does retirement fit into your priorities?
Vanguard research
Get more from Vanguard. Call 1-855-850-6972 to speak with an investment professional.
*For a 65-year-old woman in 2018.
**Average amount spent per worker for employee-only coverage, among employers who offer health care benefits.
***Silver plan.
†Plan F.
††Source: medicare.gov.
Unless otherwise noted, figures are sourced using the Mercer-Vanguard health care cost model, 2018. For more information on the data, see Planning for health care costs in retirement (PDF)
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