Journey/Pre-Retirement/Bridging the Healthcare Gap
Pre-Retirement · Ages 50–64 · 6 min

Bridging the Healthcare Gap

Medicare starts at 65. If you retire before that, healthcare is your largest expense — and your largest risk. One serious illness before Medicare can devastate a retirement plan.

Key Decisions at This Stage
→Plan for healthcare costs from retirement date to 65 (if retiring early).
→Decide between marketplace insurance, COBRA, or spouse coverage for the gap.
→Maximize HSA contributions while eligible — it's the best retirement health fund.
HSA triple advantage
Health Savings Accounts offer: (1) tax deduction on contributions, (2) tax-free growth, (3) tax-free withdrawals for healthcare. After 65, withdrawals for any purpose are taxed but not penalized — functionally a second IRA.
Medicare gap
The period between early retirement and Medicare eligibility at 65. Average cost: $700–$1,500/month per person in marketplace insurance. A critical gap in most retirement projections.
Medigap / Medicare Supplement
Private insurance that covers costs Medicare doesn't (copays, deductibles, foreign travel). Premiums vary by plan and age. Buying during initial enrollment avoids health underwriting.
1
Maximize HSA contributions every year you're eligible.
2
Get a marketplace insurance quote to understand the real cost of early retirement.
3
Research Medicare supplement options 2 years before turning 65.

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Connect with a licensed agent who can apply these concepts to your specific numbers.

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