Healthcare Costs
Highlighting the Inadequacy of Social Security’s COLA
Much has been written about Social Security’s annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) process and its inability to keep pace with the cost patterns seniors face. The Senior Citizens League, for example, reports on its website that “Social Security benefits have lost…
Take control your healthcare costs in 2026
Health insurance premiums are rising, and 2026 is going to be a record high for millions of Americans. It does not matter if you get your health insurance through your employer, the federal government, or the ACA marketplace; premiums have…
Healthcare costs in retirement
The latest survey conducted by the Nationwide Retirement Institute found 73 percent of respondents list healthcare costs as one of their top concerns for retirement. Also, 71 percent of the respondents say they are terrified of how the expenses could…
The true cost of health care
Let’s face it, Medicare will not cover all your health care needs in retirement. Plus, there is a cost associated with it. Suze Orman, financial expert, says many Americans underestimate this critical cost in retirement. What is it? Moneywise outlines…
The future of Medicare Advantage extra benefits
In 2025, more than 54 percent, or 34.1 million seniors, are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. Many seniors choose a Medicare Advantage plan for the extra benefits that are not available with traditional Medicare. Those extras can include dental,…
The rising cost of health care for Medicare beneficiaries
The cost of health care for Medicare beneficiaries is rising. A recent analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 7 million Medicare beneficiaries spent more than 10 percent of their annual income on Medicare Part B premiums in 2024.…
Prevention is cheaper in the end
In 2023, the average retiree household incurs approximately $21,400 in annual healthcare costs, with many retirees facing costs of $43,500 or higher. While there is no crystal ball to predict exactly what you will spend on healthcare in retirement, there…
What does Medicare-approved amount mean?
Do you know the difference between what your provider bills Medicare and the amount paid by Medicare? It is called the Medicare-approved amount. The Medicare-approved amount is the total payment that Medicare has agreed to pay a health care provider…
How to lower healthcare costs
The cost of the U.S. healthcare system has ballooned to $4 trillion a year. Although the number of heart-related deaths remains the same, chronic heart disease has exploded. Insurance paid out $35 billion for weight-loss drugs, while it pays nothing…
Healthcare costs in retirement
The cost of healthcare can be challenging at any age; however, in retirement, potential healthcare needs and out-of-pocket costs could narrow your options when it comes time to pay the bills. The Jackson National Life Insurance company released a new…