Retirement Healthcare and Medicare
Retirement expert Bob Carlson’s research and knowledge on how to get the most out of healthcare options
Found 315 Articles.
Get access to our full article archive by subscribing to Retirement Watch and Retirement Watch Spotlight Series.
Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage: Which is Right For You?
One of the most controversial aspects of Medicare is the ability to choose between original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Some of the controversy is ideological, because some people are philosophically inclined to either favor or oppose Advantage plans. But much of the controversy exists because the right choice depends a lot on individual circumstances and […]
Don’t Be Scared By Those Estimates of Retirement Medical Spending
The biggest financial worry of retirement happens to be among the most manageable and easiest to conquer. Surveys routinely show that Ameri-cans are most concerned about retirement medical expenses. Even high net worth individuals say they’re worried post-career medical care will deplete their assets. It’s no wonder. Every year we’re faced with fresh estimates of […]
An Answer To Today’s Long-Term Care Crisis
My favorite long-term care protection plan has been improved and has become attractive to more people than before. You have more options than ever to help pay for future long-term care, and these newer options are significantly more appealing and rewarding than traditional long-term care insurance. I’ve covered in the past the many troubles in […]
Bob’s Journal for 5/16/2019
The latest annual report from the Trustees of Medicare and Social Security sparked a lot of discussion, but many of the conclusions people made are wrong. Every year, the trustees of Social Security issue a report to Congress and the public on the financial status of the program and its trust funds. You can find […]
SUBSCRIBE TO RETIREMENT WATCH
What you don’t know about retirement can hurt you. In fact, just a few wrong decisions in your investments, taxes, or estate planning could completely derail your retirement plans. Worse yet, the rules of the game keep changing, making it harder to keep up. For these reasons, I’ve assembled all the key points – everything you need to know — into one comprehensive report. Click here today for free access.
Unveiling the Retirement Watch Family Caregiver Planning Guide
Family caregiver planning has some simple rules… And some not-so-simple rules. For starters, any caregiver agreements involving family members should be in writing. That is, unless the person providing the care is being altruistic (being a friend), and expects nothing in return now or in the future. Often when one family member provides care for […]
Warning: Your Children May Have To Pay for Your Long-Term Care
What’s the cost of not planning for your long-term care? Your estate or your children might be required to pay for it. Some little-used laws make this situation possible. Use of these laws increased the last few years, and they are likely to be used more in the future. Either the government or non-government providers of […]
Don’t Overpay For Medigap Coverage
Too many original Medicare beneficiaries pay much higher premiums than they should for Medicare Supplement, or Medigap, coverage. It’s important to have a plan to pay for the gaps in original Medicare coverage, as I discussed in last month’s issue. The best choice often is to buy a Medigap policy, which is a two-step process. […]
You Need to Get Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Right This Year
A key to successful retirement is having prescription drug coverage that’s right for you. The out-of-pocket difference between prescription drug plans can be tens of thousands of dollars, or more, over the course of one’s retirement. Medical expenses are a significant retirement cost that increases over time. Most post-middle-age Americans take more than one prescription […]
