Health Care & Your Retirement: Key Takeaways from Our Live Webinar

At Towerpoint Wealth, we know that planning for retirement goes beyond just saving money—it’s about ensuring you have the full financial security and confidence to enjoy your golden years. One of the biggest concerns that pre- and current retirees face are health care costs. How much will health care, and health insurance, really cost? What happens if you retire before Medicare kicks in? How do you avoid costly mistakes and missteps?

To help answer these critical questions, we recently hosted a live webinar featuring Joseph Eschleman, CIMA®, President of Towerpoint Wealth, and Julia Fuentes, Financial Planning & Coaching Strategist at Vanguard. If you missed the event, we’ve got you covered—you can now watch the full recording below.

What We Covered in the Webinar

During this comprehensive workshop, we tackled the most pressing concerns about health care both before and during retirement, providing expert guidance to help you make informed decisions. Here’s a breakdown of what was discussed:

1. Bridging the Gap Before Medicare

If you plan to retire before age 65, you’ll need a strategy to cover health insurance costs before Medicare eligibility. We explored the best options available, including:

• Employer-sponsored retiree health plans
• COBRA coverage
• Marketplace health insurance plans
• Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and how they can bridge the gap

Many retirees underestimate the cost of pre-Medicare health care. Planning ahead is key to avoiding financial strain.

2. Understanding Medicare: Breaking Down Parts A, B, C, and D

Medicare is complex, and choosing the right coverage is crucial. We explained the different parts of Medicare:

• Part A (Hospital Insurance): Covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and some home health care
• Part B (Medical Insurance): Covers doctor visits, outpatient services, and preventive care
• Part C (Medicare Advantage Plans): An alternative to Original Medicare, offering additional benefits like vision, dental, and prescription drug coverage
• Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage): Helps cover the cost of medications

Many people assume Medicare covers everything, but understanding its limits and choosing the right plan is essential.

3. Managing Retirement Health Care Costs

Even with Medicare, out-of-pocket healthcare expenses can add up. We shared smart financial strategies to manage these costs effectively:

• How to use tax-efficient savings plans like HSAs and Roth IRAs
• The importance of Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)
• Strategies to minimize taxes on retirement withdrawals to keep more of your money

Health care expenses don’t have to derail your retirement plans—proper planning can help you stay in control.

4. How Income Affects Medicare Costs

Did you know that your income level can impact your Medicare premiums? Many retirees are caught off guard by Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts (IRMAA)—extra Medicare charges based on income. We covered:

• How your adjusted gross income (AGI) affects Medicare premiums
• Tax-efficient withdrawal strategies to keep income levels lower
• The benefits of Roth conversions and charitable giving for tax management

A proactive tax strategy can help you avoid unnecessary Medicare surcharges and maximize your retirement income.

5. Open Q&A: Answering Your Most Pressing Questions

During the live Q&A session, participants asked important questions about:

• The differences between Medicare Advantage and Medigap
• The best way to structure health care expenses in a retirement budget
• How to protect against unexpected medical costs

We always encourage proactive planning—asking the right questions today can help you make better decisions for tomorrow.

Watch the Full Webinar Now

If you missed our live session, you don’t have to miss out on the valuable information we shared. Click above to watch the full recording and take control of your retirement healthcare planning. 

Let Us Help You Plan for a Secure Retirement

At Towerpoint Wealth, our mission is simple: Helping you remove the hassle of properly coordinating all of your financial affairs, so you can live a happier life and enjoy retirement.

Planning for health care in retirement is just one piece of the puzzle. To ensure your overall wealth is protected, optimized, and working for you, we provide:

✔️ Personalized retirement planning strategies
✔️ Tax-efficient wealth management solutions
✔️ Expert guidance on Medicare and Social Security decisions

Schedule an initial 20-minute “Ask anything” consultation with our team today to start planning for a confident and stress-free retirement, or email us at info@towerpointwealth.com.

Don’t leave your retirement health care to chance—let’s build a strategy that protects your wealth and secures your future.