In a 2025 survey, only 41% of all workers had calculated how much money they would need to pay for medical expenses in retirement. Being aware of potential healthcare costs during retirement may allow you to understand what you can pay for and what you can’t.1
Health-Care Breakdown
A retired household faces four types of healthcare expenses.
1. The premiums for Medicare Part B (which covers physician and outpatient services) and Part D (which covers drug-related expenses). Typically, Part B and Part D are taken out of a person’s Social Security check before it is mailed, so the premium cost is often overlooked by retirement-minded individuals.
2. Copayments related to Medicare-covered services that are not paid by Medicare Supplement Insurance plans (also known as “Medigap”) or other health insurance.
3. Costs associated with dental care, eyeglasses, and hearing aids – which are typically not covered by Medicare or other insurance programs.
4. There is always the possibility of needing long-term or assisted living care. Those can be $10,000 per month or more and neither Medicare nor Medigap insurance will pay for those costs.
It All Adds Up
According to one study, the average total cost to cover healthcare expenses in retirement for a 65-year-old is $165,000.2
Should you expect to pay this amount? Possibly. Seeing the results of one study may help you make some critical decisions when creating a strategy for retirement. Without a solid approach, healthcare expenses may add up quickly and alter your retirement spending.
Prepared for the Future?
Workers were asked how much they have saved and invested for retirement – excluding their residence and defined benefit plans.
1. EBRI.org, 2025
2. Investopedia.com, June 11, 2025