Pre retirement dental bills were my biggest medical expense every year. I was on a high deductible plans for many years, at $4,500 per person deductible and a family of four even routine dental is expensive. Now with a Medicare advantage plan I'm so very happy with all that's covered. I went yesterday for a cleaning and ex rays, no charge. I have an old filling needs replaced, will cost me nothing. I think I paid $250 for my crown last year, I use to pay around $1,400.Doing embarassingly good here folks. So much to be grateful for. Do wish they had decent dental insurance set up for us oldsters though...lol. Those crowns and root canals do add up!
@Teacher Terry I understand what you say about divorce and splitting assets as I went through the same. But I'd rather have only half of the assets than be married to that half-assed ex-husband of mineI have saved for retirement since young. Unfortunately when my second husband and I divorced after 22 years 3/4ths of the money was hidden. Then I remarried and we were together for 23 years. We divorced and my income and assets were split in half so definitely have less than I planned on. I was fine until inflation hit and then I cut everything possible to live on my monthly income and not use my savings. I am planning on one more trip to Europe and then done traveling. I will save my savings for true emergencies.
I initiated the divorce because he was a serial cheater and had went from being a loving person to critical and difficult to live with so my life is better in all ways except financially.@Teacher Terry I understand what you say about divorce and splitting assets as I went through the same. But I'd rather have only half of the assets than be married to that half-assed ex-husband of mine
Like you, I hope to explore parts of Europe again then I'll be done with international travel. Maybe I'll hit the road and explore more of the USA at that point.
I divorced at 48 and can say without hesitation I would never have been able to retire at 57 if I had remained married. I was married to a reckless spender and even though I always made good money we struggled trying to get ahead. I divorced and kept the kids with me, bought the house again, paid spousal support, kids expenses plus college, and still managed to get financially comfortable.@Teacher Terry I understand what you say about divorce and splitting assets as I went through the same. But I'd rather have only half of the assets than be married to that half-assed ex-husband of mine
My wife and I have always lived frugally, but never did without anything we needed and most things we really wanted. We always lived below our means. The only one who didn't buy into the program was Junior. He never agreed with my choices like -Those of you that married someone you were financially compatable with should count yourself blessed
The thread about living frugally is what really got me thinking about this subject. All those years of making smart financial decisions are so worth it when you can live comfortably in retirement. It doesn't mean you have to be a cheapskate, heck I've spent a lot of fun money in my life, but I always evaluated the value of what I spent money on. (and still do)
Who do you have your advantage plan with? Wondering if they do cove all hospital expenses like the standard medicare supplement does.Pre retirement dental bills were my biggest medical expense every year. I was on a high deductible plans for many years, at $4,500 per person deductible and a family of four even routine dental is expensive. Now with a Medicare advantage plan I'm so very happy with all that's covered. I went yesterday for a cleaning and ex rays, no charge. I have an old filling needs replaced, will cost me nothing. I think I paid $250 for my crown last year, I use to pay around $1,400.
It's such a relief to be at a point in life where every day isn't full of struggle and stress. Truly a blessing.
My plan is Anthem MediBlue Preferred. I pay an extra $42 a month for the dental/vision enhanced package. That also gives me other benefits like $300 a year for health related purchases, they even sent me a $500 debit card to use for any dental expenses not covered. Here's a coinsidence, the dental is thru a company called Liberty, sounds like a perfect match for you!Who do you have your advantage plan with? Wondering if they do cove all hospital expenses like the standard medicare supplement does.
Here in Canada the amount of our Government pensions is not affected by any private pensions we receive. If our annual total pension income is greater than a certain amount we do have to pay , but we are also allowed to use a number of legal tax deductions as we rent part of our house to tenants. All of the money we spend to operate as landlords is tax deductible, so it balances out. JimB.It depends on what my point of view day to day is on whether I'm doing OK financially or not. There are some days when I think that all of our good money management and saving has really paid off and some days - like when I look at what the stock market's doing - that my stomach just sinks.
We are living on my private pension. More than what SS would pay here in the U.S. but less than what I would like. Because I am getting a pension, my SS will be so small that I will not claim until age 70 which is in 7 years. In a year's time my hubby has two small pensions that will kick in, so will help out.
We are supplementing my pension with some 401k withdrawals and income from a rental property. We have had some unexpected expenses but they are covered by the 401k and rental income. Really, we are doing fine, it's just when I see what is happening to our investments in the stock market, it is really bothering me.
Thanks, but most advantage plans have an annual "out of pocket" hospital deductible, which was why i am asking if your's does or not - looks good if you don't ever have possible annual out of pocket hospital deductibles?:My plan is Anthem MediBlue Preferred. I pay an extra $42 a month for the dental/vision enhanced package. That also gives me other benefits like $300 a year for health related purchases, they even sent me a $500 debit card to use for any dental expenses not covered. Here's a coinsidence, the dental is thru a company called Liberty, sounds like a perfect match for you!
It depends which pension(s) you're receiving. There are 3 levels (CPP, OAS, and GIS), all based on different criteria, so it's kind of complicated.Here in Canada the amount of our Government pensions is not affected by any private pensions we receive.
Both my self and my Wife get CPP and OAS, plus 2 private pensions from previous employers. Me city of Toronto, her University of Toronto. Neither of us would qualify for, or need the GIS supplement. CPP because we both contributed to it ( me since 1965, her since 1969 ) and OAS as Canadian citizens. JimB .It depends which pension(s) you're receiving. There are 3 levels (CPP, OAS, and GIS), all based on different criteria, so it's kind of complicated.
Sorry, misunderstood. Yes my plan deductible is $3,400 max out of pocket per year. As for hospital specify deductible I'm honestly not sure if there is one or what it would be.Thanks, but most advantage plans have an annual "out of pocket" hospital deductible, which was why i am asking if your's does or not - looks good if you don't ever have possible annual out of pocket hospital deductibles?:
https://www.65incorporated.com/topics/out-pocket-medicare-costs/can-you-explain-out-pocket-limit/