What about health insurance? What do you ladies do about that if you are now retired, but too young for Medicare, and working at home? My husband has been retired for a year now, but he doesn't turn 65 until March so he hasn't started collecting his SS yet. He has health insurance now, but that ends Dec. 31. I have my own at my job. Today, we had open enrollment and I had to switch to the family plan as opposed to individual as he will be without any Jan. 1. Even when he turns 65, Medicare A only pays for hospitalization. I know you need a supplemental one even if you have Med A & B so we might be better off to keep him on my plan. The problem is the cost. I knew our family plan was high (about $100/wk.) Many of our employees (single moms) can't afford it. But, it went up, as it always does. It is going to cost us $125 per week for coverage plus $22 per week for dental on the family plan.

I'm hoping to retire in a few years, or at least cut down my hours. I would probably be able to retire at 62 if it weren't for the health insurance. I'm wondering what others do. We're not the only ones in this boat.

Louisa

I know, that's why I brought this up. It is such a serious problem, nationwide. I can't just not go to doctors. I have a heart problem and take several meds. I don't mind the co-pays so much, but the insurance is so costly and I can't be without it. Neither can my husband, although he's pretty healthy. But, you never know what tomorrow brings.

In Massachusetts it is now a law that everyone has to have health insurance. That's a good thing, but.........they don't tell you how you are supposed to afford it. Companies have to offer it, but that doesn't mean they have to kick in enough to make it affordable for people. The last time I went to the ER, last spring, I was there over 4 hours and left at midnight, unseen. I gave up and went home. The reason for this is that many people have no insurance and are on Medicaid and they use the ER as their doctor. This defeats the purpose of the ER for people who have an emergency. Those who have insurance and are paying dearly for it have to sit there and wait or not be seen at all. It's a crazy system.

I'm just curious what other people are doing. I don't know Anne. With my luck, I'd probably injure myself chopping the wood and have to go to the ER.

Louisa

I have a friend Sandy whos husband is on Disability, heart problems so he has full coverage for everything. She however at age 54 has to work a full time job just for the insurance for her and their daughter....If you have a heart problem and a good doctor they can request disability for you and that means full coverage insurance. Talk to your doctor when ready to retire.

Retirement is not an option. I'd quite work in a heartbeat if I could afford insurance. Before I met the elevator and the spider I went to the doc 3 times a year to get my meds. This week I was there twice. Go figure!

We were with friends tonight who are both retired, but not old enough for SS yet. They are paying $21,000 a year for health insurance between the two of them. They may move to FL because insurance is cheaper there. And I thought our situation was disgusting.

I have cardiomyopathy and right now I'm doing fine. However, I am on meds. The meds are keeping me this way. I am fully capable of working and wouldn't want to be in a position to qualify for disability. I'd rather stay healthy.

Saundra, I just realized you are in FL. My friends are telling me that health insurance is so much cheaper if you live in FL. Not that I'm going to move, but I'm curious about that. Is it just a grass is greener thing, or what? As far as I can tell, it's bad all over the US.

Louisa, health and dental insurance continues to rise all over the country. Family plans can be unaffordable. I pay approx $75/month (individual plan - only me - w/meds included) through the company I work for and am extremely fortunate because that includes health and dental (I can't afford to quit).

I had Florida Health Care (only good in Florida so you can't travel) for years before this job and I cancelled because it became unaffordable at that time for me but still less expensive than what you're talking about. I didn't have near as many health problems so I could cancel without worry then. I think FHC is still a sliding scale depending on age, etc.

Some single people I know here have found decent Blue Cross/Blue Shield plans but I don't know what their coverage is. All plans have different coverage and meds might not be included. I save at least $8000/yr for medical/dental in my opinion with the insurance at work. I have good insurance but some others are better and more expensive. I have an HMO and would prefer a PPO but that's more expensive.

For instance, AARP has a new dental plan but only provides periodontal treatment/surgery every 5 years which is unacceptable for people like me. You have to read the small print to know what they're really offering so begin your research now.

Good luck, If you find something you're interested in in Florida, I can help investigate.

My firm has good insurance, yet the deductable has doubled this year and we now pay for short term insurance. Also, the co-pay has increased $10 per visit. Those w/ family usually opt for the cafeteria plan.

We don't have a cafeteria plan, MustangGal in my company. thanks for your input. I'm really interested in what everyone has to say. It's interested to hear from others.

Saundra, I'm not looking into Fl, my frieds are. They own a place there and are thinking of going from snowbirds to living there or living there most of the year. I have a Blue Cross plan, HMO. I have been paying around $117/month on an individual plan, just health not dental. It included meds, but with co-pays for meds and doctor visits. It is going up to about $138/month now. But, now I need to do the family plan since I have to add my husband on. The family plan is $125/wk. which amounts to $6,500/ yr. If I retire at 62 and he has Medicare A and whatever it takes, I will have to pay a lot for myself for 3 years. I sure can't afford to retire right now. I want to keep working for at least 2 and half years and then re-evaluate and in the meantime sock as much into my 401k as possible.

Thanks for your input, Saundra.

Louisa