Kirk Carver

Comments:

• LTC should probably be a sub-category, but a major one. It's the aspect that is most concerning since often it involves cognitive impairment and the solutions (LTC insurance) are mostly ineffective once you look at the details

  Post: What retirement expense scares you the most?

  Link to comment from August 13, 2024

• "We have incurred hundreds of thousands in health care costs, but our out of pocket costs have been limited..." So you haven't actually been exposed to the health care problem that most of Americans are subject to. However, you are still at risk of a long-term care situation. Have you considered that in your calculus?

  Post: What retirement expense scares you the most?

  Link to comment from August 13, 2024

• "The only thing worse than our health care system is everyone else’s." I worked in a worldwide industry. This wive's tale is minimally correct in some ways but not in others. Most first-world healthcare systems have a backstop that prevents bankruptcy, even though some of the "niceties" are sometimes, but not always, cumbersome (e.g., the old "he had to wait six months for a....") And there are many, many systems where drug costs are a fraction of ours... an expense that is chronic rather than episodic. I have expat colleagues from other countries who routinely travel back home for healthcare because the expense is so low compared to ours, including the cost of travel. "reasonably priced, market based, health care " Healthcare professionals and patients will all agree that removing the unnecessary middleman from the equation is the solution. That middleman being the insurance company.

  Post: What retirement expense scares you the most?

  Link to comment from August 13, 2024

• David, I had not heard of "Plan G" (I'm retired relatively young). I found this chart: https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/medigap/basics/compare-plan-benefits Is there a place that describes all these lettered plans in a nutshell? Kirk

  Post: What retirement expense scares you the most?

  Link to comment from August 13, 2024

• Your tune might change if you had direct experience with a friend or loved one who had dementia/Alzheimers. It is a nasty, nasty way to slowly die for everyone involved that can be eased if you have the extensive funds to crash the plane in a controlled manner.

  Post: What retirement expense scares you the most?

  Link to comment from August 13, 2024

• I have two friends, each of which have aged parents who have needed long-term care for activities of daily living for over 15 years. This is a huge drain on finances.

  Post: What retirement expense scares you the most?

  Link to comment from August 13, 2024

• R Quinn, I think I know where you are going with your comment, but can you elaborate?

  Post: What retirement expense scares you the most?

  Link to comment from August 13, 2024

• The number one concern of mine is healthcare. Insurance and costs are increasing at 3-5% above inflation. Worst thing about being an American is this uncertainty.

  Post: What retirement expense scares you the most?

  Link to comment from August 13, 2024