For many retirees, selling their home is one of the biggest financial windfalls they’ll see outside of work — especially if they’ve owned it for decades, given the rapid rise in home prices. According to the Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS) at Harvard University — which used data from the 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances — median home equity for homeowners age 65 and over was about $250,000 that year. (1) As a result, selling the family home could feel like cashing in a lottery ticket. Must Read ...

Key Points Some Medicare costs are going up -- which is no suprise. Some costs, though, including some prescription drug costs, are going down. Original Medicare is testing prior authorizations, too. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › According to the folks at Fidelity, a 65-year-old person who retired in 2025 could expect to spend $172,500, on average, on medical and healthcare expenses throughout their retirement. That doesn't even include long-term care, over ...

Core Insights - Healthcare costs, particularly hospital care, are significant expenses that need to be considered in retirement budgeting, especially for Medicare enrollees [1][2] Hospital Care Costs - The inpatient deductible for Medicare Part A increased from $1,676 in 2025 to $1,736 this year, indicating rising costs for hospital admissions [3] - The daily coinsurance rate for hospital stays from days 60 to 90 rose from $419 in 2025 to $434 this year, further adding to the financial burden [4] - For hospital stays exceeding 90 days, the daily rate for lifetime reserve days increased from $838 to $868 this year, highlighting the escalating costs associated with prolonged hospital care [4] Medigap Coverage - Medigap is supplemental insurance that can help cover out-of-pocket expenses for Medicare enrollees, including inpatient hospital deductibles and coinsurance [8] - The optimal time to purchase Medigap is during the initial enrollment window, which lasts six months starting from the month an individual turns 65 and enrolls in Medicare Part B, ensuring coverage for pre-existing conditions and access to the best plan rates [9]

Quick Read A 3.9% withdrawal rate yields $81,900 annually but dividend income only covers $73,500. Medicare Part B premiums rose to $202.90 monthly in 2026. Total healthcare costs could reach $8,000 to $12,000 annually. Working one additional year delays withdrawals and increases Social Security benefits by roughly 8% per year until age 70. A recent study identified one single habit that doubled Americans’ retirement savings and moved retirement from dream, to reality. Read more here. At 64 wit ...

Key Points Roth IRAs offer the benefit of tax-free investment gains and withdrawals. They also don't impose required minimum distributions. Housing your savings in a Roth IRA could also make your Medicare premiums cheaper during retirement. The $23,760 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook › There's a reason people are often willing to forgo the up-front tax break that comes with funding a traditional IRA and save for retirement in a Roth IRA instead. Roth IRAs offer the benefi ...

Core Insights - Retirement planning often encounters unexpected challenges that can financially impact retirees, as highlighted by Charles Schwab [1] - Being prepared for these surprises can help retirees maintain their financial stability during retirement [1] Hidden Housing Costs - Unexpected home repairs, such as needing a new roof or major plumbing work, are the most common financial surprises for retirees [3] - Experts recommend setting aside 1% to 2% of a home's current value annually for maintenance and repairs, and conducting thorough home inspections to identify potential issues [4] Uncovered Healthcare Costs - Healthcare is the largest expense retirees need to consider, with Medicare not covering all costs, including prescription drugs and certain types of care [6] - Retirees should budget between $450 and $850 monthly for healthcare expenses, including insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs [8] - Options for managing healthcare costs include adding Medicare Part D for prescriptions, private Medigap insurance, or Medicare Advantage plans that offer additional coverage [7][8]

Core Insights - The U.S. healthcare system, particularly Medicare, is complex and often difficult for retirees and soon-to-be retirees to navigate [1] - Personal finance expert Dave Ramsey provides insights on Medicare that may be beneficial for current and prospective enrollees [2] Medicare Basics - U.S. workers typically become eligible for Medicare at age 65, with those having qualifying disabilities able to enroll earlier [3] Coverage - Original Medicare (Parts A and B) covers various services including doctors' visits, inpatient hospital care, and preventive services, but excludes long-term care, routine physicals, and dentures [4] - Medicare Part D covers prescription medications but has its own limitations; additional coverage can be obtained through Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) or Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) [5] Enrollment and Costs - Enrollment in Medicare is not mandatory, but most individuals eventually enroll; Part A generally has no premium, while Part B has an average premium of $175.70 per month in 2024, with annual deductibles of $1,676 for Part A and $257 for Part B in 2025 [6] - Part D renews automatically, but it incurs additional costs; Medigap and Part C require manual re-enrollment each year [7] Complexity of the Program - The complexity of Medicare is attributed to its government origins and the extensive information required to understand both Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans, which have provider network limitations [8]

Financial Performance - Q3 2025 total revenue was $53.9 million, a decrease of 8% year-over-year (YoY)[7] - Q3 2025 GAAP net loss improved to $31.7 million, compared to a $42.5 million loss a year ago[7] - Q3 2025 adjusted EBITDA was $(34.0) million, compared to $(34.8) million a year ago[7] - Q3 2025 operating cash flow was $(25.3) million, compared to $(29.3) million a year ago[7] - As of September 30, 2025, cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities totaled $75.3 million, and commissions receivable balance was $907.7 million[7] Medicare Segment - Medicare segment revenue declined 6% YoY to $49.9 million, primarily due to lower enrollments[14, 16] - Medicare submissions decreased by 36% YoY, from 55,518 to 40,921[16] - Total acquisition cost per MA-equivalent approved member increased 19% YoY, from $1,256 to $1,489[15, 16] - Medicare segment gross loss improved from $(5.6) million to $(1.2) million[16] Guidance - The company updated its FY 2025 adjusted EBITDA guidance range to $60 million - $80 million and GAAP Net Income to $9 million - $30 million[21] - The updated guidance includes an estimate for positive net adjustment revenue in the range of $40 million to $43 million, compared to the prior range of $29 million to $32 million[20]

Core Insights - Medicare premiums for Parts B and D can increase based on household income, specifically through the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) [6][20] - The IRMAA is applied annually and is determined by a two-year lookback period of income [10][14] Medicare Parts Overview - Medicare Part A covers hospital treatment and most people do not pay a premium for it, unless based on work history [4] - Medicare Part B covers outpatient treatment and has a base premium of $185 per month starting in 2025, which is adjusted based on income [2][8] - Medicare Part C is a public/private partnership that allows Medicare coverage to help pay for private insurance, typically requiring monthly premiums [3] - Medicare Part D primarily covers prescription medicine and also has a premium that varies by plan and can be adjusted based on income [1][9] IRMAA Details - For 2025, Part B IRMAAs start at incomes above $106,000 for individuals and $212,000 for joint filers, with premiums increasing to as high as $628.90 for incomes above $500,000 [8] - Part D IRMAAs also begin at the same income thresholds, with additional monthly charges ranging from $12.90 to $81 depending on income levels [9] Income Considerations - Medicare premium adjustments are based on Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI), which includes adjusted gross income plus tax-exempt interest [7] - Withdrawals from retirement accounts can affect future Medicare premiums, but the impact is not immediate due to the two-year lookback rule [15][18] - Managing income and withdrawals can help mitigate premium increases in subsequent years [19]

Core Insights - Medicare consists of four main parts: A, B, C, and D, each covering different services and having distinct cost structures [4][10][27] - Premiums for Medicare programs can vary based on income, with a system called Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) determining the costs [2][15][27] - A Roth conversion can significantly impact Medicare premiums due to the increase in taxable income, leading to higher costs for at least a short period [5][24][27] Summary by Category Medicare Parts and Premiums - Medicare Part A is generally free for most Americans who have paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years, but it does have deductibles and copayments [1] - Medicare Part B has a standard premium of $185 per month, which is income-adjusted, meaning higher incomes lead to higher premiums [7][8] - Medicare Part C, or Medicare Advantage, does not have a fixed premium schedule and is based on private health insurance plans that bundle Parts A and B [8][9] - Medicare Part D has variable premiums that can increase based on income, and enrollment is not mandatory to receive coverage from other parts of Medicare [10][11] Income and Premium Adjustments - Medicare premiums are based on modified adjusted gross income (MAGI), which includes taxable income and certain tax-exempt income [15][17] - The premium structure operates on a two-year lookback, meaning current premiums are based on income from two years prior [16][17] - A sudden increase in income, such as from a Roth conversion, can lead to a spike in premiums two years later [18][20] Roth Conversions and Their Effects - A Roth conversion can raise Medicare premiums temporarily due to the increase in taxable income, but future withdrawals from a Roth IRA do not count toward income, potentially lowering long-term costs [24][27] - For example, converting $500,000 from a 401(k) to a Roth IRA can lead to significant increases in Medicare costs during the conversion period, with an estimated additional cost of $21,174 over five years [26][27] - Financial advisors can assist in structuring Roth conversions to manage both taxes and Medicare costs effectively [5][30]