US Retirees Need Medicare Gap Plans

A planning estimate put average retirement health care spending for a 65-year-old retiring in 2026 at $185.5K, showing medical costs can extend well beyond Medicare.
Research found more than half of pre-retirees mistakenly expected Medicare to cover all retirement health expenses, even as premiums climbed faster than retirement benefit adjustments.
Original Medicare excluded routine dental, vision exams for glasses, hearing aids, and long-term custodial care, leaving retirees to plan for major uncovered needs.
Covered services still carried costs: Part B reached ~$203 monthly in 2026, plus a deductible, ~20% coinsurance, and added surcharges above income thresholds.
The guidance: review Medicare gaps early, compare Medigap options during the one-time enrollment window, and use health savings accounts to build reserves before eligibility.