Plan now for the cost
of health care

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Discover the steps you can take today to prepare for your health care costs in retirement—even if that's 10 or 20 years away.

Don't let medical expenses eat into your progress

Unanticipated medical expenses can derail years of retirement preparation, but you can prepare for health costs that may arise unexpectedly:

If you have a medical condition that's likely to persist when you get older, get a better understanding of what your medications should cost so you can make a more informed comparison among available drug plans.
Add to your emergency fund to cover unexpected medical expenses.
Consider funding a health savings account (HSA) on your own or at work, if your employer offers one. If you have a high-deductible health plan (HDHP), an HSA can help you save for current medical expenses and healthcare costs in retirement. Qualified distributions will be federally and possibly state tax-free. Any unused balance carries over from one year to the next.Footnote ¹

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Take steps today to prepare for retirement health care costs

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Bank of America HSAs

Make sure you're insured

Faced with higher insurance premiums and age-related medical issues, people between the ages of 50 and 65 face the highest out-of-pocket healthcare costs of any age group. That's why it's never been more important to have health coverage:

Take advantage of your employer-sponsored health plan: If you can get coverage through your workplace, you'll likely pay lower premiums than if you buy your own policy.

Keep up your health insurance payments: Have your premium deducted from your paycheck or set up automatic payments.

Explore your options: If you need health coverage, see what plans are available through your state or the federal government through the Affordable Care Act.

Explore:

The Affordable Care Act's health care marketplace

Take Action:

Open a health savings account

The 50-65 age group faces
the highest out-of-pocket
healthcare costs

Develop a Social Security & retirement date strategy

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Footnote ¹ Neither Merrill nor any of its affiliates or financial advisors provide legal, tax or accounting advice. You should consult your legal and/or tax advisors before making any financial decisions.

This material should be regarded as general information on healthcare considerations and is not intended to provide specific healthcare advice. If you have questions regarding your particular situation, please contact your legal or tax advisor.

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