Retirees whatcha living on?..........

[Dave N]

Union benefit, right?

Union plant, not real sure if it was a benefit or not. Came in handy when I had to quit!

 

[Irrelevant]

Every time I read a thread like this I key into the health insurance costs. When are we collectively going to figure out a better way. It's the worst of all worlds, either go universal coverage or eliminate insurance and go pay to play. But spending tens of thousands on premiums only to either not hit your deductible or have your claim be denied is completely unsustainable

What's equally frustrating is that in WA you are FORCED to have health insurance. It was an effort to force companies into providing better benefits but really was just a gift to the insurance industry.

 

[longbow51]

Before or after @p_ham started posting pictures?

The major thing is to have no debt; mortgage paid off, good lasting vehicles. If you withdraw from a non-Roth account, you pay truck cost + tax burden unless you buy with after-tax savings.

And as others have said, eventually, RMD at 73.

And, frankly, if I had it to do again, I would put everything allowable in a Roth; yes they robbed us blind on taxes and 401K seemed good at the time, but it's not all that much better now.

Also, if you have capital gains it can get Medicare costs (the amount they subtract from your SS) up there with private insurance, and you still have to buy a supplement.

And when you reach 65, get Medicare Plan G; costs a little more, but the best coverage. After the initial enrollment period, you have to go through "underwriting" which means they can reject you for any health issue. In the initial enrollment period they have to accept you.