Where Medicare Falls Short

Get wise about maintaining your health – and wealth – in retirement. Medicare provides a lot of coverage, but it doesn’t cover everything.

You may have a clear vision of your ideal retirement, but that dream could be challenged by unexpected healthcare costs. Even with Medicare, quality healthcare can come with a hefty price tag. There are still premiums, copayments, deductibles and other out-of-pocket expenses that must be accounted for.

To better estimate and plan for your future medical costs, take a look at what Medicare may not cover.

Hearing and vision

Hearing aids can range from $900 to more than $6,000 each, depending on the technology. They also need to be replaced every five years or so and require maintenance and batteries. Medicare covers hearing tests when medically necessary (think vertigo or injury), but otherwise you’re on your own. A typical hearing test can cost up to $250 without insurance; it’s about the same cost for a hearing aid fitting or consultation, too.

Traditional Medicare also doesn’t usually cover the cost of glasses, contact lenses, or eye exams, though there are some exceptions for those who have had cataract surgery.

Dental care

Routine dental care, including dentures, is not covered by Medicare or supplemental health insurance. The American Dental Association estimated that the average cost of two exams and cleanings and a set of X-rays is about $288. It’s estimated that an average retired couple will spend $18,590 out of pocket for dental services without additional insurance.

Mental health

Many retirees struggle with finding a sense of purpose when they transition into retirement, and this can lead to anxiety, stress or depression. Unfortunately, Medicare may not provide enough support. Part B allows for an annual health screening and therapy should you receive an official diagnosis. Medicare covers 80% of the cost after you meet your deductible; you’ll be responsible for the other 20%, which can range from $50 to $250 an hour with an approved provider.

Coverage abroad

Like to travel overseas? You might be under-covered. Traditional Medicare generally does not provide coverage for hospital or medical costs outside the United States. Residents of Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands are covered, and in some cases, inpatient hospital services in Canada or Mexico may also be covered.

If your wanderlust takes you further abroad, consider short-term travel insurance or a Medigap policy that covers foreign emergencies, such as plans C through J. Just be aware that the coverage applies for a limited time and doesn’t cover all expenses. A deductible and lifetime maximum apply.

Long-term care

Medicare, for the most part, doesn’t cover long-term or custodial care for help with everyday tasks like dressing or bathing. However, some 70% of us will need some form of long-term care either in a specialized facility or at home. The median cost of nursing home care in 2020 was $93,075 – even higher for a private room – according to the Genworth Cost of Care survey, and the median cost of a home health aide was $150 a day. Long-term care insurance can help you manage this risk by covering a range of nursing, social and rehabilitative services for people who need ongoing assistance due to a chronic illness or disability. Talk to your advisor about when it makes sense to invest in a policy, what coverage you might need for skilled, intermediate and custodial care, and whether it makes sense to pay your LTC premiums from a health savings account (HSA). Of course, supplemental insurance might help in many cases, but even that comes at a cost, and the premiums are subject to inflation over time.

Covering your bases

You have several options when it comes to planning for the expenses mentioned above. A broad approach may be allocating a lump sum of money to cover the average lifetime healthcare costs. However, not everyone is able to set aside hundreds of thousands of dollars to fund future healthcare needs. Even if you can, it may take away from your general retirement savings, leaving you with a smaller pool of assets to fund the lifestyle you’ve worked so hard for.

It may be more practical to estimate your and your spouse’s projected health needs based on your family history and state of health. You and your advisor can start with a baseline for a person your age and adjust from there depending on how conservative you wish to be. Keep in mind, the longer you expect to live, the higher your costs could be, so you may want to use more aggressive numbers in your estimations.

You may also consider a hybrid approach, estimating costs, buying enough insurance to cover most of your anticipated needs and then setting aside a smaller cash reserve for the unexpected.

It may be advantageous to use a health savings account (HSA) while you can. HSAs are associated with high-deductible health insurance plans, and the money saved within them can be used for many of the costs outlined above as well as other qualifying health expenses. Distributions for qualified medical expenses are also tax-exempt. You can’t contribute once enrolled in Medicare, even if you’re still working – but you can use any HSA funds you already have and roll over unused amounts.

Think through, too, how life insurance could play a role. Most permanent life insurance policies allow partial withdrawals or loans for healthcare expenses. The caveat here is that any unpaid loan amounts will reduce the future benefit to your heirs.

If you’re still working, you may be covered by an employer-sponsored plan, but you’ll need to determine how your benefits work with Medicare and what your spouse may be entitled to. Some previous employers also extend insurance benefits to retirees.

To your health

It pays to understand what you can and can’t expect from Medicare so that unexpected medical expenses don’t eat into your retirement savings. Rely on your financial advisor to help clarify issues, add in contingency plans to your retirement income strategy and point you toward helpful resources.

Sources: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; medicare.gov; aarp.com; time.com/money; kiplinger.com; "How Much Does Therapy or Counseling Cost?" Depression RSS2, March 29, 2016; costhelper.com

These policies have exclusions and/or limitations. The cost and availability of Long Term Care insurance depend on factors such as age, health, and the type and amount of insurance purchased. As with most financial decisions, there are expenses associated with the purchase of Long Term Care insurance. Guarantees are based on the claims paying ability of the insurance company.

Links are being provided for information purposes only. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse, authorize or sponsor any of the listed websites or their respective sponsors. Raymond James is not responsible for the content of any website or the collection or use of information regarding any website’s users and/or members. Raymond James does not provide tax or legal services. Please discuss these matters with the appropriate professional.

Social Security Increases Benefits by 5.9% for 2022

More than 64 million Americans will see the increase in their payments beginning in January.

The Social Security Administration has announced a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to recipients’ monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. More than 64 million Americans will see the 5.9% increase in their payments beginning in January of 2022.

The increase – significantly higher than last year’s 1.3% adjustment – is tied to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers and was put in place to ensure the purchasing power of these benefits isn’t eroded by inflation.

According to the Social Security Administration, on average, retired workers currently collect $1,565 per month in Social Security payments, or roughly $18,780 per year. The 5.9% COLA will add about $92 per month to those payments, or $1,104 for the year.

Keep in mind, all federal benefits must be direct deposited. So if you haven’t already started receiving benefits, you need to establish electronic transfers to your bank or financial institution. Contact your financial advisor for more information.

Source: Social Security Administration

Links are being provided for information purposes only. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse, authorize or sponsor any of the listed websites or their respective sponsors. Raymond James is not responsible for the content of any website or the collection or use of information regarding any website’s users and/or members. Raymond James does not provide tax or legal services. Please discuss these matters with the appropriate professional.

– Evan Shear, CFP® and W. Dale Crossley, Jr., JD, CWS®, CrossleyShear Wealth Management

When you're investing in the stock market, a variety of factors affect where and how you choose to invest your money. Current and projected interest rates are at the top of that list. With continued headlines about rising inflation, many investors have concerns about the potential for rising interest rates in the future. When interest rates increase, they can have a significant impact on the stock market, the economy, and your own investments.

How Rising Interest Rates Affect the Stock Market

When interest rates increase, it can be tempting to make changes to your investments based on your emotions. While it's true that the stock market is often negatively affected by interest rates in the short term, there is still potential for long-term growth in your investments. Before making a decision, we always advise our clients to take a step back and consider how our proprietary investment process, Voyage, considers factors such as interest rate fluctuations in your long-term financial plan.

When interest rates and the 10-year Treasury yield increase, stock prices can shift downward, prompting many investors to sell before prices tank. Stocks that were popular for short-term investments tend to suffer, and popular investments from the prior period may take a hit. However, the interest rate isn't the only factor that affects stock prices. Investors also consider the long-term interest fluctuations, employment numbers, corporate earnings, and larger fiscal policies such as taxes and the federal budget.

How Higher Interest Affects Economic Growth

The Federal Reserve and Treasury Department work together to create a stable economic environment, particularly in times of economic difficulty. In the long term, the stock market has proven resilient, even in the face of extreme economic downturns like the "Great Recession" of 2008 or the more recent COVID-19 pandemic.

Part of that resilience comes from the Federal Reserve's control over interest rates and other market operations. When the Federal Reserve increases interest rates, it helps to slow economic growth and prevent excessive inflation. In this way, higher interest rates help stabilize the economy and keep prices for goods and services within an affordable range for consumers.

On the other hand, rising interest rates can reduce consumer spending by increasing borrowing costs for both consumers and businesses. Higher borrowing costs can result in less consumer spending, which in turn reduces corporate earnings. For that reason, stock prices tend to fall when interest rates increase.

Therefore, for the Fed, the key is to raise interest rates enough to curb inflation while keeping them low enough to avoid harming consumer spending and business growth. This allows businesses to continue reporting consistent earnings, which encourages stock prices to rise.

What Rising Interest Rates Mean for Your Stock Portfolio

When interest rates increase, stock investors start to look at long-term investments such as bonds and certificates of deposit, where rising interest rates will create a higher yield on investment. Volatility in the stock market tends to send investors in the direction of safer, fixed-income options.

It is important to note that not all stocks will perform poorly when interest rates rise. Utilities, healthcare, and household goods are all defensive investments that can yield returns even during an economic downturn. Investors will often turn to these investments and pull out of more risky sectors until interest rates stabilize again.

Finally, rising interest rates can present you with buying opportunities when demand for equities falls. Falling demand can reduce stock prices for equities, and since the housing market rebounds strongly after downturns, equity investment can be a lucrative option.

Plan for Your Future with CrossleyShear Wealth Management 

In short, while rising interest rates do affect your stock investments, there are a number of ways to turn these shifts to your advantage. Our team, together with our proprietary investment process, Voyage, thoughtfully manages your short- and long-term investments, particularly in times of volatility. Contact us to learn more or schedule a checkpoint meeting. Schedule an appointment today.

Any opinions are those of Evan Shear and Dale Crossley and not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James. The information contained in this report does not purport to be a complete description of the securities, markets, or developments referred toin this material. There is no assurance any of the trends mentioned will continue or forecasts will occur. Any information is not a complete summary or statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision and does not constitute a recommendation. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected including asset allocation and diversification. Sector investments are companies engaged in business related to a specific sector. They are subject to fierce competition and their products and services may be subject to rapid obsolescence. There are additional risks associated with investing in an individual sector, including limited diversification.

Any opinions are those of the author and not necessarily those of Raymond James. Expressions of opinion are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee that these statements, opinions or forecasts provided herein will prove to be correct. Any information is not a complete summary or statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision and does not constitute a recommendation. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Prepared by Muse Marketing + Creative for use by Financial Advisors.

*Trust services offered through Raymond James Trust, N.A., a subsidiary of Raymond James Financial, Inc. CrossleyShear Wealth Management and CSsports are not registered broker dealers and are independent of Raymond James Financial Services. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC.

Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Securities are offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. CrossleyShear Wealth Management is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services.

HEATHROW/MERRITT ISLAND, FLORIDA, September 29, 2021 – CrossleyShear Wealth Management (CrossleyShear), a team of premier financial planning and wealth management advisors, announced today that the practice and co-founders Evan Shear and Dale Crossley have been featured in Aspioneer Magazine’s Leading Asset and Wealth Management Companies edition. Aspioneer Magazine is a publication that covers a broad range of topics in a vast number of sectors, including the economy, environment and business. The magazine frequently showcases industry leaders who have demonstrated exceptional success growing their business through unwavering knowledge and expertise and a commitment to customer-centric culture. Crossley and Shear were interviewed as part of a feature story that appears in their September edition.

“We’re proud of the entire CrossleyShear Wealth Management team for this acknowledgement,” stated Evan Shear, Co-Founder and Branch Manager of CrossleyShear Wealth Management, and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. “Our team is passionately focused on providing the very best in financial planning expertise, coupled with the utmost in client-centric care. The feature article simply validates the hard work and commitment our team delivers on a daily basis to our clients.” W. Dale Crossley, Jr., JD, CWS®, Co-Founder of CrossleyShear Wealth Management, Branch Manager and Financial Planner – RJFS adds, “At the very core of our mission is helping our clients through the ups and downs in life with a sense of confidence. Each and every one of our team members contributes to that vital effort. We understand the important role we play in our client’s lives and helping them achieve their financial goals. It’s a role we embrace each and every day.”

To view the article and feature story, visit https://aspioneer.com/crossleyshear-wealth-management-helping-clients-achieve-their-financial-goals-no-matter-where-life-takes-them/. You can also learn more about CrossleyShear Wealth Management and the team’s financial planning and wealth management solutions by visiting CrossleyShear.com. For more information about CSsports and the team’s professional athlete services, visit CSsports.net.

About CrossleyShear Wealth Management | Since 1998, CrossleyShear Wealth Management has served as a premier financial planning team dedicated to helping provide clients and families with innovative financial solutions and wealth management strategies. With offices in Heathrow and Merritt Island, Florida, their tailored customer care philosophy and customized planning process helps empower its clients to achieve their financial goals and financial independence. The company’s CSsports division exclusively serves the unique needs of professional athletes – before, during and after their sports career – providing customized solutions ranging from everyday spending advice and retirement planning to managing investments, insurance and business planning. For more information about CrossleyShear Wealth Management and CSsports, visit CrossleyShear.com.

1515 International Parkway, Suite 2019, Heathrow, FL 32746 | 407.215.7575

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*Trust services offered through Raymond James Trust, N.A., a subsidiary of Raymond James Financial, Inc. CrossleyShear Wealth Management and CSsports are not registered broker dealers and are independent of Raymond James Financial Services. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC.

Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

From the Desk of Dale Crossley and Evan Shear

We hope that you and your loved ones are staying well. For this edition of The Journey, you’ll find some timely articles on Medicare open enrollment and 529 Plans. We’ve also given our “From the Desk of Dale and Evan” a new title – “Déjà vu All Over Again.” In our last quarterly edition, we were essentially dealing with many of the same issues as we are now. Although the markets continue to do very well – and for that, we’re grateful – on the horizon, we have ongoing concerns about inflation and the potential for rising interest rates. The surge of cases due to the delta variant, not a concern last quarter, is the one new caveat. The surge may be starting to have a slowing effect on the economic recovery.

We’re continuing to see the greatest surge in U.S. inflation in 13 years, with most thought leaders affirming that it’s transitory and as supply chains are improving, inflation will settle down. While some sectors are meeting the demand for goods, others are experiencing shortages of labor and materials. At this point, we’re not sure how much of this might be caused by the delta variant surge and whether it has the potential to further affect the supply chain and, ultimately, the economy overall. 

With headlines continuing about the rise in inflation, concerns about the possibility of rising interest rates go hand-in-hand. There’s a delicate balance between keeping interest rates low, the Fed’s most powerful tool in helping the economy recover from the pandemic, and the need to keep inflation in check. However, the weak job reports from August, with lower than expected job creation, creates more complexity. The slowing may be due to several factors, including the summer season, but may also indicate that the delta variant is beginning to affect the economy. Nevertheless, in light of the slowing in the job market, experts believe the Feds will keep interest rates low and tolerate some inflation. For more detail, you can watch Raymond James’ Scott Brown, Chief Economist, brief but informative video here. 

We’re certainly hoping that the next quarterly issue will be “Déjà vu All Over Again” where market performance is concerned. As always, if you have questions or concerns, please reach out – that’s why we’re here.

We hope that you and your family continue to remain well. 

Take care,

Evan Shear                                                                                    W. Dale Crossley, Jr., JD, CWS®
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^TM                                  Financial Planner

Links are being provided for information purposes only. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse, authorize or sponsor any of the listed websites or their respective sponsors. Raymond James is not responsible for the content of any website or the collection or use of information regarding any website’s users and/or members. Raymond James does not provide tax or legal services. Please discuss these matters with the appropriate professional.

There is no guarantee that these statements, opinions or forecasts provided herein will prove to be correct. All opinions are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.