Fidelity Puts Retiree Healthcare Costs at $200k

Fidelity Investments has just announced that a retired couple will need $200,000 over the course of their golden years to cover healthcare costs, not including long-term care in the case of a serious illness. The estimate assumes that the retirees are not covered by employer-sponsored healthcare but factors in Medicare Part B and D premiums, co-payments and premiums, as well as the out-of-pocket costs of prescription drugs.

Since Fidelity's initial estimate of $160,000 in 2002, healthcare for retirees has risen 5.8% a year.

"Today, healthcare costs have the potential to significantly erode an individual's retirement savings," said Brad Kimler, senior vice president of Fidelity Employer Services Co. "Knowing that these costs are only going to continue to increase, all Americans, even those as far at 20 years away from retirement, should be calculating and factoring lifelong healthcare expenses into their overall financial planning."