Episode 5 of 6
The Healthcare Bridge
Eric retires at 63 but Medicare does not start until 65. He models COBRA ($2,200/month for 18 months), ACA marketplace plans ($1,400/month), and Carol's employer coverage as a bridge. The cost differences are staggering.
Key Insight
Staying on Carol's employer plan until Eric turns 65 costs $420/month in spousal premiums. COBRA costs $2,200/month. ACA costs $1,400/month but subsidies reduce it to $890/month if Eric keeps MAGI below $60k via Roth conversions. The 2-year healthcare bridge cost ranges from $10k to $53k depending on the path.
Model This Scenario