Many people assume they have to keep working until age 65 because that's when Medicare begins. But Medicare eligibility and retirement are two different decisions. In this episode of Smart Wealth & Retirement, financial planners Jim Martin and Casey Bibb explain how to price the healthcare gap, the main coverage options before 65, and why healthcare may be a solvable bridge rather than a reason to postpone your retirement.

Jim and Casey discuss the common assumption that health insurance costs make early retirement impossible and walk through practical steps to evaluate your options. They break down pre-Medicare options such as spousal plans, COBRA, retiree coverage, and the ACA marketplace. They also detail how retirement withdrawals and Roth conversions can impact healthcare subsidies and IRMAA surcharges.

The goal isn't to automatically work until 65 out of fear. It's to price the actual healthcare bridge, integrate it into a comprehensive financial plan, and determine whether continuing to work is truly necessary.

01:06 — The Healthcare Trap: Rebecca & Todd's Story

02:08 — Medicare Eligibility vs. Retirement Date

03:48 — 4 Main Pre-65 Healthcare Coverage Options

05:00 — How to Build a Healthcare Bridge

05:25 — Evaluating Spousal Plans and COBRA Costs

06:23 — ACA Marketplace Subsidies and Income Planning

07:12 — 5 Key Healthcare Factors to Price Before Retiring

10:28 — How Pre-65 Healthcare Conflicts with Roth Conversions

12:38 — What to Do First If Healthcare is Holding You Back

13:53 — The #1 Healthcare Mistake Pre-Retirees Make

14:27 — Why "Going Cheap" on Healthcare Coverage Backfires

Want to understand how healthcare and Medicare fit into the rest of your retirement plan? Learn more about working with Jim Martin and Casey Bibb at martinwealth.com.