When you save money for retirement, chances are good that you’ll be thinking about how to cover the costs of housing, healthcare, food, travel, and other necessities and indulgences.
Unfortunately, there’s a huge expense you could be faced with that you might easily forget – especially if you’re young and healthy. The problem is, if you don’t take it into account and plan for it, you could drain your savings and end up damaging your spouse’s finances or be unable to leave a legacy for loved ones. You don’t want to find yourself in this difficult situation, so it’s best to begin preparing as early as possible.
One of the biggest expenses retirees will likely face is often overlooked. That expense is long-term care costs. According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the national average cost of a semi-private room in a nursing home is $94,900, while a private room is even more at $108,405 per year. Sadly, the cost of care is only going up each year. If you are a long way from retirement, it’s very likely that nursing homes will end up with an even higher price tag by the time you’re in need of their services.