New Research From EBRI: New Estimates Update Retiree Health Sav...( Woman: A woman with median (50t...),Health

Woman: A woman with median (50th percentile) drug expenditures would need current savings of $125,000 for a 50 percent chance of having enough money for retiree health expenses, or $221,000 for a 90 percent chance of having enough money. Again, the numbers are higher for women because of their greater longevity. At the 90th percentile level of drug spending, a woman would need $450,000 to have a 90 percent chance of having enough money to cover retiree health costs. (The comparable 2008 numbers were $108,000, $184,000, and $390,000.)

Married couple: A married couple, both with median (50 percentile) drug expenses would need current savings of $210,000 to have a 50 percent chance of having enough money for retirement health costs, or $338,000 for a 90 percent chance. For those with very high drug expenses (in the 90th percentile), couples would need $807,000 to have a 90 percent chance of having enough money. (The comparable 2008 numbers were $194,000, $305,000, and $635,000).

As high as these estimates are, the Notes says that many individuals will need even more money than the amounts projected because the analysis does not factor in the savings needed to cover long-term care expenses, nor does it account for the fact than many individuals retire early (before they become eligible for Medicare). Also, these estimates do not include savings needed to cover any basic costs of living, such as food, clothing or shelter.

The Notes also contains estimates for individuals who retire at 65 in 2019 (meaning those currently age 55). Estimates for 2008 appeared in the May 2008 EBRI Issue Brief, available at http://www.ebri.org/publications/ib/index.cfm?fa=ibDisp&conten
'/>"/>