What happens when an unexpected health event threatens to derail years of careful retirement planning? In this episode of Finishing Well, Certified Financial Planner Hans Scheil and co-host Robby Dilmore explore one of the most important—and often overlooked—components of a successful retirement strategy: long-term care insurance.

Drawing from both personal experience and financial planning expertise, Robby shares how a serious automobile accident highlighted the critical need for having resources available when you can no longer care for yourself or a loved one. Hans then walks listeners through the real-life financial planning case of Tom and Susan, a retired couple preparing for the next phase of life and evaluating how long-term care coverage fits into their overall retirement plan.

You'll learn:

• Why long-term care can quickly unravel an otherwise solid retirement strategy
• How long-term care decisions affect spouses, children, and future generations
• The advantages of tax-free long-term care benefits
• Strategies for using IRA assets to fund long-term care protection
• How hybrid life insurance and long-term care policies work
• The growing importance of home health care benefits
• Ways to protect retirement assets while maintaining flexibility and legacy goals

Whether you're approaching retirement or helping aging parents navigate care decisions, this episode provides practical insights into creating a financial plan that protects both your assets and your family.

Tune in to discover how planning ahead today can provide peace of mind for tomorrow.

Turning 65 opens a new season of life—and with it comes some of the most important financial and healthcare decisions you'll ever make. In this episode of Finishing Well, Certified Financial Planner Hans Scheil and co-host Robbie Dilmore continue their Financial Plan Series by exploring Medicare, IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount), and how these choices fit into a comprehensive retirement strategy.

Hans walks through the key Medicare decisions every retiree faces, including the differences between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans, the importance of Medicare Supplement coverage, and why your initial enrollment period can create opportunities that may never come again. Using the real-life financial planning case of Tom and Susan, listeners will learn how Medicare decisions affect healthcare costs, retirement income planning, tax strategies, and long-term financial security.

The discussion also covers Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, common enrollment mistakes, and strategies for managing or potentially reducing costly IRMAA surcharges. Through personal experiences and practical examples, Hans and Robbie highlight how choosing the right Medicare coverage can protect both your health and your retirement savings.

Whether you're approaching age 65, already enrolled in Medicare, or helping a loved one navigate retirement healthcare decisions, this episode provides valuable insights to help you make informed choices and avoid costly mistakes.

Topics Covered:

• Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage
• Medicare Supplement (Plan G) coverage
• Open enrollment opportunities and deadlines
• Medicare Part D prescription drug plans
• Understanding IRMAA and Medicare premiums
• Healthcare planning as part of a complete retirement strategy
• Real-world retirement planning case study

Learn how thoughtful Medicare planning can help you finish well in retirement.

Hans and Robby are back again this week with a brand new episode! This week is part 2 of 8 in our retirement financial planning series, covering social security.

Don't forget to get your copy of "The Complete Cardinal Guide to Planning for and Living in Retirement" on Amazon or on CardinalGuide.com for free!

You can contact Hans and Cardinal by emailing hans@cardinalguide.com or calling 919-535-8261. Learn more at CardinalGuide.com. Find us on YouTube: Cardinal Advisors.