Planning for retirement isn’t just about saving—it’s also about anticipating and preparing for rising healthcare expenses. Medicare enrollment, long-term care options, and Health Savings Account (HSA) strategies can play an important role in shaping a strong retirement plan. Whether you’re planning to retire soon or refining your financial strategy, proactive healthcare planning is a crucial part of protecting your future.

The Rising Cost of Healthcare in Retirement

Medical expenses typically increase with age, and retirees often experience rising premiums, prescription drug costs, and out-of-pocket expenses. According to recent estimates, a healthy couple retiring at age 65 in 2025 may need over $350,000 to cover healthcare expenses throughout retirement. Planning ahead for these costs can help protect your savings and reduce financial stress later in life.

Using Health Savings Accounts Before and During Retirement

A Health Savings Account (HSA) can be a valuable way to set aside money for future medical costs. If you are still working and enrolled in a high-deductible health plan, contributing to an HSA can offer three essential tax advantages: tax-deductible contributions, tax-free investment growth, and tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses.

Maximizing HSA contributions before retirement can provide a dedicated pool of funds specifically for healthcare costs. Even during retirement, you can continue using HSA savings to cover expenses like Medicare premiums, prescriptions, and other qualified costs, providing flexibility and tax efficiency.

Understanding Medicare Enrollment and Coverage Gaps

Timing your Medicare enrollment correctly is another crucial step in retirement healthcare planning. Missing key deadlines can result in costly penalties and gaps in coverage. Most individuals become eligible for Medicare at age 65, and it’s important to understand the different parts, such as:

• Medicare Part A covers hospital insurance and is usually premium-free
• Medicare Part B covers medical insurance and has a monthly premium
• Medicare Part C (Medicare Supplements or Advantage Plans) helps pay for costs not covered by Medicare parts A and B
• Medicare Part D covers prescription drugs and requires separate enrollment

In addition to standard Medicare coverage, retirees often need to consider supplemental insurance (Medigap) or Medicare Advantage Plans to bridge coverage gaps and manage out-of-pocket expenses. Planning early ensures that your healthcare needs are fully addressed without unexpected surprises.

Staying Proactive in Your Healthcare Strategy

Healthcare planning is not a one-time event — it’s an ongoing process that should evolve with your needs. Regularly reviewing your healthcare coverage, anticipating future costs, and evaluating new savings opportunities are important parts of maintaining your retirement lifestyle.

Whether you’re approaching retirement or already retired, a proactive healthcare strategy can strengthen your overall financial plan and protect your long-term security.

At BCA Private Wealth, we are committed to helping you plan for all aspects of retirement, including the rising cost of healthcare. If you would like to review your current healthcare strategy, explore options like HSAs, or ensure your Medicare planning is on track, we’re here to help.

Have a great weekend!

Golf Tip of The Week

Speed Starts Young: Why Distance Training Matters Early in Golf

Distance has become a defining factor in modern golf—and science shows that the earlier players build speed, the better. Our bodies naturally peak in muscle development during our teens and twenties, then decline after 30. That’s why coaches are now emphasizing speed training for younger athletes.

Take Luke Clanton, the world’s top-ranked amateur. Though just 155 pounds, he averages nearly 124 mph in clubhead speed—putting him among the fastest on the PGA Tour. His coach, Jeff Leishman, attributes that not only to power but to a smart training approach: measuring speed across multiple clubs, not just the driver.

Leishman trains Clanton using a 7-iron, 3-wood, and driver to maintain balance in his swing. Each club requires a different angle of attack, and focusing too much on driver speed alone can throw off a player’s iron play. By targeting specific speed goals with each club—like 100 mph with a 7-iron and 120+ mph with a driver—Clanton develops speed that’s both powerful and sustainable.

Ultimately, this approach isn’t just about hitting it farther—it’s about building a game that lasts. And that starts by developing speed the right way, as early as possible.

Golf Tip adapted from Golf Digest. Read the full article here: It’s a swing-wrecking speed mistake—how golf’s top amateur avoided it

Recipe Tip of The Week

Baked Lemon-Garlic Chicken

Ingredients

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

8 cloves garlic, minced

4 lemons, 1 zested and juiced, 1 juiced and 2 quartered

Kosher salt

One 3- to 4-pound chicken, cut into 8 pieces

Freshly ground black pepper

3 tablespoons dark brown sugar

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, diced small

1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth

1/4 cup dry white wine

2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Directions

1. In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, mustard, garlic powder, paprika, minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon of salt.
2. Place the chicken in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with a little salt, then pour the marinade over the chicken. Use your hands to coat the chicken well. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
3. Take the chicken out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 45–60 minutes. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
4. Sprinkle the chicken with more salt and some pepper. Turn the pieces to coat, then place them skin-side up. Add lemon quarters around the chicken. Sprinkle sugar on top and dot with butter. Pour the broth and wine into the dish.
5. Bake for 40–45 minutes, basting with the juices every 15 minutes, until the chicken reaches 165°F inside.
6. Turn on the broiler and cook the chicken for 2–3 minutes until the top is golden and slightly charred.
7. Spoon the pan juices over the chicken and sprinkle with fresh parsley.

Recipe Tip adapted from Food Network. Read the full article here: Lemon-Garlic Chicken

Travel Tip of The Week

New Nonstop Flights Make Aruba More Accessible Than Ever

Frontier’s Latest Route Offers a Budget-Friendly Escape to the Caribbean

Planning a tropical getaway just got a lot easier—and more affordable. Frontier Airlines has launched a new nonstop route from Atlanta to Aruba, with one-way fares starting at just $109. The service operates three times a week, making it more convenient for U.S. travelers to reach this Caribbean paradise.

This new route comes as Aruba continues to gain popularity, especially among North American tourists. In 2024, the island welcomed over 1.4 million overnight visitors, and satisfaction scores remained impressively high. Known for its crystal-clear waters and award-winning beaches like Eagle Beach, Aruba is a dream destination for sun-seekers.

The introductory fare must be booked by June 9 and is valid for travel through November 19, 2025. Frontier is also expanding its network with new routes from Atlanta to Oklahoma City and Kansas City, with fares starting at $79.

If Aruba’s on your bucket list, now’s the time to book a sunny escape without breaking the bank.

Travel Tip adapted from Travel & Leisure. Read the full article here: Frontier Has a New Route to a Gorgeous Caribbean Island—and Fares Start at $109

Copyright © 2025. BCA Private Wealth. All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is: 

BCA Private Wealth
15 Halton Green Way
Greenville, SC 29607

Disclosure:

BCA Private Wealth is a registered investment adviser. The advisory services of BCA Private Wealth are not made available in any jurisdiction in which BCA Private Wealth is not registered or is otherwise exempt from registration.

Please review BCA Private Wealth Disclosure Brochure for a complete explanation of fees. Investing involves risks. Investments are not guaranteed and may lose value.

This material is prepared by BCA Private Wealth for informational purposes only. It is not intended to serve as a substitute for personalized investment advice or as a recommendation or solicitation or any particular security, strategy, or investment product.

No representation is being made that any account will or is likely to achieve future profits or losses similar to those shown. You should not assume that investment decisions we make in the future will be profitable or equal the investment performance of the past. Past performance does not indicate future results.