Health Insurance after Retirement

I'ts going to be expensive. You have a 13 year gap prior to Medicare and your husband a 4 year gap. Check out the COBRA rate provisions for continuing your current coverage with your employer's insurance company. Many companies will alow you to become "laid off" rather than actually retire so you become eligible for many benefits, including this one. I believe the law says they have to provide coverage for a premium of 2% over the current rate (non-subsidized). Many retired people that I know work a part time job that may not pay much but allows you to purchase insurance through work. There are gap policies that have high deductibles and catasthropic provisions that are not as high cost but have little in the way of day to day benefits. I just suggest you really do your homework on this one. It was just a couple of years out from my retirement that my wife had a nearly $200,000. hospital stay. Was I glad I had coverage provided by my employer to fill the gap between my retirement and Medicare.