How Much Seniors Spend on Health Care in the US
Retirees in the US spend thousands of dollars a year on medical expenses. Here we show you some of the costs that most affect your pocket
Although many workers want to retire with the idea of resting, believing that they will no longer have large expenses to cover, that is not always the case. Although many older people have already stopped paying certain expenses or reduced daily activities, there is one area that continues to grow over the years: medical care. Between insurance, medications and consultations, older adults in the United States allocate a significant portion of their income to taking care of their health.
Federal BLS data on consumer spending for 2024 show that households headed by people age 65 and older spent an average of $7,799 a year on health care. That figure represents 12.7% of all their annual expenses, which are around $61,432 per household.
To better understand the impact, just compare these numbers with the national average. All American households, regardless of age, spend about $6,197 a year on health. That is, retirees spend much more money on medical care than the rest of the population.
Health care became the fourth largest spending category for older adults. Housing and transportation alone account for a higher percentage of their annual expenses. Even the money spent on food is very similar; Retirees spend about $7,940 a year on food.
One of the biggest blows to the pocketbook is related to health insurance. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), senior households spend an average of $5,107 per year on health insurance, which is equivalent to about $426 per month.
This expense includes different types of medical coverage. The BLS explains that this includes traditional fee-for-service plans, health maintenance organizations known as HMOs, as well as Medicare supplement plans.
Although many people believe that Medicare covers all medical expenses after retirement, the reality is different. There are services, treatments and medications that require additional payments, something that ends up increasing the economic pressure for thousands of older adults.
Another important expense is medical services. Nursing homes spend approximately $1,449 a year on this type of care. That category includes doctor visits, hospitalizations, laboratory tests, x-rays, dental and vision care, as well as care in retirement homes or nursing facilities.
Medications also represent a constant burden for many retirees. On average, older adults spend $898 a year on medications. Both prescription medications and non-prescription products and vitamins are considered there.
This expense usually increases with age, since many people need permanent treatments to control diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure or heart problems. Added to this is the cost of specialized medications, which in some cases can be quite high.
On the other hand, medical supplies are also part of normal expenses. Households headed by seniors spend about $344 annually on items such as bandages, crutches, canes, walkers, hearing aids, glasses, and repair or rental of medical equipment.
All these numbers help to better understand the reality of many retirees, especially the reasons why they feel financial pressure after retirement. For many older adults, the main challenge is not only covering basic expenses such as housing or food, but maintaining access to medical care without affecting their savings too much.