Health care is the most critical issue for retirees says a survey, undertaken by the author, of 3,300 pre-retirees and retirees across all walks of life in the USA. Boomers aged from 50 to 68 treat health care in a different way from the generation preceding them. Boomers spend more time and money on health care and regard the doctor as a partner optimising their health. The survey finds retirement planning pays little attention to health care expenses yet it is retirees’ biggest financial worry. The article concludes by providing practical steps people can take to protect their health and wealth in retirement.

Although set in the US context, the steps everyone can take for a healthier and financially secure retirement also apply to New Zealanders, making the module relevant in the NZ context.