How much will Health Care cost during retirement? How will Medicare impact my Social Security Benefit? How do I best prepare for health care costs prior to and during retirement? Health care is a prevalent topic in our nation, the political landscape and certainly in the financial services industry. Much of the attention is drawn to the Patient Protection & Affordable Act and its impact on health care coverage in the work place. It is equally important, however, to focus our attention on health care during retirement and the massive impact it can have on our financial plans. To provide a comprehensive and effective retirement income plan, one must understand critical components, including Medicare and custodial care. Health care expenditures will be the largest retirement cost most individuals will face. Choosing the most effective means of saving and investing will make a meaningful difference on the quality of your retirement years. Traditional approaches to financial planning should be modified in order to best prepare.