Originally Posted by robin1234

But still saving hundreds or thousands a year, if I I don't need medical services that year. So the same high deductible calculation that folks make when they are of working age....

(Teaching grandmother to suck eggs...) ....

Originally Posted by robin1234

But I have a high deductible type Medicare Advantage plan - my total out of pocket could be $6,500 per annum. Assuming a life expectancy of twenty years in retirement, I assume that's where the scary sounding figure of "hundreds of thousands" comes in. Of course, it's not scary at all, so long as you've budgeted for it. But I can see how it's a bit of an alien thought for folks coming from the UK.

Originally Posted by egno

Hi All,

I have been reading the USA and Canada forums for a while now.

We (couple - no kids - late 30s) are interesting in relocating and are deciding between USA or Canada.

Qualifications and experience wise we have a number of years of software experience in good organisations and confident of a job offer in Canada or through L1 to the USA.

Thinking long term, it seems that in USA, health insurance is a big issue unless one plans to work until 65 years old and/or have employer coverage and constantly plan towards it. Some websites seem to say hundred of thousands of dollars even with Medicare for post retirement. I also saw the BE wiki mentioning the costs of health care.

In spite of having family there and liking the options it gives - variety of weather, big houses, travelling, etc. - health insurance seems like a blocker and one that is making us lean towards Canada.

How do you all see it? Just wondering if there is may be something i missed as it is a massive decision.

I would really appreciate any info on how you plan for it. Do you all expect to work until 65 and spend tens of thousands of dollars yearly on it? Is it not stressful as we seem to perceive it?

Originally Posted by Boiler

There was an article somewhere about a seriously teckie guy who retired from Apple at 56, some year later, bored and wanting to do something he applied for a job at the Genius Bar, this guy wrote the book, never heard anything.

Originally Posted by Hotscot

Yes, they made out that he was refused a Genius Bar job because of his age but it was more likely he was overqualified instead.

Originally Posted by Moses2013

I suppose it's always the question if you love to live or love to work and also depends on the location and your expectations. I suppose Americans accept Corporatocracy more than Europeans do and as long as you love and have the job that pays, it's all grand. Many people with software experience in the Bay Area love to work and they can't be bothered going back to their tiny bedsit, so even with a good job the big house is not always guaranteed these days (depending on location).

Originally Posted by Boiler

You can be over qualified to be a Genius?

Originally Posted by johnwoo

I'm not sure how Europeans differ from Americans, other than by going on benefits.

Originally Posted by Boiler

It is a moving target, we can only comment on the current situation, future will be different, and that is anybody's guess.

Originally Posted by Pulaski

I think the less reliant you are on the "insurance" and "government funding" elements of the US "healthcare system", the less difficult the future will be.