P&L Episode 93: Navigating Health Insurance Before (And After) 65 - with Jon Thurmond

This week on P&L, I'm joined by Jon Thurmond, a life and health insurance specialist at Axis Financial and a longtime partner in our planning process. This episode dives into why your health is actually a greater predictor of retirement success than your assets, and why waiting for a medical issue to arise is like "closing the barn door after the horses have gotten out." Jon shares his expert insights on navigating the complex "alphabet soup" of Medicare, the mid-50s "sweet spot" for long-term care insurance, and the various ways to bridge the health coverage gap if you retire before age 65. We also discuss the vital business side of insurance - explaining why an unfunded buy-sell agreement is just a piece of paper and how key person coverage can protect your company's future.

Tune in this week on P&L to learn how to proactively manage your health risks and ensure your financial plan survives the "what-ifs."

Learn more at axisfin.com or contact Jon at jon@axisfin.com.

"The greatest predictor of a successful retirement is health. It's more important than building the assets." — Rob Schulz

This week on Priorities & Lifestyle:

• The Health Hurdle: Why being "proactive" is the only way to avoid the rising costs of insurance stacking.

• Navigating the Medicare Maze: Understanding Part B timing, the 63-day enrollment window, and the "alphabet soup" of supplemental plans.

• Long-Term Care Strategies: Why 10-pay policies and mid-50s enrollment provide the best protection against rising premiums.

• Funding the Buy-Sell: The difference between a legal document and a financially backed plan that actually protects business partners.

• Bridging the Gap: Comparing ACA Marketplace plans, short-term medical, and faith-based coverage for early retirees.

Our Favorite Quotes:

• "A lot of brokers can give you prices, but I feel like our business is more geared towards the service side, making sure people properly understand what they're getting." - Jon Thurmond

• "The biggest thing that we can't predict in a person's life is how much money health-related expenses are going to cost them." - Rob Schulz

• "If you don't fund a buy-sell agreement, then it's just a piece of paper. It's a plan, but there's no financial backing." — Jon Thurmond

About Rob Schulz and P&L Priorities & LIfestyle Podcast

The P&L: Priorities & Lifestyle Podcast is a show for business owners. In each episode, host and financial planner Rob Schulz sits down with business owners and the professionals that serve them to talk about business building, life, money — and the all-important transition out of the business, which inevitably happens to everyone who has ever founded a company.

Email Rob at rob.schulz@schulzwealth.com with questions and comments, or to schedule a one-on-one conversation.

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*You're listening to P&L: Priorities & Lifestyle with your host Rob Schulz. Rob is the Founder and President of Schulz Wealth. All opinions expressed by Rob and his guests are solely their own opinions and do not reflect the opinions of Schulz Wealth. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for investment decisions. Please refer to our website for more information: schulzwealth.com.