Meet Michael & Linda
They're a fictional middle-income couple we built so you can see a full retirement plan with real numbers instead of rules of thumb. Here's what goes into their plan.
| Item | Michael & Linda |
|---|---|
| Ages today | Both 62, married filing jointly |
| Work | Linda retires in 2027 ($48,000 salary); Michael in 2028 ($72,000 salary) |
| Savings | $550,000 total: Michael's 401(k) $310,000, Linda's 403(b) $165,000, Linda's Roth IRA $40,000, emergency savings $35,000 |
| Social Security | Both claim at 67 in 2031: Michael $2,450/month, Linda $1,650/month |
| Pension | Linda, $650/month starting 2027 |
| Home | Worth $380,000, $95,000 left on the mortgage ($1,150/month, paid off in 2034) |
| Living costs | $3,675/month, plus about $1,300/month for healthcare |
| Goal | Leave at least $100,000 at the end of the plan |
Before 65: the coverage gap
If you retire before Medicare, you need your own coverage. The three usual options are:
- A working spouse's employer plan, often the cheapest if it's available.
- COBRA: you keep your old plan for up to 18 months, but you pay the full premium yourself.
- The Marketplace at HealthCare.gov, where premium help depends on your income. Withdrawals and Roth conversions count as income, so your retirement plan and your health insurance cost are tied together.
Linda retires first, in 2027, and Michael keeps working into 2028. Until Medicare starts at 65, their plan budgets about $1,300 a month for healthcare.
After 65: Medicare isn't free
| Michael & Linda on Medicare (estimate) | |
|---|---|
| Monthly premiums for both (Part B + Part D + Medigap) | $686 |
| Per year | $8,230 |
| From 65 to the end of the plan | $301,049 |
Two things often catch people off guard:
- Routine dental, vision and hearing aren't covered by Original Medicare. Many retirees buy separate plans or set aside a dental fund.
- IRMAA: if your income is high, including from large withdrawals or Roth conversions, your Part B and D premiums go up. If your income drops after retiring, you can ask Social Security to lower it with Form SSA-44.
Where to check your own numbers
- This year's Medicare costs (Medicare.gov)
- Medicare Plan Finder for drug and Advantage plans in your ZIP code
- Free Medicare counseling (SHIP) in your state
Healthcare also interacts with taxes. See Roth conversions before RMDs for how conversion income can raise premiums.
See every number for yourself
Michael & Linda's full plan is live. Click through their dashboard, crash tests and tax pages. Nothing to sign up for.
Quick answers
How much does Medicare cost per month for a couple?
For our sample couple, Part B, Part D and a Medigap supplement come to about $686 a month for both, or $8,230 a year. Check Medicare.gov for this year's official premiums.
What does health insurance cost if I retire before 65?
It depends on your options: a spouse's employer plan, COBRA, or a Marketplace plan where premium help depends on income. Our sample couple budgets about $1,300 a month in their early 60s.
Does Medicare cover dental and vision?
Original Medicare does not cover routine dental, vision or hearing. Many people buy separate coverage or choose a Medicare Advantage plan that includes it.
Keep reading
Educational only, not financial, tax or legal advice. Michael & Linda are a fictional sample couple built to show how the planner works; their figures come from the RetireBlueprint Pro sample plan as of October 2026 and use its default assumptions (3% inflation, 2.5% Social Security cost-of-living increases). Your numbers will be different.