After years of increasing health care costs, the outlook is improving for seniors worried about paying their medical bills duringretirement.

For the second time in the last three years, estimated medical expenses for new retirees have fallen, according to a study released Wednesday by Fidelity Investments. A 65-year-old couple retiring this year would need $220,000 on average to cover medical expenses, an 8 percent decrease from last years estimate of $240,000. The study assumes a life expectancy of 85 for women and 82 formen.

Fidelity attributes this years decrease to several factors, including a

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After years of increasing health care costs, the outlook is improving for seniors worried about paying their medical bills duringretirement.

For the second time in the last three years, estimated medical expenses for new retirees have fallen, according to a study released Wednesday by Fidelity Investments. A 65-year-old couple retiring this year would need $220,000 on average to cover medical expenses, an 8 percent decrease from last years estimate of $240,000. The study assumes a life expectancy of 85 for women and 82 formen.

Fidelity attributes this years decrease to several factors, including a slowdown in health care spending that hasnt rebounded with theeconomy.

When times are tough, people tend to cut back on health care expenditures, said Sunil Patel, a senior vice president for benefits consulting at Fidelity. I think what surprised many people is that in recent years, even as the economy recovered, youve still seen a fairly significantslowdown.

Although fewer doctors visits can help seniors save money, Patel stressed that skipping necessary care can lead to more serious health problems and higher expenses down theroad.

Excerpt from:

Health care costs decline for retired couples - Sun, 19 May 2013 PST