Most people only work ten years in good health after 50

On the contrary, I see lots of people every day over 60 still working. My one sister retired from work at the ripe age of 71. She says that was a big mistake, she's sorry that she did that. She did not need to work that long financially, it gave her something to do & got her out around people. My dad retired at 72. People are working longer as long as their health holds up. Many have spent their life working & it's all they know. Once they are retired they have too much time on their hands.

I had to end my career and go on disability because of Crohn's in my mid 50's. First short term from my job, then long term and finally on SSD. SSD was awarded the first time I applied - I was unable to sit and function at my job( that's the key in being approved for SSD - not able to perform your current job or any compatible job functions), because of my many draining rectal fistulas and unsuccessful fistulatomy surgery - the wound would not close for a year. I currently have one very high horseshoe fistula with a seton drain - a rubber band to keep external opening from closing and causing abscesses that I still sometimes develop and require overnight stay in the hospital to drain. I am very lucky that my wife works full time - SSD alone is not enough to live on for sure.

mirowpl: I did not know Stelara is so expensive with Medicare. Do you pay Medicare Part A, Part B and Part C to lower the cost of medication? I think my Rx is capped at $5K a year with private insurance. When I was in my 20s, I went through extreme poverty. I lived in a tiny attic, hit my head many times and could not afford auto insurance. When I was young, the extreme poverty plus 80 hour work week could contribute to the onset of my Chron's Disease. I really do not want to go back to that kind of poverty any more, because there could not be a worse mix than poverty and illness. So I went to financial service industry and has become sophisticated in my investment approach. Have you noticed that the stock market and bond market went through the roof lately? I think one day I will be disabled drawing, for example, $1500 a month from SSDI. I think I can easily get $3,500 a month from investment. That will provide me about $5K a month for living before tax, which should be enough for modest living standard. Chron's Disease already gives us a lot of suffering. I hope other Chron's patients do not have to go through poverty in their life.

I had to go off Humira, which was working well for whatever I have, when I turned 65 and went on Medicare. Couldnt afford it. I agree with what you said about copay assistance. When I had employer provided insurance (I contributed to at group rates) I only had to pay $5 a month for humira. My copay from my employer insurance was $40 and the Co Pay assistance program paid the rest, minus $5. I went on Remicade, then Simponi both of which are infusions which Medicare pays under Part B. It cost me nothing. (I have Plan F supplementary ) I wonder why my doctor didnt suggest Stelara. Maybe its not used for rheumatological conditions? That's who is prescribing my medication. Cimzia is available by in office injection (as well as self administration like Humira). Medicare will pay for the office version. So far hasnt cost me anything. This has all got to change.