In its 2025 report, the Retirement Confident Survey found that roughly 50% of people find themselves in a position of retiring earlier than they planned—which, in many cases, means prior to age 65.1
Such an event can change the trajectory of a person’s life.
It can force people to address many issues. But perhaps one of the most pressing concerns is “What are my health care choices?”
For some people, community-based health programs are one option to consider rather than traditional health insurance. Instead of paying a traditional insurance premium, healthshare members contribute a set monthly amount, which is used to pay for qualifying medical expenses of others in the group.
Pro tip: Healthshare programs are open to a wide range of age groups, but some have more customized age-based programs.
Healthshare vs. Health Insurance2
Here’s a brief overview of some of the pros and cons to consider if you are looking at healthshare programs.
- Monthly contributions, not premiums: Healthshare monthly contributions can be less than typical health insurance premiums
- Managed costs: A healthshare provider’s push for greater affordability comes from its management of its membership base, administration costs, and regulatory requirements.
- Member requirements: Healthshare programs can have specific guidelines for members, such as requiring that members pursue a healthy lifestyle (e.g., avoiding smoking or excessive drinking.)
- Two Million People: Healthshare programs are the choice for more than two million people, but they are not for everyone. They may not be the best fit for you if you have an immediate coverage need or ongoing medical issues.
Mutual Support
Unlike conventional health insurance, healthshare programs operate on the principle of shared responsibility and mutual support. Christians share those values, so it should come as no surprise to hear that a variety of programs are tied to churches and shared-belief systems. Here are some highlights about a couple of programs.
Samaritan Ministries: A Christian healthcare sharing ministry. Members share each other’s medical expenses through financial support, prayer and ongoing encouragement. It’s not traditional insurance that requires regular payment for services. However, members are given guidelines for monthly share amounts.3
Medi-Share Ministries: Also, a Christian healthcare sharing ministry. Like Samaritan Ministries, it’s designed to bring Christians together to share God’s blessing and to share each other’s burdens. Each month, members contribute toward the medical bills of Medi-Share members and are they told which members their share dollars are helping.4
If you find yourself retiring earlier than expected, you might find yourself in a position where you are evaluating your healthcare choices. Healthshare programs might be worth a look, but it’s important to evaluate what health care choice is a good fit for your situation
Sources
2. ColoHealth.com, January 5, 2025
3. SamaritanMinistries.org, 2025
About Chris Rockey
Whether you’re five years from retirement or just starting to build wealth, Chris Rockey pairs institutional expertise with small-town care to create strategies you can trust. Discover actionable insights, clear next steps, and a partner committed to your financial freedom.