Author
Bowtie Team
Updated on
2025-06-12
Disclaimer: This article is translated with the assistance of AI.
Hitting your 50s means career highs, but health risks peak too—serious illnesses could strike anytime. Bowtie’s insurance pros team up with a financial expert to share real-life stories and smart tips for picking coverage that fits you perfectly for retirement and beyond.
Health Problems You Might Encounter at 50
According to a foreign medical institution , people over 50 basically face numerous health risks because, as time passes, the accumulated unhealthy factors reach a critical point. Here are a few health risks that require special attention:
- Colorectal Cancer: Regardless of gender, colorectal cancer is one of the most common and deadly cancers, with its incidence remaining high due to an aging population and poor dietary habits. According to data from the Hospital Authority’s Cancer Information Statistics Center , between 2016 and 2020, there were over 5,000 cases of colorectal cancer each year; annual deaths exceeded 2,000, highlighting its severity. In terms of both incidence and mortality, colorectal cancer ranks among the top three cancers in Hong Kong.
- Heart Disease: As one of the major critical illnesses, heart disease still ranks as the third most common fatal disease in Hong Kong, even though survival rates have improved with advancing medical technology. According to data from the Department of Health , in 2020, 6,561 people died from heart disease, accounting for about 13% of the total deaths that year.
- Stroke: Similar to cardiovascular issues, a stroke—whether caused by a burst blood vessel or blocked carotid artery—can lead to permanent loss of brain function. If not treated promptly, it can even be fatal. According to data from the Department of Health , there were 3,165 registered stroke-related deaths in 2020, making up over 6% of the total deaths that year.
- Diabetes: Whether in Hong Kong or the US, about 1 in 10 people has diabetes . As you get older, your risk increases, so friends aged 50 and above should pay extra attention to their blood sugar levels to avoid complications like heart disease , kidney failure , or vision problems.
- High Blood Pressure: As we age, the elasticity of our blood vessels decreases, putting more strain on the system that delivers blood throughout the body, leading many middle-aged folks to develop high blood pressure. In fact, about two-thirds of people over 60 have it.
Real Examples: Why Insurance Premiums Increase or Get Denied After 50
In my over ten years on the insurance front lines, I’ve handled many inquiries about ‘orphan policies’ for seniors, and quite a few have gone on to take out critical illness and medical insurance with me. Although their premiums aren’t as affordable as for younger clients due to age, with solid high incomes, monthly premiums over a thousand are still easily manageable.
Unfortunately, by the time their finances allow for it, their health often starts to decline, making the insurance application process much tougher—and in severe cases, leading to outright denials. Cancer survivors trying to get health insurance again? It’s pretty much impossible. But even without a major illness, hitting 50 means you might have some medical history, like hospital stays for stomach issues or hitting the ‘three highs’ (high blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar), where routine checks show a few red flags.
No matter how minor or serious, these issues can affect your application. I’ve had clients who, due to past minor problems, were required to undergo medical exams during their insurance application, only to uncover more serious issues or higher-than-normal markers, resulting in premium hikes or exclusions from certain coverage by the insurer. One client, possibly from lifestyle habits, discovered elevated liver enzymes in their check-up, which prevented them from getting insured for years until retirement brought healthier living and finally allowed approval.
Key Insurance Concerns for People in Their 50s
Compared to younger folks, those in their early 50s might have the resources, but their bodies are starting to show signs of wear, and health risks can pop up anytime. If you already have a medical history, insurers might not cover you, even if you’re willing to pay higher premiums, or they could exclude the very things you need most.
If you’re one of the lucky ones who’s made it to 50 without any hospital stays, seize that clean slate and go ahead with getting or boosting your Medical and Critical Illness Insurance . It’s the smart move to secure basic protection for your post-retirement life when company health benefits fade away.
If you do have a medical record, don’t lose heart. Even if applying now means higher premiums or some exclusions due to your history, if the terms are reasonable, I’d still recommend going for it and getting the policy in place ASAP. After all, health risks aren’t a one-and-done lottery—you could draw another ticket. As long as the policy still covers most other risks despite the exclusions, it’s still a worthwhile safeguard.
If you’ve built a family, remember that your health doesn’t just affect your own insurance—it’s a factor for your kids too. One of my clients, a father in his 40s, was hit with cancer, which made him realize his critical illness and medical coverage was insufficient, and the same went for his family. He wanted to increase coverage for his wife and children right away.
Sadly, because of family ties, the father’s health issues were seen as a genetic risk for the kids, so their new policies excluded his cancer. Even healthy kids under 10 ended up without full coverage—it’s a tough break, but it’s reality.
Reviewing Health Insurance for a Secure Retirement
Besides the points about medical records and family considerations, planning for post-retirement protection is essential. Starting to review your health insurance at 50 is the perfect time to build a safety net for your 60s, 70s, and beyond—it’s not too early at all.
Once retired, you won’t have a steady income, and even with passive sources, your overall earnings will likely drop significantly. If illness strikes, those hefty medical bills could drain your savings in a flash and even derail your retirement plans entirely—nobody wants that headache.
When planning health insurance for retirement, don’t just chase the most premium or comprehensive options—think about what you can actually afford long-term. We all know top-tier plans sound great, but if you’re shelling out thousands monthly post-retirement (and remember, premiums climb with age), it might not be feasible for the average working Joe. Even high earners can’t just ‘sit back and watch the mountain crumble’ , right?
So what health insurance is suitable for retirees?
Understanding that retirees have lost their company health insurance coverage and may not have a steady income, we recommend purchasing:
Bowtie VHIS Flexi Regular + GHK Wellness Package (add-on for $200 per month) (hereinafter referred to as Bowtie VHIS Flexi Regular + GHK Plan ).
The reason is simple:
1. Full reimbursement for over 240 surgeries/examinations + no deductible
Since most retirees don’t have a steady income, if they need checks or treatments, having “Bowtie VHIS Flexi Regular + GHK Plan” means they won’t have to dip into their savings for part of the costs.
This plan also covers most inpatient medical needs, with over 240 surgeries/examinations fully reimbursed at Gleneagles Hospital ^, such as breast tumor surgery , heart checks , various endoscopies , and joint replacement surgeries, making it a great fit for retirees’ healthcare needs.
2. One free comprehensive health check per year
“Bowtie VHIS Flexi Regular + GHK Plan” includes one comprehensive health check annually (worth up to $2,720), helping you keep tabs on your health so you can catch any issues early and recover faster.
- * Full reimbursement of specified medical package fees is subject to the annual coverage limit of the Bowtie VHIS Flexi Regular policy
For example, Bowtie VHIS Flexi Regular + GHK Wellness Package (add-on for $200 monthly) , the total premium for 5 years is only about $45,000 – $50,000 :
| Bowtie VHIS Flexi Regular + GHK Wellness Package
Monthly premium |
Male
Non-smoker |
Female
Non-smoker |
| 50 years old | $708 | $832 |
| 51 years old | $727 | $824 |
| 52 years old | $759 | $830 |
| 53 years old | $789 | $837 |
| 54 years old | $818 | $850 |
| Total for 5 years | $45,612 | $50,076 |
Get a Preliminary Quote for Bowtie VHIS Flexi Regular + Enjoy GHK Wellness Package for $200/month
Beyond Medical Insurance, Don’t Forget to Review Your Critical Illness Coverage!
Critical Illness Insurance Premiums – Non-Smoking Males Aged 50 to 54
| Monthly Premium for HK$1,000,000 Coverage (HK$) | Bowtie Term CI Multiple Cover |
| 50 years old | $734 |
| 51 years old | $806 |
| 52 years old | $877 |
| 53 years old | $951 |
| 54 years old | $1,025 |
| Total for 5 Years | $52,716 |
Critical Illness Insurance Premiums – Non-Smoking Females Aged 50 to 54
| Monthly Premium for HK$1,000,000 Coverage (HK$) | Bowtie Term CI Multiple Cover |
| 50 years old | $929 |
| 51 years old | $974 |
| 52 years old | $1,018 |
| 53 years old | $1,052 |
| 54 years old | $1,085 |
| Total for 5 Years | $60,696 |
Get a Preliminary Quote for Bowtie Term CI
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