Americans hold approximately $1.5 trillion in student loan debt. The longer that you look at that statistic, the more you see: this isn’t “just” a problem for young adults starting out in the world. Borrowers of all ages- parents and grandparents alike- are sacrificing their own retirements in order to repay student debt.

It’s no secret that one tough aspect of retirement planning is settling on the optimal strategy for drawing down a nest egg. Planning for a couple creates an extra level of complexity. Much depends on the lifestyle preferences of each spouse, their different approaches to stock market volatility and, of course, their willingness to compromise.

They say 50 is the new 40, 60 is the new 50, and so on. That’s good news for those of us who have taken care of ourselves and plan for a long retirement. But the stellar checkup at the doctor’s office can mean sticker shock later. People with larger nest eggs can pay for life-extending medical care and so they typically survive longer. And because means-tested Medicare benefits are less available to them, they may end up digging deeper than expected.

No discussion of the opportunity and challenges associated with longevity is complete without a consideration of the caregivers. November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to honor the mix of selflessness, perseverance and love that comes with tending to a family member in need.