her&I wrote:
Just got a quote back for supplementary travel insurance to stay at our little place in Texas for 4 months. Cannot afford to take it out but the consequences could be grave if we do not. Damned if we do, damned if we do not. What are y'all doing after you turn 71?
This suggestion may or may not work for you depending on where you worked before retiring. Some companies provide out of country travel insurance for employees, you may want to ask if you can participate and pay for that coverage, it will probably be much cheaper than individual coverage although it's supplied by the same insurance companies.