If you have stayed at home while he worked, or worked part time, while caring for children and taking care of the house and his meals and his laundry, then you have earned that money just as he did. There is no way he could have done his job without you to take care of everything else at home. Even now, my guess is that you do the laundry and clean the house and cook the meals.

You have earned the right to spend your family money and you shouldn't let him undervalue your contribution to your marriage and family. Even now. Why don't you suggest that he pay for a housekeeper and someone to do the laundry and cook for him? What you are asking for in return is funds necessary to improve your health. You may not be able to get him to agree that it's necessary or even desirable for you to spend this money, but it's what you require to maintain the services you provide.

Sorry, this is all probably too feminist for you, but I'm just not a big believer in the husband earns the money so he gets to decide how to spend it. You have earned the money too, and especially now that he is retired, your job probably hasn't changed at all.