Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Duke Energy Duke Energy utilizes a range of health benefits and insurance plans provided through major healthcare organizations, with Aetna being one of the primary providers offering their employee health insurance coverage. Potential Healthcare Cost Increases for Duke Energy in 2026 As 2026 approaches, Duke Energy employees may face significant healthcare cost increases due to a combination of factors impacting the broader health insurance market. Record premium hikes for Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plans, with some states eyeing increases exceeding 60%, could manifest in employer-sponsored plans as well. The potential expiration of enhanced federal premium subsidies, alongside rising medical costs and aggressive rate hikes from insurers, may significantly elevate out-of-pocket expenses for beneficiaries. This perfect storm of factors indicates that employees might need to prepare for substantial healthcare financial burdens in the upcoming year, as many individuals could see their premiums rise by more than 75%. Click here to learn more
'Duke Energy employees should view the new $10,000 auto loan interest deduction under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act as an opportunity to strategically align major purchases with broader tax planning goals.' – Patrick Ray, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.
'Duke Energy employees can use the new $10,000 auto loan interest deduction as a timely incentive to coordinate vehicle financing decisions with their long-term financial planning objectives.' – Michael Corgiat, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.
In this article, we will discuss:
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How the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) creates a new $10,000 auto loan interest deduction for qualifying vehicles.
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The eligibility rules, income phase-outs, and refinancing criteria for claiming the deduction.
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Other tax changes in the legislation that may impact Duke Energy employees, including expanded deductions and fresh incentives.
Duke Energy employees financing a car in 2025 or later could benefit from tax savings due to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). The legislation allows anyone purchasing qualified vehicles between 2025 and 2028 to deduct up to $10,000 in auto loan interest as an above-the-line deduction.
Although the deduction brings meaningful advantages for buyers, not all loans, vehicles, or borrowers will qualify because of strict eligibility requirements.
Key Features of the Auto Loan Interest Deduction
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- Deduction limit for loan interest is $10,000 per year.
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- Vehicle’s final assembly must occur in the United States.
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- Applies to personal-use vehicles under 14,000 pounds—including cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, minivans, and motorcycles.
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- Income phase-outs: Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) over $200,000 for joint filers or $100,000 for singles.
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- Refinances may be eligible if the original loan met all criteria.
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- Excluded leases: Some commercial vehicles, fleet purchases, salvage vehicles, and auto leases do not qualify.
How Many Vehicles Qualify?
According to American Financial Services Association (AFSA) data, approximately 60% of new vehicles sold in the U.S. in the first half of 2025—roughly 10 million out of 16.3 million—were assembled domestically. 1 Actual eligibility will vary depending on assembly location and trim levels. Buyers should check the Monroney sticker or U.S.-assembled vehicle databases for verification.
Potential Savings for Duke Energy Employees
While the deduction limit is $10,000, most borrowers are likely to save just a few hundred dollars annually. For instance, with a $41,926 auto loan over 72 months at a 7.2% APR, total interest is about $9,800—or around $1,630 per year. At an 18% marginal tax rate, that equals approximately $290 in yearly tax relief.
Refinancing Rules
According to the IRS, refinanced loans are generally eligible if the original purchase qualified under the program’s requirements. 2
How to Claim the Deduction
For tax year 2025, the IRS will provide detailed instructions. Taxpayers must include their vehicle identification number (VIN) on their return. Lenders are required to file information returns under IRC § 6050AA.
Other Highlights from the Tax Bill
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SALT Deduction Expansion : Raises the cap from $10,000 to $40,000, phasing out between $500,000 and $600,000 MAGI for joint filers.
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Extended Lower Tax Rates : Keeps the doubled standard deduction and reduced brackets beyond 2026.
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Senior Bonus Deduction : Adds $6,000 for individuals (or $12,000 for married couples) for those age 65+ through January 1, 2029.
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Tip and Overtime Deductions : Allows offsets of up to $12,500 (or $25,000 for joint filers) for overtime and up to $25,000 for reported tips.
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Trump Accounts for Children : From 2025–2028, the government contributes $1,000 per newborn; parents may contribute up to $5,000 annually for home-buying, education, or job training.
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Pass-Through Business Benefits : Expands the 20% Qualified Business Income deduction by raising thresholds to broaden eligibility for small business owners.
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- Corporate Employees: 8 Factors When Choosing a Mutual Fund
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- Corporate Employees: 8 Factors When Choosing a Mutual Fund
- Use of Escrow Accounts: Divorce
- Medicare Open Enrollment for Corporate Employees: Cost Changes in 2024!
- Stages of Retirement for Corporate Employees
- 7 Things to Consider Before Leaving Your Company
- How Are Workers Impacted by Inflation & Rising Interest Rates?
- Lump-Sum vs Annuity and Rising Interest Rates
- Internal Revenue Code Section 409A (Governing Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans)
- Corporate Employees: Do NOT Believe These 6 Retirement Myths!
- 401K, Social Security, Pension – How to Maximize Your Options
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- 11 Questions You Should Ask Yourself When Planning for Retirement
- Worst Month of Layoffs In Over a Year!
Sources:
1. American Financial Services Organization. ' OBBB & Moving Metal .' 10 July 2025.
2. Internal Revenue Service. One Big Beautiful Bill Act: Tax Deductions for Working Americans and Seniors (FS-2025-03) . 14 July 2025, updated 25 July 2025. U.S. Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service.
Other Resources:
1. Taylor, Kelley R. “ New GOP Car Loan Tax Deduction: Which Vehicles and Buyers Qualify .” Kiplinger , 25 July 2025.
2. Schostag, Keith. “ The One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s Car Loan Interest Deduction .” America’s Credit Unions , 24 July 2025.
3. Lautz, Andrew. “ How Does the 2025 Tax Law Change the SALT Deduction? ” Bipartisan Policy Center , 9 June 2025.
4. Skowronski, Jeanine. “ The ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Might Include a Tax Break on Your Auto Loan—Here’s How to Find Out if You Qualify .” Investopedia , 4 Aug. 2025.
How does the Duke Employees' Retirement Plan calculate benefits at normal retirement age, specifically for employees who reach the age of 65? In what circumstances might an employee consider retiring before reaching this age, and how would the benefits differ if they choose this option?
Benefit Calculation at Normal Retirement Age: Duke Employees' Retirement Plan calculates benefits for employees who retire at age 65 by applying a formula that includes 1.25% of their average final compensation for the first 20 years of credited service and 1.66% for any additional years. If an employee retires before 65, they can do so after age 45 with 15 years of service, but their benefits will be reduced based on how early they retire, resulting in lower payments due to a longer payout period.
What considerations should an employee keep in mind regarding their unused sick leave or carry-over bank hours when calculating benefits under the Duke Employees’ Retirement Plan? How does Duke utilize these factors to enhance an employee's credited service for the purpose of benefit calculation?
Impact of Unused Sick Leave and Carry-Over Bank Hours: Unused sick leave and carry-over bank hours are converted into additional credited service, which can enhance the calculation of retirement benefits. Employees who have accumulated these hours can see their credited service extended, leading to higher pension benefits at retirement.
In what situations would an employee's benefits under the Duke Employees' Retirement Plan be automatically paid in a lump sum? How does the Plan determine the value of benefits that fall below the threshold for monthly payouts, and what implications does this have for retirement planning?
Lump-Sum Payments for Small Benefits: If the value of an employee's benefit is $5,000 or less, Duke Employees' Retirement Plan automatically pays it as a lump sum. For benefits between $5,000 and $10,000, employees can choose between a lump-sum payment or a monthly pension. This can significantly impact retirement planning, especially for employees weighing whether to take a smaller upfront amount or spread it over time.
How does the Duke Employees' Retirement Plan handle benefit adjustments for employees who continue to work beyond their normal retirement age? What factors influence how these adjustments are calculated, and what implications might this have for future financial planning for employees nearing retirement?
Benefit Adjustments for Postponed Retirement: Employees who continue working beyond their normal retirement date will see their benefits increased annually (by no less than 10%) to account for the shorter period during which they will receive payments. The plan recalculates benefits based on the employee’s continued service and compensation after age 65.
What options are available to employees of Duke University regarding payment forms when they retire, and what are the long-term implications of choosing each option? How do these choices affect both the retiree's monthly income and survivor benefits for a spouse or other beneficiary?
Payment Form Options and Implications: At retirement, employees can choose various payment options such as a single life annuity, joint and survivor annuities, or a lump-sum payment. These choices affect the amount received monthly and any survivor benefits for a spouse or beneficiary. Employees should carefully consider their long-term financial needs and the needs of their beneficiaries when selecting a payment option.
What specific protections does the Duke Employees' Retirement Plan provide for spouses in the event of an employee's death, and how does this influence the choice of payment options? What steps must an employee take to ensure that their spouse's rights are upheld under the Plan?
Spousal Protections: The Plan provides protections for spouses in the event of an employee's death. A surviving spouse can receive 50% of the employee's reduced monthly benefit through a joint and survivor annuity. Employees must take steps to ensure spousal rights are protected by selecting the appropriate payment option and ensuring the necessary documentation is completed.
How can employees of Duke University ensure that they are informed about their rights under ERISA while participating in the Employees' Retirement Plan? What resources and tools does Duke provide to help employees understand and assert these rights?
Employee Rights Under ERISA: Duke provides resources for employees to understand their rights under ERISA, including access to plan documents and assistance in filing claims. Employees are encouraged to use Duke's available tools to assert their rights and ensure they are fully informed about the benefits available to them under the Plan.
In what ways can employees at Duke University navigate the complexities of reemployment after retirement, and how does their choice of retiree status affect their benefits? What regulations govern how benefits are recalculated if they choose to return to work at Duke?
Reemployment After Retirement: Employees who return to work at Duke after retiring can continue to receive their pension if they work fewer than 1,000 hours per year. However, if they exceed 1,000 hours, their payments will be paused and recalculated based on additional service and earnings when they retire again. This provides flexibility for employees considering reemployment after retirement.
What impact do legislative changes, such as those introduced by the IRS, have on the Duke Employees' Retirement Plan’s structure and benefits? How should employees approach understanding these changes in the context of their personal retirement strategies?
Impact of Legislative Changes: Changes introduced by the IRS or other regulatory bodies can impact the structure of the Duke Employees' Retirement Plan and its benefits. Employees should stay informed about these changes and how they affect personal retirement strategies, particularly regarding tax laws and pension calculations.
How can employees at Duke University contact the Retirement Board for questions or clarifications regarding their retirement benefits? What is the best approach for reaching out to ensure that they receive timely and accurate information?
Contacting the Retirement Board: Employees can contact Duke's Retirement Board for any questions or clarifications regarding their retirement benefits. The Retirement Board is responsible for managing the Plan, and employees are encouraged to reach out directly for timely and accurate information to address any concerns about their retirement.
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