Acushnet Holdings Retirees Face Rising Health Care Costs: Insights from Patrick Ray & Tyson Mavar

'With health care inflation outpacing general costs, Acushnet Holdings employees should consider building personalized strategies that include HSAs and emergency reserves to help manage future medical expenses.' — Michael Corgiat, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

'As medical expenses continue to rise, Acushnet Holdings employees benefit from proactively incorporating health care costs into their retirement planning through customized approaches like HSAs and dedicated emergency funds.' — Brent Wolf, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

In this article we will discuss:

1. How health care inflation impacts retirement planning for Fortune 500 employees.

2. Strategies with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and emergency medical funds.

3. The need for tailored planning to meet Medicare gaps and long-term care needs.

Managing retirement health care costs calls for thoughtful planning, especially as medical expenses continue to outpace general inflation. Yet, for Fortune 500 professionals approaching retirement, generic guidance often misses the mark. Patrick Ray and Tyson Mavar of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement, recommend a customized approach that factors in health care inflation, coverage choices, tax-efficient tools, and access to liquid funds for unexpected medical events.

Health Care Estimate for Retirees

According to the Fidelity Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate, a 65-year‑old retiring in 2025 may need approximately $172,500 saved to cover health and medical expenses during retirement—an increase of over 4% since 2024. ¹  Notably, this estimate assumes enrollment in Medicare Parts A, B, and D and excludes the costs of long‑term care.

Of that estimate, 44% of the costs would go to Medicare Parts B and D premiums, 47% relate to standard out‑of‑pocket costs (such as co-payments and deductibles), and 9% would be needed to purchase prescription medications. ¹

These trends are particularly concerning given that roughly 20% of Americans say they haven’t considered health care in retirement planning, while 17% haven’t taken any planning steps yet. ²

For its part, the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) notes that a 65‑year‑old couple with higher prescription drug expenses may need as much as $413,000 to have a 90% likelihood of covering their medical needs in retirement. ³

The Value of a Personalized Retirement Health Care Approach

In light of this data, Ray and Mavar recommend developing a retirement health care strategy tailored to each individual's situation, particularly for those at large employers like Fortune 500. Key components could include:

• - Estimating expected medical needs

• - Using Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)

• - Keeping readily available funds for emergencies

• - Aligning health care coverage with lifespan and income expectations

1. Estimating Your Health Care Budget

Although industry research offers a baseline for average health care costs, it does not consider the full range of medical expenses Acushnet Holdings employees could face post-retirement. For instance, if you factor in costs related to long-term care, estimates could balloon by an additional $26,000 to $127,750 per year. ⁴

Beyond long-term care, additional cost categories could include:

• - Medicare premiums

• - Prescription medications and co‑pays

• - Services not covered by Medicare (e.g., dental, vision)

Ray and Mavar caution Fortune 500 professionals not to underestimate these figures when planning.

2. Gaps in Preparedness

With 17% of Americans having taken no action to plan for health care in retirement, Ray and Mavar emphasize treating health care planning as a central component—not an afterthought.

3. Making Full Use of HSAs

Ray and Mavar suggest consistently contributing to HSAs during working years. For instance, a 35‑year‑old contributing up to $4,300 annually and assuming a 7% return might accumulate over  $500,000  by age 65, including approximately  $140,000 in tax savings . Only about  30%  of HSA holders currently invest those balances.

In their recent webinar, ' Leveraging HSAs to Reduce Health Care Costs ,' Mavar described benefits such as tax‑free growth and withdrawals for qualified medical expenses for those with high‑deductible health plans.

4. Building an Emergency Medical Reserve

Unexpected diagnoses or emergencies can quickly drain resources. Mavar recommends a separate cash reserve—such as in a money market or high‑yield savings account—outside primary retirement accounts. This may help retirees handle health care shocks without impacting long‑term investments.

• Broader Economic Landscape: Health Care Inflation and Trends

Health care spending is projected to continue rising. In a report published by federal actuaries, U.S. health care spending is expected to rise by 7.1% in 2025—well ahead of general inflation. ⁵  Reasons for this rise range from growing personal health care spending and hospital spending growth, to prescription drugs and physician services. As a result, health care expenses could account for 20% of U.S. GDP by 2033. ⁵

At the same time, many health care insurers report higher medical-loss ratios, indicating increased spending on care—including chronic disease management and mental health services—costs that could be passed down to retirees.

Key Recommendations for Retirement Health Care Preparation

• As Mavar and Ray note, the $172,500 estimate for those retiring in 2025 is simply a starting reference point. Early retirement or long-term care needs could push your total higher.

• If you are among the percentage of people who has not yet considered health care costs in your retirement planning, now is the time to start. By leveraging the triple tax advantages available through HSAs, putting aside sufficient reserves to address medical emergencies, and exploring individual strategies that take your personal coverage choices, retirement timing, and health conditions into account, you can build a safety net that considers your long-term health care spending needs.

Final Thoughts

Health care outcomes and personal circumstances vary widely—especially among long‑time Fortune 500 professionals. A tailored planning strategy—covering realistic spending projections, full use of HSAs, dedicated medical reserves, and thoughtful coverage choices—can help support a more predictable and manageable retirement journey.

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Name of Pension Plan: Acushnet Holdings does not appear to have a traditional defined benefit pension plan based on available data. Pension Formula: Not applicable, as no defined benefit plan is identified. Years of Service and Age Qualification: Since Acushnet Holdings does not seem to offer a traditional pension plan, specific criteria for years of service and age qualification are not applicable. Name of 401(k) Plan: Acushnet Holdings 401(k) Plan Eligibility Criteria: Employees: Generally, full-time employees are eligible. Enrollment: Employees can typically enroll after completing a specified period of service, often 30 days.

News: In 2023, Acushnet Holdings, the parent company of Titleist and FootJoy, announced a restructuring initiative as part of its ongoing efforts to optimize its operations and respond to changing market conditions. The company indicated that this restructuring would involve adjustments to its workforce and potential changes to employee benefits. This move was influenced by broader economic uncertainties and shifting consumer preferences, which required the company to realign its resources for improved efficiency.

Acushnet Holdings offers stock options and RSUs to its employees as part of its compensation package. According to the 2022 10-K filing, stock options are primarily available to executives and key employees, with specific vesting schedules outlined in the company's equity incentive plan. RSUs are granted to various levels of employees, with vesting typically over a multi-year period.

Check reputable business and news sites such as Bloomberg, Reuters, and Forbes for recent articles or updates on Acushnet Holdings' employee health benefits. Financial and Industry Reports Look at financial news platforms or industry-specific reports that might discuss employee benefits as part of broader company performance or industry trends. Employee Review Sites Websites like Glassdoor or Indeed often contain reviews from employees that might include information about health benefits. Professional Networks Sites like LinkedIn or industry-specific forums might have discussions or posts about recent changes in employee benefits. Summary of Search Results for Acushnet Holdings 1. Official Website: Acushnet Holdings: The official site may offer information under sections like "Careers" or "Employee Benefits". Look for detailed descriptions of health insurance options, wellness programs, and any recent updates. 2. Reliable News Sources: Check Bloomberg, Reuters, and Forbes for articles related to Acushnet Holdings' employee health benefits. Look for any reports or news that highlight changes or updates in their health benefits offerings. 3. Financial and Industry Reports: Review industry reports from sources like MarketWatch or industry-specific publications that might provide insights into employee benefits as part of company performance or industry trends. 4. Employee Review Sites: Search on Glassdoor and Indeed for employee reviews that mention health benefits. Pay attention to reviews from recent years to capture any changes in benefits. 5. Professional Networks: Look for posts or discussions on LinkedIn or industry forums regarding Acushnet Holdings’ employee benefits. Key Healthcare-Related Terms and Acronyms to Look For HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) HDHP (High Deductible Health Plan) FSA (Flexible Spending Account) HSA (Health Savings Account) EAP (Employee Assistance Program) COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) Recent Employee Healthcare News for Acushnet Holdings Search for any recent news affecting employee health benefits, such as policy changes, new wellness initiatives, or adjustments to health plans. I’ll proceed with these searches and provide a detailed summary of the findings.