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

'With health care inflation outpacing general costs, Camping World 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, Camping World 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 Camping World 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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Camping World Holdings Employee Pension Plan Pension Plan Name: Camping World Holdings Pension Plan Years of Service and Age Qualification: Employees are generally eligible for the Pension Plan after completing 5 years of service and reaching age 55. Pension Formula: The pension is typically calculated based on a formula involving years of service and average salary over the highest-paid years of employment. Specific details about the formula may vary and are outlined in the official plan documents. Source Document: Camping World Holdings Annual Report, 2023, Page 37 Camping World Holdings 401(k) Plan 401(k) Plan Name: Camping World Holdings 401(k) Plan Eligibility: Employees are generally eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan upon completing 30 days of service. Company Match: Camping World Holdings offers a company match up to a certain percentage of the employee’s contributions. Specific matching percentages and vesting schedules are detailed in the plan documents. Source Document: Camping World Holdings Benefits Handbook, 2024, Page 22

Restructuring and Layoffs: In early 2023, Camping World Holdings announced a significant restructuring plan aimed at streamlining operations and reducing costs. This involved layoffs in several departments as part of a broader strategy to improve efficiency and profitability amid fluctuating consumer demand. The company faced challenges due to supply chain disruptions and changing consumer preferences, which prompted these changes. Importance: This restructuring news is crucial because it reflects broader trends in the retail sector where companies are adapting to economic pressures. Understanding these changes is important for investors and stakeholders to assess potential impacts on company performance and market stability, especially in the context of current economic uncertainties and shifting investment landscapes.

Camping World Holdings Stock Options and RSUs Company: Camping World Holdings Year Stock Options Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) 2022 Camping World Holdings offered stock options to key executives and senior management. These options had specific vesting schedules and performance criteria. The details can be found in the company's 2022 Annual Report, page 54. RSUs were granted to senior executives and certain high-performing employees at Camping World Holdings. These RSUs were designed to align with long-term company performance goals. For specifics, refer to the 2022 Annual Report, page 56. 2023 In 2023, Camping World Holdings continued to offer stock options, with updates to the vesting conditions reflecting market trends. Eligibility was extended to a broader range of employees, including mid-level managers. Details are in the 2023 Proxy Statement, page 45. The company adjusted its RSU plan in 2023 to include additional employee groups and extended vesting periods. This information is detailed in the 2023 Proxy Statement, page 48. 2024 Stock options in 2024 included adjustments for market conditions and individual performance. Stock options were available to top executives and key employees. For more details, see the 2024 Annual Report, page 60. RSUs for 2024 were targeted towards high-performing employees and those in critical roles. The specifics can be found in the 2024 Annual Report, page 62.

Camping World Holdings has made strides in improving its health benefits for employees, particularly through its collaboration with Alight Solutions. Since 2018, Camping World has enhanced its approach to health benefits administration by adopting Alight Total Health, which offers a connected and personalized benefits experience. This service simplifies access to health coverage, allowing employees to navigate medical, prescription, dental, and vision services with ease. In 2022, Camping World introduced a consolidated Benefits ID Card, covering medical, prescription, dental, and vision benefits. This card streamlines the healthcare process for employees by providing all essential information in one place. Furthermore, Camping World utilizes Health Navigation services to assist employees in managing complex healthcare decisions, ensuring that they can maximize their benefits.