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

'With health care inflation outpacing general costs, Carlisle 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, Carlisle 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 Carlisle 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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Carlisle Companies offers its employees the Carlisle, LLC Employee Incentive Savings Plan (CEISP), a comprehensive retirement savings plan. The CEISP allows employees to contribute between 1% and 50% of their eligible pay on a pretax, Roth, or after-tax basis, with annual contribution limits of $23,000 for those under 50 and $30,000 for those 50 and older in 2024. Employees are automatically enrolled at a 3% deferral election if they don't opt out. The plan offers immediate 100% vesting on both employee and employer contributions, making all funds fully owned by the participant from the start. Carlisle’s 401(k) plan includes a company match of 100% on the first 3% contributed and 50% on the next 2%, making it a beneficial program for long-term financial planning.

Restructuring Layoffs: Carlisle Companies have been navigating various financial adjustments and structural changes in 2023 and 2024. They have announced strategic acquisitions and share repurchases, alongside continuous dividend increases to stabilize their financial standing and enhance shareholder value.

Carlisle Companies' Stock Options and RSUs 2022 In 2022, Carlisle Companies (NYSE: CSL) issued a broad-based stock option grant to employees, which marked the third such grant in the last 12 years. The goal of these grants was to provide significant incentives for employees to achieve long-term company objectives. The stock options are available to a wide range of employees, promoting a sense of ownership and alignment with the company’s success (source: Carlisle Companies’ 2022 Employee Stock Option Grant Announcement, page 1). 2023 In 2023, Carlisle continued its practice of offering stock options and RSUs to its employees. The RSUs are part of the company’s long-term incentive plan, designed to retain key employees and align their interests with shareholders. RSUs vest over a specified period, typically requiring continued employment with the company (source: Carlisle Companies’ Third Quarter Results Report, page 3). 2024 For 2024, Carlisle has maintained its commitment to employee equity compensation by offering both stock options and RSUs. The latest offerings include performance-based RSUs that vest based on the company achieving specific financial targets. These are available to managerial and executive-level employees, ensuring that key decision-makers have a vested interest in the company’s long-term performance (source: Carlisle Companies’ Fourth Quarter Results Report, page 4).

Carlisle Companies provides a comprehensive and industry-leading health benefits package to its employees, focusing on holistic wellness and financial security. The benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, as well as health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs) to help manage healthcare costs. Additionally, Carlisle offers wellness programs that promote physical and mental health, including fitness incentives, stress management resources, and preventive care initiatives​ (Carlisle ESG Data Center)​ (Carlisle). In 2023, Carlisle emphasized sustainability in its operations, which includes the health and safety of its employees. The company's initiatives are detailed in their Corporate Sustainability Report, highlighting their commitment to reducing emissions and waste, and improving energy efficiency, which indirectly supports a healthier work environment​ (Carlisle). Key healthcare-related terms and acronyms used by Carlisle include: HSA (Health Savings Account): A tax-advantaged account used to pay for eligible medical expenses. FSA (Flexible Spending Account): Allows employees to set aside pre-tax dollars for healthcare expenses. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design): A certification for environmentally friendly buildings, which aligns with Carlisle's focus on creating healthier workspaces​ (Carlisle ESG Data Center)​ (Carlisle). Recent news affecting Carlisle includes their progress towards sustainability goals, such as reducing Scope 1 & 2 emissions by over 21% and Scope 3 emissions by over 12% from their 2021 base year. These efforts reflect Carlisle's broader commitment to employee well-being through a healthier and more sustainable work environment​