Comfort Systems USA Retirees Face Rising Health Care Costs: Insights from Patrick Ray & Tyson Mavar

'With health care inflation outpacing general costs, Comfort Systems USA 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, Comfort Systems USA 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 Comfort Systems USA 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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Sources:

Comfort Systems USA provides a comprehensive 401(k) plan and employee pension benefits to help support the financial wellness of their workforce. Their 401(k) plan is managed by Prudential and offers employees the opportunity to save for retirement with pre-tax contributions. In 2022, 2023, and 2024, the company matches up to 50% of employee contributions up to the first 5%, with full vesting after five years of service​ (Comfort Systems USA). The plan is designed to support long-term financial growth, allowing employees to choose from a variety of investment options tailored to their risk profiles​ (Comfort Systems USA). Comfort Systems USA also offers an employee pension plan, but details on the specific pension formula or the name of the plan were not disclosed publicly in the reviewed sources. However, eligibility for their retirement plans typically requires several years of service, with full access granted after meeting vesting requirements.

Restructuring Layoffs: Comfort Systems USA has not explicitly reported significant layoffs in 2023-2024. However, the company has been focusing on optimizing its operations and reducing costs, as indicated by the improvement in its financial performance. Despite these measures, the company has maintained strong growth in revenues and profits, which suggests that any workforce adjustments have been managed strategically without substantial public disclosures.

In 2022, 2023, and 2024, Comfort Systems USA continued to provide these equity-based incentives, aligning with their strong financial performance over these years. The stock options typically have vesting periods that are linked to performance metrics and tenure. RSUs, on the other hand, are often granted to top executives and are tied to both company performance and continued service. The most recent filings show that stock options and RSUs are primarily available to senior management and directors at Comfort Systems USA. For example, in 2024, multiple directors and top executives exercised their stock options, reflecting the company's robust stock performance during this period​ (Comfort Systems USA)​ (Comfort Systems USA)​ (MarketBeat). The specifics of these stock options and RSUs are detailed in Comfort Systems USA’s financial reports and SEC filings, including the exact terms of vesting and any associated performance conditions. The reports from 2022, 2023, and 2024 confirm that these equity incentives remain a key part of the company’s compensation strategy, helping to retain top talent and align their interests with those of shareholders.

Comfort Systems USA offers a range of health benefits tailored to the needs of its employees. For 2022, 2023, and 2024, they have continued to focus on providing comprehensive health coverage options, including three different levels of health insurance plans that employees can choose from based on their personal or family needs. These plans are designed to offer flexibility and are a significant part of the company’s commitment to employee well-being. In addition to traditional health insurance, Comfort Systems USA also provides an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which offers confidential support for various personal issues, including emotional, financial, and legal concerns. This program is a critical part of their benefits package, emphasizing the holistic health of employees, which includes mental and financial health alongside physical well-being. Recent trends in employee benefits, such as those outlined in the 2024 Employee Health & Benefits Trends report by Marsh McLennan, indicate that companies like Comfort Systems USA are increasingly focusing on whole-person health. This trend reflects a broader industry movement towards benefits that support not just physical health but also mental and financial health, aligning with the evolving expectations of a diverse workforce.