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

'With health care inflation outpacing general costs, Delek US 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, Delek US 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 Delek US 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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Delek US Holdings offers a 401(k) plan for its employees with several features aimed at enhancing retirement savings. Employees are eligible for the company 401(k) plan, which allows them to make pre-tax contributions from their salary. The contribution limits follow the IRS guidelines, which increased to $22,500 for 2023 and $23,000 for 2024. Delek provides a matching contribution up to a specific percentage, although details on the precise matching percentage for 2022-2024 were not readily available. Their 401(k) plan is known to include options for traditional and Roth 401(k) contributions, giving employees flexibility in how they save for retirement. Employees are typically eligible for this plan from the start of employment​ (SEC.gov)​ (SEC.gov). For pensions, Delek US Holdings does not offer a traditional defined benefit pension plan to all employees but focuses on their defined contribution 401(k) plan instead. This structure is more common in modern corporate retirement offerings, especially in the refining and logistics sectors. Their focus is on matching contributions and enhancing the overall retirement package through the 401(k) system​

Delek US Holdings Restructuring and Layoffs: In early 2024, Delek US Holdings announced a significant restructuring initiative aimed at streamlining its operations. This move includes a reduction in workforce by approximately 10% across its various divisions. The company stated that these layoffs are part of a broader effort to enhance operational efficiency and align with its strategic goals in a challenging economic environment. Importance: Given the current economic uncertainties, such as fluctuating oil prices and geopolitical tensions, it is crucial for employees and stakeholders to stay informed about these changes. The restructuring could impact job security, benefits, and future company performance, making it essential to monitor how these developments unfold.

Delek US Holdings offers a range of stock options and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) through its long-term incentive plans, primarily focused on motivating key employees and aligning their interests with shareholders. These awards are part of the company’s broader equity incentive plan, which was initially approved in 2017 and updated in 2018. The RSUs and stock options are granted under the Delek US Holdings Equity Incentive Plan and are designed to promote long-term commitment and performance. In 2022, 2023, and 2024, eligible employees received these awards based on their role and performance, with awards vesting over a period of four years. The stock options are tied to the company’s Class A common stock, while performance share units (PSUs) and performance units (PUs) are aligned with total shareholder return (TSR) relative to industry peers.

Health Benefits Overview: Delek US Holdings’ official website provides a broad overview of their benefits package. Key elements often include medical, dental, and vision insurance, health savings accounts (HSAs), flexible spending accounts (FSAs), and wellness programs. Recent Updates: The website may have recent updates about changes in healthcare plans or enhancements in coverage for 2023 or 2024.