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

'With health care inflation outpacing general costs, EnLink Midstream 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, EnLink Midstream 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 EnLink Midstream 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:

Eastman Chemical offers a comprehensive 401(k) plan that includes both traditional and Roth options. Employees at Eastman Chemical are automatically enrolled with a 7% deferral rate, with an annual "Auto Increase" feature that raises this rate by 1% each year until it reaches 10%. The company matches 50% of employee contributions up to 7%. Additionally, Eastman Chemical contributes a Retirement Savings Contribution (RSC), equivalent to 5% of the employee's RSC-eligible earnings, which is separate from employee contributions. Employees can further enhance their retirement savings through after-tax contributions, and they can utilize Roth in-plan conversions to potentially grow tax-free retirement income​ (MyEastmanBenefits)​ (MyEastmanBenefits). Eastman Chemical's pension plan is a defined benefit plan, where employees accrue benefits based on a combination of years of service and age qualification. However, specific details about the pension formula, years of service, and age qualification were not available in the sources consulted, and further document review would be necessary to obtain this data.

Restructuring and Layoffs: In 2023, EnLink Midstream announced a strategic restructuring aimed at optimizing operations and reducing costs. This included a reduction in workforce to streamline management and enhance operational efficiency. The company cited market conditions and operational challenges as reasons for these changes. The layoffs were part of a broader initiative to align resources with strategic priorities. Importance: Addressing this news is crucial given the current economic environment, where companies are under pressure to adapt to market fluctuations and regulatory changes. The impact of such restructuring on employees and stakeholders, especially in a volatile economic climate, underscores the importance of staying informed about these developments.

EnLink Midstream offers its employees various stock options and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) as part of its executive compensation packages. The RSUs are awarded under the company's incentive plan, and eligibility extends to executives and key personnel who contribute to the company's growth​ (EnLink Midstream)​ (FinViz). EnLink Midstream employees receive these RSUs with vesting schedules typically tied to performance metrics and tenure within the company. Stock options are also available but are generally reserved for senior executives​ (EnLink Midstream)​ (EnLink Midstream). EnLink Midstream's stock options and RSUs play a crucial role in aligning employee incentives with shareholder value. The company expanded its RSU awards in 2022, 2023, and 2024 to support long-term employee retention and performance​ (EnLink Midstream)​ (Stock Analysis). Senior management and key employees are the primary recipients of these stock options, with vesting conditions tied to financial milestones such as EBITDA growth​

Benefits Overview: EnLink Midstream provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance. Employees can also access health savings accounts (HSAs), flexible spending accounts (FSAs), and various wellness programs. Healthcare Terms: HSA: Health Savings Account FSA: Flexible Spending Account EAP: Employee Assistance Program