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

'With health care inflation outpacing general costs, Fleetcor Technologies 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, Fleetcor Technologies 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 Fleetcor Technologies 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.

Featured Video

Articles you may find interesting:

Sources:

Flowserve offers both a 401(k) plan and a defined benefit pension plan to its employees. Flowserve's 401(k) plan provides a company match of $0.75 for every dollar contributed by employees, up to 6% of their salary. This employer match is a significant benefit, encouraging employees to save for retirement while receiving additional contributions from the company. The 401(k) plan at Flowserve is well-regarded for its Roth option, introduced alongside traditional tax-deferred options, allowing employees more flexibility in how they manage their retirement savings​ (Guideline)​ (Home Page). Additionally, Flowserve offers a Cash Balance Plan for certain employees, which is the company's defined benefit pension plan. The Cash Balance Plan provides retirement benefits based on a percentage of the employee’s annual salary and years of service. As the employee's salary increases, so does the balance in their pension plan, which earns interest each year. The Cash Balance Plan formula is structured to accumulate gradually, providing a predictable retirement income for employees who meet the plan's eligibility criteria​

Restructuring Layoffs: Fleetcor Technologies, rebranded as Corpay in 2024, has been undergoing significant changes to align with its new corporate identity. This rebranding is part of a broader strategy to streamline operations and focus on its core business segments. Although no specific layoffs have been officially announced, the restructuring efforts may lead to potential workforce reductions as the company refocuses its resources. Given the current economic pressures, these changes are crucial for maintaining competitiveness and ensuring long-term financial stability. Benefit and Pension Changes: Corpay has not disclosed any direct changes to employee benefits or pension plans as part of its recent transformation. However, given the ongoing economic and political uncertainties, employees should remain vigilant for any future announcements. Changes in tax policies and economic conditions can directly influence corporate benefit decisions, making it essential to monitor updates that may affect retirement planning and financial well-being​

Fleetcor Technologies (NYSE: FLT) offers both stock options and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) as part of its employee compensation package, primarily under its Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan. These options and RSUs are typically awarded to senior management and key employees to align their interests with the long-term performance of the company. Stock Options at Fleetcor allow employees to purchase company stock at a predetermined price, known as the exercise price, after a specified vesting period. The options generally vest over several years and can be exercised upon the completion of this period. The exact terms, including the vesting schedule and the exercise price, are detailed in Fleetcor’s stock incentive plan documents. RSUs represent a promise to deliver company shares to employees at a future date, typically upon meeting certain performance goals or after a vesting period. These RSUs do not require any purchase or exercise by the employee; instead, the shares are automatically granted upon vesting. RSUs are often used as a retention tool, providing employees with a significant financial incentive to remain with the company over the long term. In 2022, 2023, and 2024, Fleetcor continued to grant these stock options and RSUs to key employees, emphasizing long-term value creation and retention. Employees eligible for these benefits typically include senior executives and individuals in roles that directly impact the company's strategic objectives.

Fleetcor Technologies has been actively enhancing its employee health benefits over the past few years, particularly focusing on mental health and wellness initiatives. In 2022, Fleetcor's UK branch received recognition for its commitment to mental health by winning a Gold Award in the Workplace Wellbeing Index from the mental health charity, Mind. This award reflects the company's efforts in training managers in mental health awareness and appointing Mental Health First Aiders across the organization. Additionally, Fleetcor offers a comprehensive health benefits package to its employees, which includes coverage for medical, dental, and vision care. The company has also been focusing on providing wellness programs that promote healthy lifestyles, which are integrated into their healthcare plans. Specific terms related to these benefits include "Mental Health First Aider," which is part of their mental health support structure, and "Wellbeing Index," which measures the effectiveness of their mental health initiatives.