Floor & Decor Holdings Retirees Face Rising Health Care Costs: Insights from Patrick Ray & Tyson Mavar

'With health care inflation outpacing general costs, Floor & Decor 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, Floor & Decor 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 Floor & Decor 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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Floor & Decor Holdings offers a 401(k) retirement plan with a company match, and employees are eligible to participate after six months of employment. The company matches employee contributions at a rate determined annually, which was approximately 29.35% in 2022. Additionally, Floor & Decor has an Employee Stock Purchase Plan that allows employees to purchase company stock at a discounted rate. There was no specific information found on a defined pension plan offered by Floor & Decor Holdings in 2022, 2023, or 2024. The focus appears to be on their 401(k) plan and other retirement savings options. The company's benefits and retirement plans emphasize financial wellness and employee investment in their future.

Restructuring Layoffs: In 2023-2024, Floor & Decor has continued to expand its operations, opening new stores and studios, which suggests stability and growth rather than restructuring layoffs. However, the company has not announced any significant layoffs during this period, focusing instead on growth initiatives like the opening of new locations, including its Houston Design Studio in 2022 and continued expansion into 2024. Importance: This focus on expansion rather than layoffs is crucial for understanding the company's current economic resilience, especially considering the broader economic and investment climate where many companies are reducing their workforce. It’s essential to monitor for any future changes as economic conditions evolve.

Floor & Decor Holdings (FND) offers its employees various stock options and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) as part of its compensation package. These are detailed in the company’s SEC filings and annual reports. The stock options and RSUs available to employees at Floor & Decor Holdings are part of the 2017 Stock Incentive Plan. This plan allows eligible employees, consultants, and non-employee directors to receive RSUs, which are units that represent shares of the company's common stock. These RSUs typically vest over a period of time, depending on continued employment or meeting specific performance goals. For example, the RSUs might include a provision for dividend equivalents, where employees can receive cash payments equivalent to dividends paid on the company's stock during the vesting period​ (SEC.gov)​ (Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc.). The latest updates to these stock options and RSUs for 2022, 2023, and 2024 show that the plan continues to be a significant part of Floor & Decor’s employee compensation strategy. Employees who meet specific eligibility criteria, such as length of service and job level, are offered these equity incentives. The detailed terms, including vesting schedules and eligibility, are outlined in the company’s annual 10-K filings​ (Last10K).

Floor & Decor Holdings offers a comprehensive set of health benefits to its employees, which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as various wellness programs aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle. The company's health plans typically involve partnerships with major insurance providers, allowing employees access to a wide network of healthcare services. In terms of specific healthcare-related terms, Floor & Decor commonly uses terms such as "HSA" (Health Savings Account), "PPO" (Preferred Provider Organization), and "EAP" (Employee Assistance Program) within their benefits communications. These acronyms represent essential components of their healthcare packages, designed to give employees flexible and robust options for managing their health expenses.