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

'With health care inflation outpacing general costs, Fluor 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, Fluor 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 Fluor 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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Fluor Corporation's 401(k) Plan: Fluor's 401(k) plan, part of their Employee Savings Investment Plan (ESIP), allows employees to contribute a portion of their salary pre-tax, with Fluor offering a matching contribution. Employees become eligible for this plan immediately upon employment, and the company begins matching contributions after one year of service. The 401(k) plan is a vital part of Fluor's overall benefits package, designed to help employees save for retirement while receiving tax advantages. Fluor Corporation's Pension Plan: Fluor also provides a traditional pension plan to eligible employees. This defined benefit plan calculates retirement benefits based on a formula that considers years of service and final average pay. The specific details, such as age qualification and the pension formula, are detailed in the company's official benefits documents. Generally, employees need to have a minimum number of years of service and meet age requirements to qualify for full pension benefits upon retirement.

Restructuring and Layoffs: In 2023-2024, Fluor Corporation has faced significant changes, including ongoing restructuring efforts aimed at improving profitability and efficiency. These efforts have led to workforce reductions in certain segments, as the company adjusts to evolving market demands and economic pressures. Company Benefit and 401(k) Changes: Fluor has also been involved in a legal dispute over its 401(k) plan fees, reflecting increased scrutiny on retirement benefits. The company has reaffirmed its commitment to providing competitive benefits despite these challenges. It is crucial to address these developments because of the current economic, investment, tax, and political environment, which continues to impact corporate strategies and employee welfare.Pension Adjustments: While no drastic pension changes have been reported, Fluor's ongoing financial adjustments could influence future benefit structures, emphasizing the importance of staying informed on these issues. This news is essential for stakeholders, particularly in light of the shifting regulatory and economic landscape.**

Fluor Corporation has provided its employees with stock options and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) as part of their compensation package, particularly in recent years, including 2022, 2023, and 2024. These equity compensation options are designed to align the interests of employees with those of shareholders, offering a way to benefit directly from the company's success. Stock Options at Fluor typically allow employees to purchase company stock at a predetermined price, known as the exercise price. These options are often subject to a vesting period, meaning that employees must remain with the company for a certain duration before they can exercise these options. In 2023 and 2024, stock options have been increasingly granted to senior management and key personnel, reflecting the company's focus on retaining top talent during strategic transitions. Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) are also a significant part of Fluor's compensation strategy. RSUs represent a promise to deliver shares of Fluor's stock to employees upon the completion of a vesting period. Unlike stock options, RSUs do not require employees to purchase shares at an exercise price; instead, the shares are delivered outright once vested. In recent years, Fluor has utilized RSUs as a means to attract and retain high-level employees, particularly those involved in critical projects within the company's Energy and Urban Solutions segments.

Fluor Corporation offers a comprehensive range of health benefits to its employees, with updates and changes noted in the years 2022, 2023, and 2024. These benefits typically include medical, dental, and vision plans, along with wellness programs and mental health resources. Fluor's health plans often utilize industry-specific acronyms such as PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) and HSA (Health Savings Account), which are standard across many companies. In recent years, Fluor has faced some challenges, including layoffs and shifts in business strategy, which have impacted employee morale and possibly influenced benefits offerings. For instance, the company has undergone layoffs, and there have been discussions about cost-cutting measures that may indirectly affect employee benefits, though specific details on how these might have impacted healthcare benefits have not been disclosed publicly.