Graphic Packaging Holding Retirees Face Rising Health Care Costs: Insights from Patrick Ray & Tyson Mavar

'With health care inflation outpacing general costs, Graphic Packaging Holding 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, Graphic Packaging Holding 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 Graphic Packaging Holding 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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Pension Plan Name: Graphic Packaging Holding Pension Plan Pension Formula: The pension benefit is calculated based on a formula that includes years of service and the average of the highest five consecutive years of salary. Eligibility: Employees must have at least 5 years of service and be 55 years old to qualify for retirement benefits. 401(k) Plan Name: Graphic Packaging Holding 401(k) Plan 401(k) Eligibility: Employees are eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan after 90 days of employment.

Restructuring and Layoffs: In 2023, Graphic Packaging Holding announced a significant restructuring initiative aimed at optimizing its manufacturing operations. This included the closure of certain facilities and a reduction in workforce by approximately 10%. This move was part of a broader effort to streamline operations and reduce costs in response to shifting market demands and increased competition. Company Benefits Changes: The company has also revised its benefits package in light of the restructuring. Changes include adjustments to health insurance plans and alterations in retirement plan contributions. These modifications are intended to align the benefits structure with the new organizational framework and economic conditions.

Graphic Packaging Holding Stock Options (GPK Options): 2022: GPK offered stock options primarily to senior executives and key employees as part of their compensation package. The options were usually granted with a vesting period of 3-4 years. 2023: GPK revised their stock option grants to include more mid-level management positions in addition to senior executives. The options were granted with performance-based vesting criteria. 2024: GPK continued to offer stock options, now including a broader range of employees in key operational roles. Vesting periods remained consistent with prior years.

1. Company's Official Website Website: Graphic Packaging Holding - Careers & Benefits Navigate to: The careers section or benefits page on the official website. Search for: Health benefits, healthcare terms, acronyms, and any relevant updates. 2. General Search Engines Sources: Google, Bing, Yahoo Search for: “Graphic Packaging Holding health benefits 2022 2023 2024” Keywords to look for: Health insurance, wellness programs, employee assistance programs, health savings accounts (HSAs), flexible spending accounts (FSAs), and any specific healthcare terms or acronyms used by the company. 3. Employee Review Sites Websites: Glassdoor (Glassdoor) Indeed (Indeed) Comparably (Comparably) Search for: Reviews or employee feedback on health benefits. Look for: Insights on benefits from current or past employees, including satisfaction levels and specifics about health plans. 4. News Websites Websites: Bloomberg (Bloomberg) Reuters (Reuters) CNBC (CNBC) Search for: Recent news articles or press releases related to Graphic Packaging Holding's employee benefits and healthcare. Keywords to use: Employee healthcare changes, benefits adjustments, healthcare coverage updates. 5. Industry Reports and Publications Sources: Business Insider (Business Insider) HR Dive (HR Dive) SHRM (SHRM) Search for: Industry-specific reports on employee benefits that may include information on Graphic Packaging Holding. Keywords to use: Employee benefits trends, healthcare benefits in manufacturing, company-specific benefit analyses.