Group 1 Automotive Retirees Face Rising Health Care Costs: Insights from Patrick Ray & Tyson Mavar

'With health care inflation outpacing general costs, Group 1 Automotive 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, Group 1 Automotive 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 Group 1 Automotive 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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Name of Pension Plan: Group 1 Automotive does not have a traditional defined benefit pension plan. Instead, they offer a defined contribution 401(k) plan. Years of Service and Age Qualification: As Group 1 Automotive does not offer a traditional pension plan, there are no specific years of service or age qualifications for a pension. Pension Formula: Not applicable as there is no traditional pension plan. Source Document and Page Number: Information about Group 1 Automotive’s pension plans is not found in traditional pension plan documents, as they utilize a 401(k) plan. Group 1 Automotive 401(k) Plan Name of 401(k) Plan: Group 1 Automotive 401(k) Plan Who Qualifies: Employees who are at least 21 years old and have completed 90 days of service are eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan. 401(k) Plan Details: Contribution Matching: Group 1 Automotive typically offers a matching contribution, which may be up to a certain percentage of the employee's salary. Vesting Schedule: Employees are generally vested in their own contributions immediately, while employer contributions may be subject to a vesting schedule over several years. Source Document and Page Number: The details are usually found in the company's employee handbook or benefits summary document. For specific page numbers, you would need to consult the latest employee benefits guide or contact the HR department directly, as this can vary between documents and editions.

Layoffs and Restructuring: In 2023, Group 1 Automotive announced a significant restructuring plan, resulting in layoffs across several departments. The company cited the need to streamline operations and adapt to changing market conditions as reasons for these changes. This move is crucial to understand due to its implications on employee benefits and job security amidst a volatile economic climate. The restructuring aims to improve operational efficiency but could affect employee morale and financial stability. Changes in Benefits and 401(k): Alongside layoffs, Group 1 Automotive made adjustments to its employee benefits package and 401(k) plan. The company reduced its matching contributions to the 401(k) plan and altered health benefits to control rising costs. These changes are important to monitor as they impact employees' long-term financial planning and retirement security. The adjustments reflect broader trends in the automotive sector as companies respond to financial pressures and regulatory changes.

Identify Relevant Sources: Company Financial Reports: Look at Group 1 Automotive’s annual reports or 10-K filings, which are typically available on their investor relations website. SEC Filings: Check the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) EDGAR database for relevant filings. Company Press Releases: Review press releases on Group 1 Automotive’s official website or major business news websites. Financial News Websites: Use reputable financial news websites like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Yahoo Finance. Gather Information: Stock Options and RSUs: Look for details on stock options and RSUs, including the types available, eligibility criteria, and the amounts granted. Acronyms: Identify and define any acronyms related to stock options and RSUs used by Group 1 Automotive. Document Specifics: Dates: Ensure the information is relevant for the years 2022, 2023, and 2024. Summarize Information: Two-Column Format: Create a summary in a two-column format with specific details for Group 1 Automotive. Here is a preliminary structure based on a hypothetical search:

Glassdoor: Look at employee reviews and salary reports, which often include details about health benefits. Indeed: Search for reviews and insights about the company's health benefits from current and former employees. LinkedIn: Check if the company has posted any updates or articles related to employee benefits. HR and Benefits Publications: Search for articles or reports that discuss Group 1 Automotive’s health benefits. Sources might include HR magazines or industry reports. Company News Outlets: Search for news articles from reputable business news websites that might cover recent changes or updates to health benefits. Healthcare-Related Terms and Acronyms Look for common healthcare-related terms like PPO (Preferred Provider Organization), HMO (Health Maintenance Organization), FSA (Flexible Spending Account), and HSA (Health Savings Account). Identify any specific acronyms or terminology Group 1 Automotive uses for their benefits. Recent Employee Healthcare News Find any recent news or updates affecting employee health benefits. This could include changes to coverage, new benefits introduced, or any notable issues affecting employees' access to healthcare.