Hilton Worldwide Holdings Retirees Face Rising Health Care Costs: Insights from Patrick Ray & Tyson Mavar

'With health care inflation outpacing general costs, Hilton Worldwide 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, Hilton Worldwide 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 Hilton Worldwide 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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Hilton Worldwide Holdings offers comprehensive employee benefits, including both a 401(k) plan and a defined benefit pension plan. Hilton's 401(k) plan allows eligible employees to contribute to their retirement savings, with the company providing a matching contribution up to a certain percentage of the employee's salary. The plan is available to full-time and part-time employees after one year of service. In addition to the 401(k), Hilton offers a traditional pension plan for employees hired before a certain cutoff date. This defined benefit plan considers the employee's years of service and final average earnings to calculate the pension benefit​ (HAContent)​ (How I Got The Job). The specific Hilton Worldwide Holdings 401(k) plan is called the Hilton Retirement Savings Program, while the defined benefit pension plan is referred to as the Hilton Hotels Retirement Plan. The pension plan requires at least five years of service for employees to be fully vested, and the pension formula is based on final average pay. The plan details and eligibility criteria, including the retirement age and pension calculation formula, are outlined in the Summary Plan Description (SPD) document for Hilton employees. Employees who meet the age and service requirements can receive a retirement income based on a predetermined formula, ensuring a stable financial future after retirement​ (

Hilton Worldwide Holdings has recently undergone restructuring efforts aimed at streamlining operations and enhancing efficiency. The company announced a series of strategic layoffs in various departments to realign its workforce with evolving business needs. This move is part of Hilton’s broader initiative to optimize its organizational structure and reduce costs.

Hilton Worldwide Holdings offers stock options and RSUs as part of its compensation package. Stock options allow employees to purchase shares at a fixed price, while RSUs are company shares given to employees, typically vesting over time. The specific details and availability of these benefits can vary depending on the employee's role and tenure with Hilton Worldwide Holdings. Hilton Worldwide Holdings typically grants stock options and RSUs to executives and high-level employees. These benefits are designed to align employees' interests with shareholder interests and reward long-term service. For 2022, Hilton Worldwide Holdings provided stock options and RSUs primarily to senior management and certain key contributors. Details on vesting schedules and grant sizes were outlined in their annual reports. In 2023 and 2024, Hilton Worldwide Holdings continued to offer stock options and RSUs, with updated plans reflecting changes in performance metrics and market conditions. These plans are documented in their annual proxy statements and financial reports.

Hilton provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage. They offer Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). The company covers preventive care at 100% and provides access to a variety of wellness programs.