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

'With health care inflation outpacing general costs, Marvell Technology 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, Marvell Technology 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 Marvell Technology 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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Marvell Technology offers a comprehensive employee pension plan and 401(k) plan, detailed across several sources. The primary 401(k) plan is the Marvell Semiconductor 401(k) Retirement Plan, managed by Charles Schwab. Employees are automatically enrolled in this 401(k) plan, with contributions invested in Schwab Target Date Funds tailored to expected retirement ages. Participants can also select from a variety of plan-selected funds or open a Personal Choice Retirement Account (PCRA) if they prefer to manage their investments directly​ (Marvell Benefits)​ (Marvell Benefits). The company matches up to 5% of the employee's salary in the 401(k), up to a cap of $5,000 annually, which is paid out quarterly. The funds are deposited 30-45 days after the end of each calendar quarter. To receive the company match, employees must be actively employed at the end of the quarter​ (Marvell Benefits)​ (Marvell Benefits). Marvell Technology's 401(k) plan has been amended multiple times to stay current with regulatory and market changes.

Restructuring Layoffs (2023-2024): In 2023, Marvell Technology announced significant layoffs of 320 employees, which amounted to approximately 4% of its workforce. This decision was driven by the ongoing industry slowdown in semiconductor markets. Marvell also completed the layoff of its entire research and development team in China by 2024 as part of its broader restructuring plan. These workforce reductions are necessary for the company to adjust to evolving market demands, particularly in data infrastructure and AI-driven markets​ (Stock Analysis)​ (Investor Relations | Marvell)​ (Investor Relations | Marvell). It is crucial to address this news because of the current economic, investment, tax, and political environment, as the semiconductor industry remains highly volatile with constant fluctuations in demand. Marvell's strategic restructuring aligns with the need to position itself for future growth in these rapidly changing markets.

Marvell Technology (MRVL) offers both stock options and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) to its employees, primarily as part of its broader equity compensation plans aimed at rewarding performance and encouraging long-term company engagement. The stock options provided by Marvell typically have a vesting schedule tied to continued employment, with eligibility focused on senior-level employees, executives, and high-performing contributors across various departments. These stock options allow employees to purchase company stock at a set price after the vesting period. Marvell's RSUs, which also form a significant portion of its compensation strategy, are granted based on performance and tenure. These RSUs convert into shares of Marvell stock once certain conditions are met, including time-based vesting schedules. The company emphasizes RSUs for mid-to-senior-level employees as a way to align employee incentives with Marvell's long-term growth and financial success​ (Investor Relations | Marvell)​ (Investor Relations | Marvell)​ (Investor Relations | Marvell). The latest information from fiscal years 2022, 2023, and 2024 shows that Marvell continues to use RSUs and stock options extensively, especially for incentivizing key personnel involved in critical areas like AI, cloud infrastructure, and semiconductor development. Marvell's equity programs are part of a larger effort to retain talent in an increasingly competitive technology sector. Stock-based compensation expenses, including RSUs, have been noted in their financial statements and investor calls as a significant component of operating expenses​

Marvell Technology offers a comprehensive set of health and wellbeing benefits for its employees, reflecting its focus on providing a wide range of medical, dental, and mental health services. Employees can choose from health insurance options such as Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser, and Tufts. Dental and vision care are also available, and additional perks include preventive care and mental health support through platforms like Lyra Health, which offers 24/7 assistance​ (Marvell Benefits)​ (Marvell Benefits). Marvell has recently expanded its health-related offerings, with services like Sword Physical Therapy and Bloom Pelvic Therapy being part of the company’s wellbeing program. These initiatives demonstrate the company's commitment to addressing a broader spectrum of healthcare needs, from physical to mental health​ (Marvell Benefits). Furthermore, employees have access to financial benefits like a Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), adding flexibility in managing medical expenses​ (Marvell Benefits). These benefits reflect the company's ongoing focus on employee health and financial wellness as part of their broader wellbeing strategy.