New Update: Healthcare Costs Increasing by Over 60% in Some States. Will you be impacted?

USG Corporation Workers Prepare for Sharp Health Care Cost Increases in 2026

'With health care costs rising, USG Corporation employees should take time to review their coverage and align it with their broader retirement income goals,' — Wesley Boudreaux, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

'USG Corporation employees can stay ahead of rising health care expenses by proactively evaluating benefits and incorporating future medical costs into their long-term retirement strategy,' — Patrick Ray, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

In this article, we will discuss:

Why health insurance premiums may rise in 2026.
How these changes could affect USG Corporation employees and retirees.
Steps to help prepare for higher health care costs.

Millions of Americans, including employees at USG Corporation, are learning that health insurance premiums could increase significantly in 2026. Depending on the state, income, and whether federal subsidies are offered, monthly premiums for many people may jump by double-digit percentages. ¹

Insurers are sending out letters to Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plans nationwide, detailing significant rate increases that could impact USG Corporation households who rely on supplemental or early retirement coverage. In many cases, people’s monthly premiums will go up by hundreds of dollars in the upcoming year. ²

Health policy researchers have collected new data suggesting average increases for marketplace plans could range from 10% to more than 20%. ¹ Many subscribers, including USG Corporation retirees using marketplace plans, may see payments more than quadruple if expanded government subsidies disappear. ¹

Those purchasing insurance on the exchanges are not the only ones facing higher costs. Employer-sponsored plans used by many USG Corporation families are also facing rising expenses as medical spending rebounds. In 2026, businesses anticipate an average cost increase of approximately 9%. ³

Reasons for Increasing Premiums

The main drivers behind premium hikes, according to insurers, include an aging population, rising medical costs, and increased health care usage post-pandemic—trends likely to impact USG Corporation retirees.

In addition, unless Congress intervenes, the expanded ACA subsidies implemented during the pandemic are scheduled to expire after 2025, a potential concern for former USG Corporation workers who rely on this support before Medicare eligibility. Without these subsidies, many middle-class families could see costs surge immediately.

More than 90% of ACA subscribers receive some government assistance with their premiums, ⁴ and analysts warn that if the expanded subsidies end, millions—including some who retired from USG Corporation early—could lose coverage entirely by 2027. ⁴

The Individual Effect

Every statistic reflects a personal challenge impacting families. Small business owners, independent contractors, and early retirees are already reporting premium increases from $250 to $700 per month in several states. ⁵

Some households losing subsidies could face monthly premiums of $2,000 or more ⁴ —far above the $300–$400 range typical today—creating greater strain for USG Corporation retirees trying to manage health care expenses.

Those living with chronic conditions face even harder decisions, since routine care and medications remain essential.

Getting Ready for 2026

Advisors recommend reviewing health plan options thoroughly during upcoming enrollment seasons, especially for those nearing retirement. This includes checking subsidy eligibility, comparing multiple coverage options, and evaluating whether a spousal or employer-sponsored plan could offer better value.

Professionals approaching retirement may want to consider tax-efficient health care savings tools like Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) to help manage higher costs. It is also important to account for health care inflation when forecasting post-employment income.

A Monetary Urge to Act

Rising health care expenses can disrupt long-term goals for individuals and families, including those with many years of service at USG Corporation. Medical coverage decisions should tie to retirement income strategies, tax planning, and asset preservation.

From retirement income and tax strategies to insurance and budgeting, The Retirement Group can help you evaluate how these changes may impact your future. Before open enrollment ends, call The Retirement Group at (800) 900-5867 to review retirement planning options and strategies to help navigate rising health care costs.

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Sources:

- 1. Ortaliza, Jared, Matt McGough, Kaitlyn Vu, Imani Telesford, Shameek Rakshit, Emma Wager, and Lynne Cotter. “ Individual Market Insurers Requesting Largest Premium Increases in More Than 5 Years .” KFF/Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker, 18 July 2025.
2. Buettgens, Matthew, et al. “ 4.8 Million People Will Lose Coverage in 2026 If Enhanced Premium Tax Credits Expire .” Urban Institute, Sept. 2025, pp. 1, 5-6, 12-13.
3. Umland, Beth, and Sunit Patel. “ Employers Prepare for the Highest Health Benefit Cost Increase in 15 Years .” Mercer, 3 Sept. 2025.
4. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. ' Five Key Changes to ACA Marketplaces Amid Uncertainty Over Premium Tax Credit Enhancements ,' by Jennifer Sullivan and Nicole Rapfogel. Sep. 22, 2025.
5. abc News. ' ACA policyholders say soaring health insurance premiums are jeopardizing lives ,' by Mary Kekatos and Bill Hutchinson. Sep. 7, 2025.

How does the retirement plan structure at USG Corporation impact both final average earnings participants and cash balance participants, especially regarding their eligibility and benefits accrued over time? In what ways does the differentiation between these two categories influence the retirement outcomes for employees of USG Corporation?

Retirement Plan Structure: USG Corporation's retirement plan differentiates between Final Average Earnings Participants and Cash Balance Participants. Final Average Earnings participants, who joined before January 1, 2011, accrue benefits based on their final average earnings and years of service, which can result in higher benefits for longer-serving employees. Cash Balance participants, who joined after January 1, 2011, have their benefits calculated based on a cash balance account, which grows with contributions and interest credits. These differences affect retirement outcomes, as Final Average Earnings participants may see higher pension payments if they have longer service or higher wages, while Cash Balance participants have more predictable but potentially lower benefits based on their account balance(USG Corporation_Retirem…).

USG Corporation's Retirement Plan allows for different age-specific rules regarding early retirement. How do the "Rule of 90" and "Rule of 82" affect the financial planning of employees considering an early retirement option, and what should they consider regarding their long-term financial security?

Rule of 90 and Rule of 82: The "Rule of 90" allows employees to retire early without a reduction in benefits if their age plus years of service total 90, provided they retire at or after age 62. The "Rule of 82" permits early retirement with reduced benefits for those whose age and years of service total 82. Employees planning early retirement must consider these rules as they directly affect the amount of benefits they receive, making it important to assess how long-term financial security will be impacted, especially if they retire before age 62(USG Corporation_Retirem…).

Could you elaborate on the process through which employees at USG Corporation can change their beneficiaries within the retirement plan? What steps need to be taken, and what are the implications of these changes on the benefits received upon the participant's death?

Changing Beneficiaries: To change beneficiaries, USG Corporation employees must contact Your Benefits Resources™, where they can designate a primary and contingent beneficiary. If married, the spouse must provide notarized consent to name a different primary beneficiary. The process involves completing a form, and any changes affect who receives benefits upon the participant's death. Failing to update the beneficiary could result in benefits being paid to unintended individuals(USG Corporation_Retirem…).

As part of the retirement process at USG Corporation, how are pensionable earnings calculated? What factors are included in this determination, and how might they vary among different employees based on their roles within the organization?

Pensionable Earnings Calculation: Pensionable earnings at USG Corporation include regular pay, shift differentials, and bonuses but exclude items like nonqualified deferred compensation, severance, and stock awards. These earnings are used to calculate benefits based on formulas that take into account an employee’s service years and earnings over the 36 highest consecutive months of the last 15 years of participation(USG Corporation_Retirem…).

How does the automatic enrollment in the USG Corporation Retirement Plan work, and what options do employees have if they initially chose not to participate? What implications might this have for their retirement savings strategy?

Automatic Enrollment and Opting In: Employees at USG Corporation are automatically enrolled in the retirement plan unless they choose to opt out. If employees decide not to participate initially, they can enroll later by contacting Your Benefits Resources™. Failure to participate from the start could result in lower retirement savings due to fewer years of contributions(USG Corporation_Retirem…).

In the context of USG Corporation, what are the potential tax consequences for employees withdrawing their retirement benefits, especially regarding the mandatory withholdings? How might employees effectively manage these tax liabilities when planning for retirement?

Tax Consequences of Withdrawals: Employees withdrawing their retirement benefits from USG Corporation will face mandatory federal income tax withholdings, typically 20% for lump sum distributions, unless the distribution is rolled over into an IRA. Employees must plan for these taxes when withdrawing to avoid unexpected liabilities and ensure they maximize their after-tax retirement income(USG Corporation_Retirem…).

How do employees at USG Corporation access the necessary documents related to their retirement benefits, and what is the process for obtaining copies of these documents if needed? What are the responsibilities of the Plan Administrator in this process?

Accessing Retirement Documents: Employees can access documents related to their retirement benefits through Your Benefits Resources™ online or via phone. If additional copies are needed, employees can request them from the Plan Administrator for a small fee. The Plan Administrator oversees ensuring these documents are provided to participants as required by ERISA(USG Corporation_Retirem…).

What unique provisions exist for USG Corporation employees who experience a break in service? How do these provisions impact their accumulated benefit service and overall benefits upon reemployment?

Break in Service Provisions: USG Corporation allows employees who experience a break in service to retain their accumulated benefits if they are reemployed within one year. If reemployed after one year, their previous service may not count toward future benefits unless they were vested prior to termination. This can affect the total benefits an employee accrues if they leave and later return(USG Corporation_Retirem…).

What options do employees of USG Corporation have for managing their benefits if they return to work after retirement? How does this affect their pension benefits and the overall strategy for maximizing retirement income?

Returning to Work After Retirement: Employees returning to work after retirement at USG Corporation will have their pension payments suspended and recalculated based on additional years of service. This recalculation takes into account prior payments, meaning employees should consider the impact of returning to work on their long-term pension strategy(USG Corporation_Retirem…)(USG Corporation_Retirem…).

How can employees of USG Corporation contact their Benefits Resourcesâ„¢ for more information on their retirement plan options? Are there specific channels preferred for different types of inquiries, and what resources are available to assist them?

Contacting Benefits Resources™: Employees can contact Your Benefits Resources™ via the web or a toll-free number to inquire about retirement plan options. Different inquiries, such as changes to beneficiaries or requesting benefit estimates, can be handled through these channels. Resources such as detailed benefit estimates are available to help employees plan for retirement(USG Corporation_Retirem…).