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

Rising Health Care Costs Pose New Challenges for U.S. Employers Like Arconic

Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Arconic Arconic, a leading provider of aluminum and aerospace products, collaborates with various insurance companies to offer healthcare benefits to its employees. The primary healthcare providers that partner with Arconic vary by location and include well-known insurers like UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, and Blue Cross Blue Shield, among others. Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026 In 2026, healthcare costs are expected to rise significantly, impacting employers and employees alike, including those at Arconic. The projected average increase in health benefit costs could reach nearly 8.5%, attributed to a perfect storm of higher medical expenses and the potential expiration of enhanced federal premium subsidies from the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Many employers are responding by considering changes to plan designs that shift more costs to employees. This could lead to out-of-pocket premium increases that may exceed 75% for a large portion of the workforce, making it critical for companies like Arconic to strategize their healthcare offerings effectively to mitigate financial impacts on their employees. Click here to learn more

'Rising health care costs are no longer a temporary trend but a structural challenge that employers like Arconic need to face head-on. Proactive planning around benefits and long-term budgeting is essential to maintaining both workforce stability and financial resilience.' – Michael Corgiat, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

'With health care costs on the rise, companies like Arconic are exploring ways to align benefit strategies with financial objectives to help preserve both employee well-being and organizational strength.' – Brent Wolf, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

In this article, we will discuss:

The rapid rise in employer-sponsored health care costs and its long-term budget implications.
The primary factors driving health care inflation, including labor shortages and prescription drug costs.
The strategic responses employers are adopting to manage expenses while addressing employee well-being.

By Patrick Ray, a financial advisor at Wealth Enhancement

Businesses in the United States, including Arconic, are bracing for the largest increase in health insurance costs in over 15 years. ¹ This trend is spilling over into the operating costs associated with employer-sponsored health care plans, driving companies to revisit how they handle employee benefits, retention, and long-term financial planning.

An Increase in Prices

Industry estimates indicate that employer health care expenditures are set to rise by roughly 9% to 10% in 2026, ² marking the biggest annual jump since 2011. ³ With average annual premiums for employer-sponsored family coverage reaching $25,572 in 2024, ⁴ this jump stands to put continued pressure on companies—including Arconic—to reassess how sustainable their benefit programs remain. The compounding effect of these annual increases has forced firms to rethink benefits in ways that may directly influence workforce stability.

Double-digit annual increases do occur in exceptional circumstances, but the fact that this surge is happening in a stable economy underscores how health care inflation has shifted from a temporary market disruption to a structural challenge for employers.

The Reasons Behind Rising Prices

Several systemic factors are fueling this upward trend for employers like Arconic:

Health Care Labor Costs: Hospitals and providers are facing heightened labor expenses, especially for specialized roles such as nurses and clinicians. ⁵
Pharmaceutical Expenses: The introduction of new and specialty treatments—often expensive—adds strain to budgets.
Insurer Pass-Throughs: Increases in insurer rates are often passed directly on to employer-sponsored plans. ⁶
Increased Utilization: Following the pandemic, many employees deferred screenings and elective procedures, leading to a surge in catch-up care that elevates overall spending. ¹

While these developments may lead to better health outcomes over time, they also impose immediate budget pressures.

The Employer’s Dilemma

Spending trends are approaching a tipping point for many organizations such as Arconic. One Wealth Enhancement client with over 2,000 employees projected employer-sponsored health care costs could exceed $50 million within three years, a scenario the CFO described as “unsustainable.” Employers now face the choice of absorbing greater expenses, scaling back benefits, or shifting more costs onto employees. Each route carries risks, particularly if health care cost growth continues outpacing revenue and wage increases.

Effects on Employees

At large corporations like Arconic, employees may experience higher deductibles, copays, or out-of-pocket maximums—even when employers cover most premium increases. For many families, coverage costs now rival second mortgages or car payments, fueling dissatisfaction and turnover. As benefits grow more costly and are viewed as less generous, workforce morale and retention suffer, impacting engagement and company performance.

Employers’ Strategic Responses

To address rising costs, companies—including Arconic—are turning to tactics such as:

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and High-Deductible Plans: To mitigate costs for employees enrolled in high-deductible health plans, some employers are including HSAs in their benefits programs. These accounts offer a triple tax advantage: contributions to the account are tax-free and exempt from Social Security or Medicare taxes if they're made through payroll deductions; the money invested grows tax-free; and withdrawals for qualified health expenses are tax-free.
Direct Provider Negotiations: Some employers aim to leverage their market power by negotiating health care costs directly with providers, bypassing traditional insurance networks and optimally reducing both employer and employee health care coverage costs.
Virtual Care and Digital Solutions: By expanding access to telemedicine and wellness technology, some employers hope to reduce reliance on costly in-person services.

These measures reflect innovation but deliver incremental relief—not full-scale solutions.

The Long-Term Financial Landscape

For Arconic and other large employers, the question isn't whether health care costs will rise—it's how to prepare for the continuing upward trend. Some firms have created dedicated reserve funds to buffer volatility; others link executive incentives to cost containment efforts. These strategies favor proactive planning, aligning financial discipline with long-term performance.

The Human Factor

Health care spending isn't merely an expense; for companies like Arconic, maintaining a healthy, engaged workforce is essential to productivity and loyalty. Overly aggressive cost trimming may produce short-term savings but often leads to higher absenteeism and turnover, eroding future competitiveness. Organizations that approach health care as an investment in human capital may be better placed to balance budget priorities with workforce resilience.

Featured Video

Articles you may find interesting:

Final Thoughts

Health care costs in the U.S. are forecast to rise at levels not seen in more than a decade, with employer-sponsored coverage poised for the steepest annual increase since 2011. Arconic and other employers must weigh fiscal responsibility against supporting employee well-being—a balance vital to long-term viability.

Wealth Enhancement advocates crafting strategies that help preserve competitiveness while supporting employees’ health. A 65-year-old retiring in 2025 may need as much as $172,500 to cover health care expenses in retirement—up nearly 4% from the previous year ⁷ —highlighting how health care inflation deeply affects future financial commitments.

Employers’ rising health care costs resemble a rising tide: gradual increases may go unnoticed at first, but soon every anchored vessel—every business—is impacted. Arconic and others must consistently adapt benefits design to meet this challenge, maintaining workforce engagement and long-term financial strength.

Sources:

1. Mercer. ' Employers prepare for the highest health benefit cost increase in 15 years ,' by Beth Umland and Sunit Patel. September 3, 2025.

2. Aon. ' U.S. Employer Health Care Costs Expected to Rise 9.5 Percent In 2026 ,' September 10, 2025.

3. PwC Health Research Institute. ' Medical Cost Trend: Behind the Numbers 2026 ,' 16 July 2025.

4. KFF. ' 2024 E mployer Health Benefits Survey ,' October 9, 2024.

5. American Hospital Association. ' America’s Hospitals and Health Systems Continue to Face Escalating Operational Costs and Economic Pressures ,' Apr. 2024.

6. Health Services Research. ' Research and policy to strengthen the employer-sponsored health insurance market ,' April 25, 2022.

7. Fidelity Investments. “ How to Plan for Rising Health Care Costs ,” September 5, 2025.

What retirement benefits and options are available to employees of Arconic Corporation under the Arconic Corp. Pension Plan A, and how do these benefits change based on factors such as age, service length, and retirement category? Employees of Arconic Corporation should understand their eligibility requirements for normal retirement, early retirement, and disability benefits as outlined in the company's pension plan documentation.

The Arconic Corp. Pension Plan A provides retirement benefits based on a formula that considers average earnings and service length, with normal retirement eligibility at age 65 and at least five years of service. Early retirement is available at age 55 with 10 years of service, with benefits reduced based on actuarial assumptions. Disability benefits are available after 10 years of service, and preretirement death benefits offer 50% of accrued benefits to surviving spouses(Arconic Corporation_ Ja…).

How does the frozen state of benefits and service accruals impact current and future retirees at Arconic Corporation? Employees should evaluate how the freeze, effective April 1, 2018, affects their retirement planning and what measures they can take based on their individual circumstances to optimize their retirement benefits.

The frozen state of benefits and service accruals, effective April 1, 2018, means no new service credits or compensation increases are factored into pension calculations for current employees. This freeze affects retirement planning as employees must now rely on frozen benefits and other savings plans to meet retirement needs. It’s important for employees to reassess their financial goals and consider additional investments to optimize retirement benefits(Arconic Corporation_ Ja…).

In what ways can Arconic Corporation employees ensure they meet the requirements for spousal benefits outlined in the pension plan, especially regarding preretirement and postretirement scenarios? Understanding the specifics of eligibility and benefits, such as the surviving spouse benefit calculations, is crucial for employees planning for retirement.

To ensure eligibility for spousal benefits, employees need to meet certain requirements. Preretirement surviving spouse benefits require at least five years of service, and postretirement spousal benefits reduce the participant’s monthly benefit by 5%, with 50% of the reduced amount paid to the spouse if the participant dies first. Employees should understand these provisions to plan for their family’s financial security in retirement(Arconic Corporation_ Ja…).

What are the implications of the actuarial assumptions used by Arconic Corporation in valuing its pension obligations, and how do these assumptions affect the funding of the retirement plan? Arconic Corporation employees should examine how changes in interest rates and mortality tables influence the company's ability to meet its pension obligations.

Actuarial assumptions used in Arconic Corp.’s pension valuations, such as interest rates and mortality tables, directly impact the funding of retirement plans. Changes in these assumptions can affect the pension plan’s obligations and the amount of required contributions, making it important for employees to understand how these factors influence the stability and sufficiency of their retirement benefits(Arconic Corporation_ Ja…).

Can you explain the process by which Arconic Corporation employees can appeal decisions related to their pension benefits, and what support does the company provide during this process? Understanding the proper channels for appeals and the types of documentation required can be vital for employees facing issues with their pension benefits.

Employees can appeal pension benefit decisions through Arconic Corporation’s formal process, which includes submitting an appeal with supporting documentation. The company provides guidelines on what documentation is required, and employees should follow these closely to ensure their case is reviewed thoroughly. The support provided can include detailed responses to clarify benefit calculations and decisions(Arconic Corporation_ Ja…).

What resources are available to Arconic Corporation employees to help them make informed decisions about their retirement benefits, and how can they access these resources efficiently? Employees should know where to find comprehensive materials and support services concerning their retirement plans.

Arconic Corporation offers various resources to assist employees in making informed decisions about their retirement benefits. Employees can access comprehensive plan documents, financial planning tools, and counseling services through the company’s HR department and retirement plan administrators to ensure they fully understand their options(Arconic Corporation_ Ja…).

How does the Arconic Corporation define "average earnings" for calculating retirement benefits, and what methodologies are in place to ensure accuracy in these calculations? Understanding the basis for average earnings will allow employees to better project their pension benefits and prepare for retirement.

Average earnings, used in calculating retirement benefits, are defined as the average of the five highest consecutive calendar years of compensation within the last ten years for most participants. For certain participants, different rules apply based on service and plan conditions. Employees can review their earnings history to ensure accurate calculations and projections for retirement planning(Arconic Corporation_ Ja…).

What criteria does Arconic Corporation use to determine eligibility for deferred vested benefits, and how can employees maximize their advantages in this area? Employees need to be aware of the vesting schedule and how to plan for potential career transitions while maintaining their benefits.

Eligibility for deferred vested benefits in Arconic Corporation’s plan requires five years of service, and benefits can commence as early as age 55, with reductions based on actuarial calculations. Employees should plan career transitions carefully to maximize their vested benefits, especially when considering leaving the company before retirement(Arconic Corporation_ Ja…).

How can Arconic Corporation employees prepare for the potential tax implications of their pension benefits upon retirement, especially in light of IRS regulations for 2024? Being informed about tax strategies related to retirement income can significantly enhance retirees' financial wellbeing.

Employees preparing for retirement should understand the tax implications of pension benefits, particularly in light of IRS regulations for 2024. Strategies such as tax deferral and proper timing of distributions can help minimize the tax burden on retirement income, significantly enhancing financial outcomes(Arconic Corporation_ Ja…).

What contact methods does Arconic Corporation provide for employees wishing to learn more about their pension plan details, and how can employees best utilize these methods to get their queries resolved? Understanding the effective ways to communicate with the company for assistance is key for employees navigating their retirement benefits.

Arconic Corporation provides multiple contact methods for pension-related inquiries, including direct access to HR representatives and pension plan administrators. Employees are encouraged to utilize these resources effectively by preparing questions in advance and keeping detailed records of their communications for follow-up and clarity(Arconic Corporation_ Ja…).

With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.

Arconic has announced a major restructuring plan that includes significant layoffs across its North American facilities. The restructuring is aimed at streamlining operations and reducing costs amid ongoing economic uncertainties. Additionally, Arconic is revising its pension and 401(k) benefits in response to shifting market conditions and regulatory changes.