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Warner Bros. Discovery Employees Confront the Fear of Running Out of Money in Retirement

Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Warner Bros. Discovery: As of 2025, Warner Bros. Discovery offers healthcare coverage through various major insurers, including UnitedHealthcare and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, as part of their employee benefits package. The specifics may vary based on employee location and individual plan options. Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026: In 2026, Warner Bros. Discovery, like many companies, may face significant increases in healthcare costs due to a combination of factors influencing the insurance market. With projections indicating a rise of up to 75% in out-of-pocket premiums for consumers, the potential expiration of enhanced federal ACA subsidies stands out as a critical factor. Additionally, anticipated medical cost inflation, alongside rising expenses from employers shifting health insurance costs to employees, could lead to both higher deductibles and premium hikes, making healthcare less affordable for many. Click here to learn more

'To allay long-term financial concerns, Warner Bros. Discovery employees may benefit from a comprehensive retirement strategy that addresses inflation, health care costs, and tax planning.' – Michael Corgiat, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

'Proactive retirement planning—especially around inflation, health care, and shifting tax policies—can help Warner Bros. Discovery employees gain clarity and reduce uncertainty in the years leading up to retirement.' – Brent Wolf, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

In this article we will discuss:

Key causes of retirement anxiety, including inflation, health care, and taxes.
Generational differences in money concerns and readiness.
The value of broad retirement planning approaches.

Retirement Anxiety is On The Rise

Employees across industries, including those at Warner Bros. Discovery, have long worried about how they will fund retirement. These concerns have grown considerably in today’s economy. Nearly two out of three Americans (64%) said they worry more about outliving their resources than they do about dying, according to the Allianz Center for the Future of Retirement’s 2025 Annual Retirement Study. ¹

Main Causes of Retirement-Related Worry

The Allianz study lists several key triggers of these fears. Regarding long-term planning, 54% of respondents said inflation was their top worry. Increases in health care costs, housing, and food prices are still undermining people’s purchasing power.

Concerns around Social Security’s future and tax burdens are also high. 43% said they feared Social Security might not offer adequate support. And another 43% named high taxes as a major issue.

Generational Gaps in Money Stress

Gen X—often balancing care for both kids and aging parents—report the highest worry: 70% versus 66% of millennials and 61% of boomers. Among corporate workers, including those at Warner Bros. Discovery, this dynamic underlines how family obligations can magnify retirement concerns.

The Gap Between Worry and Action

The survey shows a gap between concern and conversation: just 23% of respondents have talked about outliving their assets with a retirement specialist, down from 28% in 2024. ² That said, Americans are considering several strategies to allay these fears, ranking the following approaches as most helpful:

41% said cutting current spending to funnel more toward retirement 
44% said increasing retirement contributions 
39% said postponing retirement
While increasing contributions to retirement accounts could help address these concerns, barriers remain: daily necessities (63%), credit card debt (40%), mortgage or rent (35%) were top reasons people weren’t contributing more.

The Emotional Side of Retirement Anxiety

Retirement fears influence not just finances, but lifestyle, career choices, and family planning. Worries about independence, dignity, and quality of life often accompany fear of running short on funds.

Health care need are often underestimated too, complicating the equation. Medicare covers many basic services, but long‑term care, home assistance, and uncovered treatments can add large bills—adding uncertainty even for high‑income employees.

Broader Retirement Planning Matters

The Allianz findings emphasize planning well beyond just saving. With people living 25 to 30 years post‑work, a solid planning mindset is critical. As Kelly LaVigne, VP at Allianz Life, noted, “Americans areliving longer… your money needs to go farther. A good plan considers 25 to 30 years of retirement, not just the first ten.” ²

Key components often include:

Income strategies: setting up regular monthly disbursements from assets
Tax planning: reducing tax burdens on withdrawals
Health care planning: factoring in Medicare gaps and long‑term care
Inflation alignment: keeping income responsive to cost increases

Combined, these strategies can help build resilience, confidence, and preparedness even in uncertain times.

In Conclusion

The 2025 Allianz Retirement Study makes it clear: a majority of Americans—and Warner Bros. Discovery employees among them—see the threat of running out of money as more frightening than death. Rising inflation, health care spending, and uncertainty around Social Security are central drivers. Fewer are taking direct action through planning conversations or boosted contributions.

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Yet there is opportunity. The IRS now permits catch‑up 401(k) contributions of up to $11,250 for those aged 60–63 in 2025—above the standard limit. For many, this is a practical way to fortify resources in those final working years.

A Final Thought

Think of retirement like a long sea voyage. Death may be the storm ahead, but empty savings are the leak that can sink the ship first. According to the Allianz study, 64% of Americans fear that leak more than the storm. For Warner Bros. Discovery employees, the goal is to build a well-structured plan—with consistent income, planning for health costs, and tax awareness—that can keep the vessel afloat for the long haul.

Sources:

1. Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, ' How Americans feel about retirement in 2025 ,' by the Allianz Center for the Future of Retirement ^TM , June 2025.

2. businesswire, ' Americans Are More Worried About Running Out of Money Than Death ,' April 22, 2025.

What type of retirement savings plan does Warner Bros. Discovery offer to its employees?

Warner Bros. Discovery offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan to help employees save for their future.

Does Warner Bros. Discovery match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?

Yes, Warner Bros. Discovery provides a matching contribution to employee 401(k) plans, subject to certain eligibility requirements.

How can employees at Warner Bros. Discovery enroll in the 401(k) plan?

Employees at Warner Bros. Discovery can enroll in the 401(k) plan through the company’s HR portal or by contacting the HR department for assistance.

What is the eligibility criteria for Warner Bros. Discovery's 401(k) plan?

Employees must be at least 21 years old and have completed a specified period of service to be eligible for Warner Bros. Discovery's 401(k) plan.

Can employees at Warner Bros. Discovery take loans against their 401(k) savings?

Yes, Warner Bros. Discovery allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) savings, subject to plan rules and limits.

What investment options are available in Warner Bros. Discovery's 401(k) plan?

Warner Bros. Discovery's 401(k) plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, target-date funds, and other investment vehicles.

Are there any fees associated with Warner Bros. Discovery's 401(k) plan?

Yes, there may be administrative and investment fees associated with Warner Bros. Discovery's 401(k) plan, which will be disclosed in the plan documents.

How often can employees change their contributions to the 401(k) plan at Warner Bros. Discovery?

Employees at Warner Bros. Discovery can change their contribution rates to the 401(k) plan on a periodic basis, typically at least once a year or during open enrollment periods.

What happens to the 401(k) savings if an employee leaves Warner Bros. Discovery?

If an employee leaves Warner Bros. Discovery, they can roll over their 401(k) savings into another retirement account, cash out, or leave the funds in the Warner Bros. Discovery plan if permitted.

Does Warner Bros. Discovery offer financial counseling for employees regarding their 401(k)?

Yes, Warner Bros. Discovery provides access to financial counseling services to help employees make informed decisions about their 401(k) savings.