Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Employees: Navigating the Rising Costs of College Tuition for Your Family

Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider Information The healthcare provider associated with Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies (WABTEC) is often contingent upon employee choices, as many employees may utilize employer-sponsored plans or opt for plans on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace. Typically, large companies like WABTEC partner with major insurance providers, including plans offered by UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, or Anthem, allowing employees to choose from various healthcare options tailored to their needs. Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026 In 2026, employees at Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies may face significant increases in their healthcare costs, primarily due to anticipated rate hikes in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace. With premium increases for some insurers expecting to exceed 60%, many employees could see their out-of-pocket expenses soar. The combination of rising medical costs, the potential expiration of enhanced federal premium subsidies, and major insurers seeking higher rates point towards potential out-of-pocket premium hikes that could exceed 75%. These changes necessitate early planning and strategic decision-making regarding healthcare plans to mitigate financial impacts. Click here to learn more

It doesn’t take a degree in finance to see the cost of college continues to rise.

In its 2017 report, the College Board showed that public four-year institutions raised prices an average of 3.2% annually between the 2007-08 and 2017-18 school years. Put another way, a $5,000 education in 2007-08 would cost $6,851 in 2017-18.

For a few families, the lion’s share of education costs falls on parents and, in some cases, on grandparents. For our Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies clients who are parents you may already know, generally, the majority of families rely on a combination of scholarships, grants, financial aid, part-time jobs, and parent support to help pay the cost.

For Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies employees who have children approaching college age, a good first step is estimating the potential costs. The accompanying worksheet can help you get a better idea about the cost of a four-year college.

For Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies employees who already put money away for college, the worksheet will take that amount into consideration. For Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies employees who haven’t, it’s never too late to start.

Resources

There are a number of resources that can help individuals prepare for college. The U.S. government distributes certain information on colleges and costs. Here are two sites for these Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies employees to consider reviewing:

www.studentaid.ed.gov
The government’s college and financial aid portal.

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Articles you may find interesting:

www.collegeboard.org
The group that administers the SAT test.

Estimating the Cost of College