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

Discover 9 Surprising Insights About Social Security for Western Midstream Partners Employees That Could Transform Your Retirement Planning

Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Western Midstream Partners Western Midstream Partners typically partners with major insurers for employee healthcare coverage, with providers including national firms such as UnitedHealthcare, Anthem (Elevance Health), and Cigna. These partnerships are crucial for delivering health benefits to employees, enabling access to essential medical services and prescription drugs. Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026 In 2026, employees of Western Midstream Partners may face substantial healthcare cost increases, primarily driven by the anticipated expiration of enhanced federal premium subsidies and significant rate hikes from major insurers. Projections indicate that average ACA marketplace premiums could rise dramatically, with some states experiencing increases of over 60%. As a result, many employees could see their out-of-pocket costs surge by as much as 75%, necessitating a careful evaluation of both employer-sponsored plans and marketplace options to mitigate the financial impact. Click here to learn more

As global oil prices surge to ~$107/barrel amid geopolitical unrest, Western Midstream Partners employees planning their retirement income should consider how the current inflationary environment affects the real value of Social Security benefits over a multi-decade retirement horizon.

2026 Q1 Oil Market Update (March 2026): Western Midstream Partners (WES) shares are up approximately +20% over the past 90 days, with an approximate March 2026 average price of ~$38. Midstream operators are seeing elevated throughput and pipeline utilization as the U.S.-Israel joint strikes on Iran and the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which carries approximately 20% of global oil and 21% of global LNG supply redirect energy flows toward North American infrastructure, boosting fee-based revenues.

The Strait of Hormuz crisis has pushed Brent crude to ~$107/barrel and WTI to ~$94/barrel, marking one of the most severe oil supply shocks since the 1973 embargo, according to the IEA's March 2026 emergency report.

Global LNG markets face acute stress in March 2026: Henry Hub is near ~$2.94/MMBtu while European TTF has climbed to approximately ~$16.90/MMBtu, as disruption to Strait of Hormuz tanker traffic has severed key LNG supply corridors.

The 2026 energy price shock has reinforced the value of Social Security's inflation-adjusted benefits for Western Midstream Partners professionals, as the guaranteed, COLA-adjusted income stream may serve as a critical hedge against energy-driven price increases.

Social Security’s been a fact of retirement life ever since it was established in 1935. We all think we know how it works, but how much do you really know? If you work for Western Midstream Partners, here are nine things that might surprise you.

The Social Security trust fund is huge. At approximately $2.7 trillion in combined reserves, it exceeds the gross domestic product (GDP) of every economy in the world except the ten largest, though the fund balance has been declining in recent years as benefit payments have grown.
Most workers including those at Western Midstream Partners are eligible for Social Security benefits, but not all. For example, until 1984, federal government employees were part of the Civil Service Retirement System and were not covered by Social Security.
As an employee of Western Midstream Partnersk, you don’t have to work long to be eligible. If you were born in 1929 or later, you need to work for 10 or more years to be eligible for benefits.
Benefits are based on an individual’s average earnings during a lifetime of work under the Social Security system. The calculation is based on the 35 highest years of earnings. If an individual has years of low earnings or no earnings, Social Security may count those years to bring the total years to 35.

Those at Western Midstream Partners may also want to consider how there hasn't always been cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) in Social Security benefits. Before 1975, increasing benefits required an act of Congress; now increases happen automatically, based on the Consumer Price Index. The 2025 COLA increase was 2.5%, following a 3.2% increase in 2024 and an 8.7% increase in 2023 - one of the largest in decades.
Social Security is a major source of retirement income for 67% of current retirees, including those at Western Midstream Partners.
Social Security benefits are subject to federal income taxes — but it wasn’t always that way. In 1983, Amendments to the Social Security Act made benefits taxable, starting with the 1984 tax year.
Social Security recipients received a single lump-sum payment from 1937 until 1940. One-time payments were considered “payback” to those people who contributed to the program. Social Security administrators believed these people would not participate long enough to be vested for monthly benefits.

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In January 1937, Earnest Ackerman became the first person in the U.S. to receive a Social Security benefit—a lump sum of 17 cents.

1. Social Security Administration, 2025; CIA World Factbook, 2025
2-5, 7-9. Social Security Administration, 2025
6. Employee Benefit Research Institute, 2024

What is the 401(k) plan offered by Western Midstream Partners?

The 401(k) plan at Western Midstream Partners is a retirement savings plan that allows employees to save a portion of their paycheck before taxes are taken out.

How can I enroll in the 401(k) plan at Western Midstream Partners?

Employees can enroll in the 401(k) plan by completing the enrollment process through the company’s HR portal or by contacting the HR department for assistance.

What is the company match for the 401(k) plan at Western Midstream Partners?

Western Midstream Partners offers a company match of 50% on employee contributions up to a certain percentage of their salary, helping to boost retirement savings.

When can I start contributing to the 401(k) plan at Western Midstream Partners?

Employees can start contributing to the 401(k) plan after completing their eligibility period, which is typically within the first month of employment.

What types of investments are available in the Western Midstream Partners 401(k) plan?

The 401(k) plan at Western Midstream Partners offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, target-date funds, and possibly company stock.

Can I change my contribution percentage to the 401(k) plan at Western Midstream Partners?

Yes, employees can change their contribution percentage at any time through the HR portal or by contacting payroll services.

Is there a vesting schedule for the company match in the 401(k) plan at Western Midstream Partners?

Yes, Western Midstream Partners has a vesting schedule, which means that employees must work for the company for a certain period before they fully own the company match contributions.

What happens to my 401(k) if I leave Western Midstream Partners?

If you leave Western Midstream Partners, you have several options for your 401(k), including rolling it over to a new employer’s plan, transferring it to an IRA, or cashing it out (subject to taxes and penalties).

Can I take a loan against my 401(k) at Western Midstream Partners?

Yes, Western Midstream Partners allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) balance, subject to certain terms and conditions.

Are there hardship withdrawal options available in the 401(k) plan at Western Midstream Partners?

Yes, employees may be eligible for hardship withdrawals from their 401(k) plan at Western Midstream Partners under specific circumstances defined by the plan.