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

Charting DCP Midstream Retirement Success: Five Essential Reads

Healthcare Provider Update: DCP Midstream Healthcare Provider Information DCP Midstream, a prominent company in the energy sector, typically provides its employees with access to comprehensive healthcare services. They collaborate with various insurance carriers to offer health plans that often include options for medical, dental, and vision coverage, tailored to the needs of their workforce. Anticipated Healthcare Cost Increases for DCP Midstream in 2026 In 2026, DCP Midstream employees may face notable increases in healthcare costs, driven primarily by anticipated premium hikes within the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces. Projections indicate that some states could experience premium increases exceeding 60%, with a national average expected to rise by around 18%. The expiration of enhanced federal subsidies could severely impact affordability, leading to an estimated 75% increase in out-of-pocket premium costs for many employees. With significant pressures from rising medical expenses and higher insurer rates, DCP Midstream's workforce should prepare for potentially impactful changes to their healthcare expenditures next year. Click here to learn more

“By integrating disciplined market strategies, proactive healthspan practices, and a clear sense of purpose, DCP Midstream employees can create a retirement plan resilient enough to weather uncertainty and enrich their post-career life” – Paul Bergeron, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

“DCP Midstream employees who blend disciplined saving approaches with proactive healthspan management are poised to achieve both financial confidence and improved well-being” – Tyson Mavar, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

In this article we will discuss:

The challenges of market volatility, rising health care costs, and potential entitlement changes on retirement planning.
Five must-read books offering strategies on investing, longevity, benefit planning, and lifestyle alignment.
How to integrate financial discipline, healthspan management, and purposeful living for a fulfilling retirement.

For those who are saving for the future, these are uncertain times. Concerns about whether current nest egg tactics will be adequate have increased due to volatile markets, growing health care expenses, and continuous talks about possible reductions to government entitlements. Twenty-five percent of adults with retirement savings have only saved one year’s worth of their current income for the years ahead, according to research by Northwestern Mutual. ¹

The financial or lifestyle planning book is one tool that is frequently overlooked during times of market volatility. In addition to providing timeless truths, a well-chosen title can offer readers practical advice, serve as a reminder of important ideas, and present fresh approaches to decision-making. Senior advisors at Wealth Enhancement—Patrick Ray, Tyson Mavar, and Brent Wolf—have chosen the following five books to aid DCP Midstream professionals in navigating the current environment because of their blend of academic rigor and usefulness.

Mastering the Market Cycle by Howard Marks explores the psychological factors that influence cyclical changes in asset values. According to Marks, investor sentiment—which fluctuates between excitement and fear—often determines the timing and size of market movements, even when underlying value is important. “Fear can take over; it’s to be expected during the lifetime of any long-term investor,” says Brent Wolf. Long-term objectives can be safeguarded by knowing when and why to rebalance or de-risk a portfolio, even though market timing is still difficult to anticipate. DCP Midstream employees can benefit from the clear distinction this book makes between purely emotional reactions and strategic adjustments, essential for remaining disciplined when prices change.

Winning the Loser’s Game by Charles D. Ellis is sometimes written off as outdated, but it still holds valuable lessons. Tyson Mavar praises it as an “unsung classic,” highlighting how it reinforces core investing principles that have stood the test of time. Ellis promotes long-term dedication, diversification, and steering clear of expensive practices like market timing. His strongest endorsement is for passive investing with inexpensive index funds, which can shield investors from transient noise. For DCP Midstream staff seeking to focus on techniques that boost compounding power and lessen the drag of fees and emotional trading, this book offers a timeless roadmap.

Outlive: The Art and Science of Living a Long Life by Dr. Peter Attia and Bill Gifford reminds readers that physical health directly impacts retirement readiness. “What good is a healthy portfolio if your body can’t keep up?” asks Patrick Ray. Drawing on clinical data and epidemiological studies, the authors provide evidence-based suggestions for increasing lifespan and healthspan—strength training, mobility exercises, optimal sleep, and targeted nutrition. Actionable procedures for evaluating metabolic health, increasing muscle resilience, and reducing chronic disease risk can help DCP Midstream team members better match longevity forecasts with retirement funding plans and lower the likelihood of incapacitating health events.

Cookin’ Up Your Retirement Plan by Marcia MacDonald Mantell approaches Medicare and Social Security elections in a conversational, kitchen-table manner. Tyson Mavar also recommends her sequels— What’s the Deal With Women’s Social Security? and Developing Your Medicare Recipe —for anyone seeking guidance on making the most of benefits. Mantell breaks down complex regulations into manageable chunks, reducing the possibility of costly errors. While these books don’t directly address market volatility, they reinforce that successful retirement from companies like DCP Midstream depends on more than just investment returns; it also requires well-informed decisions and careful lifestyle alignment.

The Good Life by Dr. Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz shifts the emphasis from balance sheets to life satisfaction. Based on an 80-year Harvard study of adult development, it finds that strong connections, meaningful hobbies, and community involvement often indicate long-term happiness more powerfully than financial prosperity. According to Patrick Ray, this book serves as an essential reminder for DCP Midstream retirees that money is just one component of a fulfilling retirement. Cultivating purpose, social ties, and enriching interests can yield non-linear returns unmatched by any portfolio.

When combined, these five books offer complementary perspectives on investment methodology, market behavior, healthspan management, and the socioeconomic factors influencing retirement decision-making. Each title has been recommended by seasoned advisors who have guided clients through both bull and bear markets, offering DCP Midstream employees lessons on purpose, cost-effective investing, preventive health care, efficient benefit management, and emotional discipline.

And here's one bonus publication: With more than 1.5 million copies in circulation, Morgan Housel’s The Psychology of Money was placed #1 on BookWeb’s Indie Personal Finance Bestseller List in April 2025, reflecting growing demand for behavior-focused investment insights that supplement conventional planning techniques.

Discover five highly regarded retirement planning books that provide professional insights on market cycles, passive index fund strategies, longevity optimization, Social Security elections, and Medicare planning—equipping DCP Midstream pre-retirees and retirees with tried-and-true advice for long-term retirement resilience and portfolio fortitude.

Consider the process of preparing a solid ocean vessel for a long journey: understanding the market cycle gives you the compass you need to navigate choppy waters; Winning the Loser’s Game supplies the provisions and medical kit to endure the journey; Outlive strengthens the hull against health risks; Cookin’ Up Your Retirement Plan equips your lifeboats with Social Security and Medicare expertise; and The Good Life charts rewarding ports of call—helping you sail comfortably through both calm seas and storms for DCP Midstream professionals.

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Articles you may find interesting:

Sources:

1. Northwestern Mutual. Planning & Progress Study 2025 . 14 Apr. 2025, pp. 1–2.

Other Resources:

1. Baker, Brian F. “ Principles of Investing .” Marriott Alumni Magazine , BYU Marriott School, June 2025, pp. 9–10.

2. Kennedy, Robert. “ 2024 Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate .” Fidelity Investments , 8 Aug. 2024, pp. 1–2.

3. LeValley, Donna. “ Five Changes to Social Security in 2025 .” Kiplinger , 3 Jan. 2025, pp. 1–2.

What is the primary purpose of DCP Midstream's 401(k) Savings Plan?

The primary purpose of DCP Midstream's 401(k) Savings Plan is to help employees save for retirement by allowing them to contribute a portion of their salary on a tax-deferred basis.

How can employees enroll in DCP Midstream's 401(k) Savings Plan?

Employees can enroll in DCP Midstream's 401(k) Savings Plan through the company's benefits portal during the open enrollment period or within 30 days of their hire date.

What types of contributions can employees make to DCP Midstream's 401(k) Savings Plan?

Employees can make pre-tax contributions, Roth (after-tax) contributions, and, in some cases, catch-up contributions if they are age 50 or older to DCP Midstream's 401(k) Savings Plan.

Does DCP Midstream offer a matching contribution for the 401(k) Savings Plan?

Yes, DCP Midstream offers a matching contribution to the 401(k) Savings Plan, which helps employees maximize their retirement savings.

What is the vesting schedule for DCP Midstream's matching contributions?

The vesting schedule for DCP Midstream's matching contributions typically follows a graded vesting schedule, where employees become fully vested after a certain number of years of service.

Can employees take loans from their 401(k) Savings Plan at DCP Midstream?

Yes, DCP Midstream allows employees to take loans from their 401(k) Savings Plan, subject to specific terms and conditions outlined in the plan documents.

What investment options are available in DCP Midstream's 401(k) Savings Plan?

DCP Midstream's 401(k) Savings Plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, target-date funds, and company stock, allowing employees to diversify their portfolios.

How often can employees change their contributions to DCP Midstream's 401(k) Savings Plan?

Employees can change their contributions to DCP Midstream's 401(k) Savings Plan at any time throughout the year, subject to payroll processing timelines.

What is the minimum contribution percentage for DCP Midstream's 401(k) Savings Plan?

DCP Midstream typically requires a minimum contribution percentage, which is outlined in the plan documents, but employees are encouraged to contribute more if possible.

Are there any fees associated with DCP Midstream's 401(k) Savings Plan?

Yes, there may be fees associated with managing DCP Midstream's 401(k) Savings Plan, which are disclosed in the plan's fee disclosure statement.

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

DCP Midstream offers comprehensive retirement benefits, including both a 401(k) plan and a pension plan, to its employees for the years 2022, 2023, and 2024. The company's 401(k) plan includes catch-up contributions for employees aged 50 and above, allowing them to contribute an additional $6,500 on top of the regular annual limit, which is $22,500 for 2023. This feature helps employees nearing retirement to bolster their savings (Home Page) (Benefits Law Advisor). DCP Midstream's pension plan, on the other hand, is based on a formula that typically factors in years of service and final average salary, although specific details about the plan's structure, such as the exact percentage per year of service, were not explicitly provided. The company's pension plan is often referred to in conjunction with its overall deferred compensation strategy (Home Page) (Benefits Law Advisor). Years of service and age qualifications for both the 401(k) and pension plan are structured to incentivize long-term commitment. For instance, the pension benefits generally become more significant as an employee's years of service increase, although exact thresholds are specified in internal corporate documents

In early 2024, DCP Midstream announced a major restructuring plan including a workforce reduction of about 10% and a review of benefit programs and 401k plans.

DCP Midstream offers stock options and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) to eligible employees as part of their compensation package. In 2022, DCP Midstream provided stock options with vesting schedules based on performance metrics and tenure. For 2023, the company expanded its RSU program, granting units based on individual performance and company milestones.

DCP Midstream provides a range of health benefits, including Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and various medical insurance options. Employees have access to a PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plan as well as high-deductible health plans that allow them to pair with HSAs. DCP contributes to HSAs, and employees can choose among different coverage levels, including dental and vision insurance. Acronyms commonly used include HSA (Health Savings Account), PPO (Preferred Provider Organization), and FSA (Flexible Spending Account). Employees have noted that costs can be on the higher side for insurance coverage but appreciate the variety of options. DCP Midstream has also made wellness a priority by offering wellness-focused medical plans, which include preventive care and access to resources for mental health and physical well-being. Recent reviews emphasize that the company continues to provide comprehensive benefits despite market fluctuations. DCP Midstream also encourages participation in their wellness programs, often promoting the importance of maintaining physical and mental health through these benefits