Why More Americold Realty Trust Employees Are Considering Social Security Early — And How Medicare Changes Play a Role
Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Americold Realty Trust:
Americold Realty Trust does not directly list a specific healthcare provider within the available data. However, it typically offers employee health benefits through common providers affiliated with its health plans. Employees are encouraged to review their benefits package for pertinent details regarding insurance networks and available healthcare providers.
Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026:
As Americold Realty Trust prepares for 2026, employees should brace for significant increases in healthcare costs. Premiums on Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plans are anticipated to surge, with some states projecting hikes of over 60%. The expiration of enhanced federal subsidies, coupled with rising medical costs and aggressive rate increases from major insurers, may result in employees facing out-of-pocket premiums increasing by over 75%. Understanding these changes will be vital for Americold employees to manage their financial planning effectively in the coming year.
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'Americold Realty Trust employees weighing when to file for Social Security should consider both current health care costs and long-term income needs, so they can stay adaptable as retirement unfolds.' — Paul Bergeron, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.
'Americold Realty Trust employees can benefit from thoughtfully coordinating Social Security timing with health care expenses so their retirement income stays aligned with their evolving needs over time.' — Tyson Mavar, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.
In this article, we will discuss:
How Social Security filing age affects retirement income.
How Medicare expenses factor into when retirees claim benefits.
Why emotional concerns are shifting filing behavior for many Americans.
Written by Wealth Enhancement advisors Kevin Landis, CPA and Wesley Boudreaux
Advisors in the retirement-income space have long suggested that retirees consider delaying filing for Social Security benefits. For those with a full retirement age (FRA) of 67, waiting until age 70 can result in monthly payments that are around 24% higher.
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And for those with an FRA of 66, the increase if one waits until age 70 is closer to 32%.
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Americold Realty Trust employees nearing retirement often hear this same message.
However, new national data indicates a growing number of Americans plan to claim Social Security before age 70. Cost pressures and health care related issues are major influences in this trend.
The Retirees’ Reality
Today’s retirees face a very different environment than those in past decades, including less access to traditional pensions, rising health care costs, and mounting everyday living expenses. In the private sector, only about 15% of workers still have access to defined benefit pensions,
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affecting many households and Americold Realty Trust employees.
According to retirement consultant Wesley Boudreaux, 'most retirees are not choosing to claim early for the sake of it.” Instead, rising medical and living costs are driving earlier benefit decisions because of cash flow pressures.
One major factor? Health care. Nearly 39% of out-of-pocket health care spending by Medicare beneficiaries was equivalent to Social Security payments received, on average, in 2022.
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Medicare Advantage: A Key Planning Factor
Additionally, shifts in Medicare Advantage plans have left many retirees unsure about upcoming costs. Benefit structures can vary significantly by year or by region, causing cost surprises that Americold Realty Trust workers and their families may need to plan for.
“We are already seeing clients paying more for health care than expected,” said Kevin Landis, CPA. “When medical expenses rise, Social Security often becomes the first lever people pull to handle that burden.”
This is why coordinating Social Security filing decisions with Medicare coverage choices remains important, particularly when plans change annually.
“This is the intersection of Social Security and health care planning,” Landis adds. “Changes in one can influence the other.”
Emotional Considerations Also Matter
Money matters aren’t the only reason retirees claim earlier. Concerns about the future of Social Security have caused many to look for the emotional comfort of taking benefits sooner, including some Americold Realty Trust workers preparing for retirement.
While benefits are expected to continue—even if trust fund reserves decline in the 2030s—worries about future payouts can play a role.
“It’s not just about math,” Boudreaux explains. “People want control and stability in retirement, even if that means receiving less over time.”
Finding the Right Approach for You
Whether filing early is a good fit depends a lot on health, cash flow needs, and longer-term retirement goals. Thoughtful planning helps maintain flexibility, rather than driving you to respond under pressure.
“The best approach balances today’s needs with what lies ahead,” Landis says. “And that begins with understanding how Medicare and Social Security interact.”
Need Help Reviewing Your Options?
The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement, helps individuals evaluate Medicare electives, analyze Social Security filing alternatives, and design retirement income strategies based on personal goals—including guidance tailored to those employed by Americold Realty Trust.
📞 Call (800) 900-5867 before your next enrollment period to schedule a Social Security & Health Care Review.
Work toward confidence in your long-term retirement income decisions.
About the Authors
Wesley Boudreaux and Kevin Landis, CPA, provide retirement income and tax planning guidance through Wealth Enhancement, helping people make informed choices about Social Security, Medicare, and financial well-being.
1. Social Security Administration.
When to Start Receiving Retirement Benefits: Publication No. 05-10147
. May 2024. U.S. Government Publishing Office, Washington D.C.
2. Topoleski, John J., Elizabeth A. Myers, and Sylvia L. Bryan.
Worker Participation in Employer-Sponsored Pensions: Data in Brief and Recent Trends (R43439)
. Congressional Research Service, 18 Sept. 2024.
3. Medicare Payment Advisory Commission.
Report to the Congress: Medicare Payment Policy – Chapter 11: The Medicare Advantage Program: Status Report
. Mar. 2025, medpac.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Mar25_Ch11_MedPAC_Report_To_Congress_SEC.pdf.
4. Board of Trustees, Social Security.
2025 Annual Report of the Board of Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Federal Disability Insurance Trust Funds
. 30 June 2025. U.S. Government Publishing Office, Washington D.C.
What type of retirement savings plan does Americold Realty Trust offer to its employees?
Americold Realty Trust offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan to its employees.
Does Americold Realty Trust match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?
Yes, Americold Realty Trust provides a matching contribution to employee 401(k) plan contributions, subject to certain limits.
What is the eligibility requirement for employees to participate in Americold Realty Trust's 401(k) plan?
Employees of Americold Realty Trust are typically eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan after completing a specified period of service.
Can employees of Americold Realty Trust choose how their 401(k) contributions are invested?
Yes, employees of Americold Realty Trust can choose from a variety of investment options for their 401(k) contributions.
What is the maximum contribution limit for the Americold Realty Trust 401(k) plan?
The maximum contribution limit for the Americold Realty Trust 401(k) plan is subject to IRS limits, which may change annually.
Does Americold Realty Trust allow for catch-up contributions in its 401(k) plan?
Yes, Americold Realty Trust allows employees aged 50 and older to make catch-up contributions to their 401(k) plan.
What happens to my 401(k) balance if I leave Americold Realty Trust?
If you leave Americold Realty Trust, you can choose to roll over your 401(k) balance to another retirement account, cash it out, or leave it in the Americold Realty Trust plan if permitted.
Are loans available against the 401(k) plan at Americold Realty Trust?
Yes, Americold Realty Trust allows eligible employees to take loans against their 401(k) balance under certain conditions.
How often can employees change their contribution amounts to the Americold Realty Trust 401(k) plan?
Employees of Americold Realty Trust can typically change their contribution amounts at any time, subject to plan rules.
Is there a vesting schedule for the employer match in the Americold Realty Trust 401(k) plan?
Yes, Americold Realty Trust has a vesting schedule for the employer match, which means employees must work for a certain period to fully own the matched funds.
With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.
In 2024, Americold Realty Trust announced a restructuring plan that includes a reduction in workforce and changes to its pension plan. The company aims to streamline operations and cut costs amid a challenging economic environment.
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For more information you can reach the plan administrator for Americold Realty Trust at 10 Glenlake Parkway, Suite 800, Atlanta, GA 30328; or by calling them at (770) 418-9288.
Further Information for Americold Realty Trust* Employees
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