Why More AppLovin Employees Are Considering Social Security Early — And How Medicare Changes Play a Role
Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for AppLovin:
AppLovin utilizes the services of various healthcare providers for its employees, with a significant partnership with a national insurer such as UnitedHealthcare. This collaboration ensures that employees have access to a range of healthcare services and support.
Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026:
In 2026, AppLovin employees may face significant increases in healthcare costs, influenced largely by dramatic premium hikes in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace. With some states anticipating rate increases of over 60%, many individuals could see their monthly premiums soar. The potential expiration of enhanced federal subsidies adds to the urgency for employees to evaluate their healthcare options carefully. Employers are likely to pass on a greater share of these escalating costs, prompting AppLovin workers to reassess their benefit selections in light of rising expenses and prepare to mitigate possible financial impacts in the coming year.
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'AppLovin 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.
'AppLovin 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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AppLovin 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 AppLovin 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 AppLovin 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 AppLovin 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 AppLovin.
📞 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 plan does AppLovin offer to its employees?
AppLovin offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan to help employees save for their future.
Does AppLovin match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?
Yes, AppLovin provides a matching contribution to employee 401(k) accounts, enhancing their retirement savings.
What is the eligibility requirement to participate in AppLovin's 401(k) plan?
Employees at AppLovin are eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan after completing a specified period of employment, typically within the first year.
Can employees at AppLovin choose how to invest their 401(k) contributions?
Yes, AppLovin allows employees to choose from a variety of investment options within the 401(k) plan to align with their financial goals.
What is the maximum contribution limit for AppLovin's 401(k) plan?
Employees can contribute up to the IRS limit for 401(k) contributions, which is adjusted annually; AppLovin provides guidance on these limits.
Is there a vesting schedule for the employer match at AppLovin?
Yes, AppLovin has a vesting schedule for employer contributions, meaning employees must work for a certain period before they fully own the matched funds.
How often can employees at AppLovin change their 401(k) contribution amounts?
Employees at AppLovin can change their contribution amounts at designated times throughout the year, typically during open enrollment periods.
Does AppLovin offer any financial education resources regarding the 401(k) plan?
Yes, AppLovin provides access to financial education resources and tools to help employees make informed decisions about their 401(k) investments.
Can AppLovin employees take loans against their 401(k) savings?
Yes, AppLovin allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) savings, subject to specific terms and conditions outlined in the plan.
What happens to my 401(k) savings if I leave AppLovin?
If you leave AppLovin, you can roll over your 401(k) savings to another retirement account, withdraw the funds, or leave the savings in the AppLovin plan, depending on the plan's rules.
With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.
AppLovin has recently announced a significant restructuring plan, including a reduction of its workforce by 10%. The company is also adjusting its benefit packages and scaling down some of its growth initiatives. For further details, you can visit TheLayoff and other financial news sources.
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