Why More Avantor Employees Are Considering Social Security Early — And How Medicare Changes Play a Role
Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Avantor
Avantor, Inc. is a leading global provider of mission-critical products and services primarily serving the biopharma and healthcare sectors, among others. While Avantor operates extensively within these fields, specific details regarding partnership with a healthcare provider are typically not publicly disclosed in standard documents. However, Avantor's contributions to healthcare are primarily through the supply of high-purity materials, advanced technologies, and crucial solutions for bioprocessing and scientific research, indicating that they do engage closely with healthcare providers as part of their operations.
Expected Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026
As we look toward 2026, healthcare costs are anticipated to rise dramatically, with projections indicating an average increase of 75% in out-of-pocket premiums for Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace enrollees. This surge is due to a convergence of factors, including the expiration of enhanced federal premium subsidies and significant rate hikes from major insurers, with some states seeing requested increases over 60%. The Kaiser Family Foundation has warned that more than 22 million individuals could be affected, facing steep premiums amidst a backdrop of escalating medical costs, requiring consumers to prepare strategically now to mitigate the financial impact in the coming year.
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'Avantor 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.
'Avantor 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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Avantor 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 Avantor 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 Avantor 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 Avantor 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 Avantor.
📞 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 is the 401(k) plan offered by Avantor?
The 401(k) plan at Avantor is a retirement savings plan that allows employees to save for their future by contributing a portion of their salary on a pre-tax basis.
How does Avantor match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?
Avantor offers a company match on employee contributions to the 401(k) plan, typically matching a percentage of the employee's contribution up to a certain limit.
When can employees at Avantor enroll in the 401(k) plan?
Employees at Avantor can enroll in the 401(k) plan during their initial onboarding period or during the annual open enrollment period.
What investment options are available in Avantor's 401(k) plan?
Avantor's 401(k) plan provides a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, target-date funds, and other investment vehicles to help employees diversify their portfolios.
Is there a vesting schedule for Avantor's 401(k) contributions?
Yes, Avantor has a vesting schedule for company contributions to the 401(k) plan, meaning employees must work for a certain period before they fully own the employer contributions.
Can employees take loans against their 401(k) at Avantor?
Yes, Avantor allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) balance, subject to specific terms and conditions outlined in the plan.
What happens to my 401(k) if I leave Avantor?
If you leave Avantor, you can choose to roll over your 401(k) balance into another retirement account, leave it in the Avantor plan (if eligible), or cash it out, subject to taxes and penalties.
How can employees at Avantor access their 401(k) account information?
Employees can access their 401(k) account information through the online portal provided by Avantor's plan administrator.
Does Avantor provide financial education regarding the 401(k) plan?
Yes, Avantor offers resources and financial education sessions to help employees understand their 401(k) options and make informed investment decisions.
What is the minimum contribution percentage for the 401(k) plan at Avantor?
The minimum contribution percentage for the 401(k) plan at Avantor is typically set at 1%, but employees are encouraged to contribute more to maximize their retirement savings.
With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.
Avantor announced a significant restructuring plan that involves layoffs affecting 5% of its workforce. The company is also changing its pension plan, moving from a defined benefit to a defined contribution model. Additionally, they are modifying their 401(k) matching contributions to align with industry standards.
For more information you can reach the plan administrator for Avantor at 3477 Corporate Pkwy Center Valley, PA 18034; or by calling them at +1 610-573-2600.
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