Why More Boston Properties Employees Are Considering Social Security Early — And How Medicare Changes Play a Role
Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Boston Properties
Boston Properties, a prominent real estate investment trust, typically offers its employees a range of health insurance options through various providers. Among the main insurers likely to serve its workforce are UnitedHealthcare, Anthem, and Aetna, which already operate substantial networks in the regions where Boston Properties is active.
Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026
In 2026, Boston Properties employees can expect significant increases in healthcare costs, primarily driven by anticipated hikes in Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace premiums. With some states reporting increases of over 60%, the loss of enhanced federal premium subsidies is expected to adversely affect the majority of marketplace enrollees. This may result in out-of-pocket premium costs rising by as much as 75% for many individuals. Employees of Boston Properties should proactively assess their health insurance options and prepare for these potentially steep costs as they plan for their upcoming healthcare needs.
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'Boston Properties 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.
'Boston Properties 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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Boston Properties 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 Boston Properties 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 Boston Properties 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 Boston Properties 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 Boston Properties.
📞 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 Boston Properties offer to its employees?
Boston Properties offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan to its employees.
Does Boston Properties match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?
Yes, Boston Properties provides a matching contribution to employee contributions made to the 401(k) plan, subject to certain limits.
What is the eligibility requirement for Boston Properties employees to participate in the 401(k) plan?
Employees of Boston Properties are generally eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan after completing a specified period of service.
Can Boston Properties employees choose how their 401(k) contributions are invested?
Yes, employees at Boston Properties can choose from a variety of investment options for their 401(k) contributions.
Is there a vesting schedule for the employer match in the Boston Properties 401(k) plan?
Yes, Boston Properties has a vesting schedule for employer matching contributions, which outlines how long employees must work to fully own those contributions.
What are the contribution limits for the Boston Properties 401(k) plan?
The contribution limits for the Boston Properties 401(k) plan align with the IRS limits, which may change annually.
Can Boston Properties employees take loans against their 401(k) savings?
Yes, Boston Properties allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) savings, subject to the plan’s terms and conditions.
How can Boston Properties employees access their 401(k) account information?
Employees can access their 401(k) account information through the designated online portal provided by Boston Properties’ plan administrator.
Does Boston Properties offer a Roth 401(k) option?
Yes, Boston Properties offers a Roth 401(k) option, allowing employees to make after-tax contributions.
What happens to a Boston Properties employee's 401(k) account if they leave the company?
If a Boston Properties employee leaves the company, they can choose to roll over their 401(k) account to another retirement account or leave it with Boston Properties, subject to 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.
Layoffs and Restructuring: Boston Properties announced a significant restructuring plan, resulting in the layoff of approximately 10% of its workforce. The company is focusing on reducing operational costs and improving efficiency in response to current market conditions.
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For more information you can reach the plan administrator for Boston Properties at 800 Boylston St Boston, MA 2199; or by calling them at +1 617-236-3300.
Further Information for Boston Properties* Employees
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