Why More Brookdale Senior Living Employees Are Considering Social Security Early — And How Medicare Changes Play a Role
Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Brookdale Senior Living:
Brookdale Senior Living collaborates with several healthcare providers to ensure that its residents receive comprehensive care. The primary healthcare partnerships include local hospitals, primary care physicians, and specialized geriatric care providers, facilitating a continuum of care that is essential for the elderly population. Brookdale's integrated healthcare approach helps address the diverse medical needs of its residents, providing services ranging from routine check-ups to specialized treatments.
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Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026:
As we approach 2026, Brookdale Senior Living employees and residents may face significant healthcare cost increases. The anticipated rise in health insurance premiums for Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plans, with some states reporting hikes over 60%, could lead to a drastic increase in out-of-pocket expenses. If enhanced federal premium subsidies expire as expected, nearly 92% of marketplace enrollees could see their premiums soar by over 75%. This shift highlights the need for Brookdale's community members to evaluate their healthcare plans and budgets carefully to manage these impending costs effectively.
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'Brookdale Senior Living 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.
'Brookdale Senior Living 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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Brookdale Senior Living 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 Brookdale Senior Living 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 Brookdale Senior Living 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 Brookdale Senior Living 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 Brookdale Senior Living.
📞 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 Brookdale Senior Living offer to its employees?
Brookdale Senior Living offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan to its employees.
Is participation in the 401(k) plan at Brookdale Senior Living mandatory?
Participation in the 401(k) plan at Brookdale Senior Living is voluntary; employees can choose to enroll.
What is the employer match for the 401(k) plan at Brookdale Senior Living?
Brookdale Senior Living offers a competitive employer match for contributions made to the 401(k) plan, typically matching a percentage of employee contributions.
When can employees at Brookdale Senior Living enroll in the 401(k) plan?
Employees at Brookdale Senior Living can enroll in the 401(k) plan during their initial onboarding period or during the annual open enrollment period.
How can employees at Brookdale Senior Living make contributions to their 401(k) plan?
Employees at Brookdale Senior Living can make contributions to their 401(k) plan through payroll deductions.
What are the contribution limits for the 401(k) plan at Brookdale Senior Living?
The contribution limits for the 401(k) plan at Brookdale Senior Living are set according to IRS guidelines, which may change annually.
Does Brookdale Senior Living offer any investment options within the 401(k) plan?
Yes, Brookdale Senior Living offers a variety of investment options within the 401(k) plan, including mutual funds and other investment vehicles.
Can employees at Brookdale Senior Living take loans against their 401(k) savings?
Yes, employees at Brookdale Senior Living may have the option to take loans against their 401(k) savings, subject to specific plan rules.
How can employees at Brookdale Senior Living access their 401(k) account information?
Employees at Brookdale Senior Living can access their 401(k) account information online through the plan’s designated website or by contacting the plan administrator.
What happens to the 401(k) plan if an employee leaves Brookdale Senior Living?
If an employee leaves Brookdale Senior Living, they have several options for their 401(k) savings, including rolling it over to another retirement account or cashing it out.
With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.
Brookdale Senior Living announced a major restructuring plan aimed at reducing operational costs, which includes significant layoffs across several divisions. The company is also reviewing its employee benefits and pension plans as part of this restructuring.
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For more information you can reach the plan administrator for Brookdale Senior Living at 111 Westwood Place Brentwood, TN 37027; or by calling them at +1 615-221-2250.
Further Information for Brookdale Senior Living* Employees
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