New Update: Healthcare Costs Increasing by Over 60% in Some States. Will you be impacted?

Why More Calumet Specialty Products Partners Employees Are Considering Social Security Early â€” And How Medicare Changes Play a Role

Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Calumet Specialty Products Partners Calumet Specialty Products Partners typically offers health insurance through major national providers including UnitedHealthcare and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. They provide a range of health plans designed to meet the needs of their employees, including options that align with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) guidelines. Brief Overview of Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026 As Calumet Specialty Products Partners faces potential healthcare cost increases in 2026, employees may encounter significant challenges stemming from the anticipated hikes in ACA premiums. With projections indicating national average increases of around 18%-and in some states, jumps exceeding 60%-the convergence of expiring federal subsidies and rising medical costs could lead to out-of-pocket premium costs escalating by as much as 75% for many. Key factors driving these increases include ongoing inflation in medical services, high-cost specialty drugs, and the broader impacts of regulatory changes that are set to reshape the healthcare landscape. As a result, proactive financial planning will be essential for those wishing to mitigate the impact of these rising costs. Click here to learn more

'Calumet Specialty Products Partners 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.

'Calumet Specialty Products Partners 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. ¹ And for those with an FRA of 66, the increase if one waits until age 70 is closer to 32%. ¹ Calumet Specialty Products Partners 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, ² affecting many households and Calumet Specialty Products Partners 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. ³

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 Calumet Specialty Products Partners 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 Calumet Specialty Products Partners 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 Calumet Specialty Products Partners.

ðŸ“ž 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.

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Articles you may find interesting:

Sources:

1. CNBC. ' Does it still make sense to wait to claim Social Security retirement benefits? ' by Lorie Konish. 29 Apr. 2025.
2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. ' 15 percent of private industry workers had access to a defined benefit retirement plan ,' 10 Apr. 2024.
3. Kaiser Family Foundation. “ Health Costs Consume a Large Portion of Income for Millions of People with Medicare ,' by Ochieng, Nancy; Juliette Cubanski; Tricia Neuman; Anthony Damico. 21 Aug. 2025.
Other Resources:
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 Calumet Specialty Products Partners offer to its employees?

Calumet Specialty Products Partners offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan to its employees.

How can employees of Calumet Specialty Products Partners enroll in the 401(k) plan?

Employees can enroll in the Calumet Specialty Products Partners 401(k) plan by completing the enrollment process through the company’s HR portal or by contacting the HR department for assistance.

Does Calumet Specialty Products Partners match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?

Yes, Calumet Specialty Products Partners provides a matching contribution to employee 401(k) contributions, subject to certain limits and conditions.

What is the maximum contribution limit for the 401(k) plan at Calumet Specialty Products Partners?

The maximum contribution limit for the Calumet Specialty Products Partners 401(k) plan is in accordance with IRS guidelines, which may change annually.

Can employees of Calumet Specialty Products Partners take loans against their 401(k) savings?

Yes, employees of Calumet Specialty Products Partners may have the option to take loans against their 401(k) savings, subject to the plan's terms and conditions.

What investment options are available in the Calumet Specialty Products Partners 401(k) plan?

The Calumet Specialty Products Partners 401(k) plan typically offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, stocks, and bonds, allowing employees to choose based on their risk tolerance.

How often can employees change their contribution amounts to the 401(k) plan at Calumet Specialty Products Partners?

Employees at Calumet Specialty Products Partners can typically change their contribution amounts at any time, but specific guidelines should be confirmed with the HR department.

Is there a vesting schedule for employer contributions in the Calumet Specialty Products Partners 401(k) plan?

Yes, Calumet Specialty Products Partners has a vesting schedule for employer contributions, which determines how much of the employer match employees are entitled to upon leaving the company.

What happens to my 401(k) savings if I leave Calumet Specialty Products Partners?

If you leave Calumet Specialty Products Partners, you can choose to roll over your 401(k) savings to another retirement account, withdraw the funds, or leave the savings in the Calumet plan if permitted.

Are there any fees associated with the 401(k) plan at Calumet Specialty Products Partners?

Yes, there may be administrative fees associated with the 401(k) plan at Calumet Specialty Products Partners, which are disclosed in the plan documents provided to employees.

With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.

Calumet Specialty Products Partners announced a restructuring plan to cut costs, including workforce reductions and changes to employee benefits.

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For more information you can reach the plan administrator for Calumet Specialty Products Partners at 2780 Waterfront Pkwy. E. Dr. Indianapolis, IN 46214; or by calling them at +1 317-328-5660.