'CenterPoint Energy 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.
New Update: Rising Oil Costs are Affecting Retirement Plans. Will you be impacted?
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Why More CenterPoint Energy Employees Are Considering Social Security Early  And How Medicare Changes Play a Role
November 11, 2025
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How Oil Volatility Affects Your CenterPoint Energy Retirement
Crude oil prices remain elevated and volatile, with annualized volatility around 80% and prices ranging between $50 and $120 per barrel over the past six months. Fleet diesel costs and inflation-driven rate case pressures create indirect but meaningful exposure to sustained crude price swings. For CenterPoint Energy employees focused on long-term financial health, periods of oil-driven economic volatility reinforce the value of diversified strategies that account for how energy markets influence the broader investment landscape. In this environment, a financial advisor can help you assess your exposure to oil-driven economic effects and build appropriately diversified strategies.
Crude oil prices remain elevated and volatile, with annualized volatility around 80% and prices ranging between $50 and $120 per barrel over the past six months. Fleet diesel costs and inflation-driven rate case pressures create indirect but meaningful exposure to sustained crude price swings. For CenterPoint Energy employees focused on long-term financial health, periods of oil-driven economic volatility reinforce the value of diversified strategies that account for how energy markets influence the broader investment landscape. In this environment, a financial advisor can help you assess your exposure to oil-driven economic effects and build appropriately diversified strategies.
'CenterPoint Energy 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:
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How Social Security filing age affects retirement income.
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How Medicare expenses factor into when retirees claim benefits.
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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 CenterPoint Energy 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 CenterPoint Energy 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 CenterPoint Energy 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 CenterPoint Energy 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 CenterPoint Energy.
📞 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.
Remote-work tax implications add complexity, making it essential to understand how CenterPoint Energy's benefit programs factor into your overall financial picture. For retirement planning purposes, CenterPoint Energy has frozen its defined benefit pension to new accruals, meaning your benefit is based on service and compensation accumulated up to the freeze date - but the value already locked in remains a meaningful asset worth analyzing. If a lump sum option is available, IRS segment rates in effect during the plan's lookback period directly affect the present value calculation; rising rates reduce the lump sum amount, so the rate environment at your retirement date matters. Understanding the annuity equivalent of your frozen benefit and comparing it to a potential lump sum is an important step in sequencing your retirement income from multiple sources.
Moving to the healthcare dimension, CenterPoint Energy provides continued medical coverage to eligible retirees, which can bridge the gap between retirement and Medicare eligibility at age 65 or serve as a supplement to Medicare thereafter. Confirming the service and age requirements for retiree coverage, and understanding your premium contribution, is an important step in building an accurate healthcare cost projection. Coordinating CenterPoint Energy's retiree coverage with Medicare Part B and Part D enrollment timing can also reduce duplication and avoid late-enrollment penalties. Integrating all of your CenterPoint Energy benefits into one cohesive retirement plan ensures nothing is overlooked and gives you confidence in the path ahead.
Sources:
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1. CNBC. ' Does it still make sense to wait to claim Social Security retirement benefits? ' by Lorie Konish. 29 Apr. 2026.
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2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. ' 15 percent of private industry workers had access to a defined benefit retirement plan ,' 10 Apr. 2026.
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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. 2026.
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Other Resources:
- 1. Social Security Administration. When to Start Receiving Retirement Benefits: Publication No. 05-10147 . May 2026. U.S. Government Publishing Office, Washington D.C.
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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. 2026.
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3. Medicare Payment Advisory Commission. Report to the Congress: Medicare Payment Policy – Chapter 11: The Medicare Advantage Program: Status Report . Mar. 2026, medpac.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Mar25_Ch11_MedPAC_Report_To_Congress_SEC.pdf.
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4. Board of Trustees, Social Security. 2026 Annual Report of the Board of Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Federal Disability Insurance Trust Funds . 30 June 2026. U.S. Government Publishing Office, Washington D.C.
What is the purpose of the 401(k) Savings Plan at CenterPoint Energy?
The purpose of the 401(k) Savings Plan at CenterPoint Energy is to help employees save for retirement by allowing them to contribute a portion of their paycheck to a tax-advantaged account.
How can I enroll in the 401(k) Savings Plan at CenterPoint Energy?
Employees can enroll in the 401(k) Savings Plan at CenterPoint Energy by completing the enrollment process through the companys benefits portal during the enrollment period.
What types of contributions can I make to my 401(k) at CenterPoint Energy?
At CenterPoint Energy, employees can make pre-tax contributions, Roth (after-tax) contributions, and catch-up contributions if eligible.
Does CenterPoint Energy offer a company match for the 401(k) contributions?
Yes, CenterPoint Energy offers a company match for employee contributions to the 401(k) Savings Plan, which helps to enhance retirement savings.
What is the maximum contribution limit for the 401(k) at CenterPoint Energy?
The maximum contribution limit for the 401(k) at CenterPoint Energy is subject to IRS limits, which may change annually. Employees should check the current limits for the specific year.
When can I start withdrawing funds from my 401(k) at CenterPoint Energy?
Employees can start withdrawing funds from their 401(k) at CenterPoint Energy upon reaching age 59½, or under certain circumstances such as financial hardship or termination of employment.
Are there penalties for early withdrawal from the 401(k) at CenterPoint Energy?
Yes, early withdrawals from the 401(k) at CenterPoint Energy may incur penalties and taxes unless specific exceptions apply, such as disability or financial hardship.
How often can I change my contribution amount to the 401(k) at CenterPoint Energy?
Employees at CenterPoint Energy can change their contribution amount to the 401(k) Savings Plan at any time, subject to the plan's guidelines.
What investment options are available in the CenterPoint Energy 401(k) Savings Plan?
The CenterPoint Energy 401(k) Savings Plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, target-date funds, and other investment vehicles to suit different risk tolerances.
Can I take a loan against my 401(k) at CenterPoint Energy?
Yes, CenterPoint Energy allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) balance, subject to the plan's terms and conditions.
With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.
CenterPoint Energy announced a restructuring plan that includes a reduction of its workforce by 5% and the freezing of its pension plan. The company is also shifting to a defined-contribution retirement plan for new employees.
For more information you can reach the plan administrator for CenterPoint Energy at 1111 Louisiana St. Houston, TX 77002; or by calling them at 1-713-207-1111.
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