Why More ChampionX Employees Are Considering Social Security Early — And How Medicare Changes Play a Role
Healthcare Provider Update: ChampionX offers comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage. Employees can access HSAs, FSAs, and wellness resources for diabetes, fertility, and parenting support. The company also provides a 401(k) with matching, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement, and flexible work arrangements 10.
Healthcare costs in the United States are projected to continue rising through 2026, with insurers proposing significant premium increases for Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans. A recent analysis found that ACA insurers are seeking a median premium increase of 15% for 2026, marking the largest hike since 2018. This surge is attributed to factors such as the anticipated expiration of enhanced premium tax credits, rising medical costsincluding expensive medications and increased hospital staysand a shift in the risk pool towards higher-cost enrollees. Without the renewal of enhanced subsidies, out-of-pocket premiums for ACA marketplace enrollees could increase by more than 75% on average.
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'ChampionX 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.
'ChampionX 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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ChampionX 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 ChampionX 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 ChampionX 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 ChampionX 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 ChampionX.
📞 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 ChampionX offer to its employees?
ChampionX offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan to its employees.
Does ChampionX provide matching contributions to the 401(k) plan?
Yes, ChampionX provides matching contributions to the 401(k) plan to help employees save for retirement.
What is the eligibility requirement for ChampionX employees to participate in the 401(k) plan?
Most ChampionX employees are eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan after completing a specified period of employment.
Can ChampionX employees choose how much to contribute to their 401(k) plan?
Yes, ChampionX employees can choose to contribute a percentage of their salary to their 401(k) plan, within IRS limits.
Are there investment options available in the ChampionX 401(k) plan?
Yes, ChampionX offers a variety of investment options within the 401(k) plan for employees to choose from.
How often can ChampionX employees change their 401(k) contribution amounts?
ChampionX employees can change their 401(k) contribution amounts at designated times throughout the year.
Is there a vesting schedule for ChampionX’s matching contributions?
Yes, ChampionX has a vesting schedule for matching contributions, which determines when employees fully own those contributions.
Can ChampionX employees take loans against their 401(k) savings?
Yes, ChampionX allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) savings under certain conditions.
What happens to the 401(k) plan if a ChampionX employee leaves the company?
If a ChampionX employee leaves the company, they have several options for their 401(k) savings, including rolling it over to another plan or withdrawing the funds.
Does ChampionX offer financial education resources for employees regarding their 401(k) plan?
Yes, ChampionX offers financial education resources to help employees understand and manage their 401(k) plan effectively.
With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.
In 2024, ChampionX announced a significant restructuring plan, resulting in a reduction of approximately 10% of its workforce. This decision includes consolidating operations and closing several regional offices.
For more information you can reach the plan administrator for ChampionX at 777 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 600 Houston, TX 77056; or by calling them at 1-281-600-6000.
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