Why More Cheesecake Factory Employees Are Considering Social Security Early — And How Medicare Changes Play a Role
Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Cheesecake Factory
Cheesecake Factory employees typically access healthcare through employer-sponsored plans, with wellness services provided by various network providers tailored to the needs of restaurant industry employees. It's essential for employees to consult their HR department for specific details on the healthcare plans offered, including coverage options, providers, and enrollment procedures.
Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026
As we approach 2026, Cheesecake Factory employees should brace for significant healthcare cost increases. With projected hikes in ACA marketplace premiums-some states anticipating rises of over 60%-the burden may shift to employees in the form of higher deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses. Industry trends indicate that 51% of large employers may implement strategies to raise employee contributions, affecting overall affordability amid a backdrop of rising medical costs driven by inflation. It is advisable for employees to familiarize themselves with benefit changes and explore early strategies to adapt to these looming financial pressures.
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'Cheesecake Factory 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.
'Cheesecake Factory 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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Cheesecake Factory 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 Cheesecake Factory 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 Cheesecake Factory 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 Cheesecake Factory 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 Cheesecake Factory.
📞 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 Cheesecake Factory offer to its employees?
Cheesecake Factory offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan to its employees.
Is participation in the 401(k) plan at Cheesecake Factory mandatory?
No, participation in the 401(k) plan at Cheesecake Factory is voluntary for employees.
What is the minimum age requirement to participate in Cheesecake Factory's 401(k) plan?
Employees must be at least 21 years old to participate in the Cheesecake Factory 401(k) plan.
Does Cheesecake Factory match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?
Yes, Cheesecake Factory offers a matching contribution to employee contributions, up to a certain percentage.
How can employees enroll in the Cheesecake Factory 401(k) plan?
Employees can enroll in the Cheesecake Factory 401(k) plan through the company’s HR portal or by contacting their HR representative.
What types of investment options are available in the Cheesecake Factory 401(k) plan?
The Cheesecake Factory 401(k) plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds and target-date funds.
Can employees take loans against their 401(k) savings at Cheesecake Factory?
Yes, Cheesecake Factory allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) savings, subject to certain terms and conditions.
What is the vesting schedule for the Cheesecake Factory 401(k) matching contributions?
The vesting schedule for Cheesecake Factory's matching contributions typically follows a graded vesting schedule over a period of years.
How often can employees change their contribution amounts to the Cheesecake Factory 401(k) plan?
Employees can change their contribution amounts to the Cheesecake Factory 401(k) plan at any time, subject to plan rules.
What happens to an employee's 401(k) account if they leave Cheesecake Factory?
If an employee leaves Cheesecake Factory, they can choose to roll over their 401(k) balance to another retirement account or withdraw the funds, subject to taxes and penalties.
With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.
Cheesecake Factory has announced a restructuring plan that includes layoffs and operational changes to address declining sales and increased operational costs. The company plans to close several underperforming locations and reduce its workforce by 5% across corporate and field operations.
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For more information you can reach the plan administrator for Cheesecake Factory at 26901 Malibu Hills Rd. Calabasas, CA 91301; or by calling them at 1-818-871-3000.
Further Information for Cheesecake Factory* Employees
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