Why More Crane Holdings Employees Are Considering Social Security Early — And How Medicare Changes Play a Role
Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Crane Holdings
Crane Holdings typically engages with a variety of healthcare providers, but specific contracts may vary based on their employee benefits structure. It is advisable for companies to work with major insurers such as UnitedHealthcare, Anthem, or Cigna to provide a competitive benefits package, especially in light of the upcoming healthcare cost changes expected in 2026.
Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026
As the healthcare landscape shifts, Crane Holdings should prepare for significant increases in health insurance premiums in 2026. With overarching trends indicating rises of over 60% in some regions due to the expiration of enhanced federal subsidies and escalating medical costs, many consumers-approximately 22 million-could face premiums surging by as much as 75%. Coupled with ongoing inflationary pressures in hospital and provider costs, strategic planning will be essential for mitigating financial impacts and ensuring continued coverage for employees.
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'Crane Holdings 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.
'Crane Holdings 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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Crane Holdings 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 Crane Holdings 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 Crane Holdings 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 Crane Holdings 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 Crane Holdings.
📞 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 Crane Holdings offer to its employees?
Crane Holdings offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan to its employees.
Does Crane Holdings provide any matching contributions to the 401(k) plan?
Yes, Crane Holdings provides a matching contribution up to a certain percentage of the employee's salary.
What is the eligibility requirement for employees to participate in Crane Holdings' 401(k) plan?
Employees are eligible to participate in Crane Holdings' 401(k) plan after completing a specified period of service, typically 30 days.
Can employees of Crane Holdings choose how to invest their 401(k) contributions?
Yes, employees of Crane Holdings can choose from a variety of investment options for their 401(k) contributions.
Is there a vesting schedule for the matching contributions at Crane Holdings?
Yes, Crane Holdings has a vesting schedule for matching contributions, which means employees must work for a certain period before they fully own those contributions.
How often can employees change their contribution amounts to the 401(k) plan at Crane Holdings?
Employees at Crane Holdings can change their contribution amounts typically on a quarterly basis or as specified in the plan documents.
What is the maximum contribution limit for the 401(k) plan at Crane Holdings?
The maximum contribution limit for the 401(k) plan at Crane Holdings is aligned with IRS guidelines, which may change annually.
Does Crane Holdings allow for loans against the 401(k) plan?
Yes, Crane Holdings allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) balance under certain conditions.
What happens to an employee's 401(k) balance if they leave Crane Holdings?
If an employee leaves Crane Holdings, they can choose to roll over their 401(k) balance to another retirement account, cash it out, or leave it in the Crane Holdings plan if eligible.
Are there any fees associated with the 401(k) plan at Crane Holdings?
Yes, there may be administrative fees and investment fees associated with the 401(k) plan at Crane Holdings, which are disclosed in the plan documents.
With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.
Crane Holdings has announced changes to their 401(k) plan, including the addition of the JPMorgan Large Cap Growth Fund and the Fidelity Total Bond Fund to their investment options lineup. This is aimed at providing employees with better growth opportunities and more stable investment choices. The company also raised its full-year adjusted EPS guidance, reflecting a strong financial outlook which can positively impact the stability and potential growth of employee retirement benefits
Restructuring Layoffs: Crane Holdings completed a significant restructuring with the separation of Crane Company and Crane NXT into two independent publicly traded companies as of April 2023. This separation is part of a strategic initiative to streamline operations and focus on core business segments. As a result, some layoffs and restructuring within the organization may occur, though specific numbers are not detailed in the available sources. The restructuring aims to enhance shareholder value and operational efficiency.
Employee Stock Options
Crane Holdings offers stock options to eligible employees as part of its equity compensation plan. These stock options provide employees the right to purchase shares of Crane Holdings at a predetermined price, typically referred to as the exercise or strike price. These options usually vest over a period, meaning that employees earn the right to exercise their options in increments over several years. For example, options granted in 2023 become exercisable at 25% on the first anniversary, 50% on the second anniversary, 75% on the third anniversary, and fully vested by the fourth anniversary. Crane Holdings’ stock options are available primarily to key employees, including executives and senior management, as a way to retain talent and align their interests with shareholders (CraneCo) (SEC.gov) (SEC.gov).
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Crane Holdings also grants RSUs, which represent a promise to deliver shares of stock to employees upon the fulfillment of certain conditions, such as continued employment over a vesting period. For instance, RSUs granted in 2023 vest on December 31, 2025, contingent on Crane Holdings achieving specific performance criteria and the employee remaining with the company. These units do not require employees to pay an exercise price; instead, they are given shares outright after meeting the vesting conditions. RSUs are typically awarded to a broader group of employees, including senior executives and key contributors, to incentivize long-term performance and loyalty (SEC.gov) (CraneCo) (CraneCo).
Crane Holdings has made significant strides in its employee health benefits over the past few years. For the years 2022, 2023, and 2024, they have consistently aimed to provide comprehensive health coverage to their employees.
Health Benefits Overview
2022: Crane Holdings focused on maintaining a robust health benefits package for its employees. They offered standard health insurance options, including medical, dental, and vision coverage. In addition to these, Crane provided supplemental insurances such as life insurance, disability insurance, and long-term care insurance, which employees could opt into during open enrollment periods at advantageous group rates (Home Page) (Business Wire).
2023: The company continued to enhance its health benefits, introducing more flexibility and additional coverage options. For instance, Crane Holdings improved its wellness programs, incorporating mental health support and telehealth services to better cater to the evolving needs of its workforce (CraneCo) (Home Page).
2024: In line with the latest trends, Crane Holdings expanded its benefits to include more personalized health management tools and resources. This included advanced health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs), as well as incentives for participating in preventive health activities
For more information you can reach the plan administrator for Crane Holdings at 100 First Stamford Pl., Ste. 400 Stamford, CT 6902; or by calling them at 203-363-7300.
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