Why More Devon Energy Employees Are Considering Social Security Early — And How Medicare Changes Play a Role
Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Devon Energy:
Devon Energy Corporation partners with Aetna as its healthcare provider. Aetna offers a range of health plans and services to support the wellness needs of Devon Energy employees and their families.
Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026:
As healthcare costs continue to rise, Devon Energy could see significant increases in employee healthcare expenses in 2026, attributed in part to anticipated premium hikes associated with the Affordable Care Act (ACA). With some states preparing for rate increases of up to 66% and the expiration of enhanced federal premium subsidies, employees may face out-of-pocket premium escalations of over 75%. The confluence of rising medical costs and changes in healthcare policy may necessitate adjustments in how both employers and employees plan for their health coverage, prompting a careful re-evaluation of benefit strategies in the coming year.
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'Devon 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.
'Devon 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:
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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Devon 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,
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affecting many households and Devon 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.
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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 Devon 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 Devon 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 Devon 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.
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 is the primary purpose of the 401(k) Savings Plan at Devon Energy?
The primary purpose of the 401(k) Savings Plan at Devon Energy is to help employees save for retirement by allowing them to contribute a portion of their salary on a pre-tax or after-tax basis.
How can employees at Devon Energy enroll in the 401(k) Savings Plan?
Employees at Devon Energy can enroll in the 401(k) Savings Plan by logging into the employee portal and completing the online enrollment process during the designated enrollment period.
What types of contributions can employees make to the Devon Energy 401(k) Savings Plan?
Employees at Devon Energy can make pre-tax contributions, Roth (after-tax) contributions, and, if eligible, catch-up contributions to the 401(k) Savings Plan.
Does Devon Energy offer any matching contributions to the 401(k) Savings Plan?
Yes, Devon Energy offers a matching contribution to the 401(k) Savings Plan, which is designed to encourage employees to save for retirement.
What is the vesting schedule for employer contributions in the Devon Energy 401(k) Savings Plan?
The vesting schedule for employer contributions in the Devon Energy 401(k) Savings Plan typically follows a graded vesting schedule, meaning employees gradually earn ownership of the company's contributions over time.
Are there any fees associated with the Devon Energy 401(k) Savings Plan?
Yes, there may be administrative fees associated with the Devon Energy 401(k) Savings Plan, which are disclosed in the plan documents provided to employees.
Can employees at Devon Energy take loans against their 401(k) Savings Plan balance?
Yes, employees at Devon Energy may be able to take loans against their 401(k) Savings Plan balance, subject to the plan's terms and conditions.
What investment options are available in the Devon Energy 401(k) Savings Plan?
The Devon Energy 401(k) Savings Plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, target-date funds, and company stock, allowing employees to diversify their retirement savings.
How often can employees change their contribution amounts to the Devon Energy 401(k) Savings Plan?
Employees at Devon Energy can change their contribution amounts to the 401(k) Savings Plan at any time, subject to the plan's guidelines.
What is the minimum age requirement to participate in the Devon Energy 401(k) Savings Plan?
The minimum age requirement to participate in the Devon Energy 401(k) Savings Plan is typically 21 years old, but employees should refer to the plan documents for specific details.
With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.
Devon Energy Pension Plan
Devon Energy does not specifically offer a traditional defined benefit pension plan but provides retirement benefits through their 401(k) plan, which includes additional company contributions. The company contributes a percentage of the employee's eligible compensation to their 401(k) account each quarter, regardless of whether the employee contributes. This contribution is designed to supplement the employees' savings, ensuring they have a robust retirement fund.
Devon Energy 401(k) Plan
The Devon Energy 401(k) Incentive Savings Plan allows employees to contribute 1% to 50% of their eligible pay on a pre-tax basis, Roth after-tax basis, or a combination of both, up to the IRS limits. Employees aged 50 or older can make additional catch-up contributions. Devon Energy matches 100% of the employee contributions up to 6%, based on years of service, making it a significant part of the retirement savings strategy for employees.
Devon Energy announced the layoff of approximately 300 employees, representing around 9% of its workforce, as part of a broader effort to reduce general and administrative costs by $150 million to $200 million by 2024. This restructuring follows a challenging period for the energy sector, despite recent increases in oil prices. The layoffs are part of a strategy to streamline operations, focus on core assets, and enhance the company's financial stability. Additionally, Devon Energy has continued its disciplined cash-return business model, focusing on generating free cash flow and returning capital to shareholders. They have also announced preliminary plans for 2024, including the continuation of their fixed-plus-variable dividend strategy, which has been a key component of their financial approach since their merger with WPX Energy.
Stock Options and RSUs:
Devon Energy offers a combination of stock options and RSUs to its employees under the Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP). This plan has been in place and was amended as of 2024. Employees eligible for these awards typically include executive officers, directors, and other key employees within the company. The awards are designed to vest over a period, usually tied to continued employment and performance metrics.
RSUs (Restricted Stock Units) at Devon Energy are granted as part of the LTIP and typically vest over a multi-year period. The RSUs represent a promise to deliver shares of Devon Energy stock to employees upon meeting specific vesting conditions. For example, RSUs granted in 2022, 2023, and 2024 usually vest after three years, encouraging employees to stay with the company long-term. These RSUs do not require employees to purchase the shares; instead, they are given shares once the units vest.
Devon Energy offers a comprehensive set of health benefits to its employees, focusing on ensuring both physical and mental well-being. For the years 2022, 2023, and 2024, the company's health benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, all starting from the first day of employment for regular full-time, part-time employees, and interns.
Healthcare-Related Terms and Acronyms:
PPO (Preferred Provider Organization): Employees can choose between PPO and Premier plans, with differences in deductible amounts and coverage percentages for services like preventive care and major services.
UBreathe Program: A tobacco cessation program that helps employees avoid a tobacco surcharge on their medical insurance if they meet specific requirements.
VSP (Vision Service Plan): Administers the vision coverage, offering annual exams and allowances for lenses and frames.
Recent Employee Healthcare News:
Devon Energy has placed significant emphasis on wellness through various programs and facilities. For example, "The Well," a wellness center at their Oklahoma City headquarters, provides access to state-of-the-art fitness equipment, group classes, and wellness resources. The company also offers a near-site primary care clinic, "The Doc," which provides advanced medical care, behavioral health services, and physical therapy.
Additionally, Devon Energy's commitment to employee wellness is evident in their support for flexible spending accounts and comprehensive dental and vision coverage options, designed to cater to a wide range of employee needs
For more information you can reach the plan administrator for Devon Energy at 333 W Sheridan Ave Oklahoma City, OK 73102; or by calling them at (405) 235-3611.
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