Why More Intuit Employees Are Considering Social Security Early — And How Medicare Changes Play a Role
Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Intuit
Intuit, a leading financial software company, primarily utilizes UnitedHealthcare as its healthcare provider. This partnership enables Intuit to offer competitive health benefits and services to its employees, ensuring comprehensive coverage options.
Brief on Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026
In 2026, healthcare costs are anticipated to surge dramatically, with many insured individuals feeling the brunt of escalating premiums. Factors contributing to this sharp increase include the loss of enhanced federal subsidies for Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plans, which has the potential to spike out-of-pocket costs by over 75% for the majority of enrollees. Additionally, numerous states are experiencing proposed premium hikes, with some exceeding 60%, primarily fueled by rising medical costs and aggressive rate increases from top insurers. As a result, consumers and employers alike will face significant financial pressures, prompting many to re-evaluate their healthcare options and strategies in light of these challenges.
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'Intuit 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.
'Intuit 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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Intuit 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 Intuit 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 Intuit 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 Intuit 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 Intuit.
📞 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 Intuit offer to its employees?
Intuit offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan to its employees.
Does Intuit provide a company match for its 401(k) contributions?
Yes, Intuit offers a company match for employee contributions to the 401(k) plan, subject to certain limits.
How can Intuit employees enroll in the 401(k) plan?
Intuit employees can enroll in the 401(k) plan through the company’s HR portal or by contacting the HR department for assistance.
What is the eligibility requirement for Intuit employees to participate in the 401(k) plan?
Most Intuit employees are eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan after completing a specified period of employment, typically within the first year.
Can Intuit employees take loans against their 401(k) savings?
Yes, Intuit allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) savings, subject to the plan's terms and conditions.
What investment options are available in Intuit's 401(k) plan?
Intuit's 401(k) plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, target-date funds, and company stock.
How often can Intuit employees change their 401(k) contribution amounts?
Intuit employees can change their 401(k) contribution amounts at any time, subject to the plan's guidelines.
Does Intuit provide financial education resources for employees regarding their 401(k) plans?
Yes, Intuit provides financial education resources and tools to help employees make informed decisions about their 401(k) savings.
What happens to my 401(k) savings if I leave Intuit?
If you leave Intuit, you can choose to roll over your 401(k) savings into another qualified retirement plan, cash out, or leave the funds in the Intuit plan, depending on the plan's rules.
Is there a vesting schedule for Intuit's 401(k) company match?
Yes, Intuit has a vesting schedule for the company match, which means employees must work for a certain period to fully own the matched funds.
With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.
Pension Plan Terminology:
Defined Contribution Plan: A retirement plan where the employee and/or employer contribute to the employee's account, but the final benefit depends on investment performance.
Vesting: The process by which an employee earns the right to benefits from an employer-provided plan.
401(k) Plan Terminology:
Match Contribution: Employer contributions that match employee contributions up to a certain percentage.
Automatic Enrollment: A feature that automatically enrolls employees into the 401(k) plan upon meeting eligibility criteria.
In July 2024, Intuit announced the layoff of 1,800 employees, roughly 10% of its workforce, as part of a larger restructuring effort aimed at focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) and automation. This restructuring is being driven by the company's strategy to shift toward AI-driven solutions, such as its AI-powered financial assistant, Intuit Assist. As part of this strategy, Intuit plans to rehire in new AI-focused and customer-facing roles, with a goal of boosting innovation and growth in areas like data, fintech, and mid-market solutions. In its Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, Intuit stated that this transition would come with an estimated $260 million in layoff-related costs, including severance and employee benefits, and further investments into AI and data-driven platforms.
Intuit offers its employees stock options and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) as part of their compensation packages. Stock options give employees the right to purchase Intuit shares at a predetermined price, while RSUs are a promise to grant shares upon meeting vesting requirements. For example, RSUs vest over time or after performance milestones, with taxes withheld from the vested shares before employees can access the remaining stock. Both stock options and RSUs are considered ordinary income once vested and are reported on W-2 forms (Intuit Benefits) (TurboTax).
In 2022, 2023, and 2024, Intuit provided RSUs with vesting schedules based on years of service and stock performance. Typically, a portion of the shares is withheld to cover taxes upon vesting, and the remaining shares are transferred to the employee's account. Employees can then decide whether to hold or sell the shares. RSUs are commonly awarded to attract and retain talent and are available to full-time employees, with executives often receiving higher allocations
Medical Coverage: Intuit provides several medical plans depending on the employee's location, such as the Cigna Choice Fund with Health Savings Account (HSA), UnitedHealthcare (UHC) Network Plan, Cigna Managed Network Plan (EPO), and Kaiser Permanente (for employees in California and Georgia). These plans include broad coverage for services like preventive care, family planning, and physical therapy (Intuit Benefits) (Intuit Benefits).
Health Savings Account (HSA): Employees enrolled in the Cigna Choice Fund with HSA plan can contribute tax-free money to cover medical expenses. In 2023, the IRS limit was $3,850 for individual coverage and $7,750 for family coverage, increasing to $4,150 for individuals and $8,300 for families in 2024 (Intuit Benefits).
Mental Health and Wellbeing: Intuit places a strong emphasis on mental health. Employees have access to no-cost confidential counseling, support for managing stress, depression, and workplace challenges, as well as resources for mindfulness and resilience building
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