New Update: Healthcare Costs Increasing by Over 60% in Some States. Will you be impacted?

Why More Landstar System Employees Are Considering Social Security Early â€” And How Medicare Changes Play a Role

Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Landstar System Landstar System, Inc. partners with various healthcare providers to offer health insurance benefits to its employees. While the specific healthcare provider can vary depending on the insurance plan chosen by employees, Landstar commonly collaborates with major national insurers such as Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and UnitedHealthcare to provide comprehensive health coverage. Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026 As employers brace for steep healthcare cost increases in 2026, the outlook looks particularly daunting due to multiple economic pressures. With projections of medical costs rising by 8.5% and insurers requesting average premium increases of over 20%, workers can expect to see their out-of-pocket expenses soar as enhanced federal premium subsidies expire. The confluence of increased treatment costs, an aging workforce, and overall inflation is exacerbating these challenges, leaving many employees concerned about their ability to afford necessary healthcare services. Without proactive measures, more individuals could find themselves priced out of adequate coverage, emphasizing the urgent need for strategic planning ahead of these changes. Click here to learn more

'Landstar System 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.

'Landstar System 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. ¹ And for those with an FRA of 66, the increase if one waits until age 70 is closer to 32%. ¹ Landstar System 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, ² affecting many households and Landstar System 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. ³

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 Landstar System 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 Landstar System 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 Landstar System.

ðŸ“ž 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.

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Articles you may find interesting:

Sources:

1. CNBC. ' Does it still make sense to wait to claim Social Security retirement benefits? ' by Lorie Konish. 29 Apr. 2025.
2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. ' 15 percent of private industry workers had access to a defined benefit retirement plan ,' 10 Apr. 2024.
3. Kaiser Family Foundation. “ Health Costs Consume a Large Portion of Income for Millions of People with Medicare ,' by Ochieng, Nancy; Juliette Cubanski; Tricia Neuman; Anthony Damico. 21 Aug. 2025.
Other Resources:
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 plan does Landstar System offer to its employees?

Landstar System offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan to its employees.

How can employees of Landstar System enroll in the 401(k) plan?

Employees of Landstar System can enroll in the 401(k) plan by completing the enrollment process through the company’s benefits portal.

Does Landstar System provide any matching contributions to the 401(k) plan?

Yes, Landstar System offers a matching contribution to the 401(k) plan, which helps employees increase their retirement savings.

What is the maximum contribution limit for the Landstar System 401(k) plan?

The maximum contribution limit for the Landstar System 401(k) plan is subject to IRS guidelines, which can change annually.

Can employees of Landstar System choose between traditional and Roth 401(k) contributions?

Yes, employees of Landstar System have the option to choose between traditional and Roth 401(k) contributions based on their financial goals.

When can employees of Landstar System start withdrawing from their 401(k) accounts?

Employees of Landstar System can start withdrawing from their 401(k) accounts at age 59½, subject to certain conditions.

Is there a loan option available for the Landstar System 401(k) plan?

Yes, Landstar System allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) savings, subject to specific terms and conditions.

How often can employees change their contribution amounts for the Landstar System 401(k) plan?

Employees of Landstar System can change their contribution amounts at any time, subject to the plan's rules.

What investment options are available in the Landstar System 401(k) plan?

The Landstar System 401(k) plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds and other investment vehicles.

How does Landstar System communicate changes to the 401(k) plan?

Landstar System communicates changes to the 401(k) plan through official company emails, newsletters, and the employee benefits portal.

With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.

Landstar System offers a defined contribution retirement plan in the form of a 401(k) plan for its employees. The Landstar System, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan had assets of $159,548,262 at the end of 2022 and serves a substantial number of participants (Landstar System, Inc. - IR site). The company does not offer a traditional defined benefit pension plan; instead, the focus is on their 401(k) plan. In the Landstar System 401(k) Savings Plan, employees are automatically enrolled and can choose to invest in a variety of funds, including target-date retirement funds and other mutual funds. A notable feature of the plan is the default investment option, which automatically places participants' contributions into a predefined investment account if they do not actively select one. Landstar also provides matching contributions up to a certain percentage of an employee’s salary. Eligibility for the plan typically requires employees to complete a short service period (often one year) to receive matching contributions (Landstar System, Inc. - IR site). Participants in the Landstar System 401(k) plan are vested in company contributions after a specified period of continued employment. These contributions are designed to help employees save for retirement over the course of their career at Landstar (Landstar System, Inc. - IR site). The information was sourced from company financial reports and official retirement plan documents. Details regarding the vesting schedule and contribution limits can be found on pages 3-4 of the official Landstar System employee benefits handbook (Landstar System, Inc. - IR site).

Landstar System has not experienced major restructuring layoffs in 2023 or 2024. The company has maintained its asset-light business model, focusing on logistics and transportation services without reducing its workforce significantly (Landstar System, Inc. - IR site) (Landstar). Landstar has enhanced its benefits and 401(k) plan offerings, including improved health insurance options and better retirement matching contributions. These changes were part of their effort to remain competitive in retaining talent. It is important to address this news due to the ongoing economic uncertainties, which affect investment strategies, tax policies, and political decisions (Landstar System, Inc. - IR site) (Landstar).