'Rush Enterprises 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.
New Update: Rising Oil Costs are Affecting Retirement Plans. Will you be impacted?
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Why More Rush Enterprises Employees Are Considering Social Security Early  And How Medicare Changes Play a Role
November 11, 2025
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How Oil Volatility Affects Your Rush Enterprises Retirement
Energy market instability persists, with crude prices fluctuating between $50 and $120 per barrel and annualized volatility running around 80%. The effects reach well beyond the energy sector. Oil price volatility ripples through the broader economy by influencing inflation expectations, interest rates, and equity market valuations. For employees at Rush Enterprises, energy sector holdings within retirement accounts, such as oil stocks in a 401(k), can experience significant price swings that affect portfolio allocation; if sold during downturns, realized losses or gains may create unexpected tax consequences. Rush Enterprises employees benefit from financial strategies that anticipate energy-driven economic shifts, building portfolios resilient enough to weather the inflation and market volatility that oil price swings create. Working with a financial advisor can help you position your planning strategy for sustained energy price uncertainty.
Energy market instability persists, with crude prices fluctuating between $50 and $120 per barrel and annualized volatility running around 80%. The effects reach well beyond the energy sector. Oil price volatility ripples through the broader economy by influencing inflation expectations, interest rates, and equity market valuations. For employees at Rush Enterprises, energy sector holdings within retirement accounts, such as oil stocks in a 401(k), can experience significant price swings that affect portfolio allocation; if sold during downturns, realized losses or gains may create unexpected tax consequences. Rush Enterprises employees benefit from financial strategies that anticipate energy-driven economic shifts, building portfolios resilient enough to weather the inflation and market volatility that oil price swings create. Working with a financial advisor can help you position your planning strategy for sustained energy price uncertainty.
'Rush Enterprises 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:
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How Social Security filing age affects retirement income.
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How Medicare expenses factor into when retirees claim benefits.
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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 Rush Enterprises 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 Rush Enterprises 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 Rush Enterprises 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 Rush Enterprises 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 Rush Enterprises.
📞 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.
Remote-work tax implications add complexity, making it essential to understand how Rush Enterprises's benefit programs factor into your overall financial picture. Without a traditional pension, your 401(k) - alongside Social Security - forms the foundation of your retirement income at Rush Enterprises. Rush Enterprises may offer a 401(k) employer match - review your Summary Plan Description for current match rate and vesting details. Your overall withdrawal strategy, account sequence, and Roth conversion opportunities leading up to and into retirement deserve careful, personalized analysis given the income-sequencing implications.
The healthcare benefits at Rush Enterprises deserve careful attention: Rush Enterprises does not offer continued medical coverage to retirees, which means coverage through the company ends when employment does. Planning for the cost of health insurance during any gap between your retirement date and Medicare eligibility at age 65 is a critical step - marketplace coverage, COBRA continuation, or a spouse's employer plan are common options. Building an accurate estimate of bridge-coverage costs into your retirement income projection prevents underestimating one of the largest variable expenses retirees face. Putting your Rush Enterprises benefits into the framework of a holistic retirement income plan reveals how each piece supports the others.
Sources:
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1. CNBC. ' Does it still make sense to wait to claim Social Security retirement benefits? ' by Lorie Konish. 29 Apr. 2026.
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2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. ' 15 percent of private industry workers had access to a defined benefit retirement plan ,' 10 Apr. 2026.
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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. 2026.
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Other Resources:
- 1. Social Security Administration. When to Start Receiving Retirement Benefits: Publication No. 05-10147 . May 2026. U.S. Government Publishing Office, Washington D.C.
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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. 2026.
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3. Medicare Payment Advisory Commission. Report to the Congress: Medicare Payment Policy – Chapter 11: The Medicare Advantage Program: Status Report . Mar. 2026, medpac.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Mar25_Ch11_MedPAC_Report_To_Congress_SEC.pdf.
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4. Board of Trustees, Social Security. 2026 Annual Report of the Board of Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Federal Disability Insurance Trust Funds . 30 June 2026. U.S. Government Publishing Office, Washington D.C.
What type of retirement savings plan does Rush Enterprises offer to its employees?
Rush Enterprises offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan to its employees.
How can employees of Rush Enterprises enroll in the 401(k) plan?
Employees of Rush Enterprises can enroll in the 401(k) plan by completing the enrollment forms provided by the HR department or through the company's benefits portal.
Does Rush Enterprises match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?
Yes, Rush Enterprises offers a matching contribution to employee 401(k) plan contributions, subject to certain limits.
What is the maximum contribution limit for employees participating in the Rush Enterprises 401(k) plan?
The maximum contribution limit for employees in the Rush Enterprises 401(k) plan is in accordance with IRS guidelines, which may change annually.
Can employees of Rush Enterprises take loans against their 401(k) savings?
Yes, Rush Enterprises allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) savings, subject to specific terms and conditions.
What investment options are available in the Rush Enterprises 401(k) plan?
The Rush Enterprises 401(k) plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, stocks, and bonds, allowing employees to choose based on their risk tolerance.
How often can employees change their contribution amount in the Rush Enterprises 401(k) plan?
Employees can change their contribution amount in the Rush Enterprises 401(k) plan at any time, subject to plan rules.
Is there a vesting schedule for employer contributions in the Rush Enterprises 401(k) plan?
Yes, there is a vesting schedule for employer contributions in the Rush Enterprises 401(k) plan, which determines when employees fully own the contributions made by Rush Enterprises.
What happens to my 401(k) savings if I leave Rush Enterprises?
If you leave Rush Enterprises, you can roll over your 401(k) savings to another retirement account, cash out, or leave the funds in the Rush Enterprises plan, subject to plan rules.
Are there any fees associated with the Rush Enterprises 401(k) plan?
Yes, there may be administrative fees associated with the Rush Enterprises 401(k) plan, which are disclosed in the plan documents.
For more information you can reach the plan administrator for Rush Enterprises at , ; or by calling them at .
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