Why More Summit Materials Employees Are Considering Social Security Early — And How Medicare Changes Play a Role
Healthcare Provider Update: Offers comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, plus 401(k) matching and paid time off 9.
As ACA costs rise, Summits employer-sponsored plans provide consistent coverage and financial protection for employees and their families.
Click here to learn more
'Summit Materials 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.
'Summit Materials 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
Summit Materials 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 Summit Materials 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 Summit Materials 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 Summit Materials 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 Summit Materials.
📞 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 Summit Materials offer?
Summit Materials offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan to help employees save for their future.
When can employees at Summit Materials enroll in the 401(k) plan?
Employees at Summit Materials can enroll in the 401(k) plan during the initial eligibility period or during the annual open enrollment period.
Is there a company match for contributions made to the 401(k) plan at Summit Materials?
Yes, Summit Materials provides a company match for employee contributions to the 401(k) plan, subject to certain limits.
How much can employees contribute to their 401(k) at Summit Materials?
Employees at Summit Materials can contribute up to the IRS annual limit, which is adjusted periodically. For 2023, the limit is $22,500, with an additional catch-up contribution for those aged 50 and over.
Does Summit Materials offer a Roth 401(k) option?
Yes, Summit Materials offers a Roth 401(k) option, allowing employees to make after-tax contributions to their retirement savings.
What investment options are available in the Summit Materials 401(k) plan?
The Summit Materials 401(k) plan provides a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, target-date funds, and company stock.
Can employees at Summit Materials take loans against their 401(k) savings?
Yes, employees at Summit Materials may be eligible to take loans against their 401(k) savings, subject to the plan's terms and conditions.
What happens to my 401(k) balance if I leave Summit Materials?
If you leave Summit Materials, you can choose to roll over your 401(k) balance to another retirement account, cash it out, or keep it in the Summit Materials plan if eligible.
How often can employees change their contribution amounts to the 401(k) at Summit Materials?
Employees at Summit Materials can change their contribution amounts at any time, subject to the plan's guidelines.
Is there a vesting schedule for the company match in the Summit Materials 401(k) plan?
Yes, there is a vesting schedule for the company match in the Summit Materials 401(k) plan, which determines how much of the match you own based on your years of service.
/General/General%2012.png?width=1280&height=853&name=General%2012.png)
-2.png?width=300&height=200&name=office-builing-main-lobby%20(52)-2.png)
.webp?width=300&height=200&name=office-builing-main-lobby%20(27).webp)
-2.png)
.webp)