Why More Teleflex Employees Are Considering Social Security Early — And How Medicare Changes Play a Role
Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Teleflex:
Teleflex Inc. primarily operates as a healthcare technology company, providing medical devices that support improved patient outcomes. While Teleflex does not have its own healthcare provider services, it partners with various healthcare systems to supply its products, such as Arrow and others, to hospitals and providers across the globe.
Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026:
As Teleflex prepares for 2026, employees should brace for significant healthcare cost increases. With the expiration of enhanced federal subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, many could see their premiums rise dramatically-some states predicting hikes over 60%. Coupled with consistently escalating medical costs, driven by factors like higher drug prices and labor shortages, Teleflex employees may have to absorb a greater share of these expenses, particularly as companies increasingly lean toward shifting costs onto workers. Strategic adjustments in benefits and plan selections will be crucial in navigating the financial landscape of healthcare in the coming year.
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'Teleflex 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.
'Teleflex 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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Teleflex 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 Teleflex 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 Teleflex 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 Teleflex 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 Teleflex.
📞 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 Teleflex's 401(k) Savings Plan?
The primary purpose of Teleflex's 401(k) Savings Plan 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 Teleflex employees enroll in the 401(k) Savings Plan?
Teleflex employees can enroll in the 401(k) Savings Plan through the company's benefits portal or by contacting the HR department for assistance.
Does Teleflex offer a matching contribution for its 401(k) Savings Plan?
Yes, Teleflex offers a matching contribution to the 401(k) Savings Plan, which helps employees boost their retirement savings.
What types of investment options are available in Teleflex's 401(k) Savings Plan?
Teleflex's 401(k) Savings Plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, target-date funds, and other investment vehicles tailored to meet different risk tolerances.
At what age can Teleflex employees start withdrawing from their 401(k) Savings Plan without penalties?
Teleflex employees can start withdrawing from their 401(k) Savings Plan without penalties at age 59½, provided they meet the plan's other requirements.
Can Teleflex employees take loans against their 401(k) Savings Plan balance?
Yes, Teleflex allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) Savings Plan balance under certain conditions, as outlined in the plan document.
What happens to a Teleflex employee's 401(k) Savings Plan if they leave the company?
If a Teleflex employee leaves the company, they have several options for their 401(k) Savings Plan, including rolling it over to another retirement account, cashing it out, or leaving it with Teleflex.
How often can Teleflex employees change their contribution rate to the 401(k) Savings Plan?
Teleflex employees can change their contribution rate to the 401(k) Savings Plan at any time, subject to the plan's guidelines and payroll processing schedules.
Is there a vesting schedule for Teleflex's matching contributions to the 401(k) Savings Plan?
Yes, Teleflex has a vesting schedule for its matching contributions, meaning employees must work for a certain period before they fully own the employer contributions.
Can Teleflex employees access their 401(k) Savings Plan funds in case of financial hardship?
Yes, Teleflex employees may be eligible to take hardship withdrawals from their 401(k) Savings Plan under specific circumstances defined by the plan.
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