Why More Ulta Beauty Employees Are Considering Social Security Early — And How Medicare Changes Play a Role
Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Ulta Beauty:
Ulta Beauty primarily offers health insurance through its employee benefits program, with coverage managed by various insurers depending on the specific plans selected. This includes partnerships with major insurance providers, ensuring Ulta employees have access to comprehensive healthcare options.
Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026:
As Ulta Beauty employees prepare for 2026, they should brace for a significant rise in healthcare costs. A perfect storm of factors, including the anticipated expiration of enhanced federal premium subsidies and rising medical costs, may result in out-of-pocket premiums soaring by over 75% for many individuals. Industry reports indicate that substantial premium increases, some exceeding 60% in certain states, will likely compel employers like Ulta to pass more healthcare expenses onto employees through higher deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. This is set against a backdrop of rapid inflation in healthcare service costs, a situation that underscores the importance of early preparation and strategic planning for upcoming health benefits.
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'Ulta Beauty 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.
'Ulta Beauty 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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Ulta Beauty 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 Ulta Beauty 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 Ulta Beauty 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 Ulta Beauty 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 Ulta Beauty.
📞 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 Ulta Beauty offer to its employees?
Ulta Beauty offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan to help employees save for their future.
Does Ulta Beauty match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?
Yes, Ulta Beauty provides a company match on employee contributions to the 401(k) plan, helping to boost retirement savings.
What is the eligibility requirement for Ulta Beauty's 401(k) plan?
Employees of Ulta Beauty are generally eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan after completing a specified period of service, typically 30 days.
Can Ulta Beauty employees choose how to invest their 401(k) contributions?
Yes, Ulta Beauty employees can select from a variety of investment options within the 401(k) plan to suit their individual retirement goals.
Is there a vesting schedule for Ulta Beauty's 401(k) company match?
Yes, Ulta Beauty has a vesting schedule for the company match, meaning employees must work for a certain period before they fully own the matched funds.
How can Ulta Beauty employees access their 401(k) account information?
Ulta Beauty employees can access their 401(k) account information online through the plan's designated website or by contacting the plan administrator.
What contribution limits apply to Ulta Beauty's 401(k) plan?
Ulta Beauty follows the IRS guidelines for contribution limits, which may change annually. Employees should check the latest limits for the current year.
Can Ulta Beauty employees take loans against their 401(k) savings?
Yes, Ulta Beauty allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) savings, subject to plan rules and limits.
What happens to an Ulta Beauty employee's 401(k) if they leave the company?
If an Ulta Beauty employee leaves the company, they have several options for their 401(k) savings, including rolling it over to another retirement account or leaving it in the Ulta Beauty plan if eligible.
Does Ulta Beauty offer financial education resources for employees regarding their 401(k)?
Yes, Ulta Beauty provides financial education resources and tools to help employees make informed decisions about their 401(k) savings.
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