Why More Walgreens Boots Alliance Employees Are Considering Social Security Early — And How Medicare Changes Play a Role
Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Walgreens Boots Alliance
Walgreens Boots Alliance primarily operates through its retail pharmacy network, including Walgreens and Boots pharmacies, along with a range of healthcare services. The company partners with various insurance and healthcare providers to offer accessible pharmacy services, health and wellness products, and integrated healthcare solutions aimed at enhancing patient care.
Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026
In 2026, employees of Walgreens Boots Alliance are likely to face significant increases in healthcare costs as insurance premiums for ACA marketplace plans are projected to rise sharply, in some instances exceeding 60%. With the potential expiration of enhanced federal subsidies, many enrollees may see their out-of-pocket costs escalate by over 75%. Coupled with rising medical costs driven by inflation and increased demand for expensive treatments, employees need to be proactive in understanding their health benefits and planning accordingly to manage these anticipated financial burdens.
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'Walgreens Boots Alliance 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.
'Walgreens Boots Alliance 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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Walgreens Boots Alliance 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 Walgreens Boots Alliance 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 Walgreens Boots Alliance 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 Walgreens Boots Alliance 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 Walgreens Boots Alliance.
📞 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 Walgreens Boots Alliance offer to its employees?
Walgreens Boots Alliance offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan to its employees.
How can employees of Walgreens Boots Alliance enroll in the 401(k) plan?
Employees of Walgreens Boots Alliance can enroll in the 401(k) plan through the company’s HR portal or by contacting the benefits department for assistance.
Does Walgreens Boots Alliance match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?
Yes, Walgreens Boots Alliance provides a matching contribution to the 401(k) plan, subject to certain limits.
What is the maximum employee contribution percentage allowed in the Walgreens Boots Alliance 401(k) plan?
The maximum employee contribution percentage allowed in the Walgreens Boots Alliance 401(k) plan is in line with IRS limits, which can change annually.
Are there any waiting periods for new employees to join the Walgreens Boots Alliance 401(k) plan?
Walgreens Boots Alliance typically allows new employees to join the 401(k) plan after completing a specified waiting period, usually within the first few months of employment.
Can employees of Walgreens Boots Alliance take loans against their 401(k) savings?
Yes, employees of Walgreens Boots Alliance may have the option to take loans against their 401(k) savings, subject to the plan's terms.
What investment options are available within the Walgreens Boots Alliance 401(k) plan?
The Walgreens Boots Alliance 401(k) plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, target-date funds, and other investment vehicles.
How often can employees change their contribution amounts to the Walgreens Boots Alliance 401(k) plan?
Employees of Walgreens Boots Alliance can typically change their contribution amounts at any time, subject to the plan’s guidelines.
What happens to the 401(k) savings if an employee leaves Walgreens Boots Alliance?
If an employee leaves Walgreens Boots Alliance, they can choose to roll over their 401(k) savings to another retirement account, cash out, or leave the savings in the plan, depending on the balance and plan rules.
Does Walgreens Boots Alliance provide educational resources to help employees understand their 401(k) options?
Yes, Walgreens Boots Alliance offers educational resources and workshops to help employees understand their 401(k) options and make informed decisions.
With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.
Walgreens Boots Alliance is a global leader in retail pharmacy, known for its extensive network of drugstores and health and wellness services.
Walgreens Boots Alliance provides RSUs to certain employees. These RSUs vest over time, encouraging employee retention.
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