Why More Xcel Energy Employees Are Considering Social Security Early — And How Medicare Changes Play a Role
Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Xcel Energy
Xcel Energy primarily collaborates with UnitedHealthcare to provide healthcare benefits for its employees. This partnership allows Xcel Energy to offer a range of health plans that cater to the diverse needs of its workforce.
Potential Healthcare Cost Increases for Xcel Energy in 2026
Looking ahead to 2026, Xcel Energy employees should be prepared for significant healthcare cost increases as industry trends suggest substantial premium hikes. Reports indicate that some states may see ACA marketplace premiums soar by over 60%. In addition to this, employers like Xcel Energy may shift more costs to employees, with many anticipated to increase deductibles or coinsurance due to rising medical expenses. As the market braces for these changes, it becomes essential for employees to stay informed about benefit adjustments, optimize their healthcare plan choices, and explore proactive financial strategies to mitigate the impact of these increased costs.
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'Xcel Energy 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.
'Xcel Energy 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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Xcel Energy 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 Xcel Energy 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 Xcel Energy 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 Xcel Energy 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 Xcel Energy.
📞 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 retirement savings options does Xcel Energy offer to its employees?
Xcel Energy offers a 401(k) Savings Plan that allows employees to save for retirement through pre-tax and Roth after-tax contributions.
How does Xcel Energy match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?
Xcel Energy provides a matching contribution to the 401(k) plan, which is based on a percentage of the employee's contributions, helping to enhance retirement savings.
What is the eligibility requirement for Xcel Energy's 401(k) Savings Plan?
Employees are eligible to participate in Xcel Energy's 401(k) Savings Plan after completing a specified period of employment, typically within the first year.
Can employees at Xcel Energy contribute to their 401(k) plan while on leave?
Yes, employees can continue to contribute to their 401(k) plan while on certain types of leave, depending on the specific circumstances and plan rules.
What investment options are available in Xcel Energy's 401(k) Savings Plan?
Xcel Energy's 401(k) Savings Plan offers a variety of investment options, including target-date funds, stock funds, bond funds, and stable value funds.
Is there a vesting schedule for the employer match in Xcel Energy's 401(k) plan?
Yes, Xcel Energy has a vesting schedule for the employer match, meaning employees must work for the company for a certain period to fully own the matched contributions.
How can Xcel Energy employees access their 401(k) account information?
Employees can access their 401(k) account information through the Xcel Energy benefits portal or by contacting the plan administrator directly.
What is the maximum contribution limit for Xcel Energy's 401(k) plan?
The maximum contribution limit for Xcel Energy's 401(k) plan is subject to IRS regulations, which are updated annually. Employees should check the current limits for accurate figures.
Does Xcel Energy offer a loan option against the 401(k) plan?
Yes, Xcel Energy allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) savings, subject to certain conditions and limits as outlined in the plan documents.
What happens to my 401(k) savings if I leave Xcel Energy?
If you leave Xcel Energy, you can choose to roll over your 401(k) savings to another retirement account, leave it in the Xcel Energy plan (if eligible), or withdraw the funds, subject to taxes and penalties.
For more information you can reach the plan administrator for Xcel Energy at 414 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis, MN 55401; or by calling them at 612-330-5500.
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