Why More Yum Brands Employees Are Considering Social Security Early — And How Medicare Changes Play a Role
Healthcare Provider Update: Yum Brands employs Cigna Healthcare as their healthcare provider, offering various health insurance plans and services to their employees.
As we look towards 2026, healthcare costs are anticipated to rise significantly across the United States, with some states projecting ACA marketplace health insurance premiums to increase by more than 60%. Factors contributing to this trend include the potential expiration of enhanced federal premium subsidies and escalating medical costs, with many insurers citing an average medical trend increase of 7% to 10%. This combination could lead to substantial out-of-pocket expenses for thousands of employees, including those at Yum Brands, as they face the looming specter of higher premiums and reduced financial assistance. It's essential for employees to prepare by evaluating their healthcare options carefully and considering their financial situation.
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'Yum Brands 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.
'Yum Brands 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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Yum Brands 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 Yum Brands 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 Yum Brands 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 Yum Brands 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 Yum Brands.
📞 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 401(k) plan offered by Yum Brands?
The 401(k) plan at Yum Brands is a retirement savings plan that allows employees to save a portion of their paycheck before taxes are taken out.
Does Yum Brands match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?
Yes, Yum Brands offers a matching contribution to the 401(k) plan, which helps employees maximize their retirement savings.
What are the eligibility requirements for participating in Yum Brands' 401(k) plan?
Employees of Yum Brands are eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan after completing a specified period of service, typically within the first year of employment.
How can Yum Brands employees enroll in the 401(k) plan?
Yum Brands employees can enroll in the 401(k) plan through the company’s benefits portal or by contacting the Human Resources department for assistance.
What investment options are available in the Yum Brands 401(k) plan?
The Yum Brands 401(k) plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, target-date funds, and other investment vehicles to suit different risk tolerances.
Can Yum Brands employees change their contribution percentage for the 401(k) plan?
Yes, Yum Brands employees can change their contribution percentage at any time, allowing them to adjust their savings according to their financial situation.
What is the vesting schedule for Yum Brands' 401(k) matching contributions?
The vesting schedule for Yum Brands' 401(k) matching contributions typically follows a graded vesting schedule, meaning employees earn ownership of the match over a period of time.
Are there any fees associated with Yum Brands' 401(k) plan?
Yes, Yum Brands' 401(k) plan may have administrative fees and investment-related fees, which are disclosed in the plan documents provided to employees.
How often can Yum Brands employees access their 401(k) account statements?
Yum Brands employees can access their 401(k) account statements quarterly through the plan’s online portal.
What happens to Yum Brands employees' 401(k) accounts if they leave the company?
If Yum Brands employees leave the company, they can either roll over their 401(k) balance to another retirement account, leave it in the Yum Brands plan (if eligible), or cash it out, subject to taxes and penalties.
For more information you can reach the plan administrator for Yum Brands at 1900 Colonel Sanders Ln. Louisville, KY 40213; or by calling them at 502-874-8300.
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