What Texas Instruments Employees Should Know About Caring for Aging Parents
Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments primarily provides health benefits to its employees through Aetna. Aetna offers a variety of health plans, including medical, dental, and vision insurance options, ensuring comprehensive coverage for employees and their families.
Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026
As Texas Instruments navigates the healthcare landscape, employees may face significant challenges due to anticipated healthcare cost increases in 2026. Industry reports project that health insurance premiums for Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans could rise substantially, with some states seeing increases exceeding 60%. Factors contributing to this surge include the potential expiration of enhanced federal subsidies and ongoing medical cost inflation, which is expected to continue impacting healthcare affordability. With more than 92% of marketplace enrollees potentially facing over a 75% increase in out-of-pocket premiums, proactive financial planning becomes crucial for both the company and its workforce.
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'Many Texas Instruments employees underestimate how caregiving responsibilities may influence their long-term planning. To prepare thoughtfully and involve the right professionals, it's important to start these conversations early.' — Paul Bergeron, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.
'Many Texas Instruments employees face unexpected pressure when aging parent responsibilities arise. I believe early planning and open family communication can help households navigate these challenges with greater clarity.' — Tyson Mavar, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.
In this article, we will discuss:
Key warning signs that aging parents may need additional support.
Essential legal and health care preparations to help families stay organized.
How to coordinate family involvement and emotional readiness during caregiving.
Many Texas Instruments employees in their mid-50s to early 60s come to discover that their retirement planning may have to expand to include the needs of their aging parents. As America’s population grows older, adult children frequently take on caregiving responsibilities for parents facing health issues, financial weaknesses, and cognitive decline. These realities influence family dynamics, investments, estate planning, taxes, and emotional well-being.
“Your parents' financial vulnerabilities become your financial stress unless you plan ahead and take a proactive role,” explains Brent Wolf, CFP®, an advisor at Wealth Enhancement.
Below are key considerations for individuals ages 55 to 65 who are preparing to support elderly parents.
1. Recognize the Early Signs of Cognitive Decline
For many families, cognitive decline in an aging parent typically appears gradually. Early warning signs may include:
- Repeatedly forgetting conversations
- Missing or duplicating bill payments
- Confusion about routine transactions
- Financial decisions influenced by new “friends”
- Unusual wire transfers or unexpected spending changes
Your role is not to diagnose—your role is to observe and speak up early. By addressing concerns promptly, you, your family, and your advisory team can potentially help mitigate the risk of future financial or cognitive harm.
2. Put Durable Power of Attorney and a Trusted Contact in Place
If a parent becomes cognitively impaired without a durable power of attorney, families often face a costly, lengthy conservatorship process. Texas Instruments employees can address this by planning ahead.
Consider getting the following key documents in place:
- A trusted contact authorization
- Durable Power of Attorney for finances
- HIPAA releases and health care power of attorney
- Updated beneficiary designations, wills, and trusts
These steps can help reduce uncertainty and lessen the risk of financial exploitation should a parent become more vulnerable.
3. Prepare for Health Care Shock: Medicare Has Gaps
Many households are surprised by how much Medicare does not cover. Common out-of-pocket costs include:
- Long-term custodial care (memory care, assisted living, in-home support)
- Prescription drugs
- Private caregivers and care managers
- Out-of-pocket deductibles and co-pays
To plan effectively, Texas Instruments employees should understand:
- What your parents’ insurance covers
- Their likely care expenses
- Whether self-funding or long-term care strategies may fit
- Whether Medicaid planning (with its five-year look-back) should begin early
Health care decisions become more urgent if cognitive decline is a concern.
4. Guard Your Parents Against Financial Abuse
Financial abuse is a growing threat for older adults—including parents of Texas Instruments employees. Common scams include:
- Romance schemes
- Fake IRS, FedEx, or government calls
- “Grandchild in trouble” scams
- Caregiver misconduct
- Pressure from acquaintances or distant relatives
- Fraudulent investment pitches
Adult children often hesitate to intervene, but silence can increase risk. Advisors can help monitor accounts, identify unusual activity, and place temporary holds when needed.
5. Organize the “Invisible” Parts of Their Financial Life
By age 80, even financially experienced parents may struggle to keep up with routine obligations such as:
- Required minimum distributions
- Quarterly tax payments
- Charitable documentation
- Insurance renewals
- Online passwords
- Property tax deadlines
- Portfolio withdrawal planning
Advisors can help reduce errors by automating tasks, consolidating accounts, and simplifying processes.
6. Bring the Entire Family Into the Conversation Early
The most challenging situations often arise when adult children learn of issues only after a crisis. Texas Instruments employees may benefit from:
- Annual family meetings
- Clear conversations about parents’ wishes
- Defined caregiving and financial roles
- Discussions around independence and dignity
Proactive communication may helps mitigate conflict and avoid last-minute decisions during emergencies.
7. Prepare Yourself Emotionally and Financially
Caring for aging parents can influence:
- Retirement timing
- Your ability to continue working
- Your cash flow
- Your mental and emotional resilience
Advisors can help you develop:
- A dedicated “parent care fund”
- Tax-efficient withdrawal strategies
- Cash flow outlines that factor in elder care
- Estate plans that reflect multigenerational needs
With thoughtful planning, supporting your parents does not have to disrupt your retirement goals—even for Texas Instruments employees navigating complex benefits.
8. Build a Team-Based Approach
Families caring for elderly parents often benefit from a coordinated team that may include:
- A financial advisor
- An attorney with experience working with seniors
- Tax specialist
- Geriatric care manager
- Estate planning attorney
- Health care advocates
Working together, these professionals can help manage risk for both parents and adult children through a unified strategy.
Conclusion
Aging is inevitable—but it does not have to create chaos. Early planning, while parents are still capable, can lessen emotional strain, help minimize family conflict, and ideally reduce the likelihood of financial harm.
“The best gift you can give your aging parents is structure, clarity, and a financial advocate who supports them when they can no longer support themselves,” says Brent Wolf.
For Texas Instruments employees ages 55 to 65, now is the time to act.
Taking the Next Step
The Retirement Group can help you design a Parent Care Plan that includes financial oversight, health care review, legal preparation, and fraud monitoring.
To speak with a team member who can guide you through each stage of the process, call
(800) 900-5867
.
We are here to support you, your parents, and your family through every stage of life.
What type of retirement savings plan does Texas Instruments offer to its employees?
Texas Instruments offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan to its employees.
Is there a company match for contributions to the Texas Instruments 401(k) plan?
Yes, Texas Instruments provides a company match for employee contributions to the 401(k) plan, subject to certain limits.
At what age can employees of Texas Instruments start contributing to the 401(k) plan?
Employees of Texas Instruments can start contributing to the 401(k) plan as soon as they are eligible, typically upon hire or after a short waiting period.
How can Texas Instruments employees enroll in the 401(k) plan?
Texas Instruments employees can enroll in the 401(k) plan through the company's online benefits portal or by contacting the HR department for assistance.
What investment options are available in the Texas Instruments 401(k) plan?
The Texas Instruments 401(k) plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, target-date funds, and other investment vehicles.
Does Texas Instruments allow employees to take loans from their 401(k) accounts?
Yes, Texas Instruments allows employees to take loans from their 401(k) accounts, subject to specific terms and conditions.
What is the vesting schedule for the company match in the Texas Instruments 401(k) plan?
The vesting schedule for the company match in the Texas Instruments 401(k) plan typically follows a graded vesting schedule, which means employees earn ownership of the match over a period of time.
Can Texas Instruments employees change their contribution percentage at any time?
Yes, Texas Instruments employees can change their contribution percentage at any time, usually through the online benefits portal.
What happens to the 401(k) plan if an employee leaves Texas Instruments?
If an employee leaves Texas Instruments, they can choose to roll over their 401(k) balance to another retirement account, leave it in the Texas Instruments plan (if eligible), or withdraw the funds, subject to taxes and penalties.
Are there any fees associated with the Texas Instruments 401(k) plan?
Yes, there may be fees associated with the Texas Instruments 401(k) plan, which can include administrative fees and investment-related fees. Employees are encouraged to review the plan documents for details.
With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.
Texas Instruments offers both a traditional defined benefit pension plan and a defined contribution 401(k) plan. The defined benefit plan includes a cash balance component, where benefits grow based on years of service and compensation, with interest credits added annually. The 401(k) plan features company matching contributions and various investment options, including target-date funds and mutual funds. Texas Instruments provides financial planning resources and tools to help employees manage their retirement savings.
Layoffs and Restructuring: Texas Instruments announced it will lay off 1,700 employees as part of a broader effort to shift focus from its mobile business to embedded markets. The job cuts represent about 5% of TI's staff and are aimed at cutting costs and increasing presence in the burgeoning embedded device market (Sources: Manufacturing.net, Hartford Business Journal). Operational Changes: The layoffs will begin in early November 2024 and be spaced out until the end of January 2025. Employees affected by these layoffs include technicians and engineers who couldn't find other positions within the company (Source: Manufacturing.net). Strategic Focus: TI's strategic shift involves concentrating on embedded connectivity in everyday items, including appliances, cars, and clothing, to align with industry trends and future growth opportunities (Source: Hartford Business Journal).
Texas Instruments provides both RSUs and stock options as part of its employee compensation. RSUs vest over time, converting into shares, while stock options allow employees to buy shares at a set price.
Texas Instruments (TI) offers a comprehensive healthcare benefits package aimed at supporting the diverse needs of its employees. For 2023, TI continued to provide 100% coverage for periodic preventive health office visits and screening tests, without any copay or deductibles. Additionally, the company offers a range of options including health savings accounts (HSAs), flexible spending accounts (FSAs), and various insurance plans like dental, vision, and life insurance. Mental health benefits and wellness programs are also integral parts of the healthcare offerings at TI. In 2024, Texas Instruments has further refined its benefits to include enhanced mental health resources and flexible work schedules. Employees can access job training, tuition reimbursement, and paid volunteer time, reflecting TI's commitment to overall well-being and professional growth. These benefits are particularly important in today's economic and political environment, where maintaining a healthy work-life balance and financial security is crucial. By continuously updating its healthcare benefits, Texas Instruments ensures that employees are well-supported in managing their health and career development.
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