Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Employees, Prepare for Enhanced HSA Benefits in 2025

Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider Information The healthcare provider associated with Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies (WABTEC) is often contingent upon employee choices, as many employees may utilize employer-sponsored plans or opt for plans on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace. Typically, large companies like WABTEC partner with major insurance providers, including plans offered by UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, or Anthem, allowing employees to choose from various healthcare options tailored to their needs. Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026 In 2026, employees at Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies may face significant increases in their healthcare costs, primarily due to anticipated rate hikes in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace. With premium increases for some insurers expecting to exceed 60%, many employees could see their out-of-pocket expenses soar. The combination of rising medical costs, the potential expiration of enhanced federal premium subsidies, and major insurers seeking higher rates point towards potential out-of-pocket premium hikes that could exceed 75%. These changes necessitate early planning and strategic decision-making regarding healthcare plans to mitigate financial impacts. Click here to learn more

For Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies employees, maximizing contributions to your HSA in 2025 may be a smart way to control costs around healthcare and also grow your long-term savings for retirement, said.

With the increase in HSA contribution limits coming soon, Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies employees approaching retirement should take advantage of this opportunity to grow their healthcare savings now so they can take a tax-efficient approach to future medical costs, said Sullivan.

In this article, we will discuss:

1. Limits on 2025 IRS health savings account (HSA) contributions.

2. How HSAs give you a triple tax advantage and help you control costs for healthcare.

3. HSAs & retirement planning & Medicare premiums.

The IRS has announced inflation-adjusted increases to the health savings account (HSA) contribution limits for 2025. The contribution cap for those with self-only health coverage will increase from USD 4,150 in 2024 to USD 4,300 in 2025, and for families, the maximum will increase from USD 8,300 to USD 8,550.

HSAs provide a triple tax benefit - contributions are deductible, account assets grow tax-free, and withdrawals for approved medical expenses are tax-free. Such features help HSAs manage healthcare costs.

Your high-deductible health plan must offer an HSA. For the year 2025, the IRS says the plans must carry a USD 1,650 individual deductible and USD 3,300 family deductible.Even with all these benefits, a 2023 survey by the Plan Sponsor Council of America found only 19% of HSA account holders invest—most keep their savings in cash—potentially missing big growth opportunities.

The IRS is also updating the catch-up contribution limit for Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies employees over age 55 this year—keeping the USD 1,000 catch-up contribution for now.Understand HSAs and how they could benefit your financial strategy—especially with the rise of healthcare costs and retirement planning. Prompt financial decisions such as switching to a Roth IRA or drafting a will are life planning steps as well.

And for Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies employees approaching retirement age: HSA money can help pay for Medicare premiums when you turn 65. That includes Medicare Advantage plans, as well as Parts B and D premiums, although Medigap premiums are not eligible for HSA expenditure. While not all medical expenses are covered by Medicare, funding these costs through HSAs could optimize your healthcare spending in retirement. A 2022 study by Fidelity Investments estimated medical costs for a retired couple would be around USD 315,000 after taxes.

Consider your health savings account (HSA) an essential tool in your financial toolkit. Like getting a new phone, increasing HSA contribution limits for 2025 gives you more options to manage and invest in your healthcare. You can think of contributing to your HSA as downloading an app that gives you triple tax benefits—deductions on contributions, tax-free growth, and tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses. This keeps your health coverage as current and efficient as new technology—making your HSA a critical component of your Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies retirement planning strategy.

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Sources:

1. Fidelity Investments.  'HSA Contribution Limits 2024 and 2025.'  Fidelity.com , 23 Jan. 2025,  https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/smart-money/hsa-contribution-limits . Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.

2. Plan Sponsor Council of America (PSCA).  'Helping Employees Enroll in HSAs.'  PSCA.org , 9 Nov. 2023,  https://www.psca.org/news/psca-news/2023/11/PR_2023_HSAreprot . Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.

3. Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  'Part III Administrative, Procedural, and Miscellaneous.'  IRS.gov , May 2024,  https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rp-24-25.pdf . Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.

4. Woodruff Sawyer.  'IRS Releases 2025 HSA Contribution Limits and HDHP Deductible and Out-of-Pocket Limits.'  Woodruffsawyer.com , 13 May 2024,  https://woodruffsawyer.com/insights/2025-hsa-limits-released . Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.

5. Plan Sponsor Council of America (PSCA).  'HSAs: A Growing Retirement Savings Strategy.'  401k Specialist , Nov. 2023,  https://401kspecialistmag.com/higher-numbers-of-hsas-positioned-as-retirement-savings-strategy . Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.