New Update: Healthcare Costs Increasing by Over 60% in Some States. Will you be impacted?

Navigating Rising Long-Term Care Costs: Essential Insights for Entegris Employees

Healthcare Provider Update: Entegris provides a generous benefits package for its U.S. employees, including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage. Employees can access HSAs and FSAs, voluntary accident and critical illness insurance, and paid time off for civic duties and family leave. The company also offers financial wellness programs and retirement planning tools 6. Healthcare costs in the United States are projected to continue rising through 2026, with insurers proposing significant premium increases for Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans. A recent analysis found that ACA insurers are seeking a median premium increase of 15% for 2026, marking the largest hike since 2018. This surge is attributed to factors such as the anticipated expiration of enhanced premium tax credits, rising medical costsincluding expensive medications and increased hospital staysand a shift in the risk pool towards higher-cost enrollees. Without the renewal of enhanced subsidies, out-of-pocket premiums for ACA marketplace enrollees could increase by more than 75% on average. Click here to learn more

It is crucial for Entegris employees to actively prepare for the unexpected expenses that come with long-term care in order to guarantee their financial future,' says Patrick Ray, from The Retirement Group at Wealth Enhancement Group.

Managing long-term care is not merely a question of awareness: it means action,' says Michael Corgiat of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement Group.

In this article we will discuss:

Financial Planning for Long-Term Care: In this article, we will look at the costs and ways of paying for long-term care, and why it is a problem for Entegris employees and how strategies like insurance and savings can help.

Insurance Options and Benefits: In this paper, the different types of insurance plans provided to employees are evaluated, including the traditional and hybrid plans, and the employer-provided plans, and their implications for the future financial situation.

Family and Personal Impacts: In this paper, the emotional and financial impacts on families, the different ways of handling potential long-term care situations, and the importance of planning for these scenarios are discussed. As a Entegris employee nearing retirement, long-term care must be addressed. The government estimates that 70 percent of older adults will need some form of long-term help. Nevertheless, a Kaiser Family Foundation survey reports that many have not planned for this.

The Cost of Long-Term Care

This is important for the employees of Entegris to know the financial consequences of long-term care. The Genworth Cost of Care survey reveals that the cost of a year in a private room nursing home is more than $100,000 and home health aides are more than $60,000 a year. Since Medicare does not pay for these expenses, alternatives like personal savings, hybrid insurance policies, annuities with long-term care features, traditional insurance or Medicaid (after the assets are exhausted) have to be considered.

Family Impact: The effects of unprepared long-term care can be financially and emotionally devastating to family stability. This paper provides practical suggestions for Entegris employees on how to manage these possible costs.

Conventional Insurance for Long-Term Care: For the workforce of Entegris, long-term care insurance can be obtained only when one is fit, applies early and can afford to pay the premiums. However, only a small percentage of those who are eligible take this insurance.

The Price of Long-Term Health Insurance: Purchasing long-term care insurance at forty or early fifty can lead to lower premiums. With age, not only do the premiums rise but the chance of being turned down for coverage also rises.

Ways to Reduce Costs: According to the findings of the study, Entegris employees may have to turn to purchasing insurance at a young age, buying policies that have the joint benefit for couples or choosing a longer waiting period to buy the policy at a lower price. Making annual premium payments also saves on costs.

Benefits for Entegris Employees: Some employers may provide long-term care insurance as a form of benefit and such insurance is portable upon leaving the employment.

Hybrid Insurance Policies: Long-term care insurance has become popular and there is a shift toward hybrid policies that combine life insurance with long-term care benefits. These are accessible but are generally more expensive than standalone policies.

Long-Term Care Rider Annuities: A type of annuity that includes a long-term care rider may be more suitable for some retirees in that they make payments regardless of long-term care needs and tend to have less stringent health requirements.

Independent Insurance: High net worth retirees may decide to self-insure and therefore need to have a sufficiently large balance sheet to be able to pay for the potential long-term care expenses. It is important for Entegris employees to consider the tax consequences of using their retirement funds for these expenses.

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs): HSAs are a form of tax-preferred savings vehicle for long-term care expenses that can be used by Entegris employees with HDHPs. These accounts are funded with pre-tax dollars, and can be used to save for medical expenses without incurring taxes on growth or distributions.

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Family Guidance: As the example of Nancy Yung and her family shows, family plays the most significant role in long-term care and thus retirees will often turn to their family for care.

In Summary:

Long-term care planning is basically laying down a safety net for retirement, which is crucial in addressing rising housing and food costs. It is the responsibility of Entegris employees to meet with their financial advisors to identify all the possibilities of protecting their future. This planning is not only about risk avoidance it is also about assisting in a steady and protected path to retirement.

Sources:

Shah, Samir. 'Genworth Releases Cost of Care Survey Results for 2023: Twenty Years of Tracking Long-Term Care Costs.' InsuranceNewsNet, InsuranceNewsNet, Mar. 12, 2024, www.insurancenewsnet.com .
Stulick, Amy. 'Nursing Homes See Lowest Cost Increase Among Long-Term Care Settings in 2021.' Skilled Nursing News, Skilled Nursing News, Feb. 16, 2022, www.skillednursingnews.com .
Noceti, George M. 'Checklist: Is It Time for Assisted Living?' Morgan Stanley, Horsesmouth LLC, 2018, www.morganstanley.com/theintegragroup .
Reimer, Jennifer. 'Support for an Aging Parent or Relative.' Advisor.morganstanley.com, Morgan Stanley, 2018, advisor.morganstanley.com.
Haendiges, Brian. 'The Cost of Long-Term Health Insurance.' Genworth Financial, Genworth Financial, 2024, www.genworth.com .

What type of retirement plan does Entegris offer to its employees?

Entegris offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan to its employees.

How can employees at Entegris enroll in the 401(k) plan?

Employees at Entegris can enroll in the 401(k) plan by completing the enrollment process through the company’s benefits portal.

Does Entegris match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?

Yes, Entegris provides a matching contribution to the 401(k) plan, subject to certain limits.

What is the maximum contribution limit for the Entegris 401(k) plan?

The maximum contribution limit for the Entegris 401(k) plan is in accordance with IRS guidelines, which may change annually.

When can employees at Entegris start contributing to their 401(k) plan?

Employees at Entegris can start contributing to their 401(k) plan after they have completed their eligibility period.

Are there any investment options available in the Entegris 401(k) plan?

Yes, the Entegris 401(k) plan offers a variety of investment options for employees to choose from.

Can employees at Entegris take loans against their 401(k) savings?

Yes, Entegris allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) savings, subject to plan rules.

What happens to an employee’s 401(k) balance if they leave Entegris?

If an employee leaves Entegris, they can roll over their 401(k) balance to another retirement account or withdraw it, subject to taxes and penalties.

Does Entegris provide financial education resources for employees regarding their 401(k) plan?

Yes, Entegris offers financial education resources to help employees make informed decisions about their 401(k) plan.

How often can employees at Entegris change their contribution percentage to the 401(k) plan?

Employees at Entegris can change their contribution percentage to the 401(k) plan at designated times throughout the year.

With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.

Entegris offers a 401(k) plan with a strong company match as a key benefit to its employees. In 2022 and 2023, Entegris matched 100% of employee contributions up to 5% of their salary. This plan is structured as a defined contribution plan, which allows employees to contribute pre-tax dollars and benefit from tax-deferred growth. The 401(k) plan is designed to help employees save for retirement, and eligibility begins immediately upon employment. The specific name of the 401(k) plan used by Entegris is referred to simply as the Entegris 401(k) Plan. In addition to the 401(k), Entegris does not provide a traditional defined benefit pension plan. However, the company emphasizes its financial wellness programs, including educational resources on retirement planning and savings strategies. Employees at Entegris must be at least 21 years of age to participate in the 401(k) plan, and the plan allows for immediate vesting in both the employee and company contributions.

Restructuring and Layoffs: In 2023, Entegris announced a strategic restructuring plan aimed at streamlining its operations and reducing costs. This decision involved a workforce reduction of approximately 5% to improve operational efficiency and align with its long-term growth strategy. The company cited the need to adapt to changing market conditions and enhance its competitive edge as primary reasons for the layoffs. The decision was influenced by the current economic environment, where many companies are reevaluating their operations to remain agile and financially resilient.

Entegris offers stock options and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) as part of its employee compensation packages, particularly for senior management and other eligible employees. The company uses the acronym RSU for Restricted Stock Units and SOP for Stock Option Plan. These equity awards aim to align employee incentives with long-term company performance. As of 2022, 2023, and 2024, Entegris provided both stock options and RSUs to eligible employees. RSUs are typically granted to executive-level employees, while stock options have a broader eligibility across the company's workforce, including engineers and managerial staff. These options and RSUs are designed to vest over time, incentivizing employees to remain with the company long-term

Entegris' health benefits. Specific Healthcare-Related Terms and Acronyms: Health Savings Account (HSA): A tax-advantaged savings account for medical expenses. Flexible Spending Account (FSA): An account that allows employees to set aside pre-tax dollars for healthcare expenses. High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP): A health insurance plan with lower premiums and higher deductibles. Employee Assistance Program (EAP): A program offering confidential counseling and support services. Health Reimbursement Account (HRA): An employer-funded account that reimburses employees for qualified medical expenses. Recent Employee Healthcare News: 2023 Updates: Look for any recent changes or enhancements in health benefits for 2023 or upcoming changes for 2024. Healthcare Plan Changes: Identify any modifications in health insurance coverage, cost-sharing, or new benefits introduced. Employee Feedback: Review employee comments or reviews to understand the satisfaction and concerns related to the health benefits.