Becoming an Empty Nester
As children grow up and move out, your focus may shift to your own health, finances, and future plans.
Review the 2027 Benefits eGuide for complete plan details.
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Empty nest, full mind
Available 24/7, get free, confidential support through Carelon Wellbeing for all of life’s transitions, including adjusting to a quieter house, whether or not you're enrolled in an LSC Medical Plan.
You and every household member get six free in-person or virtual counseling sessions per issue, per year, covering:
- Grief and loneliness
- Relationship and marital changes
- Anxiety, depression, stress, and more
Prefer to text it out? talkspace.com/carelonwellbeing (enter: LSC Communications) connects you with a licensed counselor right from your phone.
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Less carpool, more health care
If a dependent child moves onto their own health plan, that’s a qualifying life event — you have 30 days to update your coverage. As a reminder, a covered child automatically comes off your plan at the end of the month they turn 26 (unless disabled), so it’s worth planning ahead.
With fewer dependents on your plan, this is a good time to revisit your Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution if you’re enrolled in HSA Core or HSA Value — funds roll over year to year and can be invested once your balance reaches $1,000.
It’s also the perfect time to finally schedule the check-ups and screenings you’ve been putting off — preventive care is covered at 100% for in-network providers on every LSC Medical Plan.
Grow your nest egg
Plan with purpose
An emptier house means more room to focus on your own goals. The EAP is here to support you with:
- Financial and legal services — budgeting, estate planning, retirement, restoring your credit, and more
- Work-life balance — referrals for caregiving resources, and career coaching if you’re considering a new role, scaling back, or mentoring others
Build today, retire tomorrow
The 401(k) Savings Plan, through Empower Retirement, is worth a fresh look now that household expenses may have eased.
- Auto-enrollment — you’re enrolled at 3% of pay automatically unless you opt out or choose your own contribution percentage
- Company match — 50% of the first 6% of pay you contribute — that’s free money worth claiming
- Vesting — you’re fully vested in the Company match after one year of service
- Catch-up contributions — age 50+ lets you contribute additional pre-tax or Roth dollars each year
- Savings options — save traditional pre-tax and Roth contributions
Utilize planning tools and projections at empower-retirement.com/participant.
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An insurance check-up
With the kids grown, revisit your coverage at your next Annual Enrollment:
- Life Insurance — consider adjusting if your financial obligations have changed, but keep enough to protect a spouse or leave a legacy
- Supplemental benefits — consider Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, or Hospital Indemnity through MetLife to help bridge medical costs
- Disability and other policies — drop what you no longer need
Getting your estate plans in order
An empty nest is also a natural prompt to make sure your will actually reflects where things stand now — and it’s already paid for.
Basic Life Insurance includes free online will preparation through willscenter.com (24/7) and unlimited access to MetLife’s Digital Estate Planning at legalplans.com/estateplanning.
If you’ve elected Optional Life Insurance, you also get free in-person will preparation with an attorney (call MetLife Legal Plans at 800-821-6400 plus unlimited estate resolution consultations.
Medicare made simple
If you’re nearing 65, call the LSC Benefits Center , available Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. CT, to discuss ending your HSA contributions and submitting a life event once Medicare coverage has started.
Contact the Social Security Administration, available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time, for specific Medicare and Social Security questions.
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