Podcast Summary: Your Money Minute – “Health Insurance Will Take A Bigger Chunk Of Your Paycheck 11/11/25”

Host: Jessica Ettinger
Featuring: Sharon Epperson (CNBC)
Date: November 11, 2025
Duration: 60 seconds

Main Theme

This episode spotlights the increasing financial burden of health insurance for U.S. workers during open enrollment season. CNBC’s Jessica Ettinger and Sharon Epperson break down the projected 6.5% rise in health insurance premiums for employees in 2026, eclipsing average wage growth and prompting practical budgeting and coverage selection tips.

Key Discussion Points

1. Health Insurance Premiums Are Rising (00:00–00:24)

• Context: It’s open enrollment season, and a significant premium hike is coming for W2 employees.
• Key Statistic:
  “For the 165 million people who get health insurance through an employer in 2026, employees could see their payroll deductions for health care premiums rise by six and a half percent on average.”
  — Sharon Epperson [00:13]
• Reality Check: Pay increases aren’t keeping up: U.S. average raises were just 3.5% (June 2024–June 2025).

2. Workers’ Take-Home Pay May Shrink (00:24–00:53)

• Implication:
  “So this leaves you, if you’re a working American, even a white collar executive, underwater for next year, basically taking home less money.”
  — Jessica Ettinger [00:36]
• Takeaway: Most employees will feel the squeeze as health care eats up more of their paycheck.

3. Practical Tips for Open Enrollment (00:53–01:22)

• Track Your Actual Expenses
  Sharon Epperson advises:
  • “It’s tedious, but you want to add up those out of pocket costs for this year. The co-payments, medical bills, prescriptions and over the counter expenses. Tracking what you spent on past health care needs will help you figure out potential expenses next year and the type of medical coverage you’ll need.”
    — Sharon Epperson [00:53]
• Review Plan Networks & Choices
  • “Also check for the doctors that are covered by the plans and the out of network coverage. Typically, you’re going to have a choice between paying more upfront with higher premiums and a lower deductible or you can pay a lower premium but have a higher deductible.”
    — Sharon Epperson [01:09]
  • Evaluate what makes sense based on your likely healthcare usage.

4. Additional Resources (01:22–01:26)

• Jessica Ettinger notes there is “[a] lot more on this at cnbc.com.” [01:22]

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Rising Costs:
  “Are you ready for six and a half percent more possibly coming out of your paycheck next year?”
  — Jessica Ettinger [00:24]
• Financial Reality:
  “…if you’re a working American, even a white collar executive, underwater for next year, basically taking home less money.”
  — Jessica Ettinger [00:36]
• Actionable Tip:
  “Tracking what you spent on past health care needs will help you figure out potential expenses next year and the type of medical coverage you’ll need.”
  — Sharon Epperson [00:58]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–00:13 — Introduction, open enrollment context
• 00:13–00:24 — The 6.5% average premium increase explained (Sharon Epperson)
• 00:24–00:53 — Raises vs. health cost reality, why workers may be “underwater”
• 00:53–01:07 — Essential tip: Track your spend to choose the right plan
• 01:09–01:22 — Evaluate plan networks, premium/deductible trade-offs
• 01:22–01:26 — Further resources at CNBC.com

Takeaway

Health insurance premiums are outpacing wage growth, making it more important than ever to review your healthcare spending and coverage options during open enrollment. Add up your previous expenses, scrutinize your plan’s network, and weigh whether a higher premium or higher deductible is best given your health needs.

For more insights and resources, visit CNBC.com.