Financial Intel Monthly

If you work for Chevron and are in your Retirement Years this information will apply to you specifically. Chevron interest rates decreased 0.19% in the second segment for those who commence their benefit in October 2021. This is the first time in several months that interest rates have dropped this much, and the result will be slightly larger lump-sums for those retiring in October. When Chevron employees elect the month they would like to begin their pension, Chevron looks back to the third, fourth, and fifth month's rates to calculate the rates used for the pension disbursement. When interest rates move up or down, your pension lump sum amount will move in an inverse relationship. Through the pandemic, interest rates have dropped dramatically which has greatly increased many lump sum payments. This trend culminated in record lows for individuals who commenced their benefits in December of 2020. However, since December, rates have increased, causing a reduction in pension lump-sums.
Should you desire to take your pension as a lump sum, Chevron will use interest rates and your age to calculate your lump sum payment. Your pension is calculated based on your last date of employment and benefit start date. The benefit calculation is a defined benefit based on your years of service and final average pay. These, along with a Social Security Offset are used to determine your single life annuity. All other forms of pension payments are based off of this figure.

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Chevron Pension Lump Sum Calculation:

If you are planning to retire and start your pension in October 2021, Chevron would use the blended rate available through July 2021 (three months prior to your month of retirement). This example shows three months of rates and how they are blended to determine your rates for various segments of your pension.

For an October 2021 pension commencement date, the average of the July 2021, June 2021, and May 2021 rates comprise the blended rate.

For an September 2021 pension commencement date, the average of June 2021, May 2021, and April 2021 rates comprise the blended rate.

For lump-sum conversions, the annuity is discounted to a present value using the first segment rate for the first five years of expected payments, the second segment rate for the next 15 years of expected payments and the third segment rate for all years of expected payments over 20.

The annuity is discounted based on mortality as well as interest rates, meaning the present value of each monthly payment reduces as the probability of living to receive each payment reduces. The older you are when you commence your pension benefit, the fewer the number of years that will be valued using the third segment rate (20+ years) and, conversely, the younger you are, the greater the number of years that will be valued using the third segment rate.

This methodology essentially means that there will be a unique monthly interest rate (lump-sum conversion factor) for each year and month of birth.

How Do Rate Changes Affect Your Chevron Pension?

Pension pricing is based on interest calculations, which means a slight adjustment in your retirement date may have a significant financial impact on your pension due to changing rates each month.

The blended rates for October are: 0.62% / 2.68% / 3.32%. September rates are: 0.64% / 2.79% / 3.44%.  August rates are: 0.65% / 2.86% / 3.56%. 

Everything else held equal, a higher interest rate will produce a lower lump sum. The exact changes depend on your specific age, but on average a 1% change in rates can equate to an 8% to 12% change in lump sums. So, on average, a 1% change could increase or decrease your pension lump sum by roughly 10%.

The changes from just May 2021 to October 2021 may account for roughly a 2.9% decrease in lump sums. However, rates are still much lower than they were in 2019. For October 2019, the blended rates were 2.5 / 3.55 / 4.16. Our current rate is almost 1% lower in the 2nd segment which tends to have the strongest effect. A drop of 1% from October 2019 to October 2021 may have caused your pension to rise by 8% - 12%. For someone with a $500,000 lump sum, that could mean a move of as much as $60,000. For a $1,000,000 lump sum, it would be roughly $80,000 to $120,000. Interest rates have trended upward for most of 2021, excluding the months of September & October. If rates increase by 1% you could see a 8 - 12% reduction in your lump-sum. The rates are updated monthly, so you have month to month options to commence your pension once you have retired. You do not have to commence your pension as soon as you retire. You have the option to defer it. Please be aware if you take your pension prior to age 60, there are age penalties and you will not receive 100% of your pension benefit.

Given the current interest rate environment, it is highly suggested you discuss your options with The Retirement Group and allow us to monitor the rates and keep you up to date on the monthly changes. We can provide a complimentary cash flow analysis to show you how various retirement dates may play out.

It is important to remember the pension annuity may be a better fit no matter how attractive the
pension lump sum may be. Every situation is unique, and a cash flow analysis will allow you to
compare all pension options.

To read "What Chevron employees Should Know About NUA" Click Here.

Securities through FSC Securities Corporation, member FINRA/SIPC and investment advisory services offered through The Retirement Group, LLC, a registered investment advisor not affiliated with FSC Securities Corporation. Office of Supervisor Jurisdiction: 5414 Oberlin Dr #220, San Diego CA 92121. 800900-5867