Financial Intel Monthly

Interest rates are tending upward, if this trend continues it will decrease the value of ExxonMobil employees' pension lump-sums. The IRS has recently released the Segment rates for the month of December, recorded at: 1.16% / 2.72% / 3.10%. Over the course of 2021, interest rates at ExxonMobil increased significantly, which greatly reduced many lump sum payments. With record low rates culminating in the first quarter of 2021, ExxonMobil employees have since seen a significant increase in interest rates. We saw rates rise consistently in 2021 and with the announcement of December segment rates those retiring in the second quarter will see an even further reduction in lump sums. This recent trend upward might be an early indicator of bad news for ExxonMobil employees opting for a lump-sum.

For ExxonMobil employees, it is crucial to understand how interest rates can impact your lump-sum particularly those who live in Texas.

While monthly interest rates are trending upward, quarter over quarter blended rates actually fell from Q4 2021 to Q1 2022. If the broader trend of rising interest rates continues it will decrease the value of ExxonMobil employees' pension lump-sums, but for Q1 2022 employees should actually see their lump-sum amounts increase. The IRS has recently released the Segment rates for the month of September, recorded at: 0.7% / 2.55% / 3.06%. Over the course of 2021, interest rates at ExxonMobil increased significantly, which greatly reduced many lump sum payments. With record low rates culminating in the first quarter of 2021, ExxonMobil employees have since seen a significant increase in interest rates. We saw an increase in rates for the second, third, and fourth quarters of 2021 in the second segment, and now first quarter rates for 2022 have dropped slightly. Rates fell roughly 0.24% in the second segment, in the last quarter. The short term rates have experienced a slight increase, while the long term rates decreased significantly by 0.34%. Even though blended rates for the second quarter of 2022 will not be known until the end of December, month over month increases in segment rates may be an early indicator of bad news for ExxonMobil employees opting for a lump-sum.

This article is important to you considering your experience at AT&T as an employee. 

Many people ask about ways to stay afloat while they’re in-between jobs. What people fail to realize is oftentimes the steps you take before leaving your current job can be even more crucial. Here are a few tips to consider before leaving AT&T.

The Markets (third quarter through September 30, 2020)

Before reviewing your company 401(k) plan, check how the market in quarter 3 can affect your retirement. July kicked off the third quarter with a bang as stocks surged throughout much of the month. Investors were encouraged by solid employment growth, a rise in personal income and consumer spending, a surge in the housing sector in your area, and an increase in industrial production. All news was not positive, however. The second-quarter gross domestic product fell more than 31% and many states saw an increase in the number of reported COVID-19 cases. Nevertheless, investors stayed with equities, pushing values higher for the fourth consecutive month. Tech stocks drove the Nasdaq to a 6.8% gain, followed by the S&P 500 (5.5%), the Global Dow (3.5%), the small caps of the Russell 2000 (2.7%), and the Dow (2.4%). Treasury bond prices climbed, sending yields lower in July. Crude oil prices settled at $40.40 per barrel, nearly $1.00 ahead of their June closing values. Gold prices closed July at $1,990.00, about 11% higher than June's closing price.

This article is pertinent to all age groups, however those entering their Retirement Years will find the information particularly important. Interest rates are tending upward, if this trend continues it will decrease the value of ExxonMobil employees' pension lump-sums. The IRS has recently released the Segment rates for the month of August, recorded at: 0.66% / 2.50% / 3.12%. Over the course of 2021, interest rates at ExxonMobil increased significantly, which greatly reduced many lump sum payments. With record low rates culminating in the first quarter of 2021, ExxonMobil employees have since seen a significant increase in interest rates. We saw an increase in rates for the second & third quarters of 2021 in the second segment, and now fourth quarter rates have risen slightly higher. Rates rose roughly 0.04% in the second segment, in the last quarter. The short term rates have experienced a slight increase, while the long term rates saw a slight decrease. Even though blended rates for the first quarter of 2022 will not be known until the end of September, this recent trend upward might be an early indicator of bad news for ExxonMobil employees opting for a lump-sum.

Interest rates are tending downward, if this trend continues it will increase the value of ExxonMobil employees' pension lump-sums. The IRS has recently released the Segment rates for the month of July, recorded at: 0.63% / 2.51% / 3.10%. Over the course of 2020, interest rates at ExxonMobil dropped dramatically, which greatly increased many lump sum payments. This culminated in record low rates for individuals that commence their benefits in the first quarter of 2021. However, we saw an increase in rates for the second & third quarters of 2021 and now fourth quarter rates have risen slightly higher. Rates rose roughly 0.04% in the most significant segment, in the last quarter. The short, medium and long term rates released by the IRS have displayed a slight decrease. Even though blended rates for the first quarter of 2022 will not be known until mid October, this recent trend downward might be an early indicator of good news for ExxonMobil employees opting for a lump-sum.

If you work for AT&T and are nearing your Retirement Years this information will apply to you specifically.

AT&T History

AT&T has a complicated history of breaking up and merging back together. In 1984 the giant corporation was split into regional telecommunications companies known as the "Baby Bells." Since the break-up, these companies have merged once again to form the present-day AT&T.  Due to AT&T's mergers, understanding the complexities of the pension plans can be a challenge. Click the button below to get in contact with an AT&T specific advisor here at The Retirement Group.

Social Security was originally intended to provide older Americans with continuing income after retirement. Today, though the scope of Social Security has been widened to include survivor, disability, and other benefits, retirement benefits are still the cornerstone of the program.

How do you qualify for retirement benefits?

When you work and pay Social Security taxes (FICA on some pay stubs), you earn Social Security credits. You can earn up to 4 credits each year. If you were born after 1928, you need 40 credits (10 years of work) to be eligible for retirement benefits.

The first half of 2021 is behind us. As life emerges from the pandemic to a "new normal," a mid-year financial checkup may be more important than ever this year. Here are some ways to make sure that your financial situation is continuing on the right path.

Reassess your financial goals

At the beginning of the year, you may have set financial goals geared toward improving your financial situation. Perhaps you wanted to save more, spend less, or reduce your debt. How much progress have you made? If your income, expenses, and life circumstances have changed, you may need to rethink your priorities. Review your financial statements and account balances to determine whether you need to make any changes to keep your financial plan on track.

Interest rates increased, which will minimally reduce the value of ExxonMobil employees' pension lump-sums. Over the course of 2020, interest rates at ExxonMobil dropped dramatically, which greatly increased many lump sum payments. This culminated in record low rates for individuals that commence their benefits in the first quarter of 2021. However, we saw an increase in rates for the second & third quarters of 2021 and now fourth quarter rates have risen slightly higher. Rates rose roughly 0.04% in the most significant segment, in the last quarter.