Financial Intel Monthly

The Markets (as of market close July 23, 2021)

Chevron interest rates decreased 0.07% in the second segment for those who commence their benefit in September 2021. This is the first time in several months that interest rates have dropped, and the result will be slightly larger lump-sums for those retiring in September.  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. Over the last year, 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 to increased, causing a reduction in lump-sums.

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.  

Interest rates are trending in the right direction for ConocoPhillips employees, considering the lump sum option on their pension payment. Interest rates dropped for individuals that commence their benefits in Q4 2021. Over the course of 2020, interest rates dropped dramatically, which greatly increased many lump sum payments. However, interest rates have been on the rise since Q1 2021. A drop in Q4 indicates a shift in the trajectory of interest rates. If this continues lump-sums will rise again in Q1 2022. Should you desire to take your pension as a lump sum, ConocoPhillips will use interest rates and your age to calculate your lump sum payment. When interest rates move up or down, your pension lump sum amount will move in an inverse relationship (except for Cash Balance Pension Lump Sum payouts).

Interest rates are increasing which will reduce the value of ExxonMobil employees' lump-sums. Over the last year, interest rates at ExxonMobil have dropped dramatically, which has 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 quarter of 2021 and now third quarter rates have risen even higher.  Rates have risen roughly 0.5% in the most significant segment, just in the last quarter.  If this trend continues, we could see a significant reduction in ExxonMobil lump-sum values. ExxonMobil's 4th quarter rates will be released next month, but early signs show they appear to be trending upward.