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Delayed Retirement Considerations for FedEx Employees

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What Is Delayed Retirement From FedEx?

In General

According to a recent report by the National Institute on Retirement Security, nearly four out of five working Americans with retirement accounts have less than one times their annual salary saved for retirement by age 40, which can have a significant impact on their retirement lifestyle. This means that it's more important than ever for individuals to start planning and saving for retirement early on in their careers to ensure a comfortable retirement. With this in mind, it's crucial for individuals in their 60s, whether already retired or planning to retire soon, to take a close look at their retirement savings and make any necessary adjustments to secure their financial future.

If you cannot afford to retire from FedEx yet or if you still appreciate working, you may wish to delay your retirement. This could mean continuing to work full-time or part-time for FedEx or a different employer to supplement your retirement income. This could also involve starting your own enterprise. In any event, a delayed retirement entails continuing to earn at least some income through employment as an alternative to full-time retirement leisure mode.

Why Work After You Retire From FedEx?

Obviously, if you delay your retirement from FedEx or work part-time during retirement, you will earn money and rely less on your retirement savings, allowing more to grow for the future and extending your savings. You may have access to affordable health care if you continue to work, as an increasing number of employers offer this essential benefit to part-time employees. However, there are also noneconomic reasons to labor during retirement. Numerous retirees work for personal satisfaction — to remain mentally and physically active, to enjoy the social benefits of working, and to try their hand at something new — the reasons are as diverse as the number of retirees.

Social Security Benefits

You can delay receiving Social Security benefits beyond the age of complete retirement eligibility. If you do so, your Social Security benefits may increase for two reasons. The first is that each year you continue to work adds an additional year of earnings to your Social Security record, which could result in higher retirement benefits. Second, you will receive delayed retirement credits that increase your benefit by a specified percentage for each month you delay retirement (up to age 70). The percentage increase varies based on the year of birth. For our FedEx clients who were born after 1943, the annual growth rate is 8%.

Example(s): Hal works at the local nuclear power plant. He wants to work past the normal retirement age and delay his Social Security retirement benefits. Since Hal was born in 1944, he is eligible for a delayed retirement credit of 8% for each year that he works past the normal retirement age, up to age 70.

Caution: Although you can delay your Social Security retirement benefits, you still have to sign up for Medicare once you reach age 65.

If you continue to work after beginning to receive Social Security retirement benefits, your earnings may impact the quantity of your benefit check. Your monthly benefit is determined by your lifetime income. When you become eligible for retirement benefits at age 62, the Social Security Administration calculates your primary insurance amount (PIA), which will serve as the foundation for your retirement benefit. Annually, your PIA is recalculated if you have new earnings that could increase your benefit.

If you continue to work after you begin receiving Social Security retirement benefits, your earnings may increase your PIA and, consequently, your future benefit. However, our FedEx clients must be aware that employment may result in a reduction of their current benefits. If you've reached full retirement age (65 to 67 years old, depending on when you were born), you can earn as much as you want without affecting your Social Security retirement benefit.


If you have not yet reached your full retirement age, $1 in benefits will be withheld for every $2 over the annual earnings limit ($18,240 in 2020) that you earn. In the first year of your Social Security retirement, a special rule applies: you will receive your full benefit for any month in which you earn less than one-twelfth of the annual earnings limit, regardless of how much you earn for the entire year. In the year you attain full retirement age, a higher earnings cap applies.

If you earn more than this higher limit ($48,600 in 2020), $1 in benefits will be withheld for every $3 you earn over this amount until the month you reach full retirement age, at which point you will receive your full benefit regardless of your income. (If your current benefit is reduced due to excess earnings, you may be eligible for a benefit increase once you reach full retirement age.) Additionally, we would like to remind our FedEx clients that not all income reduces Social Security benefits. In general, Social Security only considers wages earned as an employee, net earnings from self-employment, and bonuses, commissions, and fees. Your benefit will not be reduced by pensions, annuities, IRA distributions, or investment income.

Additionally, we would like our FedEx clients to keep in mind that working may allow delaying Social Security benefits. In general, the longer you wait to start receiving benefits, the higher your benefit will be. Whether delaying the start of your Social Security benefits is the best decision for you depends on your individual circumstances. The final consideration we would like our FedEx clients to make is that, in general, Social Security benefits are not subject to federal income tax if they are the only income received during the year. However, if you work during retirement or receive other taxable or tax-exempt income or interest, a portion of your benefit may become taxable. Publication 915 of the IRS contains a worksheet that can help you determine if any portion of your Social Security benefit is taxable.

IRAs

The longer you delay your retirement from FedEx, the longer you can continue to make contributions to your IRAs. If you have a traditional IRA, you are required to begin drawing RMDs once you reach age 7012 (or 72 if you reach age 7012 after 2019). The Internal Revenue Service will assess a 50% penalty on the amount that should have been distributed if you fail to accept the minimum distribution. As long as you do not own more than 5% of FedEx's retirement plan, the required minimum distribution rules do not apply until you reach age 70 1/2 (age 72 if you reach age 7012 after 2019) or retire from FedEx, whichever comes first. If you have a Roth IRA, you are never required to accept withdrawals.

Note: Required minimum distributions for defined contribution plans (other than Section 457 plans for nongovernmental tax-exempt organizations) and IRAs have generally been suspended for 2020.

Employer-Sponsored Pension Plans

If you continue to work for FedEx after your normal retirement date (or if you retire and then return to work for FedEx), and you participate in a traditional (defined benefit) pension plan, you must understand how your pension benefit will be affected by your delayed FedEx retirement.

Tip: If you retire, and go to work for a new employer, your pension benefit won't be impacted at all — you can work, receive a salary from your new employer, and also receive your pension benefit from your original employer.

In general, you will continue to accrue benefits during your delayed retirement from FedEx. Nonetheless, some pension plans limit the number of years that can be counted toward your pension. If you have reached this limit, continuing to work will typically not increase your pension benefit unless your plan calculates benefits based on your final average pay and your pay continues to rise.

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Caution: If your pension plan calculates benefits using final average pay, be sure to discuss with your plan administrator how your particular benefit might be affected if you decide to continue to work on a part-time basis. In some cases, reducing your hours at the end of your career could reduce your final average pay, resulting in a smaller benefit than you might otherwise have received. Also, note that some plans require that you work at least 1,000 hours in order to get credit for a year of service.

Some plans permit you to begin receiving your pension benefit at the normal retirement age, even if you are still employed. Other plans will suspend your pension benefits if you continue to work past your normal retirement date, but they will actuarially increase your payment when benefits are reinstated to account for the period of time benefits were suspended. Other plans will suspend your benefit if you work more than 40 hours per month and will not provide any actuarial increase; in effect, you will lose your benefit if you work more than 40 hours per month.

Some plans offer an additional option called 'phased retirement.' This type of program permits you to continue working part-time while accessing all or a portion of your pension. Federal law encourages phased retirement programs by permitting pension plans to begin paying benefits at age 62, even if you are still employed and have not yet attained the plan's normal retirement age.

401(K) and Other Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans

If you continue to work beyond your plan's normal retirement age and participate in a 401(k), profit-sharing, ESOP, 403(b), 457(b), or similar plan sponsored by FedEx, you can continue to contribute to the plan and receive any applicable FedEx contribution.

Depending on the plan's terms, you may be able to access your funds while still employed by FedEx. Some plans permit distributions at age 59 12, at the normal retirement age, or in the event of financial hardship. Other plans require you to leave your employer before you can receive a distribution. If you believe you may need to access your funds while you're still employed, check with the administrator of your FedEx plan to learn about your plan's distribution options. Your distribution options will also be outlined in the summary plan description (SPD) of your plan.

If you continue to work past age 7012 (age 72 if you reach age 7012 after 2019), you will not be required to begin taking required minimum distributions (RMDs) from your plan until April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which you retire (if the retirement plan permits this and you own less than 5% of the company).

Note: Required minimum distributions for defined contribution plans (other than Section 457 plans for nongovernmental tax-exempt organizations) and IRAs have generally been suspended for 2020.

Health Benefits

Many retirees continue to labor to maintain their medical coverage. If working during your FedEx retirement necessitates a shift from full-time to part-time employment, it is crucial that you comprehend how this decision will affect your medical benefits. Some employers, particularly those with phased retirement programs, provide health insurance to part-time workers.

Other employers, however, do not require a minimum number of hours worked in order to qualify for benefits. If your employer does not provide health insurance for part-time workers, you will need to find coverage elsewhere. If your spouse works and has available coverage, coverage under your spouse's health plan is the apparent option for married individuals. If not, COBRA coverage may be available.

COBRA is a federal law that enables you to continue receiving medical benefits under your employer's plan for a period of time, typically 18 months, following a qualifying event (such as a reduction in hours). However, we would like to remind our FedEx clients that this is an expensive option, as you must typically pay the full premium plus a 2% administrative fee. (COBRA is not applicable to employers with less than 20 employees.) Private health insurance is another option, but it is also likely to be expensive.

You may also seek for and acquire an individual health insurance policy via a state-based or federal health insurance Exchange Marketplace. Upon reaching age 65, you will be eligible for Medicare. Approximately three months before your 65th birthday, you should contact the Social Security Administration to discuss your options. Before enrolling in Medicare, if you have private or employer-sponsored health insurance, speak with your benefits administrator or insurance representative to determine how your current health insurance aligns with Medicare.

Conclusion

Retirement planning can be like a game of chess. Just like in chess, in retirement planning, it's important to think ahead, plan strategically, and make calculated moves to ensure a successful outcome. Retirement is not a one-size-fits-all game, and just like in chess, there are different strategies to approach it. Whether you are a FedEx worker looking to retire or an already existing retiree, the key is to make sure you have a strong plan in place that takes into account your unique circumstances, financial goals, and risk tolerance. Just like in chess, retirement planning requires patience, discipline, and a willingness to adapt to changing circumstances. But with the right approach, retirement can be a rewarding and fulfilling game that you can win.

What are the implications of the Funding Target Attainment Percentage for FedEx Corporation employees, and how does it impact the security of the pension benefits offered by FedEx Corporation? This question seeks to explore the nuances of the funding target attainment percentage as reported in the annual funding notice, examining how this metric not only reflects the financial health of FedEx Corporation's pension plan but also how it affects employee confidence in future benefit payments and retirement planning.

Funding Target Attainment Percentage: The Funding Target Attainment Percentage for FedEx Corporation indicates the degree to which the pension plan is funded. A percentage of 101.33% for 2022 suggests that the plan has sufficient assets to cover its liabilities, providing security for employees' pension benefits. This high percentage likely increases employee confidence in the stability and reliability of their future pension payouts, essential for long-term retirement planning.

How does the merger of the FedEx Freight Pension Plan into the FedEx Corporate Employees’ Pension Plan influence the benefits currently available to FedEx Corporation employees? This question aims to delve into the practical changes that may arise due to this merger, assessing whether it aligns with employee expectations regarding their pension benefits and how the transition process is managed by FedEx Corporation.

Merger of Pension Plans: The merger of the FedEx Freight Pension Plan into the FedEx Corporate Employees’ Pension Plan appears to have been strategically managed to maintain benefit stability. Despite increasing liabilities by 5.3%, the merger was structured to ensure no negative impact on the benefit amounts payable to participants from either plan, preserving the expected pension benefits for all affected FedEx Corporation employees.

In terms of investment strategies, what measures does FedEx Corporation implement to ensure that its pension plan investments align with the long-term liabilities expected to be paid out to retirees? This question encourages an exploration of the investment policies in place, examining the asset allocations and risk management strategies that FedEx Corporation employs to ensure sustainable funding for its pension obligations, which could potentially include detailed analyses of stocks, debts, and alternative investments.

Investment Strategies: FedEx Corporation employs a diversified investment strategy across equities, fixed income, and alternative investments, aiming to meet long-term pension liabilities. This approach, which includes both active management strategies and the limited use of derivatives, is designed to generate returns that exceed market indices, thus ensuring adequate funding of pension obligations.

What options do employees of FedEx Corporation have for accessing their pension plan statements, and how frequently are these statements generated? The focus here is to understand the communication strategies employed by FedEx Corporation regarding pension benefit statements, including technological access points and the importance of these documents for employee financial planning.

Pension Plan Statements: FedEx Corporation provides annual pension plan statements through their Retirement Service Center, available electronically each fall. Employees can access their statements online or request them if notifications are not received, ensuring transparency and aiding in personal financial planning.

How are contributions to the FedEx Corporation Employees’ Pension Plan determined, and what role do excess contributions play in the plan's overall funding strategy? This question aims to educate employees about how the company balances mandatory contribution levels with potential excess contributions, exploring how these factors interact to influence the plan's solvency and employee benefits.

Contributions to the Pension Plan: Contributions to the FedEx Corporation Employees' Pension Plan are calculated to meet at least the minimum legal requirement and potentially include voluntary excess contributions. These excess contributions can help manage the plan's funding level and ensure its solvency, benefiting overall pension security for employees.

What types of benefits are guaranteed under the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) for FedEx Corporation employees, and what limitations exist that employees should be aware of? By focusing on the guaranteed benefits, this question prompts a discussion on the security of specific benefits provided by FedEx Corporation and highlights limitations, allowing employees to understand their rights fully.

PBGC Guarantee: The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation guarantees certain types of benefits for FedEx Corporation employees, such as pension benefits at normal retirement age and most early retirement benefits. However, there are limitations, such as exclusions for benefits without vested rights and recently increased benefits, which employees should be aware of to fully understand their pension security.

In what ways does the FedEx Corporation plan to adjust its pension funding strategy in light of changing federal laws that impact pension obligations? Employees are encouraged to consider how legislative changes influence corporate policies surrounding retirement benefits and the proactive strategies FedEx Corporation might take to remain compliant while ensuring the security of employee pensions.

Adjustments to Funding Strategy: FedEx Corporation is likely to adjust its pension funding strategy in response to legislative changes affecting pension obligations, such as those introduced by recent acts adjusting how pension liabilities are calculated. This proactive approach aims to ensure compliance with new laws while continuing to secure the financial health of the pension plan.

What are the steps that FedEx Corporation employees must take if they are considering retirement, particularly in how to navigate the pension plan and gain access to their benefits? This question aims to provide clarity on the retirement process, ensuring that employees are equipped with the necessary information regarding required documentation, timelines, and points of contact within FedEx Corporation.

Steps for Retirement Planning: Employees considering retirement should contact the FedEx Retirement Service Center to navigate their pension plan benefits. This process involves understanding necessary documentation, timelines, and available support, facilitating a smooth transition into retirement.

How does FedEx Corporation plan to manage potential funding shortfalls in the pension plan, and what mechanisms are in place for notifying plan participants should such an event occur? Employees would need to understand the proactive measures put in place by FedEx Corporation to address funding-related challenges while also knowing what this means for their benefits.

Managing Funding Shortfalls: In the event of potential funding shortfalls, FedEx Corporation has policies in place to manage such situations, including strategic contributions to mitigate shortfalls. The company maintains transparency with plan participants about funding levels and any significant changes affecting the pension plan.

For those seeking more information about their pensions and retirement options, how can FedEx Corporation employees contact relevant departments, and what resources are available for assistance? This question provides an opportunity for employees to familiarize themselves with contact points such as the FedEx Retirement Service Center, emphasizing the importance of open communication channels for addressing inquiries related to their pensions. Feel free to consult the provided document for more in-depth exploration of these topics.

Contacting for Pension Information: FedEx Corporation employees seeking more information about their pensions or retirement options can contact the FedEx Retirement Service Center. This center provides essential resources and support, ensuring employees have access to all necessary information regarding their retirement planning.

With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.
FedEx offers a defined benefit pension plan and a cash balance plan. The cash balance plan grows with interest credits and employer contributions, with a five-year vesting period. Employees can choose between lump-sum payments or monthly annuities.
Operational Restructuring: FedEx plans to streamline its operations and reduce costs by combining its Ground and Express delivery networks. This restructuring is expected to save the company $2 billion by 2025 (Source: Reuters). Layoffs and Buyouts: FedEx has announced voluntary buyouts for certain employees as part of its cost-saving measures (Source: Wall Street Journal). Financial Performance: Despite these changes, FedEx reported strong earnings in the latest quarter, driven by increased shipping volumes and higher rates (Source: FedEx).
In 2022, FedEx enhanced its stock option and RSU programs to include more diverse employee groups, aiming to boost morale and retention. The company faced criticism in 2023 for high executive compensation, prompting adjustments in their compensation strategy by 2024. FedEx now focuses on aligning stock options and RSUs with long-term performance metrics, making it essential to understand these changes in light of the economic and regulatory pressures affecting the logistics industry.
FedEx has taken significant steps to improve its employee healthcare benefits in recent years. In 2022, FedEx launched new healthcare plans designed to provide more comprehensive coverage while keeping costs manageable for employees. These plans included options for high and low deductibles, as well as a variety of wellness programs aimed at promoting overall health and well-being. The company also introduced enhanced mental health resources, recognizing the increasing importance of mental health support in the workplace. In 2023, FedEx continued to enhance its healthcare offerings by introducing personalized care options and expanding preventive health services. The company partnered with local healthcare providers to offer tailored care solutions, particularly focusing on chronic disease management and preventive care. This approach aligns with the broader economic and political environment, which has seen a growing emphasis on employee health as a key factor in business sustainability and productivity. By investing in comprehensive healthcare benefits, FedEx aims to attract and retain top talent, ultimately contributing to the company's long-term success.
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For more information you can reach the plan administrator for FedEx at 942 south shady grove rd Memphis, TN 38120; or by calling them at 901-818-7500.

retirement.fedex.com/retirementbenefitsquickreferenceguide.pdf - Page 5, retirement.fedex.com/yourpensionroadmapoverview.pdf - Page 12, retirement.fedex.com/questionsandanswers.pdf - Page 15, cache.hacontent.com/informationaboutfedexemployeepensionplan.pdf - Page 8, cache.hacontent.com/summaryofmaterialmodifications.pdf - Page 22, cache.hacontent.com/yourretirementbenefits.pdf - Page 28, retirement.fedex.com/transitionguidetoyournew401kplan.pdf - Page 20, fmrbenefits.com/2024annualenrollmentbenefitsguide.pdf - Page 14, retirement.fedex.com/2022pre65fedexretireehealthplan.pdf - Page 17, optum.com/optumfinancialfedexfaqs.pdf - Page 23

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