And Lockheed Martin employees should consider life insurance as part of their retirement planning - to protect loved ones, pay off debts and leave a legacy - to give them financial security in their absence - says Tyson Mavar, representative of the Retirement Group, part of Wealth Enhancement Group.
Life insurance can give you peace of mind in retirement - protecting your family and your wealth from the unexpected - Wesley Boudreaux, of the Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement Group.
In this article, we will discuss:
1. Life insurance for retirees - especially Lockheed Martin types.
2. Financial dependents, outstanding debt and savings are key factors determining life insurance needs.
3. The role of life insurance in securing a financial future and leaving a legacy for loved ones.
More than 60% of Americans who feel confident they understand life insurance are insured. Nonetheless, life insurance covers less than 20% of those who do not know about life insurance. See if life insurance is a good asset for retirees if you work for Lockheed Martin and are considering retiring. Life insurance buyers can get free price quotes from their preferred insurers before making a commitment. But, despite the variety and ease of getting coverage, more than two out of every three Americans say they lack adequate life insurance. Lockheed Martin employees must consider whether life insurance is necessary for retirement.
Financial Dependents:
Lockheed Martin employees with financial dependents must secure them at any age or position. A retiree with a spouse and children who depend on their retirement income might profit from an active life insurance policy. A full four in five (44%) American households would be broke within six months if the primary wage earner were to lose his or her job. More than a quarter (28%) would go broke in a month. The insured's dependents would not be left broke if they died; they would keep their income. 75% of Americans with life insurance say they would still feel financially secure if their main wage earner died. But only about half of uninsured Americans say they would be financially safe in such circumstances. And even though life insurance is commonplace, just owning a policy does not necessarily provide adequate protection.
More than 100 million Americans are underinsured or uninsured, according to estimates. Taken together, Lockheed Martin employees then need to determine how much life insurance they need. That depends on your standard of living, monthly contribution, overall financial position, and situation. Ideally, you would have enough life insurance to replace lost income on death. Even so, Lockheed Martin employees know that buying insurance beyond this scenario is possible - and it is your job to determine what coverage meets their needs.
Outstanding Debt:
Lockheed Martin employees with outstanding debt that passes to beneficiaries upon death should buy life insurance now. Around forty percent will leave a financial burden to a loved one. Life insurance would relieve your beneficiaries of financial responsibility should you die unexpectedly. For instance, you should buy a policy that lets you repay a mortgage loan. Should you be unable to pay off your mortgage on your own with your income, you may want to buy coverage at least equal to that amount. This way, Lockheed Martin employees can lock in the mortgage balance should they die.
Savings:
Lockheed Martin employees who have not left a substantial inheritance for their beneficiaries can buy life insurance as a supplement. As savings aren't restricted to cash account balances either, the prospect of buying a policy for hundreds of thousands of dollars for less than USD 100 a month might be tempting. Lockheed Martin employees should research insurance benefits, limits, and price ranges before purchasing to avoid overspending and understating.
A study by research and consulting firm LIMRA found that life insurance ownership among Americans age 55 and older has steadily increased over the past decade. In 2011, only 63% of this age group had life insurance coverage - by 2021, it was 70%. That shows more Lockheed Martin retirees realize life insurance can protect their heirs financially. The study also noted that reasons for getting life insurance in this age group included replacing lost income, paying for funeral expenses and leaving an inheritance.
Whether Lockheed Martin employees need insurance depends on their situation. If you have dependents and beneficiaries, life insurance could give them income when you die. Your buying life insurance could spare your family obligations that would have been passed down if you were in debt. A life insurance policy could be an alternative if you cannot save a large nest egg for your heirs. Lockheed Martin employees uncertain whether to buy coverage should seek professional financial advice. Get a free cash flow analysis when you contact The Retirement Group to see which option best fits your needs.
Now picture your retirement as a garden that you have grown over time. You've sodded the seeds of financial security and watched them grow into wealth. As a garden needs protection so does your retirement - and life insurance can put a fence around your financial legacy.
Consider life insurance like the evergreen hedges that preserve your garden. Like hedges protect your garden from outside dangers, life insurance covers your family from financial strain should you die. That way, your labors will continue to feed your family - giving them a source of income and paying off any debts you may have left behind.
As each plant in your garden has a purpose, so does life insurance in retirement. It may replace lost income, pay down outstanding debts such as a mortgage, or provide a substantial cushion for your beneficiaries. Sow in your financial garden and bolster it with the right life insurance coverage - and you plant a seed that will bear fruit in your absence.
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- Corporate Employees: 8 Factors When Choosing a Mutual Fund
- Use of Escrow Accounts: Divorce
- Medicare Open Enrollment for Corporate Employees: Cost Changes in 2024!
- Stages of Retirement for Corporate Employees
- 7 Things to Consider Before Leaving Your Company
- How Are Workers Impacted by Inflation & Rising Interest Rates?
- Lump-Sum vs Annuity and Rising Interest Rates
- Internal Revenue Code Section 409A (Governing Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans)
- Corporate Employees: Do NOT Believe These 6 Retirement Myths!
- 401K, Social Security, Pension – How to Maximize Your Options
- Have You Looked at Your 401(k) Plan Recently?
- 11 Questions You Should Ask Yourself When Planning for Retirement
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Also, as you consider retirement, plant a garden of financial security with life insurance. A well-tended garden brings joy and security, too - and so will life insurance - the assurance that your family and your legacy will thrive long after you retire from work.
Sources:
1. Rodeck, David. 'Do You Need Life Insurance in Retirement?' Investopedia , 22 June 2023, https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/010716/do-you-need-life-insurance-after-you-retire.asp .
2. 'Life Insurance Statistics in 2025.' The Zebra , March 2024, https://www.thezebra.com/resources/research/life-insurance-statistics/?utm_source=chatgpt.com .
3. 'What is a Life Insurance Retirement Plan (LIRP)?' Aflac , 24 Aug. 2023, https://www.aflac.com/resources/life-insurance/life-insurance-retirement-plans-lirp.aspx .
4. 'Life Insurance Benefits for Retired Workers.' Bureau of Labor Statistics , Sept. 1990, https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/1990/09/Art2full.pdf .
5. '10 Reasons Why You Need Life Insurance in Retirement.' GBS Life , 15 June 2016, https://www.gbslife.com/media/28501/10-reasons-retirement.pdf .
How does Lockheed Martin determine the monthly pension benefit for employees nearing retirement, and what factors should employees consider when planning their retirement based on this calculation? Specifically, how do the concepts of "Final Average Pay" and "Credited Years of Service" interact in the pension calculation under Lockheed Martin’s retirement plan?
Lockheed Martin Pension Calculation: Lockheed Martin calculates monthly pension benefits using the "Final Average Pay" (FAP) and "Credited Years of Service" (CYS). The FAP is determined by averaging the three highest annual compensations prior to 2016, while CYS counts the years from employment start to December 31, 2019, when the pension was frozen. The benefit per year of service is calculated based on whether the FAP is less than or exceeds the Social Security Covered Compensation, with specific formulas applied for each scenario. These calculations directly affect the monthly pension benefit, which may also be reduced if retirement commences before a certain age due to early retirement penalties.
Given the recent changes in Lockheed Martin's pension policy, what implications could this have for employees who are planning to retire in the near future? How should these employees navigate their expectations regarding retirement income given that the pension has been frozen since 2020?
Implications of Pension Freeze: Since Lockheed Martin froze its pension plan in 2020, no future earnings or years of service will increase pension benefits. This freeze shifts the emphasis towards maximizing contributions to 401(k) plans, where Lockheed Martin increased its maximum contribution to 10% for non-represented employees. Employees planning for imminent retirement should recalibrate their financial planning to account for this change, prioritizing 401(k) growth and other retirement savings vehicles to compensate for the pension freeze.
What options does Lockheed Martin provide for employees regarding healthcare insurance as they approach retirement age? How do these options compare in terms of coverage and cost, particularly for those who will transition to Medicare upon reaching age 65?
Healthcare Options Near Retirement: As Lockheed Martin employees approach retirement, they can choose from several health insurance options. Before Medicare eligibility, they may use COBRA, a Lockheed Martin retiree plan, or the ACA's private marketplace. Post-65, they transition to Medicare, with the possibility of additional coverage through Medicare Advantage or Medigap plans. Lockheed Martin supports this transition with a Health Reimbursement Arrangement, providing an annual credit to help cover medical expenses.
Understanding the complex nature of Lockheed Martin's pension and retirement benefits, what resources are available to employees to help them navigate their choices regarding pension claiming options? In what ways can the insights from these resources aid employees in making informed decisions about their financial future?
Resources for Navigating Retirement Benefits: Lockheed Martin employees have access to resources like the LM Employee Service Center intranet, which includes robust tools such as a pension estimator. This tool allows for modeling different retirement scenarios and understanding the impacts of various pension claiming options. Additional support is provided through HR consultations and detailed plan descriptions to ensure employees make informed decisions about their retirement strategies.
For employees with varying years of service at Lockheed Martin, how can their employment history impact their pension benefits? What strategies should individuals explore to maximize their benefits given the different legacy systems that might influence their retirement payout?
Impact of Employment History on Pension Benefits: The length and nature of an employee’s service at Lockheed Martin significantly influence pension calculations. Historical changes in pension policies, particularly the transition points of the pension freeze, play critical roles in determining the final pension benefits. Employees must consider their entire career timeline, including any represented or non-represented periods, to understand and maximize their eligible pension benefits fully.
How does the Lockheed Martin retirement plan ensure that benefits are preserved for spouses or dependents after an employee's passing? How do different claiming options affect the long-term financial security of the employee's family post-retirement?
Benefit Preservation for Dependents: Lockheed Martin's pension plan includes options that consider the welfare of spouses or dependents after an employee's passing. Options like "Joint and Survivor" ensure ongoing benefits for surviving spouses, while choices like "Life with X-Year guarantee" provide continued payments for a defined period after the employee’s death. Understanding these options helps secure long-term financial stability for beneficiaries.
What steps can Lockheed Martin employees take to prepare financially for retirement, especially if they have outstanding loans or financial obligations? How crucial is it for employees to understand the conditions under which these loans must be settled before retirement?
Financial Preparation for Retirement: Employees approaching retirement should focus on clearing any outstanding loans and maximizing their contributions to tax-advantaged accounts like 401(k)s and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). These steps are crucial for ensuring a smooth financial transition to retirement, minimizing potential tax impacts, and maximizing available retirement income streams.
With the evolution of Lockheed Martin's retirement initiatives, particularly the shift toward higher 401(k) contributions, how should employees balance contributions to their 401(k) with their overall retirement savings strategy? What factors should they consider in optimizing their investment choices post-retirement?
Balancing 401(k) Contributions: With the pension freeze, Lockheed Martin employees should increasingly rely on 401(k) plans, where the company has increased its contribution cap. Employees must balance these contributions with other savings strategies and consider their investment choices carefully to ensure a robust retirement fund that can support their post-retirement life.
How does Lockheed Martin's approach to retirement planning include the management of health savings accounts (HSAs) for retirees? What are the tax advantages of HSAs, and how can employees effectively utilize this resource when planning for healthcare expenses in retirement?
Management of HSAs for Retirees: Lockheed Martin encourages maximizing contributions to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), which offer significant tax advantages. These accounts not only provide funds for current medical expenses but can also be used tax-free for healthcare costs in retirement, making them a critical component of retirement health expense planning.
What is the best way for employees to contact Lockheed Martin regarding specifics or questions about their retirement benefits? What channels of communication are available, and how can they access the most current and relevant information regarding their retirement planning? These questions aim to encourage thoughtful consideration and discussion about retirement planning within Lockheed Martin, addressing various aspects of the company's benefits while promoting engagement with internal resources.
Contacting Lockheed Martin for Retirement Benefit Queries: Employees should direct specific inquiries about their retirement benefits to Lockheed Martin's HR department or consult the benefits Summary Plan Descriptions available through company resources. These channels ensure employees receive accurate and comprehensive information tailored to their individual circumstances.