Navigating Retirement: Annuities vs. IRA Withdrawals for Advanced Micro Devices Employees

Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Advanced Micro Devices: Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) utilizes a variety of healthcare providers, primarily partnering with major insurers for its employee health benefits. While specific arrangements may vary, AMD's health plans typically include coverage options from networks including UnitedHealthcare, Anthem, and others. Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026: As we approach 2026, employees of Advanced Micro Devices should brace for significant increases in healthcare costs. With projected record hikes in ACA marketplace premiums-some states seeing increases over 60%-employees may find a larger portion of their healthcare expenses shifted to them. Factors like the expiration of enhanced federal subsidies and continual medical cost inflation are driving these changes, potentially leading to out-of-pocket costs soaring by as much as 75%. In this challenging landscape, it's essential for employees to review benefit changes and make informed selections to mitigate the financial impact. Click here to learn more

There are just a couple of things almost all Advanced Micro Devices retirees need when they hit retirement: predictable income and protection against a cluster of risks, which include longevity risk, performance risk and sequence-of-returns risk.

In the past we have seen retiring Advanced Micro Devices employees utilize the “4% rule,” where retirees take annual withdrawals start at 4% of the entire portfolio and increase with inflation. They then keep the remainder of the portfolio with at least 50% invested in equities. Based on historical data, this would give a Advanced Micro Devices retiree about 30 years of retirement income.

As the economy constantly changes, a number of factors may force prospective Advanced Micro Devices retirees to revisit the 4% rule. It may be worth considering annuities as an alternative.

As life expectancies increase, Advanced Micro Devices retirees need to prepare for expenses over a longer time frame. In the past we would plan for a 15 to 20 year retirement, but now we need to prepare for a 30 to 35 year retirement. What is available to assist meeting the 35-year time frame?  

The annuity strategy can assist with a few of the pitfalls we see in the 4% rule. For example:

If you need $50,000 per year in retirement and need that for 30 years, you may need $1.2 million in fixed income at a 3% interest rate. BUT if you look to fund $50,000 for 30 years, you can cover that expense with $800,000 by choosing the annuity option.

The other pitfall with the 4% rule is that it may not reflect a client’s risk tolerance. When you are accumulating assets, you can afford more volatility and can take on more risk than when in the retirement and withdrawal phase after leaving Advanced Micro Devices. 

Also, should we see a drop in the market, you would be able to reduce your income using the 4% rule, which you cannot do if you choose an annuity option.

 

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