Navigating Retirement: Annuities vs. IRA Withdrawals for Avnet Employees

Healthcare Provider Update: Avnet's healthcare provider is typically managed through Aetna, offering comprehensive health benefits to its employees. As the year 2026 approaches, significant challenges loom over healthcare costs. The expiration of enhanced federal subsidies for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is anticipated to trigger premium hikes that could exceed 60% in some states, placing financial strain on millions of enrollees. With medical costs continuously rising and projections indicating a general cost increase of approximately 7.5% for individual plans, consumers may face alarming out-of-pocket expenses, significantly impacting access to healthcare services. The confluence of these factors necessitates proactive planning for both employers and employees to mitigate the potential financial burden ahead. Click here to learn more

There are just a couple of things almost all Avnet 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 Avnet 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 Avnet retiree about 30 years of retirement income.

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

As life expectancies increase, Avnet 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 Avnet. 

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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