Navigating Retirement: Annuities vs. IRA Withdrawals for Colgate-Palmolive Employees

Healthcare Provider Update: Colgate-Palmolive Healthcare Provider Overview Colgate-Palmolive offers its employees access to healthcare services through various providers, primarily utilizing national insurance carriers such as UnitedHealthcare and Aetna. These partnerships ensure comprehensive coverage for employees across their diverse health needs, including medical, dental, and vision care. Potential Healthcare Cost Increases for Colgate-Palmolive in 2026 In 2026, Colgate-Palmolive employees may face significant healthcare cost increases due to sharp rises in Affordable Care Act (ACA) premiums. As a result of factors such as the anticipated expiration of enhanced federal premium subsidies and accelerated medical inflation, many marketplace enrollees could see their out-of-pocket premiums rise by over 75%. These developments create a financial pressure point for employees, particularly for those considering early retirement, as they will need to account for escalating healthcare expenses in their financial planning. With states like New York expecting premium hikes of up to 66%, careful evaluation of healthcare options will be essential for maintaining financial stability. Click here to learn more

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

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

As life expectancies increase, Colgate-Palmolive 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 Colgate-Palmolive. 

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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