Navigating Retirement: Annuities vs. IRA Withdrawals for Teleflex Employees

Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Teleflex: Teleflex Inc. primarily operates as a healthcare technology company, providing medical devices that support improved patient outcomes. While Teleflex does not have its own healthcare provider services, it partners with various healthcare systems to supply its products, such as Arrow and others, to hospitals and providers across the globe. Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026: As Teleflex prepares for 2026, employees should brace for significant healthcare cost increases. With the expiration of enhanced federal subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, many could see their premiums rise dramatically-some states predicting hikes over 60%. Coupled with consistently escalating medical costs, driven by factors like higher drug prices and labor shortages, Teleflex employees may have to absorb a greater share of these expenses, particularly as companies increasingly lean toward shifting costs onto workers. Strategic adjustments in benefits and plan selections will be crucial in navigating the financial landscape of healthcare in the coming year. Click here to learn more

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

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

As life expectancies increase, Teleflex 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 Teleflex. 

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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