Navigating Retirement: Annuities vs. IRA Withdrawals for UFP Industries Employees

Healthcare Provider Update: UFP Industries partners with UnitedHealthcare as its healthcare provider for employee health insurance plans. As the landscape of healthcare costs shifts, upcoming changes in 2026 are raising concerns for employees and employers alike. Factors such as the impending expiration of enhanced subsidies from the Affordable Care Act (ACA), rising medical costs, and premium hikes from major insurers are expected to significantly inflate healthcare expenses. Preliminary estimates indicate many UFP Industries employees might face premium increases of around 20%, with some states reporting hikes over 60%. This combination is projected to thrust out-of-pocket expenses for enrollees upward, often by more than 75%, compelling both individuals and families to reassess their healthcare budgeting for the upcoming year. Click here to learn more

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

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

As life expectancies increase, UFP Industries 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 UFP Industries. 

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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