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Navigating Sequence Risk in Retirement: Lessons and Strategies for Intuit Employees

Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Intuit Intuit, a leading financial software company, primarily utilizes UnitedHealthcare as its healthcare provider. This partnership enables Intuit to offer competitive health benefits and services to its employees, ensuring comprehensive coverage options. Brief on Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026 In 2026, healthcare costs are anticipated to surge dramatically, with many insured individuals feeling the brunt of escalating premiums. Factors contributing to this sharp increase include the loss of enhanced federal subsidies for Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plans, which has the potential to spike out-of-pocket costs by over 75% for the majority of enrollees. Additionally, numerous states are experiencing proposed premium hikes, with some exceeding 60%, primarily fueled by rising medical costs and aggressive rate increases from top insurers. As a result, consumers and employers alike will face significant financial pressures, prompting many to re-evaluate their healthcare options and strategies in light of these challenges. Click here to learn more

'Intuit employees approaching retirement should recognize that the sequence of market returns in their early years can influence the longevity of their income far more than the average return itself, making disciplined withdrawal strategies and diversified income planning essential.' – Brent Wolf, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

'Intuit employees nearing retirement can benefit from understanding how market downturns early in retirement may have lasting effects, and from adopting flexible, research-based withdrawal and allocation strategies to help sustain their income over time.' – Paul Bergeron, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

In this article we will discuss:

Historical examples of sequence-of-returns risk and their effects on retirement income.
Why the first years of retirement are most critical for portfolio sustainability.
Research‑backed strategies for managing sequence risk and supporting long‑term retirement goals.

Contributed by Paul Bergeron and Brent Wolf of Wealth Enhancement

For Fortune 500 employees approaching retirement, recognizing the timing of returns—not just the average return—can be critical to keeping income going over the long term. This concept, known as sequence-of‑returns risk, shows how poor early market performance in retirement can have a lasting impact on a withdrawal plan, even if long-term averages seem strong. Historical market data provides clear examples of this risk and offers practical methods for responding to it.

Historical examples of sequence risk

Fortune 500 retirees entering retirement during tough market cycles face situations similar to the declines seen in the late 1960s, when the market hit two bear markets (1968–70 and 1973–74) alongside high inflation. The S&P 500 dropped roughly 48% during the 1973–74 bear market, compounding inflation-related difficulties. ¹ Likewise, those retiring in 2000 endured two severe bear markets in the decade, while 2022 proved one of the toughest years for balanced portfolios, with sharp drops in both U.S. stocks and high-quality bonds.

Why the early years matter most

For a Fortune 500 retiree, significant losses in the first five to ten years of retirement—combined with regular withdrawals—can shrink the number of shares left to rebound when markets recover. Academic studies and industry research repeatedly show that even with the same average return, the order of gains and losses plays a huge role in retirement outcomes.

Research-backed strategies to manage sequence risk

One effective method for Fortune 500 retirees is keeping a mix of asset types to help weather downturns. Cash and bonds can act as “shock absorbers” for immediate expenses, reducing the need to sell stocks during market dips. Flexible withdrawal approaches—such as adjusting withdrawals within set guardrails—have been shown to support portfolio longevity better than fixed-dollar withdrawal methods.

Staging risk in a retirement portfolio—by holding one to two years of expenses in cash-like assets and several years in short‑ to intermediate‑term bonds—may give equities time to recover before they're tapped for income. For some Fortune 500 retirees, delaying income sources like Social Security can help raise total lifetime income and lessen the need to tap investments during volatile times. Thoughtful rebalancing and managing tax lots, especially during downturns, can also help maintain equity exposure and extend portfolio lifespan.

Implications for retirement planning

While higher stock allocations may offer greater long-term growth potential, they also increase sequence risk in early retirement for Fortune 500 workers. Historically, balanced portfolios—often with 30% to 50% equities for income-focused funds—have supported more resilient initial withdrawal rates compared to all-stock strategies. ² Strong early-market results can set up long-term success, but disciplined spending limits, guardrails, and rebalancing remain key.

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Articles you may find interesting:

Sources:

1.The New York Times. ' What Happens When Stock Markets Become Bears ,' by William Davis, Karl Russell, and Stephen Gandel. 13 June 2022.

2. Vanguard UK. ' Sustainable Spending Rates in Turbulent Markets ,' by Daga, Ankul, et al. Mar. 2021, pp. 1–7.

Other Resources:

1. Guyton, Jonathan T., and William J. Klinger. “ Decision Rules and Maximum Initial Withdrawal Rates .” Journal of Financial Planning , vol. 19, no. 3, Mar. 2006, pp. 48–50, 52–54, 56–58. Financial Planning Association.

2. “ Timeline of U.S. Stock Market Crashes .” Investopedia , 30 Oct. 2024, section “The 1973–74 Oil Crisis Bear Market.”

3. ' When to Start Receiving Retirement Benefits. ' Social Security Administration, Pub. No. 05-10147, May 2024, pp. 1–2.

4. Arnott, Amy C., CFA, and Ivanna Hampton. “ Why More Diversification Doesn’t Mean Better Returns .” Morningstar , 7 June 2024.

What type of retirement savings plan does Intuit offer to its employees?

Intuit offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan to its employees.

Does Intuit provide a company match for its 401(k) contributions?

Yes, Intuit offers a company match for employee contributions to the 401(k) plan, subject to certain limits.

How can Intuit employees enroll in the 401(k) plan?

Intuit employees can enroll in the 401(k) plan through the company’s HR portal or by contacting the HR department for assistance.

What is the eligibility requirement for Intuit employees to participate in the 401(k) plan?

Most Intuit employees are eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan after completing a specified period of employment, typically within the first year.

Can Intuit employees take loans against their 401(k) savings?

Yes, Intuit allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) savings, subject to the plan's terms and conditions.

What investment options are available in Intuit's 401(k) plan?

Intuit's 401(k) plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, target-date funds, and company stock.

How often can Intuit employees change their 401(k) contribution amounts?

Intuit employees can change their 401(k) contribution amounts at any time, subject to the plan's guidelines.

Does Intuit provide financial education resources for employees regarding their 401(k) plans?

Yes, Intuit provides financial education resources and tools to help employees make informed decisions about their 401(k) savings.

What happens to my 401(k) savings if I leave Intuit?

If you leave Intuit, you can choose to roll over your 401(k) savings into another qualified retirement plan, cash out, or leave the funds in the Intuit plan, depending on the plan's rules.

Is there a vesting schedule for Intuit's 401(k) company match?

Yes, Intuit has a vesting schedule for the company match, which means employees must work for a certain period to fully own the matched funds.

With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.

Pension Plan Terminology: Defined Contribution Plan: A retirement plan where the employee and/or employer contribute to the employee's account, but the final benefit depends on investment performance. Vesting: The process by which an employee earns the right to benefits from an employer-provided plan. 401(k) Plan Terminology: Match Contribution: Employer contributions that match employee contributions up to a certain percentage. Automatic Enrollment: A feature that automatically enrolls employees into the 401(k) plan upon meeting eligibility criteria.

In July 2024, Intuit announced the layoff of 1,800 employees, roughly 10% of its workforce, as part of a larger restructuring effort aimed at focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) and automation. This restructuring is being driven by the company's strategy to shift toward AI-driven solutions, such as its AI-powered financial assistant, Intuit Assist. As part of this strategy, Intuit plans to rehire in new AI-focused and customer-facing roles, with a goal of boosting innovation and growth in areas like data, fintech, and mid-market solutions. In its Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, Intuit stated that this transition would come with an estimated $260 million in layoff-related costs, including severance and employee benefits, and further investments into AI and data-driven platforms.

Intuit offers its employees stock options and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) as part of their compensation packages. Stock options give employees the right to purchase Intuit shares at a predetermined price, while RSUs are a promise to grant shares upon meeting vesting requirements. For example, RSUs vest over time or after performance milestones, with taxes withheld from the vested shares before employees can access the remaining stock. Both stock options and RSUs are considered ordinary income once vested and are reported on W-2 forms (Intuit Benefits) (TurboTax). In 2022, 2023, and 2024, Intuit provided RSUs with vesting schedules based on years of service and stock performance. Typically, a portion of the shares is withheld to cover taxes upon vesting, and the remaining shares are transferred to the employee's account. Employees can then decide whether to hold or sell the shares. RSUs are commonly awarded to attract and retain talent and are available to full-time employees, with executives often receiving higher allocations

Medical Coverage: Intuit provides several medical plans depending on the employee's location, such as the Cigna Choice Fund with Health Savings Account (HSA), UnitedHealthcare (UHC) Network Plan, Cigna Managed Network Plan (EPO), and Kaiser Permanente (for employees in California and Georgia). These plans include broad coverage for services like preventive care, family planning, and physical therapy (Intuit Benefits) (Intuit Benefits). Health Savings Account (HSA): Employees enrolled in the Cigna Choice Fund with HSA plan can contribute tax-free money to cover medical expenses. In 2023, the IRS limit was $3,850 for individual coverage and $7,750 for family coverage, increasing to $4,150 for individuals and $8,300 for families in 2024 (Intuit Benefits). Mental Health and Wellbeing: Intuit places a strong emphasis on mental health. Employees have access to no-cost confidential counseling, support for managing stress, depression, and workplace challenges, as well as resources for mindfulness and resilience building

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For more information you can reach the plan administrator for Intuit at , ; or by calling them at .

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