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Navigating Sequence Risk in Retirement: Lessons and Strategies for Xerox Holdings Employees

Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Xerox Holdings Xerox Holdings provides its employees with access to health insurance plans primarily through a partnership with major national insurers. Prominent health insurance providers include UnitedHealthcare, Anthem, and others, depending on the specific plan and state location. Employees are encouraged to review their options during open enrollment to choose the plan that best suits their healthcare needs. Projected Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026 The landscape for health insurance premiums in 2026 is disconcerting, especially for Xerox Holdings employees relying on plans from the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace. In many states, premium increases could surpass 60%, primarily due to the anticipated expiration of enhanced federal premium subsidies, rising medical costs, and aggressive rate hikes from insurers. Consequently, individuals enrolled may see their out-of-pocket costs rise dramatically, with estimates suggesting an overall increase in premiums by as much as 75% for nearly 92% of marketplace enrollees. This combination of factors makes proactive financial planning essential for employees to navigate the upcoming challenges in healthcare expenditures effectively. Click here to learn more

'Xerox Holdings 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.

'Xerox Holdings 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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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 Xerox Holdings offer to its employees?

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

How can employees of Xerox Holdings enroll in the 401(k) plan?

Employees of Xerox Holdings can enroll in the 401(k) plan through the company’s online benefits portal or by contacting the HR department.

Does Xerox Holdings match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?

Yes, Xerox Holdings provides a matching contribution to the 401(k) plan, subject to certain limits.

What is the maximum percentage of salary that employees can contribute to their 401(k) at Xerox Holdings?

Employees at Xerox Holdings can contribute up to 100% of their eligible compensation, subject to IRS contribution limits.

When can employees of Xerox Holdings start contributing to their 401(k) plan?

Employees of Xerox Holdings can start contributing to their 401(k) plan after they have completed their eligibility requirements, typically within the first few months of employment.

What investment options are available in the Xerox Holdings 401(k) plan?

The Xerox Holdings 401(k) plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, stocks, and bonds, allowing employees to diversify their portfolios.

Can employees of Xerox Holdings take loans against their 401(k) savings?

Yes, Xerox Holdings allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) savings, subject to specific terms and conditions.

What happens to the 401(k) plan if an employee leaves Xerox Holdings?

If an employee leaves Xerox Holdings, they can choose to roll over their 401(k) balance to another retirement account, withdraw the funds, or leave the money in the Xerox Holdings plan, subject to plan rules.

Are there any fees associated with the Xerox Holdings 401(k) plan?

Yes, there may be administrative fees and investment-related fees associated with the Xerox Holdings 401(k) plan, which are disclosed in the plan documents.

Can employees of Xerox Holdings change their contribution rates to the 401(k) plan?

Yes, employees of Xerox Holdings can change their contribution rates at any time, subject to the plan’s guidelines.

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

Xerox offers both a traditional defined benefit pension plan and a defined contribution 401(k) plan. The defined benefit plan provides retirement income based on years of service and final average pay. The 401(k) plan features company matching contributions and various investment options, including target-date funds and mutual funds. Xerox provides financial planning resources and tools to help employees manage their retirement savings.

Xerox provides both RSUs and stock options as part of its employee compensation. RSUs vest over time, converting into shares, while stock options allow employees to purchase shares at a fixed price.

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For more information you can reach the plan administrator for Xerox Holdings at 45 Glover Ave. PO Box 4505 Norwalk, CT 6856; or by calling them at 972-420-2354.