As an employee of Texas Instruments you may find it interesting to know, one landmark study found that credit-based insurance scores are used by about 95 percent of all auto and home insurers in calculating the cost of insurance to individuals.

While the vast majority of insurance companies use credit-based insurance scores to help determine the price of insurance, it is banned in the states of Massachusetts, Hawaii, and California. Some states only allow it as a factor for property insurance like auto and homeowners insurance. Other states allow it to be used with any type of insurance.

Several Factors

Generally, an insurance company will use a credit-based insurance score as just one factor in its underwriting process. We'd also like to remind our Texas Instruments clients that other factors may be considered, depending on the type of insurance. For example, with auto insurance, other factors could include your zip code, the age of the drivers, the make, model and age of the car, and the number of miles you drive annually.

The use of credit scores to determine insurance rates is rooted in research that has shown individuals with lower credit scores had higher car insurance losses and higher claims payouts.

Before finalizing any estate plan, it is worth examining how Texas Instruments's employer-sponsored benefits fit into the broader picture. One key fact: Texas Instruments maintains a defined benefit pension plan that has been frozen to new benefit accruals -- meaning the plan no longer accumulates future benefits for most employees, but those who were already vested may still be entitled to receive the pension benefit they accrued prior to the freeze, subject to the vesting requirements described in their plan documents, so the plan no longer accumulates future benefits for most employees, but those who were already vested may still be entitled to receive the pension benefit they accrued prior to the freeze, subject to the vesting requirements described in their plan documents. Texas Instruments also offers retiree healthcare benefits to eligible employees, which can provide meaningful coverage for those who retire before reaching Medicare eligibility at age 65. Texas Instruments's 401(k) plan includes employer matching contributions of Up to 4% matching contribution + 2% fixed employer contribution (enhanced DC plan, employees hired after Dec 31 2003), subject to plan terms. Because the specifics of your pension benefit, retiree healthcare eligibility, and any matching contributions depend on your individual employment history and plan documents, We encourage you to review your Summary Plan Description (SPD) or speak with Texas Instruments's HR or benefits team for the most current details.