The Path to Retirement for PG&E Employees: What Will Your Journey Look Like?

Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Pacific Gas & Electric The primary healthcare provider for employees of Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) is often covered under large insurance carriers that offer comprehensive plans, including offerings from Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare; the exact provider may vary depending on the employee's specific plan and regional options available. Projected Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026 As we look ahead to 2026, healthcare costs are anticipated to rise significantly due to a combination of factors. Insurers are reporting average premium increases that could exceed 20%, driven largely by ongoing inflation in healthcare services and the potential expiration of enhanced subsidies provided under the Affordable Care Act. This perfect storm of rising medical costs and diminished financial support could shock many consumers, with estimates suggesting that out-of-pocket premiums might surge by as much as 75% for individuals reliant on marketplace plans. As such, both employees and employers within PG&E should prepare for heightened expenses, taking proactive steps now to mitigate potential financial impacts. Click here to learn more

PG&E employees entering retirement face a dynamic landscape that requires planning more than ever. A specialist like Tyson Mavar of The Retirement Group can help you navigate these waters and tailor strategies to help extend the life of your retirement assets and improve your quality of life later in life,' said Mavar.

The changing retirement planning terrain requires PG&E employees to look at their future holistically. Wesley Boudreaux of The Retirement Group 'provides the expertise necessary to craft a robust retirement strategy that reflects changing economic and personal circumstances.'

In this article, we will discuss:

1. Evolving Retirement Pathways: Explore how traditional routes to retirement are changing because of shifts in pension availability and Social Security viability.

2. Strategic Retirement Planning: Providing tips for maximizing retirement savings and income - delaying retirement, leveraging PG&E's retirement programs & planning for healthcare.

3. Personalized Financial Guidance: Need tailored financial advice from professionals familiar with PG&E benefits and retirement strategies for a sustainable and fulfilling retirement.

Imagine finishing your last day at PG&E. You wave goodbye to your coworkers, hand over your keys, and maybe have a few celebrations in appreciation of a lifetime of hard work. Imagine your life now - one month into your retirement from PG&E. Are you planning your next adventure or figuring out how to support your lifestyle?

Where you wind up after leaving PG&E depends largely on how you got there. Until recently, most Americans took the same route to retirement. Most Americans retired with a solid pension from their employers, a solid Social Security fund, and - often - some personal savings. Today that road is closed to many because pensions are dying and Social Security may not last.

More complicated are some roadblocks that recent economic factors and a trend toward longer life expectancy have put up. The American life expectancy is higher than ever. At age 65, most Americans will live at least 20 more years, so retirement income will have to last longer than in the past, the Social Security Administration said. Congress may consider the SECURE Act 2.0 that will alter retirement planning. If passed, the RMD age will increase again. By 2022, retirees could begin delaying RMDs from age 72 to 73.

No one route to retirement will be right for everyone, but there are some things people can do to maximize their retirement savings and income potential. They include:

You can delay your PG&E retirement date for more earning years and fewer years you'll need to draw on your assets.

Taking advantage of any PG&E-sponsored retirement savings programs. And if PG&E matches your contribution, make sure you're putting in at least the match amount.

Recognizing that you'll need a plan for meeting your healthcare needs beyond Medicare. Know whether and what those retiree health benefits are from PG&E. If so, look into other options to help pay for potentially higher healthcare costs.

Know the withdrawal requirements and potential tax penalties for withdrawals from qualified retirement savings accounts. Watch how your total retirement income may affect your tax bracket in retirement.

Finding sources of lifetime income. A good example is Social Security, which you should be taking advantage of by planning when distributions will start arriving. Annuities also offer guaranteed lifetime income. Age 50 or older - Use catch-up contributions. The catch-up contribution limit is 6,500 in 2022, which can save you money on taxes and help you save for retirement. Questions about your PG&E retiree health care benefits? Call your PG&E HR Department.

Guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurer. Some Annuities have restrictions, limitations or early withdrawal fees. Annuities themselves are not bank or FDIC insured. Because planning for retirement income now more than ever is on the individual's shoulders, you need a retirement income strategy you can trust. It's all very confusing, though. That's why PG&E employees should work with a financial professional who understands strategies that may make their assets last.

Our firm has advised many PG&E professionals on what questions to ask when planning for a PG&E retirement. We will also help you weigh different retirement income vehicles and strategies. You've worked hard to accumulate retirement savings. We can help you structure the retirement of your dreams. A nationwide team of financial advisors called The Retirement Group.

We exclusively plan for and design retirement portfolios for transitioning PG&E corporate employees. In some cities in the United States, The Retirement Group has selected each representative of the group by hand. Each advisor was screened for pension expertise, financial planning experience, and portfolio construction knowledge.

With PG&E clients, TRG works together to find the best solution. A conservative investment philosophy guides the team in constructing client portfolios with laddered bonds / CDs / mutual funds / ETFs / Annuities / Stocks and other investments. They handle Retirement / Pensions / Tax / Asset Allocation / Estate / Elder Care issues. This document uses different research tools and techniques. All attempts to estimate future results involve assumptions and judgments and are therefore only tentative estimates. The law, investment climate, interest rates and personal circumstances will all change and will affect how accurate our estimations are and how appropriate our recommendations are. Such a plan requires ongoing change sensitivities as well as constant re-examination and alteration of the plan.

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Sources:

1. Willis Towers Watson. 'Evolution of Retirement Plans in PG&E Companies.' Willis Towers Watson, February 2018,  www.wtwco.com . This source outlines the significant changes in retirement plan offerings among PG&E companies, documenting the shift from Defined Benefit to Defined Contribution plans.

2. Reddick, Chris. 'How to Effectively Save for Retirement in PG&E Companies.' Chris Reddick Financial Planning, LLC,  www.chrisreddickfp.com . The article discusses the importance of 401(k) plans and the decline of traditional pension plans, offering strategic advice for maximizing retirement savings.

3. 'Megatrends Impacting Retirement.' Society of Actuaries Research Institute, 2023,  www.soa.org . This report provides insights into labor market trends affecting older workers, highlighting the increasing participation of seniors in the workforce and the impact of technological advancements on employment.

4. Moore, Rebecca. 'Older Generations More Frequently Seeking Financial Wellness Help.' PLANSPONSOR, 30 Nov. 2021,  www.plansponsor.com . This article reveals the growing trend among older generations to seek financial advice, especially in managing retirement planning and financial wellness through services like EY Navigate.

5. Willis Towers Watson. 'Retirement Offerings in the PG&E: A Retrospective.' Willis Towers Watson, June 2020,  www.wtwco.com . The source details the ongoing evolution in retirement planning within PG&E companies, with a focus on the transition towards more hybrid and Defined Contribution plans.