'Sonoco Products employees should regularly review their pension type, payout elections, and beneficiary designations to help align retirement income with long-term family goals and avoid unintended consequences for heirs.' – Brent Wolf, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

'Sonoco Products employees who understand the differences between DB and DC plans, along with the impact of survivor benefits, are better positioned to make informed decisions that can support both their retirement needs and their legacy goals.' – Brent Wolf, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

In this article we will discuss:

1. The differences between Defined Benefit (DB) and Defined Contribution (DC) pension plans.

2. How survivor benefits and payout options work for spouses and other beneficiaries.

3. What happens to pension and retirement account funds if no beneficiary is named or upon the retiree’s death.

When planning for retirement, many people focus on growing income while they are living. Yet, understanding what happens to your Fortune 500 pension after your death is equally important. The type of plan you have, the payment method you choose, and whether you have named a beneficiary will determine if—and to whom—your benefits can be passed on.

Social Security survivor benefits operate under different rules and are separate from pensions. This discussion focuses on workplace and private pensions, which often include survivorship clauses that, if structured properly, can provide continued financial support to loved ones.

What are the two main types of workplace pensions?

Defined Benefit (DB) Plan

Workplace pensions fall into defined benefit plans, which promise specific monthly retirement payments, and defined contribution plans, where final amounts depend on contributions and investment performance. A DB plan promises a specific monthly payment at retirement, calculated based on factors like years of service and salary history. Fortune 500 is responsible for making sure the plan is funded and bears the investment risk. These are sometimes called “final salary” or “traditional pensions.”

What is a defined contribution plan?

In a DC plan, you, Fortune 500, or both contribute to your account. The final retirement amount depends on contributions and investment performance. You manage the investment risk, and income is determined by your withdrawal plan and account balance. Examples include 401k, 403b, and 457 plans.

How do defined contribution benefits pass to heirs?

Named beneficiaries inherit remaining DC plan balances; under the SECURE Act, most nonspouse beneficiaries must withdraw within ten years, while spouses may have rollover flexibility. In most cases, DC plans are straightforward to pass on. If you die before using the full balance, your named beneficiary inherits the remaining amount. Under the SECURE Act, most non‑spouse beneficiaries must withdraw the full balance within ten years, while spouses often have rollover flexibility. If you have no beneficiary listed, the balance may go to your estate, potentially increasing taxes and delaying access.

What payout option does federal law require for married DB retirees?

Federal law generally requires a Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity as the default payout, ensuring the spouse receives continued income after the retiree's death. Federal law generally requires a Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity (QJSA) as the default payout form for married DB plan participants unless the spouse consents to another choice. This makes sure your spouse continues to receive income after your passing.

Common DB payout options include:

• Joint and Survivor Annuity:  You receive lifetime payments; your spouse continues to receive a percentage (generally 50%, 75%, or 100%) for life after your death.

• Life with Period‑Certain Annuity:  You get lifetime payments, and your spouse or beneficiary receives payments for the remainder of a guaranteed term if you pass first.

• Guaranteed Minimum Payment:  Provides a fixed number of total payments; any remaining payments go to your spouse if you pass away early.

• Joint and Contingent Survivor Annuity:  Allows a beneficiary other than your spouse (with spousal consent) or a custom continuation percentage.

Why might single retirees prefer lump sum pension payouts?

For single retirees without dependents, a lump sum payout may be preferable to an annuity, as many single‑life annuities stop payments at death.

Benefits of lump sum payouts:

• Investment control is in your hands.

• Ability to name heirs for remaining funds.

• Potential to roll over to an IRA for tax deferral.

• Risks of lump sum payouts:

• Mismanagement could deplete funds too soon.

• Investment returns are not assured.

What happens to pension benefits when no beneficiary is named?

Without a named beneficiary, DB single-life annuities stop at death while DC plan balances may default to the estate, potentially causing probate delays and less favorable tax treatment. If a DB single‑life annuity is chosen, payments stop upon death. With a term‑certain annuity, any remaining guaranteed payments may go to your estate. In a DC plan, the balance may default to your estate, possibly leading to probate delays and less favorable tax treatment.

What happens to pension payments after a retiree dies?

For DB plans, the outcome depends on the chosen payment option: single-life annuities end, joint-life annuities continue to surviving spouses, and period-certain options pay for the guaranteed term; DC plans transfer remaining balances to beneficiaries. For DB plans, your chosen payment option and beneficiary designation determine what happens. Single‑life annuities end immediately; joint‑life annuities continue to pay the surviving spouse. Period‑certain options pay beneficiaries for the rest of the guaranteed term. For their part, DC plans transfer the remaining balance to the beneficiary, with non‑spouse heirs generally required to withdraw within ten years.

Key Takeaways for Fortune 500 Employees

Regardless of whether you have a DB or DC plan, planning ahead is essential:

• - Keep beneficiary information current.

• - Understand how payout options affect survivor benefits.

• - Be aware of tax rules for inherited pensions and retirement accounts.

• - Seek professional guidance before making irreversible decisions.

By making informed choices, you can make sure your Fortune 500 pension serves both your retirement needs and the legacy you want to leave for loved ones.

Dividing retirement assets in a QDRO proceeding requires a clear understanding of what Sonoco Products offers through its benefit programs. As an employee, you should know that Sonoco Products maintains an active defined benefit pension plan, which means eligible employees continue to accrue benefits based on years of service and compensation. If you are eligible for a lump sum payout, IRS Section 417(e) segment rates determine how the future annuity stream converts to a present-value payment - rising rates compress the lump sum, so monitoring the plan's stability period and lookback month is critical before you lock in your election date. The choice between a single-life annuity, a joint-and-survivor option, or a lump sum (where available) is generally irrevocable once made, and timing that decision relative to interest rate conditions can meaningfully affect your retirement income picture.

On the medical coverage front, Sonoco Products provides continued medical coverage to eligible retirees, which can bridge the gap between retirement and Medicare eligibility at age 65 or serve as a supplement to Medicare thereafter. Confirming the service and age requirements for retiree coverage, and understanding your premium contribution, is an important step in building an accurate healthcare cost projection. Coordinating Sonoco Products's retiree coverage with Medicare Part B and Part D enrollment timing can also reduce duplication and avoid late-enrollment penalties. A comprehensive retirement plan that accounts for each element of your Sonoco Products benefits package is the best way to understand what lies ahead.

Sources:

1. Employee Benefits Security Administration.  What You Should Know About Your Retirement Plan . U.S. Department of Labor, n.d. pp. 6, 9–10, 21–22, 32.

2. Internal Revenue Service.  Publication 590-B: Distributions from Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs) . IRS, 19 Mar. 2026, pp. 7–12, 9–10.

3. Social Security Administration.  Survivors Benefits . Social Security Administration, Apr. 2026, pp. 5–6, 8–9, 10.