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Darden Restaurants Employees Confront the Fear of Running Out of Money in Retirement

Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Darden Restaurants Darden Restaurants primarily partners with Aetna to provide healthcare benefits for its employees. Aetna offers a range of health insurance plans that cater to the diverse needs of Darden's workforce, aiming to promote employee well-being and job satisfaction. Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026 As Darden Restaurants navigates the changing healthcare landscape, the company is preparing for significantly higher costs in 2026. Anticipated increases in Affordable Care Act (ACA) premiums and the possible expiration of enhanced federal subsidies could lead to substantial out-of-pocket expenses for employees. A forecasted surge in healthcare costs, driven by escalating medical expenses and aggressive rate hikes from major insurers, may compel Darden to reassess its benefits strategy, potentially shifting more costs onto employees during this challenging period. Click here to learn more

'To allay long-term financial concerns, Darden Restaurants employees may benefit from a comprehensive retirement strategy that addresses inflation, health care costs, and tax planning.' – Michael Corgiat, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

'Proactive retirement planning—especially around inflation, health care, and shifting tax policies—can help Darden Restaurants employees gain clarity and reduce uncertainty in the years leading up to retirement.' – Brent Wolf, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

In this article we will discuss:

Key causes of retirement anxiety, including inflation, health care, and taxes.
Generational differences in money concerns and readiness.
The value of broad retirement planning approaches.

Retirement Anxiety is On The Rise

Employees across industries, including those at Darden Restaurants, have long worried about how they will fund retirement. These concerns have grown considerably in today’s economy. Nearly two out of three Americans (64%) said they worry more about outliving their resources than they do about dying, according to the Allianz Center for the Future of Retirement’s 2025 Annual Retirement Study. ¹

Main Causes of Retirement-Related Worry

The Allianz study lists several key triggers of these fears. Regarding long-term planning, 54% of respondents said inflation was their top worry. Increases in health care costs, housing, and food prices are still undermining people’s purchasing power.

Concerns around Social Security’s future and tax burdens are also high. 43% said they feared Social Security might not offer adequate support. And another 43% named high taxes as a major issue.

Generational Gaps in Money Stress

Gen X—often balancing care for both kids and aging parents—report the highest worry: 70% versus 66% of millennials and 61% of boomers. Among corporate workers, including those at Darden Restaurants, this dynamic underlines how family obligations can magnify retirement concerns.

The Gap Between Worry and Action

The survey shows a gap between concern and conversation: just 23% of respondents have talked about outliving their assets with a retirement specialist, down from 28% in 2024. ² That said, Americans are considering several strategies to allay these fears, ranking the following approaches as most helpful:

41% said cutting current spending to funnel more toward retirement 
44% said increasing retirement contributions 
39% said postponing retirement
While increasing contributions to retirement accounts could help address these concerns, barriers remain: daily necessities (63%), credit card debt (40%), mortgage or rent (35%) were top reasons people weren’t contributing more.

The Emotional Side of Retirement Anxiety

Retirement fears influence not just finances, but lifestyle, career choices, and family planning. Worries about independence, dignity, and quality of life often accompany fear of running short on funds.

Health care need are often underestimated too, complicating the equation. Medicare covers many basic services, but long‑term care, home assistance, and uncovered treatments can add large bills—adding uncertainty even for high‑income employees.

Broader Retirement Planning Matters

The Allianz findings emphasize planning well beyond just saving. With people living 25 to 30 years post‑work, a solid planning mindset is critical. As Kelly LaVigne, VP at Allianz Life, noted, “Americans areliving longer… your money needs to go farther. A good plan considers 25 to 30 years of retirement, not just the first ten.” ²

Key components often include:

Income strategies: setting up regular monthly disbursements from assets
Tax planning: reducing tax burdens on withdrawals
Health care planning: factoring in Medicare gaps and long‑term care
Inflation alignment: keeping income responsive to cost increases

Combined, these strategies can help build resilience, confidence, and preparedness even in uncertain times.

In Conclusion

The 2025 Allianz Retirement Study makes it clear: a majority of Americans—and Darden Restaurants employees among them—see the threat of running out of money as more frightening than death. Rising inflation, health care spending, and uncertainty around Social Security are central drivers. Fewer are taking direct action through planning conversations or boosted contributions.

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Yet there is opportunity. The IRS now permits catch‑up 401(k) contributions of up to $11,250 for those aged 60–63 in 2025—above the standard limit. For many, this is a practical way to fortify resources in those final working years.

A Final Thought

Think of retirement like a long sea voyage. Death may be the storm ahead, but empty savings are the leak that can sink the ship first. According to the Allianz study, 64% of Americans fear that leak more than the storm. For Darden Restaurants employees, the goal is to build a well-structured plan—with consistent income, planning for health costs, and tax awareness—that can keep the vessel afloat for the long haul.

Sources:

1. Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, ' How Americans feel about retirement in 2025 ,' by the Allianz Center for the Future of Retirement ^TM , June 2025.

2. businesswire, ' Americans Are More Worried About Running Out of Money Than Death ,' April 22, 2025.

What types of retirement savings plans does Darden Restaurants offer?

Darden Restaurants offers a 401(k) savings plan for eligible employees to help them save for retirement.

How can employees of Darden Restaurants enroll in the 401(k) plan?

Employees can enroll in the Darden Restaurants 401(k) plan during their initial onboarding or during open enrollment periods.

Does Darden Restaurants match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?

Yes, Darden Restaurants offers a matching contribution to the 401(k) plan, which helps employees maximize their retirement savings.

What is the maximum contribution percentage that employees can contribute to the Darden Restaurants 401(k) plan?

Employees of Darden Restaurants can contribute up to 100% of their eligible compensation, subject to IRS annual contribution limits.

Are there any fees associated with the Darden Restaurants 401(k) plan?

Yes, like most 401(k) plans, the Darden Restaurants 401(k) plan may have administrative fees and investment-related fees, which are disclosed in plan documents.

Can employees of Darden Restaurants take loans against their 401(k) savings?

Yes, Darden Restaurants allows eligible employees to take loans from their 401(k) accounts under certain conditions.

What investment options are available in the Darden Restaurants 401(k) plan?

The Darden Restaurants 401(k) plan offers a range of investment options, including mutual funds, target-date funds, and other investment vehicles.

How often can employees change their contribution amounts to the Darden Restaurants 401(k) plan?

Employees can change their contribution amounts to the Darden Restaurants 401(k) plan at any time, subject to plan rules.

What happens to the 401(k) funds if an employee leaves Darden Restaurants?

If an employee leaves Darden Restaurants, they can choose to roll over their 401(k) balance to another retirement account, cash out, or leave the funds in the Darden Restaurants plan if eligible.

Is there a vesting schedule for the Darden Restaurants 401(k) matching contributions?

Yes, Darden Restaurants has a vesting schedule for matching contributions, meaning employees must work for a certain period to fully own those contributions.

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

Darden Restaurants offers its employees both a pension plan and a 401(k) plan. The Darden Savings Plan (401(k) plan) is a defined contribution plan where employees can contribute a portion of their income, and Darden Restaurants may provide matching contributions. The name of Darden's 401(k) plan is the Darden Savings Plan, and the plan offers a variety of investment options, including Vanguard Target Retirement Funds and PIMCO bond funds. The company provides a vesting schedule of six years for employer contributions (MyPlanIQ). Employees become eligible after one year of service, and must be at least 21 years of age (MyPlanIQ). In addition to the 401(k), Darden Restaurants offers a cash balance pension plan, which uses a "cash balance" formula. The retirement benefits are pay-related, and the formula considers both the employee’s service years and compensation. This defined benefit plan is also known as the Retirement Income Plan for Darden Restaurants, Inc. Employees earn credits based on their salary and service, which accumulate in a hypothetical account

In 2023 and 2024, Darden Restaurants underwent significant strategic changes, including a reduction in its support staff by 11%. This was part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at streamlining operations. The company also focused on integrating Ruth's Chris Steak House following its acquisition, which involved substantial costs and organizational shifts. Additionally, Darden Restaurants has continued to adjust its benefits offerings. While the company's defined benefit pension plan had been terminated in 2020, it has maintained a matched 401(k) program for its employees. These developments are crucial to understand given the current economic environment, where companies are reassessing their workforce and benefits to remain competitive in a volatile market. Addressing these changes is essential for employees and investors alike, considering the impact of political, tax, and investment uncertainties in the current landscape.

Darden Restaurants offers stock options and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) as part of their employee incentive programs. These are primarily available to higher-level management positions, such as General Managers and Managing Partners. The company utilizes Darden Stock Units (DSUs), which are awarded annually based on performance metrics. The DSUs track the price of Darden's stock and are paid out in cash when they vest, providing a significant incentive for key leadership roles. In 2022, 2023, and 2024, Darden Restaurants has consistently included DSUs as a major component of their long-term incentive programs. These incentives are designed to reward the restaurant management team for their contributions to the company’s overall success, aligning their interests with the financial performance of Darden Restaurants. The availability of these stock options and RSUs is primarily limited to senior roles within the company, and they are not broadly available to all employees.

For Darden Restaurants, the health benefits offered in 2022, 2023, and 2024 are comprehensive and cater to various needs of their employees. Eligible team members can select from a wide range of health plans, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, as well as life insurance. They also offer unique benefits like the Employee Assistance Program, which provides counseling, financial education, and legal support. Darden emphasizes accessibility to healthcare through partnerships with different insurance carriers and continues to invest in initiatives to support its workforce during challenging times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic

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For more information you can reach the plan administrator for Darden Restaurants at 1000 Darden Center Dr Orlando, FL 32837; or by calling them at (407) 245-4000.

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