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Guess Employees Confront the Fear of Running Out of Money in Retirement

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'To allay long-term financial concerns, Guess 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 Guess 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 Guess, 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 Guess, 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 Guess 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 Guess 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 type of retirement savings plan does Guess offer to its employees?

Guess offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan to help employees save for their future.

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

Yes, Guess provides a matching contribution to employees who participate in the 401(k) plan, up to a certain percentage.

What is the eligibility requirement to participate in Guess's 401(k) plan?

Employees at Guess are eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan after completing a specified period of service, typically 30 days.

Can employees at Guess contribute to their 401(k) plan through payroll deductions?

Yes, employees at Guess can make contributions to their 401(k) plan through convenient payroll deductions.

What is the maximum contribution limit for the Guess 401(k) plan?

The maximum contribution limit for the Guess 401(k) plan is in accordance with IRS regulations, which may change annually.

Does Guess allow employees to take loans from their 401(k) accounts?

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

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

The Guess 401(k) plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, stocks, and bonds.

How can employees at Guess access their 401(k) account information?

Employees at Guess can access their 401(k) account information through the plan's online portal or by contacting the plan administrator.

Is there a vesting schedule for the employer match in the Guess 401(k) plan?

Yes, there is a vesting schedule for the employer match in the Guess 401(k) plan, which outlines how long employees must work to fully own the employer contributions.

Can employees at Guess change their contribution percentage to the 401(k) plan?

Yes, employees at Guess can change their contribution percentage at any time, subject to plan rules.

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

For Guess, Inc., the company's 401(k) plan is known as the "Guess, Inc. 401(k) Plan and Trust." As of 2022, this plan had 4,049 participants, with an average account balance of $20,076 per participant. The estimated average employee contribution in 2022 was $1,269. The 401(k) plan is structured to allow employees to defer a portion of their wages into individual retirement accounts, which are excluded from the employee's taxable income. In terms of eligibility for the 401(k) plan, employees must be 21 years of age and have completed one year of service to participate. The plan also includes a matching contribution from Guess, Inc., although the specifics of the match (e.g., percentage of employee contributions matched) were not detailed in the available sources. Regarding the pension plan, Guess, Inc. offers a defined contribution plan rather than a traditional defined benefit pension plan. This plan allows the company to contribute to individual employee retirement accounts, with the contributions being subject to IRS limits. The company’s contributions are discretionary and are determined by the financial performance of the company. For detailed operational compliance, such as plan amendments, the Guess, Inc. plan is governed by the SECURE 2.0 Act requirements, which introduced new rules regarding catch-up contributions and eligibility for part-time employees starting in 2024.

Restructuring Layoffs: Guess announced restructuring plans in 2023 and 2024 due to declining sales and economic pressure from inflation. The company has laid off numerous employees across various departments as part of this restructuring to streamline operations and reduce costs. These layoffs are crucial to address due to the unstable economic environment, which has impacted consumer behavior and purchasing power. With tax changes also coming into play, these layoffs allow Guess to preserve its financial stability and adapt to a fluctuating market

Company A offered stock options and RSUs to its senior executives and certain key employees. In 2022, the stock options had a four-year vesting schedule with annual vesting. The RSUs granted in 2023 were subject to performance-based criteria. (Source: 10-K Report, Page 42)

Guess has been actively enhancing its employee wellness and health benefits as part of its broader Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy. The company's initiatives include expanding wellness and mental health programming, which is set to be fully integrated by 2025. This expansion aims to address the growing need for mental health support among employees, which aligns with their goal of fostering a diverse, inclusive, and connected workplace. In addition to mental health initiatives, Guess is also working on gender pay parity and promoting wellness through various programs, such as mandatory management training on harassment prevention. These efforts are part of a broader commitment to employee well-being, which has been consistently highlighted in their ESG reports. Specific healthcare-related terms and acronyms that Guess focuses on include mental health programming, gender pay parity, and wellness programs, which are key aspects of their strategy to maintain a healthy and supportive work environment.

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For more information you can reach the plan administrator for Guess at , ; or by calling them at .

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