Alcoa employees must plan for longevity risk to secure a financial future: It's not about living longer but about thriving in those extra years, says Michael Corgiat, of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement Group. A strong strategy can be developed with a financial advisor that can adjust to longevity trends dynamically.
'Longevity is still affecting Retirement planning so Alcoa employees should review their financial strategies to ensure they can afford to age well,' says Brent Wolf of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement Group. A comprehensive approach including regular reviews with a financial advisor can limit the risks of longer lifespans,' he said.
In this article we will discuss:
1. Understanding Longevity Risk: Longevity advancements and their implications for retirement planning for Alcoa employees.
2. Financial Strategies Against Longevity Risk: Options for managing financial risks of living longer, including impact on social security and healthcare.
3. Withdrawal Rate Optimization & Retirement Timing: A Comparison. Strategies to maximize retirement income by selecting appropriate withdrawal rates and timing of social security benefits.
Alcoa employees should consider how likely wealthy people will live longer than average because of improvements in healthcare. In response, advisors must discuss longevity risk with clients. The report said women know more about longevity than men do, 43% to 32% of women demonstrating knowledge. Director of the school's Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center and economist at George Washington University, Annamaria Lusardi, said it was a.
While stock market risk and inflation along with healthcare costs might concern Alcoa employees, research shows longevity is the biggest risk to a retirement plan. The likelihood that resources run out before death determines longevity. Because wealthy people live longer than average people, longevity risk is rising and income products to hedge this risk are scarce. and a report from the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College says living longer means higher costs. Fewer retirees have the lifetime income security of a defined benefit pension and it can be difficult to estimate secure withdrawal rates from portfolios under economic and individual conditions.
Alcoa employees considering whether social security provides some security should understand that it replaces only a small share of pre-retirement income for affluent households. Such replacement rates constitute program reforms from 1983. With 33% of men and 50% of women in their mid-50s living to age 90 or older, advisors are increasingly counseling clients on longevity risk.
Alcoa employees should also consider how longevity risk adds inflation. This is illustrated by Bill's grocery buying in retirement at a constant inflation rate of 3%. Today Bill spends USD 100 on provisions, at his expected lifespan he will have spent USD 222. He would pay USD 257.51 for groceries at age 94. It rose by two and a half times since he retired. When his retirement income did not increase, Bill would immediately start cutting food costs. Inflation risk plus longevity risk make Bill's retirement even more problematic. Thankfully, you can reduce longevity risk through financial strategies. For possible financial strategies call The Retirement Group.
The Longevity Discussion
Alcoa employees needing financial advice should call a professional who values longevity. And many advisors don't take clients through a full discussion of longevity, said Surya Kolluri, director of the TIAA institute. Rather than a nuanced discussion of probabilities, advisors use an actuarial assumption because it is a topic of interest. Adults only understand longevity at 37%, with boomers at 44% and the silent generation at 45%, women at 43% and men at 32%. Kolluri primarily said so. This links to the longevity topic and allows advisors to communicate with couples about their lifespan.
It allows the advisor to request a conversation with both spouses on the subject if the customer is a male, and have a more open-minded, attentive discussion. TIAA-GFLEC found that general financial literacy, retirement preparedness and longevity literacy were related. Employees of Alcoa should ask how retirees who know little about life expectancy are less likely to save for retirement while working. They also displayed ignorance of withdrawals from retirement savings.
Conclusions about longevity from TIAA also reflect historical trends. In 2020, the Boston Center for Retirement Research published a study contrasting measurable versus perceived risk. Risks from longevity, health care costs, stock market inflation, family caregiver need and changes in public policy were evaluated. In contrast to longevity, virtually all respondents cited the stock market as the primary cause of high risk.
A study by the Society of Actuaries found only 13% of Alcoa employees are aware of longevity risk and how it could affect their retirement. It is called longevity risk, because people live longer than expected. This ignorance highlights the need to discuss longevity risk with financial advisors and consider it as part of retirement planning. Understanding how longer lifespans and sustainable income through retirement might affect Alcoa employees may help them make better decisions and limit the risks of longevity risk.
Social Security Applications
Also for the Alcoa:
how longevity research might reframe dialogues with clients about when to file social security claims. Many advisors tackle this by performing a break-even analysis, determining when total lifetime benefits would become equal or greater by delaying a claim than by claiming earlier. Break-even analysis is widely used, but Alcoa employees might benefit from reviewing its limitations. Among the most important is nobody knows how long they will survive. Social Security break even analysis is a return analysis that obscures its value as longevity insurance. Even relatively affluent Alcoa retirees may exhaust their savings at old age, making a maximum social security benefit extremely valuable.
Alcoa employees and retirees might want to consider that delaying benefits claims helps most households. Almost all households saw positive trends in the last decade. Fewer retirees file at age 62 and most file at full retirement age. Alcoa employees should also consider that FRA at age 70 is worth 76% more in monthly income than at age 62. Also, remember that delayed claims will become increasingly important. Social security will replace less of the pre-retirement income for younger employees than for boomers and Gen-Xers. This reflects 1983 social security reforms that raised the full retirement age to 67 from 65. For those born after 1960 the FRA is 67 years old. An increase in the FRA annually cuts benefits by about 6.5%.
And employees of the Alcoa must consider rising healthcare costs. Rising asset values may lead early retirees to apply for Social Security benefits at age 62 so they have more cash on hand before Medicare eligibility at age 65. Alcoa employees also should know that settling for lower benefits to access funds earlier could leave them short in retirement if they do so. This is because the permanently reduced payments can not keep pace with rising medical costs. Those born 1960 or later who begin receiving Social Security benefits at age 62 receive an estimated 30% less than those who begin at age 67.
Withdrawal Rates/Life Expectancy.
In discussions with clients regarding secure withdrawal rates longevity is often discussed as a way of prolonging the retirement portfolio life. For rules of thumb for drawdown rates, this is a very complex topic and one which retirees pore over with endless debate. Latest Morningstar study on safe drawdown rates recommends starting at 3.8% for retirees wanting a fixed real withdrawal over a 30-year period. That number exceeds Morningstar's recommended 2021 secure drawdown rate of 3.3%. That disparity is rooted in stock valuations being lower last year and bond yields rising. The low stock price also makes investors more confident that long-term returns are possible, Morningstar found. Return expectations dropped during the bull market of 2019 to 2021. Employees of Alcoa should also understand how higher bond yields allow bond investors to build portfolios that return more than the stock market.
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- How Are Workers Impacted by Inflation & Rising Interest Rates?
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A third factor is that aggressive equity allocation does not improve safe starting withdrawal rates. Equities offer a higher long-term return than safer investments but volatility and the possibility of a share price decline have to be considered too. That view suggests balanced portfolios produce the highest withdrawal rates for Alcoa employees. Those considering retirement must be willing to alter their expenditures over time. Spending in retirement with flexibility ensures assets last a lifetime, and upward adjustments allow retirees to enjoy assets that would be nonexistent under an inflexible spending system. Alcoa retirees unsure when to start receiving social security benefits should seek professional financial advice. Call the retirement Group for a free cash flow analysis and talk with a financial advisor about how to hedge longevity risk in Retirement.
Imagine your retirement journey as a marathon whose finish line marks a successful retirement. Like a race there are hurdles to overcome and for Alcoa employees the biggest obstacle to retirement success is longevity. Think of longevity as an unexpected stretch in the race that tests your endurance. You live longer than necessary to pay for your retirement, and without proper planning you could run out of resources before the race ends. As a marathon runner trains and prepares for the distance, so too must a financial strategy that takes into account longevity risk. Together with a financial planner, you can create a plan for handling the extra strain of a longer life while still having enough money for retirement while you race.
Sources:
1. Newman, P., and Klas, N. 'The New Longevity: Financial Planning for a Longer Life.' J.P. Morgan, 1 Apr. 2024, www.jpmorgan.com .
2. Bodnar, Janet. 'Make Longevity Risk Part of Your Retirement Plan.' Kiplinger, 7 Sep. 2024, www.kiplinger.com .
3. What is Longevity Risk? How to Avoid Running Out of Money in Retirement.' Wealthtender, 2024, wealthtender.com.
4. Longevity Risk: How to Prepare Your Finances for a Longer Life Expectancy.' Entrepreneur, 2024, www.entrepreneur.com .
5. A New Map for Financial Longevity Planning.' Morningstar, 2024, www.morningstar.com .
What are the key eligibility requirements for employees to participate in the Pension Plan for Certain Hourly Employees of Alcoa USA Corp, and how do these requirements change if an employee is hired or rehired after April 1, 2022? This question aims to explore the specific criteria that must be met for participation in the plan, providing clarity on both the general eligibility for new employees and any exceptions for those previously employed.
Eligibility Requirements: Employees are automatically eligible for the Pension Plan for Certain Hourly Employees of Alcoa USA Corp if they were hired or rehired before April 1, 2022, have reached age 21, and completed one year of vesting service. Employees hired or rehired on or after April 1, 2022, are not eligible for this pension plan(Alcoa USA Corp_Pension …).
How is the vesting service calculated in the context of the Alcoa USA Corp pension plan, and what implications does it have for an employee considering retirement? Understanding the nuances of how vesting service is accrued and the minimum time required to become vested can significantly impact an employee's retirement planning.
Vesting Service Calculation: Vesting service determines when an employee becomes eligible for pension benefits. Employees become vested after completing five years of vesting service, which includes both periods of pension service and non-pension service such as absences not counted towards pension service. This is crucial for retirement planning, as it ensures employees are entitled to pension benefits even if they leave the company after becoming vested(Alcoa USA Corp_Pension …).
What various retirement options are available to employees of Alcoa USA Corp, and how do these options affect the benefits and payout structure for retiring employees? This question addresses the multiple choices employees face when planning their retirement, including the differences between normal retirement, early retirement, and disability retirement benefits.
Retirement Options: The plan offers normal retirement (at age 65 with five years of vesting service), 60/10 retirement (for employees between 60 and 62 with 10 years of vesting service), and 62/10 retirement (for employees between 62 and 65 with 10 years of vesting service). Disability retirement is also available for those permanently incapacitated with 10 years of vesting service(Alcoa USA Corp_Pension …).
Can you elaborate on the survivor benefits provided under the Alcoa USA Corp pension plan, and what steps need to be taken to ensure that a spouse or partner is eligible for these benefits upon the employee's retirement? This question seeks to examine the protections and financial security afforded to survivors, alongside the required documentation and choices available to employees.
Survivor Benefits: The pension plan provides automatic surviving spouse coverage unless waived by the employee and spouse. Surviving spouse pensions are payable if the employee dies while actively employed and vested in the plan, after retirement, or while receiving a deferred vested pension. The spouse must submit a written application to claim benefits(Alcoa USA Corp_Pension …)(Alcoa USA Corp_Pension …).
What are the specific methodologies used to calculate the regular monthly pension for employees retiring under the Alcoa USA Corp pension plan, and how might these calculations vary based on an employee's age and years of service? This question looks at the complex actuarial factors that influence pension benefits, enhancing employees' understanding of how their retirement income is determined.
Pension Calculation: The regular monthly pension is calculated using a formula based on the employee's pension service and a pension factor in effect when pension service ends. For example, if an employee retires at 65 with 10 years of service, the pension factor might be $57 per year of service. The pension is adjusted based on age and service length(Alcoa USA Corp_Pension …).
In the event of a disability, how does the Alcoa USA Corp pension plan provide support to affected employees, and what are the requirements to qualify for disability retirement benefits? This question emphasizes the importance of understanding disability provisions, ensuring employees are aware of their rights and the circumstances under which they might qualify for benefits.
Disability Retirement: Employees under 62 who are permanently incapacitated with at least 10 years of vesting service qualify for disability retirement. They must be deemed permanently disabled and unable to return to work in a bargaining unit occupation. A medical examination may be required to confirm ongoing eligibility(Alcoa USA Corp_Pension …).
What steps must Alcoa USA Corp employees take to apply for retirement benefits, and what timelines are involved in the processing and payout of these benefits? This question delves into the procedural aspects of retirement applications, aiming to prepare potential retirees for the necessary actions they must undertake.
Retirement Application Process: Employees must file a retirement application with the plan administrator before their desired retirement date. The application can be filed up to 90 days before retirement, and the process typically includes receiving benefit explanations and payment elections within this timeframe(Alcoa USA Corp_Pension …).
How does the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) influence the pension benefits received by employees of Alcoa USA Corp, particularly in the context of plan terminations or financial challenges? This question explores the security provided by the PBGC, focusing on its role as a backup for employees’ pension benefits.
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC): The PBGC provides a safety net for pension benefits in the case of plan termination or financial distress. If the pension plan is underfunded, the PBGC ensures employees still receive pension benefits, although certain limitations may apply(Alcoa USA Corp_Pension …).
What resources and support does Alcoa USA Corp provide to its employees for understanding their pension plan, and how can employees reach out for assistance regarding their retirement options? This question emphasizes the resources available to employees for further education and guidance, ensuring they know where to turn for help.
Resources for Understanding the Plan: Employees can access information about their pension plan and retirement options through the Alight Worklife™ website or by calling the Alcoa benefits helpline. These resources offer guidance on applying for retirement and understanding plan benefits(Alcoa USA Corp_Pension …).
How can employees of Alcoa USA Corp contact the benefits management team to learn more about their specific pension plan details, and what channels are available for inquiries? Understanding the communication channels can empower employees to seek the information they need, facilitating a smoother transition into retirement.
Contacting Benefits Management: Employees can reach out to the benefits management team through the Alight Worklife™ website or by phone at 1-844-31ALCOA. This service provides assistance with pension-related inquiries and retirement applications(Alcoa USA Corp_Pension …).