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Navigating Retirement Income: Variable Withdrawal Strategies for Deckers Outdoor Employees

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How much can you spend in your retirement from Deckers Outdoor without the risk of running out of money? 

That is an important factor to consider for your Deckers Outdoor retirement income plan. By striking a balance between current spending and future asset value, you will be able to sustain that spending later.

You are presented with the choice of taking income now and running out of money when withdrawing too much, or withdrawing too little and leaving more than you anticipated to heirs.

Retirement variable withdrawals or 'guardrails' can help you achieve this balance in a systematic way that removes the guesswork.

How to Determine Withdrawal Amounts

One way to calculate the income or withdrawals you can take from an investment portfolio is by withdrawing a fixed percentage of the portfolio and adjusting the withdrawal for inflation each year using the 4% rule. If you elect to do so, this method will provide you with a consistent income throughout your Deckers Outdoor retirement, securing the amount of the withdrawals and your ability to maintain that income for your lifetime are both pretty safe with this method. 

When considering the validity of the 4% rule, it's worthy to acknowledge how analyses of the 4% rule has stood up to the stock market crash of 1929, the Great Depression, World War II and the stagflation of the 1970s. Although the future remains unknown, history indicates that the 4% rule is a reliable approach to determining how much one can spend in retirement.

Despite that, there are some risks that need to be addressed

When taking consistent withdrawals from your portfolio you become exposed to the sequence of return risk.  The sequence of return risk is the downside risk experienced when normal downside volatility hits your account early into your retirement from Deckers Outdoor, this can impact your account value down the line.

Despite running that risk when choosing this strategy, there are ways that you can protect yourself. In this article we will discuss a strategy of taking variable withdrawals from your portfolio, providing some protection from sequence risk, and protecting your portfolio from higher inflation.

Why Variable Withdrawals?

Factors affecting your portfolio such as Inflation, interest rates, investment returns, and taxes will change throughout your retirement. Adjusting withdrawals to account for these changes will balance your spending to keep it in accordance with what your portfolio can support.

Adjusting withdrawals based on account value provides opportunity for better investment performance. Taking more when markets are up is beneficial, while withdrawing more during a market downturn is inadvisable because you would be selling at a time of low market value.

How do I adjust my withdrawals?

This section will entail how to adjust withdrawals based on changes in your retirement account. The adjustments demonstrated are formally known as the Guardrail or Guyton-Klinger methodology.

There are four(4) guiding rules to this strategy:

  1. Withdrawal Rule
  2. Portfolio Management Rule
  3. The Capital Preservation Rule
  4. The Prosperity Rule

The last two rules work as one. Taken together, these two rules establish “guardrails” around your withdrawal that keep it from drifting too high or too low.

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The Withdrawal Rule

This rule is similar to the 4% rule – with a basic modification. Pick a set percentage of your portfolio to withdraw in the first year. For each year after, adjust your withdrawal by the prior year’s inflations.

The difference behind this methodology is to not make the inflation adjustment if portfolio returns are negative, and the new withdrawal would give you a withdrawal rate that is higher than the initial withdrawal rate.

An Example:

Assume you start with a $600,000 dollar portfolio and take a 4% withdrawal in the first year. That’s $16,000.

Then, let’s assume that inflation for the year is 4.3%. You would adjust your withdrawal for the next year upward by 4.3%. You would take a $16,640 withdrawal for the next year.

The rule would be triggered if your investment returns are negative, say -1%, AND the $16,640 is more than 4% of the portfolio.

For this example, a 1% loss plus a $16,000 withdrawal gives you a portfolio value of $380,000 for the second year.

$17,100 is 4.5% of $380,000. Since 4.5% is higher than 4%, you would forego the inflation increase and just withdraw the $16,000.

Portfolio Management Rule

The portfolio management rule addresses the way your portfolio is rebalanced as the investment values of the different asset classes fluctuate.

Retirement Income Guardrails

The capital preservation rule and the prosperity rule can be taken together. Think of these two rules as establishing guardrails around your retirement income withdrawal rate.

When choosing to use the guardrails, you are in effect placing a buffer around your savings. The amount of income taken from the portfolio is adjusted based on account value. If the account grows, income increases. If the account value drops, income is reduced.

How it works

To understand how the rule works think first in terms of your initial withdrawal rate from your portfolio. Let’s say that you begin your first year of retirement by withdrawing 4% of your portfolio. Considering a $400,000 portfolio, that would be $16,000. Next, you follow the standard rule of increasing your withdrawals each year for inflation.

The guardrails work like this:

  1. When your current withdrawal rate exceeds your original withdrawal rate by more than 20%, you reduce the withdrawal by 10%.
  2. When your current withdrawal rate lags your original withdrawal rate by more than 20%, you increase your withdrawal by 10%.

The Prosperity Rule

Let's assume that for several years markets have been really good and your investments have performed well. Your account value has grown to $800,000 even though you have taken withdrawals for several years. Your withdrawal amount is now $20,800 due to inflation adjustments.

Ok. Here come the numbers…

$20,800 is only 2.6% of $800,000. The rule says to increase your withdrawal when your current withdrawal rate is 20% less than your original withdrawal rate. 20% of 4% is 0,8%. 4%-0,8%= 3.2%. Since 2.6% is less than 3.2%, you would increase your withdrawal by 10%.

10% of $20,800 is $2,080. You would take a withdrawal of $22,880.

In this case, the unexpectedly high investment gain means you can afford to take a larger amount of income from your portfolio.

The Capital Preservation Rule

This is the mirror image of the prosperity rule. If your account value drops too low, you reduce your withdrawals to reduce the risk of running out of money too soon.

Looking at the same scenario from above, you have a $20,800 annual withdrawal. Instead of having really good investment performance, however, you experience an extended bear market and now only have $350,000 in your portfolio.

$21,700 is 6.2% of $350,000.

The capital preservation rule says that since your current withdrawal rate, 6.2% is more than 20% higher than your original 4% withdrawal rate, you need to reduce your spending by 10%.

10% of $20,800 is $2,080. Since your account value has dropped so much compared to your withdrawal amount, you would reduce your withdrawal that amount. Your new withdrawal is $18,720.

Conclusion

Using a 'Guardrail' or variable withdrawal strategy keeps your retirement spending more in line with the value of your investments. It provides a means to spend more when sustained by your portfolio, and keeps you from draining your portfolio too quickly when returns are poor.

 

 

 

What is the 401(k) plan offered by Deckers Outdoor?

The 401(k) plan at Deckers Outdoor is a retirement savings plan that allows employees to save a portion of their salary on a tax-deferred basis.

How can employees of Deckers Outdoor enroll in the 401(k) plan?

Employees can enroll in the Deckers Outdoor 401(k) plan by completing the enrollment process through the company’s HR portal or by contacting the HR department for assistance.

Does Deckers Outdoor offer a company match for the 401(k) contributions?

Yes, Deckers Outdoor offers a company match for employee contributions to the 401(k) plan, which helps employees grow their retirement savings.

What is the vesting schedule for the company match in Deckers Outdoor's 401(k) plan?

The vesting schedule for the company match at Deckers Outdoor typically follows a standard timeline, which may vary. Employees should refer to the plan documents for specific details.

Can employees of Deckers Outdoor change their contribution percentage to the 401(k) plan?

Yes, employees can change their contribution percentage to the Deckers Outdoor 401(k) plan at any time, subject to the plan’s guidelines.

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

The Deckers Outdoor 401(k) plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, target-date funds, and other investment vehicles to suit different risk tolerances.

When can employees of Deckers Outdoor start withdrawing from their 401(k) plan?

Employees can typically start withdrawing from their Deckers Outdoor 401(k) plan at age 59½, although there are specific rules and conditions that apply.

Are loans available against the 401(k) balance at Deckers Outdoor?

Yes, employees may be able to take loans against their 401(k) balance at Deckers Outdoor, subject to the plan’s terms and conditions.

What happens to the 401(k) plan if an employee leaves Deckers Outdoor?

If an employee leaves Deckers Outdoor, they have several options regarding their 401(k) plan, including rolling it over to another retirement account, cashing it out, or leaving it with Deckers Outdoor.

How does Deckers Outdoor communicate changes to the 401(k) plan?

Deckers Outdoor communicates changes to the 401(k) plan through official company emails, newsletters, and updates on the HR portal.

With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.
Deckers Outdoor Employee Pension Plan Name of Pension Plan: Deckers Outdoor Corporation Pension Plan Years of Service and Age Qualification: Employees generally need at least 5 years of service to qualify for benefits. Age qualifications typically align with standard retirement ages (e.g., 65 years old). Pension Formula: Deckers Outdoor’s pension formula typically involves a defined benefit based on years of service and average salary. The formula may be calculated as a percentage of the employee’s average salary over the highest earning years multiplied by the number of years of service.
Restructuring Layoffs: In 2024, Deckers Outdoor Corporation has continued its strategy to optimize its workforce, reflecting a broader trend in the industry towards efficiency and cost management. Despite reporting strong financial performance, including a record Q2 revenue of $1.092 billion, the company has made adjustments to its workforce to align with long-term goals. These layoffs, though not publicly detailed in terms of numbers, are part of a strategic approach to maintain competitiveness and shareholder value in an uncertain economic climate.
For Deckers Outdoor, the company offers both stock options and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) as part of its employee compensation package. Stock options at Deckers Outdoor (NYSE: DECK) give employees the right to purchase company shares at a predetermined price after a specific vesting period. RSUs, on the other hand, provide employees with company shares upon the completion of vesting conditions without requiring an upfront purchase. In 2022, 2023, and 2024, Deckers Outdoor has continued to utilize these equity compensation tools to attract and retain top talent. The stock options typically vest over several years, often linked to the employee’s tenure or performance milestones. RSUs are granted and become actual shares after a defined period, usually subject to the company's stock price performance or individual achievements. Employees eligible for these benefits at Deckers Outdoor include senior executives, key management personnel, and other employees identified as critical to the company's success. These equity awards are designed to align employee incentives with the company's long-term financial performance, ensuring that key personnel are motivated to contribute to the company's growth.
Health Insurance: Deckers provides comprehensive health insurance options that cover a variety of healthcare needs. This includes medical, dental, and vision coverage. The company also offers Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) to help employees manage their healthcare expenses more effectively. Mental Health Support: Recognizing the importance of mental well-being, Deckers offers free memberships to Headspace for all employees, along with an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that provides mental health support. Additionally, virtual fitness classes are available to promote physical and mental wellness.
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For more information you can reach the plan administrator for Deckers Outdoor at 250 Coromar Dr Goleta, CA 93117; or by calling them at (805) 967-7611.

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