How Brinker International Employees Can Navigate the Impact of Inflation on Their Pension Choices

Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Brinker International Brinker International, the parent company of restaurant chains such as Chili's and Maggiano's, provides health benefits to its employees through multiple national health insurance carriers. The primary healthcare provider used by Brinker International for its employee benefits is typically Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, along with other regional insurers depending on the specific needs and locations of their workforce. Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026 As we approach 2026, Brinker International and its employees face substantial challenges in healthcare costs. Record hikes in Affordable Care Act (ACA) premiums are projected, with insurers across states seeking increases that could surpass 60%. The expected expiration of enhanced federal subsidies will contribute to a significant rise in out-of-pocket expenses for numerous employees, with many anticipating an average increase of over 75% in their monthly premiums. Coupled with ongoing inflation in medical costs, these developments place additional financial burdens on both employers and employees, making strategic planning for healthcare needs more crucial than ever. Click here to learn more

Rising interest rates also play a large role in the decision of whether Brinker International employees should take their pension as an annuity or a one-time lump sum payment. As inflation continues to rise, the Fed has responded by gradually increasing interest rates, which decreases the value of future pension payments as well as the lump sum value. This is because the future pension payments are worth less today as the dollar devalues and the higher investment return drives the total present value of the payments down. To show this mathematically, imagine an individual with pension payments of $48,000 annually ($4,000 monthly), a 20-year time horizon, and a 5% interest rate

The present value of all of these payments is worth $598,186, which should roughly be the value of the lump sum payment. With a single percentage increase in interest rates from 5% to 6%, the new present value of the payments is reduced to $550,556, just under an 8% decrease over the old present value. Evidently, rising interest rates negatively affect the present value of future payments so given Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell’s mention of 2-3 more interest rate hikes this year, the decision of whether to take a lump sum now or later could have a big impact on your retirement from Brinker International.

'Taking your pension as a lump sum and knowing how to manage your funds to last for your retirement requires hard work.'

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In practicality, taking your pension as a lump sum and knowing how to manage your funds to last for your years of retirement from Brinker International requires hard work. Figuring out how much to withdraw, when to withdraw, and how much you can spend each year are just a few of the many decisions that are needed to be thought out in order to maximize the benefit of taking your pension as a lump sum. If you don’t take the time to think out these decisions, you could find yourself running out of funds during your years of retirement from Brinker International.

For our Brinker International clients who would prefer the safety of a guaranteed stream of income for the rest of their lives, taking the annuity over the lump sum may be the better option for you. With taking your pension as an annuity though, there is no certainty that the company paying your pension will remain in business for the duration of your retirement so you run the risk of receiving smaller pension payments from the PBGC (Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation) in the event that Brinker International goes under. Both options have their pros and cons and in the end up to you to decide which suits your personal financial situation and lifestyle.

If you are interested in more information about this topic, view our e-book here:  https://retirekit.theretirementgroup.com/effects-of-inflation-e-brochure