New Update: Healthcare Costs Increasing by Over 60% in Some States. Will you be impacted?

How Packaging Corp. of America Employees Can Navigate the Impact of Inflation on Their Pension Choices

Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Packaging Corp. of America Packaging Corp. of America typically offers healthcare coverage through major insurers for its employees. While specific provider listings may vary by location, commonly partnered insurers include UnitedHealthcare, Anthem BlueCross BlueShield, and Cigna, among others. Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026 As we look ahead to 2026, healthcare costs are projected to surge significantly, particularly within Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces. With many states anticipating premium hikes of over 60%, the retrospective loss of enhanced federal premium subsidies is poised to exacerbate the financial burden, resulting in potential out-of-pocket increases exceeding 75% for nearly all marketplace enrollees. Compounding these rising costs are ongoing trends of increasing medical expenses driven by higher hospital, physician, and drug prices, alongside inflationary pressures affecting the broader economy. Consequently, while Packaging Corp. of America navigates these trends, both the company and its employees may face steeper healthcare expenses in the near future. Click here to learn more

Rising interest rates also play a large role in the decision of whether Packaging Corp. of America 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 Packaging Corp. of America.

'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 Packaging Corp. of America 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 Packaging Corp. of America.

For our Packaging Corp. of America 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 Packaging Corp. of America 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

What type of retirement savings plan does Packaging Corp. of America offer to its employees?

Packaging Corp. of America offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan to its employees.

Does Packaging Corp. of America match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?

Yes, Packaging Corp. of America provides a matching contribution to employee 401(k) plan contributions, subject to certain limits.

What is the eligibility requirement to participate in the 401(k) plan at Packaging Corp. of America?

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

How can employees of Packaging Corp. of America enroll in the 401(k) plan?

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

What investment options are available in Packaging Corp. of America's 401(k) plan?

Packaging Corp. of America offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, target-date funds, and other investment vehicles.

Can employees of Packaging Corp. of America take loans against their 401(k) savings?

Yes, Packaging Corp. of America allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) savings, subject to the plan’s terms and conditions.

What is the vesting schedule for the employer match in Packaging Corp. of America’s 401(k) plan?

The vesting schedule for the employer match at Packaging Corp. of America typically follows a graded vesting schedule over several years.

Are there any fees associated with Packaging Corp. of America’s 401(k) plan?

Yes, there may be administrative fees and investment-related fees associated with Packaging Corp. of America’s 401(k) plan, which are disclosed in the plan documents.

How often can employees of Packaging Corp. of America change their 401(k) contribution amount?

Employees can change their 401(k) contribution amount at any time, following the guidelines set by Packaging Corp. of America.

What happens to the 401(k) savings if an employee leaves Packaging Corp. of America?

If an employee leaves Packaging Corp. of America, they can choose to roll over their 401(k) savings to another qualified plan, withdraw the funds, or leave them in the current plan if allowed.