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

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

Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for VF Corp VF Corporation partners with various healthcare insurers for employee benefits, with notable engagement from UnitedHealthcare. This partnership allows them to provide comprehensive healthcare options to their employees, aligning with the company's commitment to employee health and well-being. Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026 As VF Corp looks ahead to 2026, significant increases in healthcare costs are anticipated. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace is set to experience premium hikes averaging around 20%, driven by escalating medical costs and the looming expiration of enhanced federal subsidies, which could raise out-of-pocket premiums by over 75% for the majority of enrollees. Major insurers are reporting substantial financial pressures, exacerbated by rising labor costs, drug pricing, and ongoing inflation, leading to an uncertain outlook for both employees and employers in managing healthcare expenses. Click here to learn more

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

'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 VF Corp. 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 VF Corp..

For our VF Corp. 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 VF Corp. 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 is the primary purpose of the 401(k) plan at VF Corp.?

The primary purpose of the 401(k) plan at VF Corp. is to help employees save for retirement by allowing them to contribute a portion of their salary on a tax-deferred basis.

How can employees at VF Corp. enroll in the 401(k) plan?

Employees at VF Corp. can enroll in the 401(k) plan by accessing the company’s benefits portal and completing the enrollment process during the designated enrollment period.

What types of contributions can employees make to the VF Corp. 401(k) plan?

Employees at VF Corp. can make pre-tax contributions, Roth after-tax contributions, and, in some cases, catch-up contributions if they are age 50 or older.

Does VF Corp. offer a company match for 401(k) contributions?

Yes, VF Corp. offers a company match for employee contributions to the 401(k) plan, which helps to enhance retirement savings.

What is the vesting schedule for the company match at VF Corp.?

The vesting schedule for the company match at VF Corp. typically follows a graded schedule, where employees become fully vested after a certain number of years of service.

Can employees at VF Corp. take loans against their 401(k) savings?

Yes, employees at VF Corp. may have the option to take loans against their 401(k) savings, subject to specific terms and conditions outlined in the plan.

What investment options are available in the VF Corp. 401(k) plan?

The VF Corp. 401(k) plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, target-date funds, and other investment vehicles, allowing employees to diversify their portfolios.

How often can employees change their contribution amounts to the VF Corp. 401(k) plan?

Employees at VF Corp. can change their contribution amounts to the 401(k) plan at any time, subject to the plan's rules and regulations.

What resources does VF Corp. provide to help employees understand their 401(k) options?

VF Corp. provides various resources, including educational materials, webinars, and access to financial advisors, to help employees understand their 401(k) options.

Are there any fees associated with the VF Corp. 401(k) plan?

Yes, there may be fees associated with the VF Corp. 401(k) plan, such as administrative fees and investment management fees, which are disclosed in the plan documents.