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6 Retirement Myths Every Advantage Solutions Employee Should Not Fall For!
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Oil market turbulence continues to ripple through the broader economy, with crude swinging between $50 and $120 per barrel and annualized volatility near 80%. Persistent oil volatility creates a macro backdrop of uncertainty that affects corporate planning, consumer confidence, and investment returns across all sectors. For Advantage Solutions employees, this environment means that energy holdings within 401(k) index funds, inflation-adjusted benefit calculations, and even real estate values can shift with crude price movements. Retirement savings strategies at Advantage Solutions should account for how energy price cycles influence inflation, interest rates, and market returns over the long horizons that retirement planning requires. A financial advisor can help you build strategies that maintain progress toward retirement goals through periods of energy-driven economic turbulence.
During our 30+ years helping retirees, the majority have been very excited to start the planning process. However, some have been surprised to find out our recommendations differ from what they have heard elsewhere.
This is because there’s a lot of misinformation swirling around. As a fiduciary, we are legally obligated to serve your best interests at all times. So, we can tell you achieving the retirement you desire is not going to happen if you’re sidetracked by myths and false information.
That's why we aim to debunk the top six retirement myths that Advantage Solutions employees may have heard. Our goal is to help you start building the retirement of your dreams today.
Myth #1: If I receive a pension, I do not have to make any decisions regarding my pension.
If Advantage Solutions offers you a defined-benefit plan, your pension is primarily the responsibility of the company. However, that doesn’t mean you just wait for a check in the mail once you retire. You have major decisions to make.
If offered a pension, employees can potentially elect to receive a monthly payout like a traditional pension or they could convert their pension into a one-time lump-sum benefit, which can be subsequently rolled over into an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) and then controlled by the retiree.
So, monthly or lump-sum pension?
Each payout has its own set of pros and cons. Deciding which option is most appropriate for you involves many factors. Deciding which option is most appropriate for you involves many factors. It is best done with the help of a professional, who can incorporate all aspects of your financial life – Social Security, 401(k), real estate, and inheritance into your decision.
Further, married Advantage Solutions employees may have survivor benefit options to consider. At retirement, it is possible that you have multiple survivor options to choose from for the monthly pension, but these are only available for a qualified spouse.
Myth #2: If I receive a pension from Advantage Solutions , Social Security becomes less important.
Social Security will likely be one of your primary sources of retirement income. And just like your pension, you should carefully consider how best to use it based on your personal needs.
The size of your Social Security benefit is greatly determined by your age when you claim. You can receive your full Social Security retirement benefit upon reaching your Full Retirement Age, which is age 66 or 67, depending on your date of birth. But you can claim a permanently reduced benefit as early as age 62. Delaying Social Security until age 70 entitles you to a higher benefit of up to 8% per year. A benefit at age 70 will be 76-77% higher than the payout if you start at age 62.
Ultimately, factors such as your other income sources, marital status and health should guide your decision, not just when you can get the biggest Social Security paycheck.
Myth #3: When I retire from Advantage Solutions doesn’t matter
No, no, no. When you retire has a major effect on the quality of your retirement.
For one, years of service is one of the primary factors in your pension calculation. Generally, the longer you work at Advantage Solutions, the higher your pension. Your pension is also impacted by interest rates, which fluctuate. When rates are lowered, lump-sum pension payouts are increased, and vice versa.
Plus, Advantage Solutions retirement benefits are not set in stone. They are subject to change. For example, the significant changes made to Advantage Solutions’s pension calculation, health care subsidies and retiree health insurance.
You may find that it is more financially advantageous to retire sooner or later than your desired retirement date.
Myth #4: Advantage Solutions stock is a good investment
Something Advantage Solutions employees should be aware of is that we commonly see employees invest an excessive amount of their 401(k) in their company’s stock. While it can be rewarding to own a piece of a respected company, it may be risky from a retirement planning perspective.
Firstly, most of your financial life becomes dependent on the performance of one company. That includes your current income and retirement income from the Advantage Solutions pension and 401(k) plan (if Advantage Solutions offers these to you). Such a high concentration of your financial well-being in a single company is risky. Secondly, a single stock can be riskier and more volatile than a mutual fund or the broader stock market. Therefore, the greater amount of Advantage Solutions stock you have in your 401(k), the more you can expect your investment return to fluctuate.
It’s more appropriate to diversify the investment choices in your Advantage Solutions 401(k) account (If Advantage Solutions offers you a 401K). That means selling your company stock and investing in mutual funds. The right mix of funds depends on your specific needs, goals and level of risk you’re comfortable with.
Myth #5: It’s better to leave my 401(k) with my company.
Upon leaving Advantage Solutions, you may leave some or all of your savings in your Advantage Solutions 401(k) account (If this is offered to you). However, there are a variety of benefits to rolling over your 401(k) to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). These include greater investment choices, greater withdrawal flexibility, more withholding options, and professional management by an advisor of your choosing.
When done properly, no tax applies to the rollover. One area of your 401(k) that provides no flexibility is tax withholdings.Every withdrawal is subject to a mandatory 20% federal tax plus applicable state taxes.
Myth #6: Medicare will cover my medical expenses
One of the biggest expenses for most people in retirement is health care. Taking the time to review your options can help you plan accordingly and avoid large out-of-pocket costs that could derail your retirement.
Once you turn 65 you are Medicare-eligible You and your Medicare-eligible dependents are required to enroll in Medicare Part A (hospital benefits) and Part B (doctor benefits). These two parts cover about 80% of health care benefits for individuals, so it’s important to consider your supplemental coverage options.
That same shift from growing assets to drawing them down applies directly to the pension decisions in front of you at Advantage Solutions. Without a traditional pension, your 401(k) - alongside Social Security - forms the foundation of your retirement income at Advantage Solutions. Advantage Solutions may offer a 401(k) employer match - review your Summary Plan Description for current match rate and vesting details. Your overall withdrawal strategy, account sequence, and Roth conversion opportunities leading up to and into retirement deserve careful, personalized analysis given the income-sequencing implications.
On the healthcare side, Advantage Solutions does not offer continued medical coverage to retirees, which means coverage through the company ends when employment does. Planning for the cost of health insurance during any gap between your retirement date and Medicare eligibility at age 65 is a critical step - marketplace coverage, COBRA continuation, or a spouse's employer plan are common options. Building an accurate estimate of bridge-coverage costs into your retirement income projection prevents underestimating one of the largest variable expenses retirees face. Connecting your specific Advantage Solutions benefits situation to a comprehensive retirement income plan - and understanding how each component interacts - gives you the most complete picture of what retirement will look like.
What is the 401(k) plan offered by Advantage Solutions?
The 401(k) plan at Advantage Solutions is a retirement savings plan that allows employees to save a portion of their salary on a pre-tax or Roth after-tax basis.
How does Advantage Solutions match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?
Advantage Solutions offers a matching contribution to the 401(k) plan, typically matching a percentage of employee contributions up to a certain limit.
Can employees at Advantage Solutions choose how to invest their 401(k) funds?
Yes, employees at Advantage Solutions can select from a variety of investment options within the 401(k) plan, including mutual funds and other investment vehicles.
What is the eligibility requirement for Advantage Solutions’ 401(k) plan?
Employees of Advantage Solutions are generally eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan after completing a specified period of service, typically within the first year of employment.
Is there a vesting schedule for the Advantage Solutions 401(k) match?
Yes, Advantage Solutions has a vesting schedule for the matching contributions, meaning employees must work for a certain period before they fully own the matched funds.
How can Advantage Solutions employees enroll in the 401(k) plan?
Employees can enroll in the Advantage Solutions 401(k) plan through the company’s HR portal or by contacting the HR department for assistance.
What are the contribution limits for the Advantage Solutions 401(k) plan?
The contribution limits for the Advantage Solutions 401(k) plan are set by the IRS and may change annually; employees should refer to the latest IRS guidelines for the current limits.
Can Advantage Solutions employees take loans against their 401(k) accounts?
Yes, Advantage Solutions allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) accounts, subject to specific terms and conditions outlined in the plan.
What happens to my 401(k) if I leave Advantage Solutions?
If you leave Advantage Solutions, you have several options for your 401(k), including rolling it over to another retirement account, cashing it out, or leaving it with Advantage Solutions.
Does Advantage Solutions provide financial education regarding the 401(k) plan?
Yes, Advantage Solutions offers resources and workshops to help employees understand their 401(k) options and make informed investment decisions.
For more information you can reach the plan administrator for Advantage Solutions at 18100 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 1000 Irvine, CA 92612; or by calling them at (949) 797-2900.
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