New Update: Rising Oil Costs are Affecting Retirement Plans. Will you be impacted?
6 Retirement Myths Every A.O. Smith Employee Should Not Fall For!
/General/General%205.png?width=1280&height=853&name=General%205.png)
Oil market turbulence continues to ripple through the broader economy, with crude swinging between $50 and $120 per barrel and annualized volatility near 80%. Petroleum-derived adhesives, coatings, plastics, and chemical feedstocks, along with global distribution energy costs, create meaningful oil price exposure for diversified industrial manufacturers. For A.O. Smith employees building retirement savings, oil-driven inflation and market volatility make disciplined saving and diversified allocation more important, as energy cycles can disrupt both portfolio values and purchasing power. Consulting with a financial advisor can help you understand how energy conditions affect your specific situation and build a plan that adapts accordingly.
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 A.O. Smith 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 A.O. Smith 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 A.O. Smith 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 A.O. Smith , 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 A.O. Smith 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 A.O. Smith, 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, A.O. Smith retirement benefits are not set in stone. They are subject to change. For example, the significant changes made to A.O. Smith’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: A.O. Smith stock is a good investment
Something A.O. Smith 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 A.O. Smith pension and 401(k) plan (if A.O. Smith 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 A.O. Smith 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 A.O. Smith 401(k) account (If A.O. Smith 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 A.O. Smith, you may leave some or all of your savings in your A.O. Smith 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 A.O. Smith. Without a traditional pension, your 401(k) - alongside Social Security - forms the foundation of your retirement income at A.O. Smith. A.O. Smith 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, A.O. Smith 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 A.O. Smith 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 type of retirement savings plan does A.O. Smith offer to its employees?
A.O. Smith offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan to its employees.
How can employees of A.O. Smith enroll in the 401(k) plan?
Employees of A.O. Smith can enroll in the 401(k) plan through the company’s HR portal during the enrollment period or when they first become eligible.
Does A.O. Smith match contributions to the 401(k) plan?
Yes, A.O. Smith provides a matching contribution to the 401(k) plan, helping employees maximize their retirement savings.
What is the maximum contribution percentage that employees can contribute to the A.O. Smith 401(k) plan?
Employees can contribute up to the IRS annual limit, which is adjusted each year. A.O. Smith encourages employees to check the latest limits.
Are there any fees associated with the A.O. Smith 401(k) plan?
Yes, like most 401(k) plans, the A.O. Smith 401(k) plan may have administrative fees, investment fees, and other related costs. Employees should review the plan documents for specific details.
Can employees take loans against their 401(k) savings at A.O. Smith?
Yes, A.O. Smith allows employees 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 A.O. Smith 401(k) plan?
The A.O. Smith 401(k) plan offers a range of investment options, including mutual funds, target-date funds, and other investment vehicles.
When can employees of A.O. Smith start withdrawing from their 401(k) accounts?
Employees can typically start withdrawing from their A.O. Smith 401(k) accounts at age 59½, although there are provisions for hardship withdrawals and loans.
What happens to the 401(k) plan if an employee leaves A.O. Smith?
If an employee leaves A.O. Smith, they can either roll over their 401(k) balance to another qualified plan, cash out, or leave the funds in the A.O. Smith plan if eligible.
Is there a vesting schedule for the A.O. Smith 401(k) plan?
Yes, A.O. Smith has a vesting schedule for employer contributions, which means employees must work for a certain period to fully own those contributions.
For more information you can reach the plan administrator for A.O. Smith at 11270 West Park Place, Suite 170 Milwaukee, WI 53224; or by calling them at (414) 359-4000.
Help shape our next stories
Choose the topics you’d love to read more about. Your input helps us focus on content that matters to you.