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Is Early Retirement the Right Move for You? Insights for Graybar Electric Employees Considering an Offer

What is it?

In today's corporate environment, where cost-cutting, restructuring, and downsizing are the norm, many employers are offering their employees early retirement packages. We find it important to prepare our Graybar Electric employees, should this situation come up for them. As you near your retirement from Graybar Electric, you may find yourself confronted with an offer from Graybar Electric for early retirement. Graybar Electric may refer to the offer as a golden handshake or a golden parachute. While many early retirement offers seem attractive at first, it is important that should this come up, Graybar Electric employees review the offer carefully before accepting it to ensure that it is indeed a golden' opportunity.

Typical elements of an early retirement offer

In general

An early retirement offer usually consists of severance payments and post-retirement medical coverage coupled with already existing retirement benefits.

Severance payments

Severance payments are usually based on your salary and the number of years you have worked with Graybar Electric. Severance payments can be distributed in either a lump sum or over a number of years.

Example(s): John has 30 years of service with the local utility company, and grosses $1,400 per week before taxes. When John reaches age 57, his employer offers him an early retirement package. The package includes a severance payment based on two weeks' salary for each year that John worked for the company ($2,800 x 30 = $84,000).

Caution: In certain cases, severance pay is considered 'deferred compensation' subject to the requirements of IRC Section 409A . Ask Graybar Electric if your severance package satisfies Section 409A. If it doesn't, you could be subject to a 20 percent penalty tax.

Post-retirement medical coverage

Because of the high cost of medical care, you might find it hard to turn down an early retirement package that includes post-retirement medical coverage. These packages usually provide medical coverage until you reach age 65 and become eligible to receive Medicare . However, some packages continue to provide full or reduced medical coverage past the age of 65.

Bridging

Another type of early retirement offer is the Social Security 'bridge payment.' In this scenerio, Graybar Electric would provide you with temporary benefits to bridge the period between early retirement and the time when your Social Security benefits are scheduled to begin. The temporary benefits are usually equivalent to the amount you will receive from Social Security at age 62.

Example(s): John, age 57, works for a local utility company. The company offers John an early retirement package that includes five years of temporary benefits. These temporary benefits are equivalent to the amount that John will receive from Social Security at age 62. The benefits serve as a 'bridge' between the period of John's early retirement, age 57, and the period when he becomes eligible for early Social Security benefits at age 62.

Evaluating an early retirement offer

In general

The decision of whether to accept an early retirement offer is not an easy one to make, which is why we want to make sure our Graybar Electric clients are prepared, should this situation arise. Graybar Electric's personnel department may, potentially, provide either individual or group counseling to guide you during this important decision-making process. If counseling is not available, you should speak to the person in charge of employee benefits at Graybar Electric. Find out what amount you can expect to receive each year after you retire from Graybar Electric. Then, figure out the difference between what you would collect if you retire early and the amount you would earn if you continue working. Because they're often the numbers used by employers to calculate how much money you're going to receive, be sure that Graybar Electric has your correct date of birth and starting date of employment.

Tip: If you choose to accept an offer for early retirement, some companies may pay (in the form of a bonus) all or part of the difference between what you would collect if you retire from Graybar Electric early and the amount you would earn if you were to continue working with Graybar Electric.

Caution: Graybar Electric employees should consider discussing their situation with an attorney and/or financial professional. Although a company-paid consultant may provide valuable information, they may not necessarily be acting in your best interest.

Tax/retirement plan implications

If you accept an early retirement offer, you should be aware of any possible tax implications. Defined benefit plans often contain provisions that reduce your monthly benefit when you begin distributions before a certain age. As a result, early retirement can result in lower monthly retirement benefits. Taxable distributions from potential Graybar Electric-sponsored retirement plans (such as 401(k)s) and traditional IRAs are generally subject to a 10 percent premature distribution tax if made before age 59½. However, we'd like to make our clients from Graybar Electric aware that there are a number of exceptions to this rule. One important exception is for distributions made from 401(k)s and other qualified plans as a result of separation from service in the year you reach age 55 or later (age 50 for qualified public safety employees participating in governmental defined benefit plans). Another important exception from the 10 percent premature distribution tax is for substantially equal periodic payments (sometimes called SEPPs). Substantially equal periodic payments are amounts you receive from your IRA or qualified retirement plan not less frequently than annually for your life (or life expectancy) or the joint lives (or joint life expectancy) of you and your beneficiary. There is no minimum age requirement for this exception, but distributions from qualified retirement plans are eligible for the exception only after you separate from service.

Provided that you're over age 59½ or meet one of the exceptions, you can take penalty-free withdrawals from your account/plan. However, you may still have to pay income tax on all or part of the withdrawal. Distributions from potential Graybar Electric-sponsored plans are usually taxable since contributions to most of these plans are made on a pre-tax basis (although qualified distributions from Roth 401(k)s and Roth 403(b)s are free from federal income taxes). IRA distributions may or may not be taxable, depending on whether or not the contributions you made to the account were tax deductible. Roth IRAs are subject to special rules of their own.

Tip: While withdrawals from an IRA or retirement plan can be a valuable source of retirement income, the need for current income should be weighed against issues such as: (1) the desire to defer income tax for as long as possible, (2) the desire to preserve the assets for your beneficiaries, and (3) the possibility that, with life expectancies on the rise, you may live into your 80s or 90s and may, therefore, need to draw on those retirement assets for a long period of time.

Consequences of saying no to an offer

If Graybar Electric provides you with an offer to retire from Graybar Electric early and you're thinking about turning down the offer, it's important for Graybar Electric employees to be aware of the consequences. If you're holding out for a better offer, keep in mind that the first offer is oftentimes the most generous. Also, if you think there is a good chance you might be let go anyway further on down the road, you may want to accept a sure thing right away rather than face the uncertainty of Graybar Electric's future plans.

Consequences of saying yes to an offer

In general

After careful consideration, you may find that retiring early from Graybar Electric is the way to go. However, before you jump right into retirement, you'll want to be aware of the consequences of saying yes.

Less time to save for retirement

If you accept an offer to retire early, say at around age 55, you could be giving up 10 years or more of saving for retirement from Graybar Electric. Less time to save means you will have fewer savings available during your Graybar Electric retirement.

Example(s): John saves $700 a month in a tax-deferred retirement plan at a 7 percent annual return for 20 years. At age 55, his retirement savings will have grown to approximately $366,780. If John leaves that money in his account for another 10 years and earns the same 7 percent annual return, even without any additional contributions his savings will grow to approximately $737,100. If John keeps contributing for the additional 10 years, his retirement savings could be even more. (This is a hypothetical example, and is not intended to reflect the actual performance of any specific investment, nor is it an estimate or guarantee of future value. Investment fees and expenses have not been deducted; if they had been, the accumulation totals would have been lower.)

Retirement savings will have to last for a longer period of time

A lower retirement age, coupled with generally increasing life expectancies, can result in your retirement years making up one-third of your total life span. In other words, you could spend as many years in retirement as you did in the workforce. Your retirement savings will have to last for a longer period of time than if you had retired from Graybar Electric at the normal retirement age. In addition, Graybar Electric employees should consider the effect of inflation, which could eat away at the purchasing power of your retirement savings.

Your pension may be smaller

If you participate in a traditional defined benefit plan , also known as a pension plan, accepting early retirement could result in a smaller pension. If applicable, Graybar Electric employees should determine whether it is more valuable to have a smaller benefit over a longer period of time rather than a larger benefit over a shorter period of time. Generally, defined benefit plans are based on two factors: (1) length of service, and (2) salary during your highest earning period. If you retire from Graybar Electric early, your years of service are reduced. In addition, most employees' highest earning period occurs just before retirement, so early retirement can force you to give up your highest earning period. Furthermore, many companies impose early withdrawal penalties that can equal 5 to 7 percent of your pension for each year that you retire early.

On the other hand, employers sometimes sweeten early retirement packages, increasing your pension benefit beyond what you've earned by adding years to your age, length of service, or both, or by subsidizing your early retirement benefit or your qualified joint and survivor annuity option. These types of pension sweeteners are key features to look for in Graybar Electric's potential offer--especially if a reduced pension won't give you enough income.

Psychological impact

In addition to determining whether or not you have the financial resources to retire from Graybar Electric, you should also consider the psychological impact of retiring early. One of the first questions that you need to ask yourself is: Am I really ready to retire? Early retirement thrusts you into a lifestyle change that you may not have expected to encounter for another 10 to 15 years. You may find it difficult to adjust from a working environment to a relaxed, laid-back lifestyle. While many people will find it easy to adjust to a lifestyle that includes vacations and golfing, others may have a hard time dealing with all the free time.

Fortunately, there are ways for people who have a difficult time coping with this sudden change in lifestyle to ease themselves into retirement. Not only can a part-time job provide you with extra cash, but it can also help keep you busy.

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Career counseling

What if you can't afford to retire? Finding a new job

You may find yourself having to accept an early retirement offer, even though you can't afford to retire. One way to make up for the difference between what you receive from your early retirement package and your old paycheck is to find a new job, but that doesn't mean that you have to abandon your former line of work for a new career. You can start by finding out if your former employer would hire you as a consultant. Or, you may find that you would like to turn what was once just a hobby into a second career. Then there is always the possibility of finding full-time or part-time employment with a new employer.

If you have been out of the job market for a long time, you might not feel comfortable or have experience marketing yourself for a new job. Some companies provide career counseling to assist employees in re-entering the workforce. If your company does not provide you with this service, you may want to look into outplacement firms and nonprofit organizations in your area that deal with career transition.

Caution: Many early retirement offers contain noncompetition agreements or offer monetary inducements on the condition that you agree not to work for a competitor. However, you should be able to work for a new employer and still receive your pension and other retirement plan benefits.

Retirement planning issues

Medicare--age 65

Even though you can receive early Social Security retirement benefits, you are not eligible for Medicare benefits until age 65. If your potential early retirement package does not include post-retirement medical coverage, you may have to look into alternative methods of obtaining health benefits, such as through COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1985) or private health insurance, until you are eligible to begin receiving Medicare benefits.

Social Security--age 62

If you accept an early retirement offer, you'll want to consider applying for early Social Security retirement benefits. The Social Security Administration allows any individual who is eligible to receive Social Security benefits at the normal retirement age the option of receiving benefits beginning at age 62. However, if you decide to receive Social Security benefits before the normal retirement age, the benefits you receive will be reduced.

Tip: If Graybar Electric provides an early retirement offer and you choose to accept, you are not required to begin receiving early Social Security retirement benefits before the normal retirement age.

Can you afford to retire early?

Whether or not you have the financial resources to retire from Graybar Electric early depends on how much you have in retirement income and how much you plan to spend when you retire. Your early retirement income includes your early retirement package (severance payments and retirement benefits), Social Security (if you receive benefits before the normal retirement age), personal savings and investments, and wages (if you work after early retirement). To determine how much you will spend, you must estimate your annual living expenses for early retirement.

It is important for Graybar Electric employees to note that annual living expenses during early retirement are likely to differ from expenses later in retirement. During early retirement, you may find yourself still paying off a mortgage, funding your children's education, and paying for medical coverage. The worksheets that follow can help you to estimate your potential early retirement income and living expenses, and determine whether or not you can afford to retire early from Graybar Electric.

Annual Early Retirement Living Expenses
Housing (mortgage, rent, homeowners/rental insurance, maintenance, furnishings, property taxes)	$
Utilities (electricity, heat, water, phone, cable)	$
Transportation (car payments, insurance, gas, repairs, etc.)	$
Food	$
Insurance (medical, dental, disability, life)	$
Taxes (Federal/State income taxes, Social Security if you plan on working after early retirement)	$
Education	$
Clothing	$
Travel and recreation	$
Debts (loans, credit card payments)	$
Gifts (charitable, personal)	$
Savings and Investments	$
Miscellaneous	$
TOTAL	$

Caution: If your early retirement package does not include medical coverage, remember to calculate the cost of health care into your early retirement living expenses.

Early Retirement Income
Early retirement package (severance payments, retirement benefits)	$
Social Security (if you receive your benefits before normal retirement age)	$
Personal savings and investments	$
Wages (if you work after early retirement)	$
TOTAL	$

Tip: When you estimate your early retirement living expenses and income, it is important to consider inflation, which has historically averaged three percent annually.

Financial concerns

Loss of health insurance

If your potential early retirement package does not include Graybar Electric-paid health benefits, you still may be eligible for health insurance through COBRA . You are entitled to COBRA coverage if you work for a company that provides employees with a group health plan and has 20 or more covered employees. COBRA allows you to pay for your health insurance at the same rate your company pays, plus a small administrative fee. COBRA coverage generally lasts up to 18 months from the date of retirement, and does not require you to qualify for coverage or worry about pre-existing conditions. Once your COBRA coverage runs out, you will have to purchase private insurance if you want to continue health insurance coverage until you are old enough to qualify for Medicare coverage.

Reduction in Social Security benefits

Your Social Security benefits are based on what is known as the primary insurance amount (PIA). The PIA is based on your average indexed monthly earnings (AIME). If you retire from Graybar Electric at the normal retirement age (see the following Social Security Administration table), your monthly benefit will be equal to your PIA. However, if you receive your Social Security retirement benefits early, your monthly benefit will be less than your PIA.

Age for Receiving Full Social Security Benefits
Year of Birth	Normal Retirement Age
1943 - 1954	66
1955	66 and 2 months
1956	66 and 4 months
1957	66 and 6 months
1958	66 and 8 months
1959	66 and 10 months
1960 and later	67

If you elect to receive Social Security retirement benefits early , you can receive more benefit checks than if you retire from Graybar Electric at normal retirement age. While this might seem profitable, you will suffer a permanent reduction in your monthly benefits. The reduced benefit is based on a deduction of approximately 5/9 of 1 percent (.0056) for each month you receive benefits before the normal retirement age up to 36 months, and a deduction of 5/12 of 1 percent thereafter. Your total lifetime benefits would remain the same based on standard life expectancy assumptions. However, your benefits are spread out over a longer period of time, which results in lower monthly benefits.

Example(s): Mary retires from the local utility company at age 62, and elects to receive her Social Security benefits early. If Mary had waited to receive her Social Security benefits until her normal retirement age of 65, she would have received 100 percent of her primary insurance amount (PIA) benefit, or $800. Because Mary elected to receive her benefits at age 62, there is a reduction of 5/9 of 1 percent (.0056) for each of the 36 months that she receives benefits prior to the normal retirement age. Thus, Mary will receive approximately $640, or 20 percent less (.0056 x 36), than she would have received at normal retirement age.

Tip: The application process for early Social Security retirement benefits can take as long as three months. The Social Security Administration recommends that you contact its office prior to your 62nd birthday.

The Retirement Group is not affiliated with nor endorsed by fidelity.com, netbenefits.fidelity.com, hewitt.com, resources.hewitt.com, access.att.com, ING Retirement, AT&T, Qwest, Chevron, Hughes, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, ExxonMobil, Glaxosmithkline, Merck, Pfizer, Verizon, Bank of America, Alcatel-Lucent or by your employer. We are an independent financial advisory group that specializes in transition planning and lump sum distribution. Please call our office at 800-900-5867 if you have additional questions or need help in the retirement planning process.

What steps must an employee take to ensure they accurately calculate their pension benefits when planning for retirement under the Electricians Pension Plan, IBEW 995? Employees need to understand the various factors that contribute to benefit calculations, including years of service credits, age, and any early retirement reductions. Participants should also familiarize themselves with the formulas outlined in the plan regarding Normal Retirement and Early Retirement benefits.

Employees under the Electricians Pension Plan, IBEW 995 can ensure accurate pension calculations by reviewing the plan's formulas, which consider factors like service credits, age, and early retirement reductions. The plan provides specific calculation methods for Normal and Early Retirement pensions, so employees should refer to their accrued credits and apply the appropriate formula based on the years of service to get a precise benefit estimate(Electricians_Pension_Pl…).

How does the Electricians Pension Plan, IBEW 995, treat periods of active service compared to breaks in service when determining eligibility for pension benefits? Employees should be aware that their length of service is critical to establishing eligibility, and any periods identified as breaks in service may impact their pension status. Understanding the definition and implications of breaks in service can be vital for maximizing retirement benefits.

Service periods under the Electricians Pension Plan, IBEW 995 are critical for pension eligibility and accrual. Breaks in service, defined as periods where an employee is not credited with at least 250 hours in a plan year, can disrupt benefit accrual and participation. However, the plan provides grace periods for specific situations such as disability or maternity, preventing these gaps from affecting eligibility(Electricians_Pension_Pl…).

What are the implications of returning to work after starting to receive benefits under the Electricians Pension Plan, IBEW 995, and how can it affect ongoing pension payments? It's important for employees to recognize the conditions classified as "Disqualifying Employment" that can lead to suspending their pension benefits. Knowing how working while receiving benefits influences the plan can help retirees make informed decisions about their post-retirement employment.

Returning to work after starting to receive benefits under the Electricians Pension Plan, IBEW 995 can result in a suspension of benefits if the work qualifies as "Disqualifying Employment." Employees should check the plan’s definitions to see if their employment will affect their pension payments. Generally, working over 40 hours per month in covered employment or similar trades can trigger a suspension(Electricians_Pension_Pl…).

In what ways can an employee's spousal status influence the benefits they receive from the Electricians Pension Plan, IBEW 995? Employees need to understand how their marital status affects pension distributions, including survivor benefits and waivers. This knowledge is crucial for planning, as certain benefit structures depend significantly on whether the participant has a qualified spouse.

Spousal status significantly affects the distribution of benefits under the Electricians Pension Plan, IBEW 995. If an employee is married, the default pension option is the Joint and Survivor Annuity, which provides a continued payout to the spouse upon the participant’s death. The plan also outlines the necessary waivers and consents required for changing these benefits based on marital status(Electricians_Pension_Pl…).

How do changes in the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations affect the contribution limits and benefit payouts related to the Electricians Pension Plan, IBEW 995? Employees should keep informed on the most current IRS guidelines, as they directly influence how benefits are calculated and dispersed. Awareness of IRS limits can prevent unexpected tax penalties and ensure compliance with pension law.

IRS regulations play an important role in determining contribution limits and payout structures under the Electricians Pension Plan, IBEW 995. Changes to IRS rules may affect the maximum allowable benefits and tax treatments. Employees should keep up to date with IRS guidelines to avoid potential tax penalties and ensure their pension plan remains in compliance(Electricians_Pension_Pl…).

What documentation is required for employees to maintain their eligibility for pension benefits under the Electricians Pension Plan, IBEW 995, especially after significant life events such as marriage, divorce, or disability? Employees must notify the plan office of life changes and provide necessary documentation. Understanding what these documents are and how they should be submitted is crucial for maintaining eligibility and accessing benefits.

Significant life events such as marriage, divorce, or disability require timely submission of documentation to the Electricians Pension Plan, IBEW 995 to maintain eligibility. This may include marriage certificates, divorce decrees, or proof of disability. Employees should contact the plan office to ensure all required paperwork is properly submitted to avoid interruptions in benefits(Electricians_Pension_Pl…).

What processes are in place for employees to appeal a denial of benefits under the Electricians Pension Plan, IBEW 995, and what timelines must they adhere to? Employees should be aware of their rights under ERISA concerning claims and appeals, including the time limits for submitting appeals. This knowledge ensures they are equipped to address any potential issues they may encounter during the pension claim process.

If a claim for benefits is denied, the Electricians Pension Plan, IBEW 995 provides an appeals process. Employees must file a written appeal within 60 days of receiving the denial notice. The appeal should include any relevant documentation, and employees should follow the timeline and procedures outlined in the plan to ensure proper consideration of their case(Electricians_Pension_Pl…).

How can employees determine if their employer is meeting its financial obligation to the Electricians Pension Plan, IBEW 995, particularly regarding contributions? Understanding the mechanisms for verifying employer contributions can help employees ensure that they are accruing the appropriate benefits. Employees should know whom to contact and what reports they can access to gather this information.

Employees concerned about their employer meeting its contribution obligations to the Electricians Pension Plan, IBEW 995 can contact the plan’s administrative office for verification. The plan allows participants to access contribution reports to confirm that employers are properly crediting their accounts(Electricians_Pension_Pl…).

What resources are available through the Electricians Pension Plan, IBEW 995, for employees seeking to enhance their understanding of their retirement options and benefits? Employees should seek detailed information provided through the plan documents and know how to access educational resources, such as workshops or one-on-one sessions with plan administrators. Utilizing available resources ensures they are making informed decisions about their retirement.

The Electricians Pension Plan, IBEW 995 offers various resources to help employees understand their retirement options. These include the plan’s summary description, workshops, and individual consultations with plan administrators. Employees should make use of these tools to gain a clear understanding of their pension and plan effectively(Electricians_Pension_Pl…).

How can employees contact the Electricians Pension Plan, IBEW 995, for additional questions or clarification regarding their retirement benefits or the plan's provisions? It is essential for employees to know how to reach the plan's administrative office or the Board of Trustees for inquiries. Understanding the contact methods, including phone numbers and office addresses, greatly aids in effective communication when navigating retirement planning. These questions are framed to guide employees in understanding their rights and responsibilities as they prepare for retirement under the Electricians Pension Plan, IBEW

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