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

Navigating the Future: What Packaging Corp. of America Employees Should Know About Potential Benefit Changes

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

According to Principal Financials' 2022 Well-Being Index, 65% of businesses surveyed anticipate a recession in the next six months, and 63% report having already been negatively impacted by inflation and want to cut costs such as employee benefits. As a Packaging Corp. of America employee, it is imperative to account for this information and plan ahead as to ensure the welfare of you and your family.

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Why?

As a potential recession looms, increase in job changes, additional training, inflation, and an older workforce has forced employers to cut health and maternity leave benefits. If you are a Packaging Corp. of America employee dependent on these benefits, it is essential to account for this transition and adjust your spending accordingly.

One method employers use to quickly reduce costs is reducing these benefits back to FMLA requirements of about 12 weeks rather than offering more than the requirement.

U.S. employers expect health benefit costs per employee to rise 5.6% on average in 2023, according to early results from Mercer’s National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans 2022 released Aug. 10. According to MarketWatch, the average couple retiring at age 65 can expect to spend $300,000 on health care in retirement, which does not include long-term care needs. As a Packaging Corp. of America employee planning to retire, you may want to consider these values and determine if it is a good idea to start saving more money to supplement your future medical bills.

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/vanguard-reverses-decision-to-cut-retiree-medical-benefit-after-employee-outcry-11633632066

“So, the expectation is that health care costs will accelerate in the coming years regardless of what happens to inflation,” he says. Mercer’s research also found that employers were not looking to put the brunt of rising health care costs on employees, such as raising deductibles or copays. Just 36% of survey respondents are making cost-cutting changes in 2023, down from 40% in 2022 and 47% in 2021.

So, who is cutting benefits?

Some Packaging Corp. of America companies are cutting benefits such as life insurance and death benefits. Packaging Corp. of America employees feel their former employer is reneging on a promise made when they were hired 20-30 years earlier. As many find that these cuts don't apply to top executives, who have life insurance under a separate company-paid program, which the company can't reduce without their permission.

These companies state that the cuts for other retirees will bring their benefits more in line with the benefits at other large employers, and that only a handful of Fortune 100 companies still offer most employees life insurance that continues after retirement. If you are a Packaging Corp. of America employee, you may want to consider planning in accordance to these cuts as to not be taken by surprise in the event they are implemented at your workspace.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/at-t-slashed-promised-life-insurance-for-former-workersand-time-runs-out-at-year-end-11640544022?st=a8293xazk6a3cb0&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

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Can Packaging Corp. of America legally cut benefits

As we mentioned in prior articles the Allstate case discusses companies' options with respect to terminating benefits.

In the early 1980s, Allstate distributed booklets to employees that described the retiree life insurance benefit as being provided at 'no cost.' Starting in 1990, Allstate distributed summary plan descriptions (SPDs) that, unlike the earlier booklets, reserved 'the right to change, amend or terminate the plan or the provisions of the plan at any time.'

The US 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in Klass v. Allstate Insurance Co. that Allstate did not violate the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) when it terminated retiree life insurance benefits. After this ruling we saw other companies pursue terminating retiree life insurance benefits. https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca11/20-14104/20-14104-2021-12-28.html

https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/USCOURTS-ca11-20-14104

Can Retiree Health Benefits Provided by Packaging Corp. of America Be Cut?

For employees and retirees who work or worked at Packaging Corp. of America that provide post-employment health care benefits, an important question to ask is under what circumstances can the company reduce or terminate these benefits.

Packaging Corp. of America employees and retirees should know that private-sector employers are not required to promise retiree health benefits. Furthermore, when employers do offer retiree health benefits, nothing in federal law prevents them from cutting or eliminating those benefits—unless they have made a specific promise to maintain the benefits. The key to understanding your Packaging Corp. of America retiree health benefits lies in the documents governing your plan.

https://robertsdisability.com/eleventh-circuit-affirms-allstate-retirees-are-not-entitled-to-lifetime-life-insurance-benefits/

Prudential Freeze on Retiree Benefits Left Some Feeling 'Betrayed'

In 2022 Prudential Financial will stop contributing to retirement medical savings accounts for current, according to a letter sent to employees in December. In addition, Prudential retirees must now use all the money accrued in the accounts over 20 years, rather than over their lifetime, and any remaining balance reverts back to Prudential life. https://www.inquirer.com/business/prudential-financial-retiree-medical-savings-accounts-healthcare-costs-20211215.html

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.