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Navigating the Future: What Patterson Employees Should Know About Potential Benefit Changes

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Healthcare Provider Update: Patterson offers medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, along with HSAs and FSAs. Employees benefit from a 401(k) plan, paid time off, and voluntary benefits like accident and hospital indemnity coverage. The company subsidizes approximately 75% of healthcare costs and provides legal and identity theft protection 9. Patterson With ACA premiums expected to surge, Pattersons subsidized healthcare and flexible coverage options help employees maintain affordable access to care. 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 Patterson employee, it is imperative to account for this information and plan ahead as to ensure the welfare of you and your family.

benefitshttps://secure02.principal.com/publicvsupply/GetFile?fm=EE12520&ty=VOP

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 Patterson 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 Patterson 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 Patterson companies are cutting benefits such as life insurance and death benefits.  Patterson 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 Patterson 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 Patterson 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 Patterson Be Cut?

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

Patterson 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 Patterson 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 is the primary purpose of Patterson's 401(k) Savings Plan?

The primary purpose of Patterson's 401(k) Savings Plan is to help employees save for retirement by providing a tax-advantaged way to invest a portion of their income.

How does Patterson match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?

Patterson matches employee contributions to the 401(k) plan up to a certain percentage of their salary, enhancing the overall savings potential for employees.

When can employees at Patterson enroll in the 401(k) Savings Plan?

Employees at Patterson can enroll in the 401(k) Savings Plan during their initial onboarding period or during the annual open enrollment period.

What types of investment options are available in Patterson's 401(k) Savings Plan?

Patterson's 401(k) Savings Plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, target-date funds, and company stock.

Can employees at Patterson take loans against their 401(k) Savings Plan?

Yes, employees at Patterson may have the option to take loans against their 401(k) Savings Plan, subject to specific terms and conditions.

How can employees at Patterson access their 401(k) account information?

Employees at Patterson can access their 401(k) account information online through the plan's dedicated portal or by contacting the plan administrator.

What happens to the 401(k) Savings Plan if an employee leaves Patterson?

If an employee leaves Patterson, they have several options regarding their 401(k) Savings Plan, including rolling it over to another retirement account or leaving it in the plan.

Does Patterson offer a Roth 401(k) option within its Savings Plan?

Yes, Patterson offers a Roth 401(k) option, allowing employees to make after-tax contributions to their retirement savings.

Are there any fees associated with Patterson's 401(k) Savings Plan?

Yes, Patterson's 401(k) Savings Plan may have certain administrative fees, which are disclosed in the plan documents provided to employees.

How often can employees at Patterson change their contribution amounts to the 401(k) plan?

Employees at Patterson can change their contribution amounts to the 401(k) plan during the annual open enrollment period or at any time as permitted by the plan.

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