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Key Questions for EnerSys Employees to Explore When Evaluating an Early Retirement Package

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Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for EnerSys: EnerSys, a global leader in stored energy solutions, typically utilizes various healthcare providers for its employee benefits. However, the specific healthcare provider used by EnerSys can vary by location and is often tailored to meet the needs of its workforce and regional healthcare systems. For the most accurate and updated information, it's advisable for employees or interested parties to refer to EnerSys' human resources or benefits department. Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026: As healthcare costs rise significantly, the landscape for employers and employees is expected to shift dramatically in 2026. Various insurers are predicting increases in premiums often exceeding 20%, driven by factors such as higher medical costs, potential expiration of federal premium subsidies, and significant rate hikes from the largest insurers. With market conditions suggesting that over 22 million individuals may face out-of-pocket premium hikes exceeding 75%, the financial strain on many families and businesses is imminent, necessitating strategic planning among employers to mitigate these impacts. Click here to learn more

With the economic downturn and recession looming, companies across various industries are facing an uncertain future. We have been planning with EnerSys client's retirement for decades, and when an offer comes along, you typically don’t much time to act on it. Many give only 2 weeks to 30 days to make a decision. Many organizations are being forced to cut expenses to stay afloat, and unfortunately, that means workforce cuts in the form of furloughs, payroll reductions and forced layoffs. 

You have spent decades planning for retirement. Just when you think you have everything figured out and a concrete retirement plan in place, you’re thrown a curveball. EnerSys has offered you an early retirement or voluntary separation package.

You were planning on retiring in a few years. Now what?

If you’ve received an early retirement offer, accepting it doesn’t mean you must retire from the workforce altogether. It just means that you can no longer work for EnerSys. If you think you may be getting an early retirement package, here are questions to consider as you review your offer. 

What is an early retirement offer?

Does it include health benefits?

How does it affect my retirement assets?

How does it impact social security benefits?

What if I don’t want to retire, or can’t afford to?

Can I negotiate my offer?

What if I don’t accept my early retirement offer?

What is An Early Retirement Offer?

Early retirement packages, also known as retirement buyouts, are generally offered to employees who may be approaching retirement age, usually in a company’s efforts to reduce its overall costs. 

These packages may include perks in addition to standard severance benefits. For example, an employer may offer an extended salary continuation, a lump sum, payment of healthcare benefits or additional years of service to help employees reach the required time needed to collect a pension.

Some employers may even pay for career counseling or placement services to help you find your next job (if you want or need to keep working), but that benefit may be limited in the current environment.

Does my retirement offer include health benefits?

Health care has become one of the largest expenses for a retiree, even with good insurance. For many, a company’s contribution to your family’s health insurance premium is critical to keeping medical insurance and care affordable.

If you are lucky, your voluntary severance package will extend your health benefits. Companies may include health insurance benefits for a period of time in an early retirement package, but this varies by employer. If your offer from EnerSys includes medical coverage, make sure you understand how long you’re covered for and to what extent. If health benefits aren’t part of your initial offer, consider negotiating for any crucial coverage and premium benefits. Health insurance will be needed until you are age 65 and become eligible for Medicare. However, not all those offered an early retirement package are so lucky.

If you will be on your own paying for health insurance after accepting an early retirement offer from EnerSys, COBRA insurance is always available. COBRA may extend your family’s coverage for up to 18 months. But this coverage is expensive. You might be able to get added to your spouse's health plan if they are still working. 

If you still want to work, look into a company that offers health benefits to get you to age 65 You also have the option of entering the open market for an insurance policy. If you don’t have healthcare benefits or don’t yet qualify for Medicare, you may want to consider purchasing a health insurance policy from the Health Insurance Marketplace. 

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For example, a 60-year-old on a Silver-level plan may pay an average monthly premium of $1,216 in 2022, but this also does not include out-of-pocket expenses, such as deductibles, copays, or coinsurance.

Before making a decision about an early retirement offer from EnerSys, determine if your severance package includes any health care benefits. If not, price out other health care options, such as those available on  Heathcare.gov Can the added expenses be supported with your retirement savings?

How does an early retirement package affect my retirement assets?

Retirement accounts

If you have a EnerSys-sponsored 401(k) plan and are 100% vested, then that money is yours to keep. After leaving EnerSys, you can consider rolling your 401(k) over to a new or existing IRA.

Workers who are 55 or older that take an early retirement package may be eligible to withdraw money from their EnerSys-sponsored retirement plan, such as a  401(k) , without paying the 10% IRS penalty. This only applies if withdrawing from a current employer’s retirement plan, not any past employer. Just keep in mind that while you won’t have to pay the 10% penalty, you will have to pay income taxes on withdrawals from your 401(k). 

Note: Rule of 55 works only if you leave money in your 401(K)

Another method to avoid the 10% penalty is to utilize 72t if you rolled you money into an IRA.  You will need to take Substantially equal payments for 5 year or at age 59 1/2, whichever is later.

Accepting an early retirement offer or voluntary severance package from EnerSys may require you to begin withdrawals from your 401(k), IRA, or other retirement accounts sooner than you originally expected.

Extra years of retirement can take a toll on your retirement nest egg. In fact, retiring earlier than planned can result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in extra expenses that your retirement portfolio must now support. It may also limit the growth of your assets already invested since you have to spend instead of saving.

Can your retirement portfolio withstand fewer years of contributions and more years of withdrawals? This is the first question you need to answer when making your decision.

When we help EnerSys clients answer this question, we commonly use a cash flow analysis. This allows us to simulate different scenarios side-by-side, and quickly see the impact accepting – or declining – an early severance offer will have on your financial plan.

Pensions

EnerSys employees who have earned a pension may worry that taking early retirement will affect their monthly benefits. Many pension plans partly determine monthly benefits based on how long an employee has worked for the company, so leaving early could reduce that monthly figure.

To offset these concerns, EnerSys may increase the total number of years of service as part of the early retirement package. This can help bridge the gap for those who would receive a reduced pension as a result of retiring early.

Social Security benefits 

An early retirement package from EnerSys can affect your Social Security benefits if you leave the workforce before working for a total of 35 years. The Social Security Administration averages your highest-earning 35 years of employment to decide your monthly benefits. For example, if you only worked for 32 years, then the government would add a $0 salary for three years to come up with your 35-year average. That means those three years of unemployment would technically count “against” you.

One potential consequence of accepting an early retirement offer is a reduction in Social Security benefits. Your future pension payments may also be reduced, depending on the language in your separation package.

If you accept an early retirement package, the benefits listed on your statement is not what you will receive. These estimated Social Security benefits assume that you continue to work for EnerSys and make your current salary. As a retiree who accepts an early voluntary severance package, your future income will likely be reduced. This means potentially lower future Social Security payments.

Likewise, your pension statement likely makes assumptions on years of service. If you accept an early retirement offer, your years of service may be less than what your pension statement assumes.

The first step is to determine what your Social Security or pension benefits will be if you accept the early retirement package. We use several different cash flow analyses to determine your future pension benefits and your optimal Social Security selection. Calculating your optimal Social Security and pension depends on the options you have available, your savings, and your spending needs.

Pensions, and particularly pension benefits for those who retire early, often have options for increased payments until the retiree reaches Social Security age. This is usually referred to as a ‘Social Security Offset’ option. This option adds more to your early benefits, but your lifetime benefits may be reduced.

You also will have to consider what portion of your pension would be left to your spouse if you were to pass away in retirement. For most, the peace of mind by ensuring their spouse will receive a sizeable pension, is best. However, this will leave you with lower monthly benefits.

You may know that your monthly Social Security benefit is increased the longer you delay beginning your benefit. But that requires you to likely draw down on your retirement savings more early on in retirement. Social Security increases its payouts by 6.7% to 8.3%, plus an additional increment for inflation, for every year a beneficiary between ages 62 and 70 refrains from collecting a check.  Sometimes delaying collecting benefits for just one year could have a huge impact on a successful retirement for married couples. It may make sense for the lower-earning spouse to claim benefits early, while the higher-earning spouse delays.

Therefore, not only is it important to known which Social Security strategy gets you the most money in total, but also which options fits best with your retirement plan. If you are evaluating the early retirement offer on your own, you can start by using the  Social Security Administration’s Benefits Estimator .

From there, you can enter estimated future income to arrive at an estimated correct Social Security benefit. Once you have this updated, compare your new estimate to your monthly expenses. What impact will this reduced benefit reduction will have on your retirement plan and anticipated retirement account withdrawals?

Accepting an early retirement offer may force you to tap into your retirement savings, such as your 401(k) or IRA earlier, or it may mean changing when you will need to begin receiving Social Security benefits.

Unemployment benefits

If you decide to take an early retirement package, you may still be eligible for unemployment in certain circumstances. Your state may have its own qualifications, such as a specific period of service with a company before you can claim unemployment after leaving EnerSys.

What if I don’t want to retire early, or I can’t afford to?

If you're unsure about your financial future, you might consider working with a financial advisor to go over your finances and how an early exit package may impact your retirement plans.  

If you can’t retire just yet, try to determine if a part-time job will be enough to fill the gaps. If not, can you at least afford to take a pay cut with your next job? If so, how much? Try to map out these answers while also thinking about ways you can cut back on expenses and adjust your budget to accommodate your new income. 

If you end up landing another job, your early retirement package won’t be impacted. However, you may want to check for a non-compete disclosure that could prevent you from working with one of EnerSys's competitor for a specified time.

Can I negotiate my early retirement offer?

Just as you would negotiate a salary for a job offer, consider negotiating an early retirement package, too. Some employers may be willing to offer more money in the form of extended salary coverage or a lump-sum, better healthcare benefits or an addition to your years of service. Of course, they may decline, but you won’t know if you don’t ask.

If You Accept a Voluntary Separation Package – Consider Roth Conversions

Roth conversions can be an incredibly valuable tool for those who accept an early retirement offer. They can increase asset longevity and reduce total taxes paid during their retirement.  

For those with retirement account assets in tax deferred retirement savings accounts (like 401(k)s and IRAs), an  early retirement offer opens up the potential to save significantly on future taxes . Those who accept an early retirement buyout offer from EnerSys will likely be facing a year or two of reduced income before Social Security benefits kick in. These years of reduced income can be the perfect time to convert some assets within your 401(k) or traditional IRA into a Roth IRA.

What if I don’t accept my early retirement offer?

Rejecting an Early Severance Offer

Of course, you have the option to say no to any voluntary severance package offered by EnerSys.

If you want to continue working, or are unable to retire early, this may be your best option. Working additional years can lead to pay raises, promotions, increased Social Security and pension payments, and increased financial stability. However, rejecting an early retirement offer has potential drawbacks, too.

First, there is no guarantee that EnerSys will repeat the early retirement offer in the future. Assuming that another offer will come later is not always a wise move. Second, and more importantly, realize that companies offers an early severance package to its employees to cut costs. If the company’s finances do not improve, there may be much worse outcomes in the future. EnerSys may make layoffs, reduce employee pay, or eliminate other benefits.

 

 

What type of retirement savings plan does EnerSys offer to its employees?

EnerSys offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan to its employees.

Does EnerSys provide a company match for contributions made to the 401(k) plan?

Yes, EnerSys provides a company match for employee contributions to the 401(k) plan, subject to certain limits.

How can EnerSys employees enroll in the 401(k) plan?

EnerSys employees can enroll in the 401(k) plan by completing the enrollment process through the company's benefits portal.

What is the eligibility requirement for EnerSys employees to participate in the 401(k) plan?

EnerSys employees are eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan after completing a specified period of service, typically outlined in the employee handbook.

Can EnerSys employees change their contribution amounts to the 401(k) plan?

Yes, EnerSys employees can change their contribution amounts to the 401(k) plan at any time during the year.

What investment options are available in the EnerSys 401(k) plan?

The EnerSys 401(k) plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, target-date funds, and other investment vehicles.

Does EnerSys allow for loans against the 401(k) plan?

Yes, EnerSys allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) plan balances, subject to specific terms and conditions.

What happens to the 401(k) plan if an EnerSys employee leaves the company?

If an EnerSys employee leaves the company, they can choose to roll over their 401(k) balance to another retirement account, cash out, or leave the funds in the EnerSys plan if allowed.

Are there any fees associated with the EnerSys 401(k) plan?

Yes, there may be administrative and investment fees associated with the EnerSys 401(k) plan, which are disclosed in the plan documents.

How often can EnerSys employees review their 401(k) account statements?

EnerSys employees can review their 401(k) account statements quarterly, and they may also have access to their accounts online for real-time updates.

With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.
For EnerSys, the company provides a 401(k) plan for its employees with a company match. According to reports from employee reviews, EnerSys offers a matching contribution up to 6%. Specifically, the first 4% is matched at 100%, while the next 2% is matched at 50%​ (Day Pitney). This makes it possible for employees to benefit from a total employer contribution of up to 6% of their salary, depending on their personal contribution levels. The EnerSys 401(k) plan is available to all full-time employees, and as per the company's policies, the matching starts after a certain period of employment, typically 90 days​ (Day Pitney). EnerSys also offers a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, though details on the specific name of the plan and the precise formula used were not immediately accessible. However, it is typically calculated based on factors such as years of service and final average pay. Employees are vested after completing a specified period of service, which is typically around five years
Restructuring and Layoffs: In 2023, EnerSys announced a significant restructuring plan aimed at optimizing its global operations. This restructuring led to layoffs affecting several positions across its manufacturing and administrative sectors. The move was part of a broader strategy to streamline operations and reduce costs amid a challenging economic environment. It is crucial to monitor such developments due to the impact of restructuring on employee security and the potential implications for the company’s operational efficiency. Given the current economic climate and investment trends, understanding these changes is essential for stakeholders to navigate the potential risks and opportunities effectively.
EnerSys Stock Options (SO): EnerSys offers stock options (SO) to selected employees based on their roles and performance. The options typically vest over a period of time, ensuring that employees stay with EnerSys for an extended period. EnerSys Restricted Stock Units (RSU): EnerSys grants Restricted Stock Units (RSU) to senior executives and key employees. These RSUs are generally subject to performance and time-based vesting conditions.
Health Plan Options: EnerSys offers its employees competitive health insurance plans, including options through Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS). Employees can choose between a High Deductible Plan (HDP) and a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan​ (Enersys)​ (Enersys Investor). These options are designed to cater to different needs, with the HDP being suitable for employees who prefer lower premiums and higher deductibles, while the PPO offers more flexibility in choosing healthcare providers. Health Savings Account (HSA): Employees enrolled in the HDP have access to a Health Savings Account (HSA), allowing them to set aside pre-tax dollars to cover medical expenses. This is a key feature that supports employees in managing out-of-pocket costs​ (Enersys). Wellness and Preventive Care: EnerSys promotes preventive care through its health plans by offering annual physicals, screenings, and immunizations at no additional cost to employees​ (Enersys). Preventive care is a major focus, aiming to reduce long-term healthcare costs and improve employee well-being. Employee Assistance Program (EAP): EnerSys provides an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health support. This program offers confidential counseling and resources for employees dealing with personal or professional challenges. The EAP is part of EnerSys' broader commitment to employee wellness​ (Enersys Investor). Recent Employee Healthcare News: In response to rising healthcare costs, EnerSys has maintained a commitment to keeping employee contributions low while expanding access to essential services. They have continued enhancing their healthcare plans by offering comprehensive telehealth services, reflecting industry trends aimed at reducing in-person visits and supporting remote healthcare needs​
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For more information you can reach the plan administrator for EnerSys at 2366 Bernville Rd Reading, PA 19605; or by calling them at (610) 208-1991.

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