Navigating Your Retirement Journey: Essential Insights for Catalent Employees
Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Catalent
Catalent, a prominent player in the biopharmaceutical industry, collaborates with various healthcare providers to optimize its services. One of the notable healthcare partners for Catalent is UnitedHealthcare, which often works with organizations like Catalent to ensure streamlined processes in drug delivery and related healthcare services.
Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026
In 2026, healthcare costs are expected to rise significantly, primarily driven by looming federal policies and medical inflation. Reports indicate that Affordable Care Act (ACA) premiums may surge due to the potential expiration of enhanced premium subsidies, causing many policyholders to face out-of-pocket increases of over 75%. Insurers are already proposing steep rate hikes, with some states expected to see increases as high as 66%. This combination of factors, including rising healthcare service costs and more aggressive premium strategies from insurers, is set to intensify financial pressures on consumers in the coming year.
Click here to learn more
The move from Catalent employment to retirement can be challenging. As financial experts, we recognize the problems that may lie ahead and have compiled this unique study to answer some of your most important issues about retirement. When it comes to retirement, public-sector employees confront many of the same obstacles as their private-sector counterparts. They are anxious about the sufficiency of their retirement savings and doubt the significance of social security in their retirement preparations. In addition, they must consider the possibility of a pension and whether or not they should invest in standard retirement accounts to augment it. Here are six factors to consider as you near retirement. Always consult a Financial professional to verify that you've covered all of your bases.
Do You Desire Retirement?
If you look about your neighborhood, you'll find that people of retirement age are still employed, from museum employees to medical professionals to the guy who makes your coffee. These seniors wouldn't be working if it weren't necessary, right? Well, maybe. They may be working because they desire to. Many retirees have stated that the first 24 hours of their retirement were the most enjoyable.
After that, they realized that they missed their occupations, the regular routine that a work provides, and everyday interaction with people. Or they may be working because they have no other option. Their retirement savings fell short of their survival requirements. Their Social Security income is insufficient, and their other investments do not appear to make up the difference. There are retirees who never intended to retire. Then retirement occurred, and the retiree's financial situation had the ultimate say: return to work! Then there is the retiree who is enthusiastic about retirement. This retiree does not work for two reasons: they are no longer required to and they choose not to. So, which are you, and how will you achieve your retirement objectives?
There are three guiding principles for a successful retirement:
PREPARE: Preparation provides the impetus for the majority of other undertakings in life, including starting a business, becoming physically active, taking charge of one's health, and learning a language. The same holds true for your retirement planning. Preparation can help ensure that you are on the right path to achieve your objectives.
It took years of hard labor, perhaps decades of sacrifice, and prudent planning to construct your retirement. One mistake, one bad investment, and you've lost everything. There is a time and a place for taking chances, but protecting your money, especially if they have been built up over a lifetime, must take precedence. Do not become distracted with the latest and greatest.
PROSPER: Those that meticulously plan their retirements and adhere to disciplined financial methods typically have a prosperous retirement. Start early, remain prudent, and see your money increase. As an Catalent employee, you're now in a position to consider your next steps.
Schedule a meeting with your financial advisor to develop a plan. Identify your planned sources of income and expenses. How much will you receive from Social Security, pensions, investment returns in retirement, and other sources? Compare your revenue to your anticipated expenses to get a general notion of where you stand. Working with a financial professional enables you to design a flexible, long-term strategy that can adapt to your needs. Determine your retirement strategy. How much money will you need to sustain your desired lifestyle?
Are you interested in traveling? Would you like to relocate to a warmer state or decrease your residence? Consider your costs for medical treatment. You become eligible for Medicare at age 65, so you'll need medical insurance. Such may be offered by your current job to cover the gap if you retire before that age. It may be prudent to purchase additional insurance to fill any coverage gaps. What will your legacy be? How much do you intend to leave your loved ones? Do you have sufficient life insurance to meet your spouse's ongoing living needs if you die first?
You can contact your HR department if you have any questions.
Are You Able to Retire?
Catalent employees may very possibly be required to retire at a certain age. However, contrary to popular belief, the average retirement age for both public and private sector employees is 62. Public and private sector employees experience the same retirement-related fears and uncertainties. Despite the fact that the average retirement lasts between 14 and 17 years, it is prudent for retirees to have enough invested and saved to outlive the average lifespan of 79 years. Budgeting and managing your finances provide a more disciplined outlook on retirement, which reduces financial anxiety.
Once you have developed some budget forecasts, you will be more positioned to determine how you wish to spend your retirement years. Multiplying your current monthly expenses by 75% to 85% is a straightforward and reasonable method for estimating your monthly retirement expenses. As an illustration, you spend $3,000 every month while employed. Expect to spend between $2,250 and $2,550 throughout retirement. After determining your expenditure levels, consider your income to get a whole picture.
This includes your Catalent Social Security payouts, pensions, and other forms of retirement income. If you have been able to save for retirement through Catalent employment or investment income, you can use the funds to enhance your lifestyle, make up for any income gaps, or cover extra expenses. You will need to constantly monitor your retirement withdrawals over time to maintain the longevity of your retirement funds. A healthy and active lifestyle can add more than five years to a retiree's life expectancy, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Obviously, one issue with these life-expectancy formulae is 'x': your mortality. You cannot accurately determine your budget with that amount. Despite the fact that your longevity relies on a number of things, including your lifestyle, your health, and your genetics, the data indicates that you can anticipate living longer than your parents or grandparents. By 2060, the average American's life expectancy is projected to grow from 79.7 years to 85.6 years. In the past, the percentage of annual withdrawals retirees could make from their retirement savings was calculated using an outdated calculation, the 4% rule.
The guideline may no longer apply in today's more volatile economy. A financial expert can assist you in navigating a complex and confusing investment market. You may not be able to change the 'x' factor, but you can influence the other variables in the calculation.
Here are four ways you might modify your retirement formula to achieve a more secure and enjoyable retirement:
While still employed by Catalent, you can raise your retirement savings contributions. Maximize your tax-deferred retirement plan contributions. If you are 50 or older, you can make catch-up payments to your retirement account.
If possible, defer receiving Social Security benefits. If you are younger than 70, you can enhance your Social Security payments by delaying when you begin receiving them and by pursuing a second career.
Consider your existing living expenses. With the children grown and living on their own, it may no longer be necessary to have such a huge home. You should consider moving into a smaller, cozier space. In order to reduce expenses, you can postpone large purchases during the early years of retirement. Thus, you can maintain a healthy retirement account for a longer period of time.
There is a mandatory retirement age for many governments employment, but that does not imply you must stop working. Retirement might be a wonderful opportunity to pursue a long-desired job or to try something new. Numerous public employees take use of the option to retire early in order to pursue part-time employment or a second job.
Your years of expertise working for Catalent have afforded you numerous opportunities. You may be able to create your own schedule and pursue hobbies or long-desired interests if you have a part-time job. Employment income may alter the amount of Social Security benefits you get, at least until you reach full retirement age.
An ancient sage once stated, 'People perish where there is no vision.' The same can be said about retirement. Determining when and how you will retire from Catalent is crucial, but visualizing your retirement may be the most crucial aspect of your overall approach. Numbers and schedules are meaningless without a driving vision to propel them forward. Your vision for retirement provides the basis for your later years.
Your concept must be meticulously constructed, detail by detail. Once you have an idea of what you will do, how you will spend your time, and where you will travel, write it down. Don't omit any details. How will you fill your time? What are your immediate and long-term objectives? Plan it out. Plan your ideal retirement on a daily, monthly, and annual basis. Do you intend to take a vacation?
When and where will this occur? How usually? What plans do you have for the day? Where will you go and what will you specifically do? Do you wish to travel, see your relatives, or join social or recreational groups? Writing down your replies can facilitate the transition to retirement. After laying the groundwork for your vision, you should begin to build upon it. You have already compiled the data. You have already determined the flow of money.
Adapt your picture of retirement to the financial realities you've created over your working years. How much money will you have available for trips, for example? Apply your budget to your retirement vision and begin adjusting it so that it aligns with your financial reality. Merging the practical and idealistic sides may result in a more confident and joyful retirement, albeit it may necessitate adjusting your vision or reordering some of your objectives.
Here are some suggestions to assist you with the visioning process:
You can contact your HR department if you have any questions.
Who You Are?
This may be the most crucial question to consider when developing your vision. This is a personality index of sorts. Recall what you do or used to do in your free time while you were employed. What were your leisure activities? Which activities did you wish you had more time for? Consider how you will use your time differently after retirement.
What Is Your Top Priority?
This relates to imagination. Create a list of the activities you enjoy most. Volunteering, establishing a business, gardening, spending time with your grandchildren, or even returning to school could be on the list. Place the items in order of importance. What is the most essential? Your objective should be to make retirement rewarding and satisfying. Create a list of pet peeves and annoyances on the reverse side. What actions do you wish to avoid? It could be city traffic or needing to wake up early. Create a list of priorities in reverse order.
What Would You Like to Do?
Describe your daily routine. What are your plans? Retirement provides at least one valuable commodity: independence. You choose your daily schedule. Establish a timetable to provide anticipation and structure to your day in order to avoid boredom. Obviously, you may alter your timetable at any time; what matters is the concept. Developing your day must involve more than mere wishful thinking. What do you anticipate doing on a normal day during your first year of retirement? How about five years from now?
Consider your Inspiration
Are you having difficulty with certain parts of the brainstorming process? You are relieved to be retiring from Catalent, although not knowing exactly what you wish to do daily. You may perhaps be interested in a change of pace or a whole other activity. After decades of living life in a particular manner, you may be wishing for a change. You may like reading about retirees with odd or intriguing lifestyles.
What activities do they engage in, and how do they organize their lives? Not all activities in the south of France must involve skydiving and winery hopping. Occasionally, local newspapers and periodicals publish profiles of remarkable retirees who are making an effect in their communities. Some find having a part-time job to be an energizing pastime that keeps them involved and connected with others while allowing them to maintain a certain degree of independence from the demands of full-time employment.
The limit is the sky
At least in the beginning, do not limit your expectations. Let your mind run amok and follow it to see where it takes you. What have you always desired but never got the chance to accomplish? Perhaps your demanding job in the public sector or the responsibilities of raising a family kept you from exploring the limits of life. Perhaps this is the time. It is not required to be a fantasy. A few decades ago, the idea of conquering Mount Everest may have stirred your inner explorer, but your aspirations may have evolved over time.
You could opt to learn the guitar, improve your golf game, restore old vehicles, enroll in sculpture school, or travel to the Grand Canyon. Not to worry about making adjustments. Expect to make modifications later. Lifestyles do change. Your health or situation may affect your retirement plans. Your retirement plans aren't etched in stone.
You can contact your HR department if you have any questions.
How Do You Plan to Pay for Health Care?
RCOUPLES IN RETIRED STATUS MAY NEED AT LEAST $295,000 TO COVER MEDICAL BILLS...
Improved cardiovascular and infectious disease therapies have increased life expectancy and enhanced quality of life. Current retirees can anticipate living roughly two decades longer. Despite the fact that retirees are living longer, for healthier lives with improved access to health care, expenses continue to be their greatest obstacle, particularly in the context of shifting political opinions on the role of the government in insurance coverage and health care.
Analysts anticipate that couples in retirement will need at least $295,000 to cover medical expenses, not including care expenditures. This statistic excludes payments for early Catalent retirees whose Medicare coverage has not yet begun. The estimate includes spending for deductibles and copayments, fees for extra coverage for medical visits and prescription medicines, and other costs not covered by Medicare. Medicare enrollees should allocate 15% of their total budget for health care expenses. Employees in the public sector should explore whether their companies offer extended benefits coverage, which may pay the difference.
Here is an overview of the alternatives accessible to Catalent retirees:
Employer retiree health plans provide the majority of Medicare supplement coverage for one-third of beneficiaries, but this proportion continues to drop.
Medicare Supplement Insurance may provide supplemental coverage to Medicare recipients. The insurance meets Medicare Part A and Part B cost-sharing standards in full or in part.
You can contact your HR department if you have any questions.
What are Your available plan options?
Evaluating your many retirement plan alternatives can be intimidating, if not downright overwhelming. Your objective is to select a beneficial plan that meets your demands. As your retirement approaches, you should have all the necessary details and plans in place to ensure a seamless and stress-free transition.
On the journey to retirement, a financial professional can assist you overcome barriers and unforeseen problems. We can assist you in identifying aspects of your strategy that may want attention and that you may have neglected in recent years. As a public employee, you should be aware of your alternatives and choices for a prosperous retirement. Here is a list of the best strategies:
Defined Benefit Plans
Provide participants with guaranteed benefits based on their age, years of service, and income range. Employers manage pension fund investments, but retirement benefits are not contingent on investment performance.10 The Windfall Elimination Provision and other federal regulations may have an impact on your Social Security income. Employers and government organizations have sought to decrease or modify their pension commitments. Consult a financial expert for further information on the potential threats to your benefits.11
Plans with Defined Contributions
Allow employees to choose precise amounts or percentages of income to be set aside for their benefits by the employer. The most prevalent employer-sponsored plans restrict how and when employees can withdraw funds without suffering penalties. Common forms include 401(k), 403(b), 457, and Thrift Savings Plans. (TSPs). Employees decide their contribution levels from their paychecks based on the investment options provided by their company.12 The employees retain control over the tax-deferred funds invested in their accounts. The holder of the fund may transfer the money into an IRA or similar fund upon retirement.
Both defined benefit (based on the employee's ultimate average income) and defined contribution savings plans are incorporated into hybrid retirement plans. Catalent may offer a cash balance plan that allows workers to make contributions in the same manner as a defined benefit plan. At retirement, however, employees also have the choice of receiving either regular income or a lump sum distribution. In general, the hybrid plan generates lower returns than the defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Popularity is due to the plan's lump-sum feature, which allows participants to roll the money into IRAs or new plans. However, the lump-sum provision makes this provision the most risky. Investors bear full responsibility for their holdings.
Pre-Retirement To-Dos
Unprepared retirees face a number of obstacles, despite the fact that retirement provides the door for a richer lifestyle with more options for amusement and leisure. Here is an overview of advice:
Paint an image of your retirement future. Dream big. Use your imagination.
Carefully calculate your retirement expenses. The more precise you are, the better prepared you will be for unplanned expenses in the future.
Consider your projected sources of income. This may include pensions, savings accounts for retirement, and Social Security income.
Consider your options for healthcare coverage. Monitor Medicare and insurance expiration dates.
Read legal papers such as wills, trusts, medical directives, beneficiary information, and powers of attorney.
Contact your pension sponsor to acquire information regarding retirement requirements, payout alternatives, and required papers.
Consult a skilled financial expert who specializes in serving customers like you.
What Is Your Next Step?
You have constructed a vision for your retirement; you have painted a picture of your future existence. Retirement grants you the freedom and, presumably, the means to retire in style. However, enlisting the services of a financial expert can provide clarity and confidence, as well as help guarantee that your retirement goals remain on track.
Who to Contact?
We hope you found this guide to retirement to be helpful, fascinating, and reassuring. We will outline several straightforward measures you can take to ensure your retirement. As you enter the next part of your life, we are prepared to encourage and assist you.
We offer ourselves to you and your family as a resource. We are pleased to respond to any inquiries you may have regarding your specific financial condition and future objectives. Contact us immediately if you have any questions regarding the material in this report. We would love to speak with you.
About The Retirement Group
The Retirement Group is a nation-wide group of financial advisors who work together as a team.
We focus entirely on retirement planning and the design of retirement portfolios for transitioning corporate employees. Each representative of the group has been hand selected by The Retirement Group in select cities of the United States. Each advisor was selected based on their pension expertise, experience in financial planning, and portfolio construction knowledge.
TRG takes a teamwork approach in providing the best possible solutions for our clients’ concerns. The Team has a conservative investment philosophy and diversifies client portfolios with laddered bonds, CDs, mutual funds, ETFs, Annuities, Stocks and other investments to help achieve their goals. The team addresses Retirement, Pension, Tax, Asset Allocation, Estate, and Elder Care issues. This document utilizes various research tools and techniques. A variety of assumptions and judgmental elements are inevitably inherent in any attempt to estimate future results and, consequently, such results should be viewed as tentative estimations. Changes in the law, investment climate, interest rates, and personal circumstances will have profound effects on both the accuracy of our estimations and the suitability of our recommendations. The need for ongoing sensitivity to change and for constant re-examination and alteration of the plan is thus apparent.
Therefore, we encourage you to have your plan updated a few months before your potential retirement date as well as an annual review. It should be emphasized that neither The Retirement Group, LLC nor any of its employees can engage in the practice of law or accounting and that nothing in this document should be taken as an effort to do so. We look forward to working with tax and/or legal professionals you may select to discuss the relevant ramifications of our recommendations.
Throughout your retirement years we will continue to update you on issues affecting your retirement through our complimentary and proprietary newsletters, workshops and regular updates. You may always reach us at (800) 900-5867.
The Catalent 401(k) Savings Plan is a retirement savings plan that allows employees to save for their future by contributing a portion of their salary on a pre-tax or Roth after-tax basis.
How can I enroll in the Catalent 401(k) Savings Plan?
Employees can enroll in the Catalent 401(k) Savings Plan by accessing the benefits portal or contacting Human Resources for guidance on the enrollment process.
What are the eligibility requirements for the Catalent 401(k) Savings Plan?
To be eligible for the Catalent 401(k) Savings Plan, employees typically need to be at least 21 years old and have completed a specified period of service with the company.
Does Catalent offer a company match for the 401(k) Savings Plan?
Yes, Catalent offers a company match for contributions made to the 401(k) Savings Plan, which helps employees maximize their retirement savings.
How much can I contribute to the Catalent 401(k) Savings Plan?
Employees can contribute up to the IRS annual limit to the Catalent 401(k) Savings Plan, which may vary each year. It’s important to check the current limits.
When can I start making contributions to the Catalent 401(k) Savings Plan?
Employees can start making contributions to the Catalent 401(k) Savings Plan after they complete the eligibility requirements and enroll in the plan.
Can I change my contribution amount in the Catalent 401(k) Savings Plan?
Yes, employees can change their contribution amount at any time during the year by accessing the benefits portal or contacting Human Resources.
What investment options are available in the Catalent 401(k) Savings Plan?
The Catalent 401(k) Savings Plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds and target-date funds, allowing employees to choose based on their risk tolerance and retirement goals.
How often can I change my investment allocations in the Catalent 401(k) Savings Plan?
Employees can change their investment allocations in the Catalent 401(k) Savings Plan at any time, subject to the plan's trading restrictions.
What happens to my Catalent 401(k) Savings Plan if I leave the company?
If you leave Catalent, you have several options for your 401(k) Savings Plan, including rolling it over to another qualified plan, cashing it out, or leaving it in the Catalent plan if permitted.
With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.
Catalent's Pension Plan:
Catalent offers a comprehensive retirement benefits package designed to support its employees' financial wellness. The primary pension plan provided by Catalent is known as the "Catalent Pension Plan." This plan includes a defined benefit formula based on an employee’s years of service and final average pay. Typically, to qualify for the pension plan, employees must have a minimum of five years of service and be at least 55 years of age. The specific pension formula details and eligibility criteria are laid out in the employee benefits documentation provided internally by Catalent (Catalent) (Catalent Investor Relations) (FiercePharma).
Catalent's 401(k) Plan:
Catalent also offers a 401(k) plan to its employees, which is referred to as the "Catalent 401(k) Savings Plan." Employees are eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan from their first day of employment. The company provides a generous matching contribution, where Catalent matches 50% of the first 6% of the employee's contributions. This plan is designed to help employees save for retirement with the added benefit of tax deferral on contributions and earnings
Catalent has been undergoing significant restructuring since 2023, including multiple rounds of layoffs affecting various facilities. In late 2023, the company laid off approximately 300 employees as part of a cost-cutting initiative aimed at consolidating its facilities. This was followed by further layoffs in early 2024, including the reduction of 130 staff members at its Bloomington, Indiana site, which is being sold to Novo Nordisk as part of a broader $16.5 billion acquisition deal expected to close by the end of 2024. The restructuring is driven by reduced demand for COVID-19-related services and a need to increase efficiency and reduce costs across its operations.
Importance: Addressing this news is crucial due to the current economic environment, where companies are navigating the aftermath of the pandemic, fluctuating demand, and economic pressures. These changes also reflect broader trends in the biopharma industry, where consolidation and cost-cutting measures are common as companies adjust to new market realities
Stock Options:
Catalent offers stock options to its employees as part of its long-term incentive plan. These options are designed to align the interests of employees with those of shareholders. Employees receive the right to purchase company stock at a predetermined price, known as the exercise price, after a specified vesting period.
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs):
Catalent also provides RSUs to its employees, which represent a promise to deliver shares of the company's stock in the future. RSUs typically vest over a period of time, encouraging employees to remain with the company. Once vested, the RSUs are converted into shares, which the employee can then sell or hold.
Catalent offers a comprehensive suite of health benefits to its employees, designed to meet diverse needs and foster a healthy lifestyle. Their health insurance plans cover a wide range of medical services, emphasizing both personal and financial wellness. Employees have access to wellness programs, which aim to manage healthcare costs and encourage a healthy lifestyle. These programs include health insurance, wellness incentives, and various support resources to balance work and personal life, such as generous paid time off and flexible work arrangements.
In 2022, 2023, and 2024, Catalent continued to enhance its benefits offerings, aligning them with industry standards and employee needs. Recent updates include tuition reimbursement, global scholarship programs for employees' children, and comprehensive retirement plans. The company has also been recognized for its commitment to diversity and inclusion, receiving accolades as a “Best Place to Work for People with Disabilities” for consecutive years.
Specific healthcare-related terms and acronyms frequently used by Catalent include "OptiDose® Design Solution," "RP Scherer Softgel Technology," and "OneXpress™ Solution," which refer to their proprietary technologies and approaches in pharmaceutical development and manufacturing.
Recent employee healthcare news highlights Catalent's ongoing efforts to support employee well-being. For instance, their 2023 Corporate Responsibility Report details initiatives in employee health and wellness, such as investments in diverse and inclusive workplace practices and contributions to STEM education
For more information you can reach the plan administrator for Catalent at 14 Schoolhouse Road Somerset, NJ 8873; or by calling them at +1 908-809-1300.