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Navigating Your Retirement Journey: Essential Insights for Windstream Holdings Employees

Should Learn

Do You Desire Retirement?

Are You Able to Retire?

How Will Your Retirement Appear?

Who You Are?

What Is Your Top Priority?

What Would You Like to Do?

How Do You Plan to Pay for Health Care?

What are Your available plan options?

Pre-Retirement To-Dos

What Is Your Next Step?

Who to Contact?

About The Retirement Group

Sources

Should Learn

The move from Windstream Holdings 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 Windstream Holdings 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?

Windstream Holdings 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 Windstream Holdings Social Security payouts, pensions, and other forms of retirement income. If you have been able to save for retirement through Windstream Holdings 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 Windstream Holdings, 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 Windstream Holdings 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.

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How Will Your Retirement Appear?

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 Windstream Holdings 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 Windstream Holdings, 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 Windstream Holdings 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 Windstream Holdings 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. Windstream Holdings 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.

Sources

What to do with an Early Retirement Ebook
Social Security Ebook
Lump Sum vs. Annuity Ebook
401(k) Rollover Strategies Ebook
Closing the Retirement Gap Ebook
GovExec.com, May 7, 2020
BLS.gov, March 12, 2020
MarketWatch.com, March 4, 2020
TheBalance.com, May 26, 2020
United States Census Bureau, 2020
BusinessInsider.com, May 13, 2020
BLS.gov, March 12, 2020
Fidelity.com, August 3, 2020
Medicare.gov, June 15, 2020
IRS.gov, January 9, 2020
Social Security Administration, January 2, 2020
TaxPolicyCenter.com, May 28, 2020
NASRA.gov, June 15, 2020
NASRA.gov, June 15, 2020

What are the implications of the Windstream Pension Plan for employees who wish to retire early, specifically regarding the eligibility criteria and benefit calculations that will affect their financial planning? How does Windstream address concerns for employees who may be contemplating retirement before reaching the defined Normal Retirement Age of 65?

Early Retirement and Financial Planning: Employees may retire early at age 55 with 20 or more years of service, though the pension benefit will be reduced. The reduction is by 1/180th for the first 60 months and 1/360th for each of the next 60 months that commencement precedes the normal retirement date of age 65. This ensures early retirees can still receive benefits, though at a lower amount than if they had waited until age 65(Windstream_Pension_Plan…).

In what ways does the Windstream Pension Plan protect the interests of employees during a potential plan termination? Specifically, how does the plan ensure that accrued benefits are preserved and what procedures are in place to inform employees about their rights under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA)?

Plan Termination Protections: In the event of plan termination, Windstream ensures all accrued pensions are fully vested. The plan assets will be used exclusively to meet accrued pension obligations before any surplus may revert to the company. Participants are also protected by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), which guarantees most pension benefits(Windstream_Pension_Plan…).

How does Windstream determine the necessary contributions to the Pension Plan, and what role does an independent actuarial assessment play in this process? Additionally, how does this funding approach impact the overall financial stability of the Windstream Pension Plan and the benefits it promises to its participants?

Contribution Determination and Actuarial Role: Windstream’s contributions to the pension plan are determined by an independent actuary who evaluates the plan annually to recommend adjustments based on experience. This approach ensures that the plan remains financially stable and capable of meeting its promised benefits(Windstream_Pension_Plan…).

What options are available to employees of Windstream regarding the forms of pension benefit payouts upon retirement, and how do these options like the Joint and Survivor Annuities differ in terms of financial implications for both the retiring employee and their spouse?

Benefit Payout Options: Windstream offers several pension payout options, including Joint and 100% Survivor Annuity, Joint and 50% Survivor Annuity, and a 10-Year Certain and Life Annuity. These options differ in terms of the benefit reduction applied to ensure payments continue for the life of the spouse, impacting both the retiree’s and the spouse’s financial planning(Windstream_Pension_Plan…).

How should Windstream employees approach the process of claiming pension benefits, especially if their claims have been denied? What recourse is available for employees who are facing issues with their pension claim and wish to understand their rights and the appeal process?

Claiming Pension Benefits and Denied Claims: If an employee's pension claim is denied, they will receive a written notice explaining the reasons for the denial and the specific plan provisions involved. Employees may appeal the decision within 60 days, and the appeal process must be completed within 60 days of the request, with the right to file a civil lawsuit if necessary(Windstream_Pension_Plan…).

Given the frozen status of the Windstream Pension Plan, what should employees understand about their service years and how these years contribute to their pension benefits? How does Windstream communicate these rules to ensure clarity among its employees?

Service Years and Frozen Status: Since the Windstream Pension Plan is frozen, no additional benefits accrue after December 31, 2007. However, employees continue to earn years of service, which count toward eligibility for early retirement and vesting. Windstream provides clear communication through its summary plan description and resources to ensure employees understand these rules(Windstream_Pension_Plan…).

What strategies can Windstream employees employ to maximize their pension benefits and ensure they are making informed decisions about their retirement? How does Windstream support its employees in accessing the necessary resources and information to facilitate effective retirement planning?

Maximizing Pension Benefits: Employees are encouraged to consider their timing of retirement carefully, as delaying retirement closer to the normal retirement age of 65 reduces benefit reductions. Windstream supports retirement planning through its pension resources and access to Merrill Service Representatives who can assist with planning tools(Windstream_Pension_Plan…).

How does Windstream ensure that employees are aware of their obligations under the plan regarding the filing of claims and maintaining updated personal information? What measures does the company take to keep communication channels open for any inquiries or updates employees might need?

Maintaining Updated Information: Windstream emphasizes the importance of keeping personal information up to date, including changes to contact information. Employees are responsible for filing claims in a timely manner, and failure to do so may result in delays or forfeiture of benefits(Windstream_Pension_Plan…).

In the event of the death of a vested Windstream employee, what benefits are guaranteed to eligible spouses under the plan, and how do survivors initiate the process for claiming these benefits? What steps should surviving spouses take to ensure they receive the necessary support and information from Windstream?

Survivor Benefits and Claim Process: In the event of the death of a vested employee, the spouse is entitled to receive a pre-retirement survivor annuity, which may start on or after the employee’s earliest retirement age. The spouse must contact Windstream to initiate the claim process and may receive a lump sum if the benefit’s present value is below certain thresholds(Windstream_Pension_Plan…).

How can Windstream employees reach out to the companyâ€™s Benefits Committee or Plan Administrator for detailed inquiries about their pension benefits? What contact methods are available, and what information should employees prepare to facilitate effective communication regarding their pension inquiries? These questions will help employees navigate the complexities of the Windstream Pension Plan and ensure they are well-informed as they approach retirement.

Reaching the Benefits Committee: Windstream employees can contact the Benefits Committee or Plan Administrator at Windstream Services, LLC in Little Rock, Arkansas, or via the Merrill Service Center at 1-800-228-4015. Employees should have relevant information, such as personal and employment details, ready to facilitate efficient communication(Windstream_Pension_Plan…).