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For Farmers Insurance Group employees and retirees, understanding key investment terms like portfolio, stock, bond and mutual funds is important - and working with an expert like Paul Bergeron, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement Group, can help you tailor a plan that fits your Retirement goals,' he said.
'Farmers Insurance Group employees and retirees should understand risk, return and diversification in investing, and Tyson Mavar, a representative of the Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement Group, can help structure investments to achieve long-term financial security,' he said.
In this article we will discuss:
1. Typical investment components are stocks, bonds and cash.
2. Describe how mutual funds and ETFs diversify and reduce risk for investors.
3. Understand investment terms such as dividends, yield and market trends.
Just left Farmers Insurance Group and started investing? You may have heard unfamiliar terms. We therefore created this glossary to help Farmers Insurance Group employees and retirees become more confident investors.
Portfolio
The assets of someone or an organization are called a portfolio. A portfolio contains typically several asset classifications including stocks, bonds and cash. That includes your Farmers Insurance Group pension, 401(k), lump sum and annuity payments upon retirement. The asset allocation of a portfolio depends typically on investor risk aversion, time horizon and investment objectives.
Stock
Stocks are instruments that represent ownership in a business. Shares in the benefits package for most Farmers Insurance Group employees come with time in the workforce. Any shareholder can get a cut of the company's assets and profits. Shareholders are both beneficiaries and losers of their position - they win if the company succeeds and lose money if it fails.See how principal value and return on investment of stocks fluctuate with respect to market conditions. Shares transferred may have a value greater than or lower than their initial price.
Bond
The government agency or corporation is issuing a bond to raise money for current operations or new projects. Investors buying bonds become the issuer's creditors. Bondholders typically get interest payments periodically. Their amounts depend on the coupon rate, which is a fixed annual interest rate. These interest rates could also affect your Farmers Insurance Group settlement sum and annuity. Absent issuer default, bondholders should receive the full par value of the bond at the maturity date specified.The principal of bonds may change depending on market conditions. Prematurely redeemed bonds might be worth more or less than their face value.
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Cash
Another investment or asset is cash. It consists of low-risk and liquid alternatives to money and currency.Typical alternatives to currency include savings accounts, certificates of deposit/CDs, and U.S. Treasury bills.The FDIC insures certificates of deposit (CDs) and bank savings accounts with generally fixed interest rates up to USD 250,000 per depositor per insured institution.T-rex securities are backed to the full faith and credit of the government for timely principal and interest payments.
Mutual Fund
It is a grouping of stocks, bonds and / or other securities purchased and / or managed by an investment company on behalf of many investors. The net asset value (NAV) of the underlying securities determines the price at which shares are purchased from and sold back to the investing company at the end of each trading day. Employees of Farmers Insurance Group have access to mutual funds managed by competent people and a broad investment mix. Diversification reduces risk but does not ensure a profit or prevent investment loss. Understand diversity to ensure a stress-free Farmers Insurance Group retirement.
Exchange-Traded Fund
A portfolio of assets prepared by an investment firm is called an exchange-traded fund (ETF). Unlike mutual funds however, ETF shares can be traded throughout the day on stock exchanges just like individual equities and the price may be higher or lower than the NAV depending on supply and demand. ETFs usually have low expense ratios but you have to pay a commission to buy or sell them - and your overall costs may be higher if you trade frequently.
The return and principal value of mutual funds and ETFs changes with the market. Shares transferred may have a value greater than or lower than their initial price. Check prospectus carefully before investing to understand fund investment objectives, risks, fees and expenses. Read the document before investing.
Dividends
Dividends are distributions by a company of its earnings to its shareholders - typically quarterly - in cash or additional equity shares. The dividend per share is decided by the board of directors of the corporation. An important tax consideration for buyers of Farmers Insurance Group dividends with lump sum payments is often not thought of. Many investors consider dividend payments a sign of a company's health and future prospects.
The yield on a dividend investment is high. Lower volatility and more stable returns mean investors must be prepared for periods when dividend payers detract from a stock portfolio. Profitable economic, market and political factors may affect a company's dividend payout. Generally speaking, dividends are unsecured and can be changed or eliminated.
Yield
Usually, the yield on an investment represents the current income received. Yield for a stock equals the sum of all annual dividends divided by the current share price. Yield on a bond: divide the annual interest rate by the current pricing. The return is comprised of price appreciation and depreciation and is not related to yield. Investments with a higher yield target involve more risk.
Index
A statistical composite called an index tracks the long-term evolution of economic conditions (like inflation) or financial markets. Many different indices are available for assessing how an asset performed. The S&P 500 Index is considered representative of the U.S. equity market overall.An unmanaged index does not necessarily reflect investment performance. No one can own an index directly. Past performances do not indicate future results. The real results could be different.
Bear/Bull Market
Typically a bear market involves falling asset prices that drop 20% or more in several major market indexes over a period of months or more. A bull market is a period of rising prices and investor optimism that lasts for months or years. All these market fluctuations could affect investor attitudes and actions.
Added Fact:
Farmers Insurance Group employee or retiree looking to learn more about investing should know about required minimum distributions (RMDs). RMDs are the minimum amounts that people must take out of retirement accounts - 401(k)s and traditional IRAs - by age 72, the IRS said in 2023 (IRS, updated 2023). Withdrawing the RMD may be punishable. Farmers Insurance Group employees and retirees need to understand RMDs when planning investments and preparing for retirement to avoid IRS penalties and interest rates.
Added Analogy:
Knowing investment terms for Farmers Insurance Group employees and retirees is like having an organized toolbox for a craftsman. All terms are tools that help investors navigate the maze of financial markets. Just as a craftsman needs a hammer and a wrench to drive in nails and a wrench to tighten bolts, understanding terms like portfolio, stock, bond, cash, mutual fund, ETF, dividends, yield, index and bear/bull market provides investors with the tools to build a secure and prosperous financial future. Familiarizing themselves with these terms allows Farmers Insurance Group employees and retirees to invest like craftsmen - picking the right tool for the job and building a long-term portfolio (Author, Date).
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- Corporate Employees: 8 Factors When Choosing a Mutual Fund
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- 7 Things to Consider Before Leaving Your Company
- How Are Workers Impacted by Inflation & Rising Interest Rates?
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Sources:
1. Johns Hopkins University Human Resources. Retirement Choice Glossary . 2019, hr.jhu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/RetirementChoiceGlossary.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com .
2. Protective Life. 'Retirement Glossary: Terms You Should Know.' Protective Life , 2023, protective.com/learn/retirement-glossary-terms-you-should-know?utm_source=chatgpt.com .
3. Carbon Collective. 'Retirement Planning Glossary | 20 Retirement Terms You Should Know.' Carbon Collective , 2023, carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/retirement-planning-glossary?utm_source=chatgpt.com .
4. Internal Revenue Service. 'Retirement Topics - Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs).' IRS , 2023, irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-required-minimum-distributions-rmds?utm_source=chatgpt.com .
5. Charles Schwab. 'IRA Withdrawals: Required Minimum Distributions.' Charles Schwab , 2023, schwab.com/ira/traditional-ira/withdrawal-rules/required-minimum-distributions?utm_source=chatgpt.com .
What is the 401(k) plan offered by Farmers Insurance Group?
The 401(k) plan at Farmers Insurance Group is a retirement savings plan that allows employees to save a portion of their paycheck before taxes are taken out.
How does Farmers Insurance Group match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?
Farmers Insurance Group offers a matching contribution to the 401(k) plan, which typically matches a percentage of the employee's contributions, up to a certain limit.
What are the eligibility requirements for the 401(k) plan at Farmers Insurance Group?
Employees of Farmers Insurance Group are generally eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan after completing a certain period of employment, usually within the first year.
Can employees of Farmers Insurance Group make changes to their 401(k) contributions?
Yes, employees of Farmers Insurance Group can change their contribution amounts at any time, subject to certain plan rules.
What investment options are available in the Farmers Insurance Group 401(k) plan?
The Farmers Insurance Group 401(k) plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, stocks, and bonds, allowing employees to tailor their investment strategy.
Is there a vesting schedule for the employer match in the Farmers Insurance Group 401(k) plan?
Yes, the Farmers Insurance Group 401(k) plan has a vesting schedule that determines how much of the employer match employees can keep if they leave the company.
How can employees at Farmers Insurance Group access their 401(k) account information?
Employees can access their 401(k) account information through the Farmers Insurance Group employee portal or by contacting the plan administrator.
What happens to the 401(k) savings if an employee leaves Farmers Insurance Group?
If an employee leaves Farmers Insurance Group, they can roll over their 401(k) savings into another retirement account, withdraw the funds, or leave the savings in the Farmers Insurance Group plan if allowed.
Can employees of Farmers Insurance Group take loans against their 401(k) savings?
Yes, the Farmers Insurance Group 401(k) plan may allow employees to take loans against their savings, subject to specific terms and conditions.
Are there penalties for withdrawing funds from the Farmers Insurance Group 401(k) plan before retirement age?
Yes, early withdrawals from the Farmers Insurance Group 401(k) plan may incur penalties and taxes unless certain exceptions apply.