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Navigating Your 401(k) Options After Leaving Freeport-McMoRan: What You Need to Know

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Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Freeport-McMoRan Freeport-McMoRan typically offers a variety of healthcare benefits to its employees, including coverage through major national insurers. Specific details about the primary insurance provider can vary by location and specific employee plans; however, large employers often collaborate with well-known insurers such as UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, or Anthem BlueCross BlueShield to manage their healthcare plans. Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026 for Freeport-McMoRan As the healthcare landscape evolves, Freeport-McMoRan employees may face significant increases in out-of-pocket costs in 2026 due to multiple compounding factors. The looming expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium subsidies is set to expose millions to steep premium hikes, with some states anticipating increases of over 60%. Additionally, rising medical costs driven by inflation, especially in drug prices and services, could further stress employee budgets. Many employers, including Freeport-McMoRan, may also consider shifting more healthcare costs onto workers, resulting in higher deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums, thus highlighting the importance for employees to stay informed about their benefit options. Click here to learn more

If you work for Freeport-McMoRan, it's imperative to consider one of the common threads of a mobile workforce. Many individuals who leave their job are faced with a decision about what to do with their 401(k) account.

Individuals have four choices with the 401(k) account they accrued at a previous employer.

Choice 1: Leave It with Your Previous Employer

For Freeport-McMoRan employees, you may choose to do nothing and leave your account in your previous employer’s 401(k) plan. However, if your account balance is under a certain amount, be aware that your ex-employer may elect to distribute the funds to you.

As an employee of Freeport-McMoRan, there may be reasons to keep your 401(k) with your previous employer —such as investments that are low cost or have limited availability outside of the plan. Other reasons are to maintain certain creditor protections that are unique to qualified retirement plans, or to retain the ability to borrow from it, if the plan allows for such loans to ex-employees.

The primary downside for Freeport-McMoRan employees are that individuals can become disconnected from the old account and pay less attention to the ongoing management of its investments.

Choice 2: Transfer to Your New Employer’s 401(k) Plan

Provided your current Freeport-McMoRan employer’s 401(k) accepts the transfer of assets from a pre-existing 401(k), you may want to consider moving these assets to your new plan.

The primary benefits to transferring are the convenience of consolidating your assets, retaining their strong creditor protections, and keeping them accessible via the plan’s loan feature.

If the new plan has a competitive investment menu, many individuals prefer to transfer their account and make a full break with their former employer.

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Choice 3: Roll Over Assets to a Traditional Individual Retirement Account (IRA)

Another choice for those in Freeport-McMoRan is to roll assets over into a new or existing traditional IRA. It’s possible that a traditional IRA may provide some investment choices that may not exist in your new 401(k) plan.

The drawback to this approach may be less creditor protection and the loss of access to these funds via a 401(k) loan feature.

Remember, don’t feel rushed into making a decision. You have time to consider your choices and may want to seek professional guidance to answer any questions you may have.

Choice 4: Cash out the account

The last choice for those in Freeport-McMoRan is to simply cash out of the account. However, if you choose to cash out, you may be required to pay ordinary income tax on the balance plus a 10% early withdrawal penalty if you are under age 59½. In addition, employers may hold onto 20% of your account balance to prepay the taxes you’ll owe.

Think carefully before deciding to cash out a retirement plan. Aside from the costs of the early withdrawal penalty, there’s an additional opportunity cost in taking money out of an account that could potentially grow on a tax-deferred basis. For example, taking $10,000 out of a 401(k) instead of rolling over into an account earning an average of 8% in tax-deferred earnings could leave you $100,000 short after 30 years.

  •  In most circumstances, you must begin taking required minimum distributions from your 401(k) or other defined contribution plan in the year you turn 73. Withdrawals from your 401(k) or other defined contribution plans are taxed as ordinary income, and if taken before age 59½, may be subject to a 10% federal income tax penalty.

 FINRA.org, 2022

  •  Those in Freeport-McMoRan must acknowledge how an unpaid 401(k) loan is deemed a distribution, subject to income taxes and a 10% tax penalty if the account owner is under 59½. If the account owner switches jobs or gets laid off, any outstanding 401(k) loan balance becomes due by the time the person files his or her federal tax return.
  •  For Freeport-McMoRan employees, in most circumstances, once you reach age 73, you must begin taking required minimum distributions from a Traditional Individual Retirement Account (IRA). Withdrawals from Traditional IRAs are taxed as ordinary income and, if taken before age 59½, may be subject to a 10% federal income tax penalty. You may continue to contribute to a Traditional IRA past age 70½ as long as you meet the earned-income requirement.
  •  This is a hypothetical example used for illustrative purposes only. It is not representative of any specific investment or combination of investments.

What is the Freeport-McMoRan 401(k) Savings Plan?

The Freeport-McMoRan 401(k) Savings Plan is a retirement savings plan that allows employees to save for retirement on a tax-deferred basis.

How can I enroll in the Freeport-McMoRan 401(k) Savings Plan?

Employees can enroll in the Freeport-McMoRan 401(k) Savings Plan by completing the enrollment process online through the company's benefits portal.

What is the employer match for the Freeport-McMoRan 401(k) Savings Plan?

Freeport-McMoRan offers a matching contribution to the 401(k) Savings Plan, which may vary based on employee contributions and company policy.

Can I change my contribution rate to the Freeport-McMoRan 401(k) Savings Plan?

Yes, employees can change their contribution rate to the Freeport-McMoRan 401(k) Savings Plan at any time through the benefits portal.

What types of investments are available in the Freeport-McMoRan 401(k) Savings Plan?

The Freeport-McMoRan 401(k) Savings Plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, target-date funds, and company stock.

When can I access my funds in the Freeport-McMoRan 401(k) Savings Plan?

Employees can access their funds in the Freeport-McMoRan 401(k) Savings Plan upon reaching retirement age, or in cases of hardship as defined by the plan.

Is there a vesting schedule for the Freeport-McMoRan 401(k) Savings Plan?

Yes, Freeport-McMoRan has a vesting schedule for employer contributions to the 401(k) Savings Plan, which determines when employees fully own those contributions.

What happens to my Freeport-McMoRan 401(k) Savings Plan if I leave the company?

If you leave Freeport-McMoRan, you can roll over your 401(k) Savings Plan balance to another retirement account or withdraw the funds, subject to tax implications.

How often can I change my investment allocations in the Freeport-McMoRan 401(k) Savings Plan?

Employees can change their investment allocations in the Freeport-McMoRan 401(k) Savings Plan as often as they wish, typically through the benefits portal.

Does Freeport-McMoRan provide financial education for employees regarding the 401(k) Savings Plan?

Yes, Freeport-McMoRan offers financial education resources and tools to help employees make informed decisions about their 401(k) Savings Plan.

With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.
Freeport-McMoRan offers its employees a comprehensive benefits package that includes both a pension plan and a 401(k) plan. The company operates a Company Paid Retirement Benefit Plan and a 401(k) plan called the Employee Capital Accumulation Program. Employees who meet the necessary years of service and age requirements are eligible for these benefits​ (Benefits Account Manager)​ (Jobs at Freeport McMoRan Inc..). For the pension plan, Freeport-McMoRan requires that employees have at least two years of continuous service to become fully vested. The specific pension formula used in their defined benefit plan is based on final average pay. Employees must typically meet an age qualification of 65 to retire with full benefits​
Restructuring and Layoffs: Freeport-McMoRan announced a series of restructuring measures in early 2023 as part of a broader strategy to streamline operations and reduce costs. This included a workforce reduction of approximately 5% across its global operations. The decision was influenced by fluctuating copper prices and the need to improve operational efficiency. Importance: This news is crucial due to the current economic environment, which affects commodity prices and operational costs. Understanding these changes is essential for employees and investors, especially considering the broader economic and political factors that influence market stability.
Freeport-McMoRan offers stock options and RSUs to eligible employees, including executives and key management. For 2022, the company granted RSUs under their Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) and stock options under their Stock Incentive Plan (SIP). In 2023 and 2024, the company continued these practices, with updates available in their annual proxy statements.
Official Freeport-McMoRan Website: Check the company’s HR or benefits page for detailed information on health benefits. Industry and Financial News Websites: Look at recent news from reputable sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Financial Times for any updates on employee healthcare benefits. Employee Review and Information Websites: Explore sites like Glassdoor or Indeed for employee reviews and feedback on health benefits. Health Insurance Providers: Search for information from health insurance companies that might partner with Freeport-McMoRan for employee benefits. Company Reports and Publications: Look for annual reports or employee benefits guides available through financial or business publications. Steps and Websites for Detailed Search:
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For more information you can reach the plan administrator for Freeport-McMoRan at , ; or by calling them at .

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