Healthcare Provider Update: First Horizon offers health, dental, and vision insurance tailored to individual and family needs. Employees benefit from HSAs, FSAs, disability coverage, and parental leave. The company provides a 401(k) with up to 6% matching, adoption reimbursement, and wellness programs. Additional perks include tuition reimbursement, mentoring, and digital wellness platforms3. First Horizon With ACA premiums projected to rise sharply, First Horizons employer-sponsored plans and financial wellness tools help employees avoid the volatility of marketplace costs. Their matched savings and flexible spending options provide a buffer against rising healthcare expenses. Click here to learn more
How First Horizon employees can navigate federal student loan repayment: This article provides a framework for First Horizon employees to understand the current federal student loan landscape and make the most of available repayment options and employer benefits, suggests Tyson Mavar, a representative from The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement Group.
Wesley Boudreaux of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement Group, advises First Horizon employees with federal student loans to take stock of their current repayment plan and explore the updated options available now that the pandemic-era payment pause has ended.
In this article, we will cover:
The end of the federal student loan payment pause: A summary of the pandemic-era moratorium and what happened when repayment resumed.
The effects on First Horizon employees: How the current repayment environment affects both personal and Parent PLUS Loans.
New employer benefits and available programs: What First Horizon employees can take advantage of under current law.
Background: The student loan payment pause has ended.
Federal student loan repayment resumed on September 1, 2023, after more than three years of pandemic-era relief. The COVID-19 payment pause, which began in March 2020 under the CARES Act, was extended multiple times. After the U.S. Supreme Court's June 2023 ruling blocked broad student loan cancellation, the final pause ended and repayment restarted. The Department of Education implemented a one-year on-ramp period through October 2024, during which missed payments did not trigger credit reporting -- but interest continued to accrue. As of late 2024, standard monthly repayment is fully in effect for all First Horizon employees with federal student loans.
First Horizon employees nearing retirement should be aware that Parent PLUS Loans -- federal loans that parents can take out to help pay for their children's education -- resumed repayment along with all other federal loans in 2023. Income-driven repayment (IDR) options remain available for eligible borrowers. First Horizon employees should note, however, that the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan -- introduced in 2023 as the most generous IDR option -- was blocked by federal courts in 2024 and is currently in administrative forbearance while legal challenges are resolved. Time spent in SAVE forbearance does not count toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), and borrowers cannot make qualifying PSLF payments while in the plan. Two other IDR plans -- Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) and Pay As You Earn (PAYE) -- are being phased out and will end in mid-2028. The standard 10-year repayment plan and Income-Based Repayment (IBR) remain fully available.
Does interest accrue during current forbearance periods?
Yes. Unlike the pandemic-era pause, the SAVE administrative forbearance does accrue interest. First Horizon employees enrolled in SAVE who are in administrative forbearance may wish to consider voluntary payments to prevent interest buildup.
Do private student loans qualify for income-driven repayment?
No. First Horizon employees should remember that private student loans are not eligible for federal IDR plans, PSLF, or federal forbearance protections. Only federal government-held loans -- including Federal Direct Loans, Federal Perkins Loans, and FFEL Program loans held by the Department of Education -- are eligible.
Articles you may find interesting:
- Corporate Employees: 8 Factors When Choosing a Mutual Fund
- Use of Escrow Accounts: Divorce
- Medicare Open Enrollment for Corporate Employees: Cost Changes in 2024!
- Stages of Retirement for Corporate Employees
- 7 Things to Consider Before Leaving Your Company
- How Are Workers Impacted by Inflation & Rising Interest Rates?
- Lump-Sum vs Annuity and Rising Interest Rates
- Internal Revenue Code Section 409A (Governing Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans)
- Corporate Employees: Do NOT Believe These 6 Retirement Myths!
- 401K, Social Security, Pension – How to Maximize Your Options
- Have You Looked at Your 401(k) Plan Recently?
- 11 Questions You Should Ask Yourself When Planning for Retirement
- Worst Month of Layoffs In Over a Year!
- Corporate Employees: 8 Factors When Choosing a Mutual Fund
- Use of Escrow Accounts: Divorce
- Medicare Open Enrollment for Corporate Employees: Cost Changes in 2024!
- Stages of Retirement for Corporate Employees
- 7 Things to Consider Before Leaving Your Company
- How Are Workers Impacted by Inflation & Rising Interest Rates?
- Lump-Sum vs Annuity and Rising Interest Rates
- Internal Revenue Code Section 409A (Governing Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans)
- Corporate Employees: Do NOT Believe These 6 Retirement Myths!
- 401K, Social Security, Pension – How to Maximize Your Options
- Have You Looked at Your 401(k) Plan Recently?
- 11 Questions You Should Ask Yourself When Planning for Retirement
- Worst Month of Layoffs In Over a Year!
First Horizon employees whose employer offers student loan repayment assistance should be aware of a significant development: the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law in July 2025, permanently extended the employer benefit allowing companies to contribute up to $5,250 per year toward an employee's student loan repayment on a tax-free basis. This benefit was originally a temporary CARES Act provision. First Horizon employees are encouraged to check with their HR department to determine whether this benefit is available and to contact their loan servicer to review their current repayment plan status.
Sources:
-
U.S. Department of Education. 'Federal Student Loan Payment Restart.' StudentAid.gov, 2023, studentaid.gov/announcements-events/covid-19 .
-
U.S. Department of Education. 'Repayment Plans.' StudentAid.gov, 2025, studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/plans .
-
NPR. 'Federal student loans are changing. Here’s what to expect in 2026.' NPR, December 2025, www.npr.org .
-
U.S. Congress. One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Signed July 2025.
-
Federal Reserve Bank of New York. 'Household Debt and Credit Report.' Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Q4 2025, www.newyorkfed.org/microeconomics/hhdc .
What type of retirement savings plan does First Horizon offer to its employees?
First Horizon offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan to help employees save for their future.
Does First Horizon provide matching contributions to the 401(k) plan?
Yes, First Horizon provides a matching contribution to the 401(k) plan, which helps employees maximize their retirement savings.
What is the eligibility requirement to participate in First Horizon's 401(k) plan?
Employees at First Horizon are eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan after completing a specific period of service, typically within the first year of employment.
How can employees at First Horizon enroll in the 401(k) plan?
Employees can enroll in First Horizon's 401(k) plan through the company’s HR portal or by contacting the HR department for assistance.
What investment options are available in First Horizon's 401(k) plan?
First Horizon offers a variety of investment options in its 401(k) plan, including mutual funds, target-date funds, and other investment vehicles.
Can employees at First Horizon take loans against their 401(k) balance?
Yes, First Horizon allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) balance under certain conditions, as outlined in the plan documents.
What is the vesting schedule for First Horizon's 401(k) matching contributions?
The vesting schedule for First Horizon's matching contributions typically follows a graded schedule, which means employees earn ownership of the match over a period of time.
Are there any fees associated with First Horizon's 401(k) plan?
Yes, there may be administrative fees associated with First Horizon's 401(k) plan, which are disclosed in the plan documents.
How often can employees at First Horizon change their 401(k) contribution amount?
Employees at First Horizon can change their 401(k) contribution amount at any time, subject to the plan's guidelines.
What is the maximum contribution limit for First Horizon's 401(k) plan?
The maximum contribution limit for First Horizon's 401(k) plan is set by the IRS and may change annually; employees should refer to the latest IRS guidelines for specifics.



-2.png?width=300&height=200&name=office-builing-main-lobby%20(52)-2.png)









.webp?width=300&height=200&name=office-builing-main-lobby%20(27).webp)