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Healthcare Provider Update: FedEx's healthcare provider is primarily Cigna, which partners with the company to offer health insurance solutions to its employees through a range of plans, including High Deductible Health Plans paired with Health Savings Accounts. In 2026, FedEx employees may face significant healthcare cost increases, mirroring a broader trend across the nation. With the expected elimination of enhanced ACA premium subsidies, some workers could see their out-of-pocket premium costs surge by over 75%. Coupled with the anticipated double-digit rate hikes from major insurers and rising medical expenses, the financial burden on employees is poised to escalate sharply, potentially impacting their overall healthcare affordability. Click here to learn more
'History shows that investors typically benefit most from staying disciplined with long-term strategies rather than reacting to political shifts, as broader economic forces consistently outweigh election cycles.' – Paul Bergeron, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.
'Decades of market history remind FedEx employees that steady commitment to long-term strategies has consistently outperformed attempts to shift course based on election results.' – Tyson Mavar, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.
In this article we will cover:
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How stock market performance has varied under different U.S. presidents.
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Why election outcomes have historically mattered less than long‑term economic trends.
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Insights for Fortune 500 employees on maintaining disciplined investing.
Since its inception in 1957, the S&P 500 has returned an average of 9.3% annually under Democratic presidents and 10.2% under Republican presidents. 1 However, its median one-year returns averaged 12.9% under Democratic presidents and 9.9% under Republican presidents. 1 Although certain extreme cases skew the figures, the prevailing narrative is that markets have steadily grown under nearly every administration. For Fortune 500 employees, the key point is that trying to time investments around elections has historically underperformed, as broader forces such as innovation, monetary policy, and global events play a much larger role. Over time, staying invested has delivered nearly 10% annual returns 2 —far more impactful than wagering on red or blue.
Overview
Over almost a century, the U.S. stock market has experienced dramatic fluctuations. This analysis examines returns from one inauguration to the next, tracking S&P 500 performance by presidential term between 1926 and 2024. For Fortune 500 investors observing the market, the long‑term trend remains firmly upward, despite recessions, wars, or recoveries affecting short‑term results.
The Great Depression and the Roaring Twenties (Coolidge and Hoover)
The roaring 1920s ended under President Calvin Coolidge with substantial market growth, as the S&P 500 proxy rose about 26.1% annually from 1923 to 1929. 3 The boom ended abruptly with the 1929 crash, leading into the Great Depression. Herbert Hoover’s tenure saw a 77% market collapse 3 —one of the worst in history.
The 1950s Postwar Boom (Dwight D. Eisenhower)
The 1950s marked a period of steady economic expansion, driven by infrastructure investment and an expanding middle class under Dwight D. Eisenhower. By 1961, the market had nearly doubled. 3
The Tech Boom of the 1990s (Bill Clinton)
From 1993 to 2001, under President Clinton, the S&P 500 returned approximately 15% annually and climbed nearly 210% overall. 3 This coincided with a surge in innovation and technology. The broader market rally positioned companies like Fortune 500 as significant players as the economy surged.
George W. Bush, Boom, Bust, and Crisis in the 2000s
George W. Bush assumed office during the dot‑com collapse. From 2000 to 2002, the S&P 500 fell roughly 50%. 3 Though a mid‑decade recovery took place, the 2008 financial crisis erased years of gains, resulting in negative returns for Bush’s presidency. For Fortune 500 employees, this period is remembered for energy price shocks and sharp volatility, highlighting the impact of global market forces.
Following 2008, a Bull Market and Recovery (Barack Obama)
Assuming office in January 2009 amidst the Great Recession, President Obama presided over a market rebound spurred by stimulus measures. The S&P 500 rebounded strongly, making Obama one of the most effective market performers of the contemporary era. Investors learned that long‑term positioning matters deeply—even in downturns.
Volatility and Tax Cuts in the Late 2010s (Donald Trump)
Between 2017 and 2021, during Trump’s presidency, the S&P 500 advanced about 68% overall, or roughly 13.6% annually. 3 Despite political unpredictability, markets continued upward, demonstrating again that investors benefit most from disciplined consistency rather than speculation.
Joe Biden’s “Pandemic Crash and Rebound”
Biden took office in 2021 as markets were recovering from pandemic‐related declines. The S&P 500 rose 28.5% in 2021, declined 18% in 2022 amid inflation, then gained 26% in 2023 and 25% in 2024. 4 With an annualized return of 11.9% during his tenure, Biden's term marked near-record stock market returns. 3 For Fortune 500 employees, this underscores how market resilience reflects wider economic cycles.
Party-wise Market Performance: Democrats vs. Republicans
Since its inception in 1957, the S&P 500 has returned an average of 9.3% annually under Democratic presidents and 10.2% under Republican presidents. 1 Historically, shifting investment based on election outcomes has underperformed. For Fortune 500 investors, this suggests that long‑term commitment outweighs election‑driven tactics.
In Conclusion
History demonstrates that market outcomes depend far more on innovation, economic cycles, and global dynamics than on who’s in the White House. While Democrats have overseen some of the strongest rallies, Republican administrations have also seen major gains. For Fortune 500 employees, the message is clear: disciplined investing and staying the course have historically produced the best results, irrespective of political turnover.
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- How Are Workers Impacted by Inflation & Rising Interest Rates?
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Sources:
1. The Motley Fool. ' Here's the Average Stock Market Return Under Democratic and Republican Presidents ,' by Trevor Jennewine. July 5, 2024.
2. nerdwallet. ' What Is the Average Stock Market Return? ' by James Royal. July 25, 2025.
3. Kiplinger. ' The Best and Worst Presidents (According to the Stock Market) ,' by C.L. Sizemore. July 3, 2025.
4. Stern NYU. ' Historical Returns on Stocks, Bonds and Bills: 1928-2024 .' January 2025.
What are the implications of the Funding Target Attainment Percentage for FedEx Corporation employees, and how does it impact the security of the pension benefits offered by FedEx Corporation? This question seeks to explore the nuances of the funding target attainment percentage as reported in the annual funding notice, examining how this metric not only reflects the financial health of FedEx Corporation's pension plan but also how it affects employee confidence in future benefit payments and retirement planning.
Funding Target Attainment Percentage: The Funding Target Attainment Percentage for FedEx Corporation indicates the degree to which the pension plan is funded. A percentage of 101.33% for 2022 suggests that the plan has sufficient assets to cover its liabilities, providing security for employees' pension benefits. This high percentage likely increases employee confidence in the stability and reliability of their future pension payouts, essential for long-term retirement planning.
How does the merger of the FedEx Freight Pension Plan into the FedEx Corporate Employees’ Pension Plan influence the benefits currently available to FedEx Corporation employees? This question aims to delve into the practical changes that may arise due to this merger, assessing whether it aligns with employee expectations regarding their pension benefits and how the transition process is managed by FedEx Corporation.
Merger of Pension Plans: The merger of the FedEx Freight Pension Plan into the FedEx Corporate Employees’ Pension Plan appears to have been strategically managed to maintain benefit stability. Despite increasing liabilities by 5.3%, the merger was structured to ensure no negative impact on the benefit amounts payable to participants from either plan, preserving the expected pension benefits for all affected FedEx Corporation employees.
In terms of investment strategies, what measures does FedEx Corporation implement to ensure that its pension plan investments align with the long-term liabilities expected to be paid out to retirees? This question encourages an exploration of the investment policies in place, examining the asset allocations and risk management strategies that FedEx Corporation employs to ensure sustainable funding for its pension obligations, which could potentially include detailed analyses of stocks, debts, and alternative investments.
Investment Strategies: FedEx Corporation employs a diversified investment strategy across equities, fixed income, and alternative investments, aiming to meet long-term pension liabilities. This approach, which includes both active management strategies and the limited use of derivatives, is designed to generate returns that exceed market indices, thus ensuring adequate funding of pension obligations.
What options do employees of FedEx Corporation have for accessing their pension plan statements, and how frequently are these statements generated? The focus here is to understand the communication strategies employed by FedEx Corporation regarding pension benefit statements, including technological access points and the importance of these documents for employee financial planning.
Pension Plan Statements: FedEx Corporation provides annual pension plan statements through their Retirement Service Center, available electronically each fall. Employees can access their statements online or request them if notifications are not received, ensuring transparency and aiding in personal financial planning.
How are contributions to the FedEx Corporation Employees’ Pension Plan determined, and what role do excess contributions play in the plan's overall funding strategy? This question aims to educate employees about how the company balances mandatory contribution levels with potential excess contributions, exploring how these factors interact to influence the plan's solvency and employee benefits.
Contributions to the Pension Plan: Contributions to the FedEx Corporation Employees' Pension Plan are calculated to meet at least the minimum legal requirement and potentially include voluntary excess contributions. These excess contributions can help manage the plan's funding level and ensure its solvency, benefiting overall pension security for employees.
What types of benefits are guaranteed under the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) for FedEx Corporation employees, and what limitations exist that employees should be aware of? By focusing on the guaranteed benefits, this question prompts a discussion on the security of specific benefits provided by FedEx Corporation and highlights limitations, allowing employees to understand their rights fully.
PBGC Guarantee: The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation guarantees certain types of benefits for FedEx Corporation employees, such as pension benefits at normal retirement age and most early retirement benefits. However, there are limitations, such as exclusions for benefits without vested rights and recently increased benefits, which employees should be aware of to fully understand their pension security.
In what ways does the FedEx Corporation plan to adjust its pension funding strategy in light of changing federal laws that impact pension obligations? Employees are encouraged to consider how legislative changes influence corporate policies surrounding retirement benefits and the proactive strategies FedEx Corporation might take to remain compliant while ensuring the security of employee pensions.
Adjustments to Funding Strategy: FedEx Corporation is likely to adjust its pension funding strategy in response to legislative changes affecting pension obligations, such as those introduced by recent acts adjusting how pension liabilities are calculated. This proactive approach aims to ensure compliance with new laws while continuing to secure the financial health of the pension plan.
What are the steps that FedEx Corporation employees must take if they are considering retirement, particularly in how to navigate the pension plan and gain access to their benefits? This question aims to provide clarity on the retirement process, ensuring that employees are equipped with the necessary information regarding required documentation, timelines, and points of contact within FedEx Corporation.
Steps for Retirement Planning: Employees considering retirement should contact the FedEx Retirement Service Center to navigate their pension plan benefits. This process involves understanding necessary documentation, timelines, and available support, facilitating a smooth transition into retirement.
How does FedEx Corporation plan to manage potential funding shortfalls in the pension plan, and what mechanisms are in place for notifying plan participants should such an event occur? Employees would need to understand the proactive measures put in place by FedEx Corporation to address funding-related challenges while also knowing what this means for their benefits.
Managing Funding Shortfalls: In the event of potential funding shortfalls, FedEx Corporation has policies in place to manage such situations, including strategic contributions to mitigate shortfalls. The company maintains transparency with plan participants about funding levels and any significant changes affecting the pension plan.
For those seeking more information about their pensions and retirement options, how can FedEx Corporation employees contact relevant departments, and what resources are available for assistance? This question provides an opportunity for employees to familiarize themselves with contact points such as the FedEx Retirement Service Center, emphasizing the importance of open communication channels for addressing inquiries related to their pensions. Feel free to consult the provided document for more in-depth exploration of these topics.
Contacting for Pension Information: FedEx Corporation employees seeking more information about their pensions or retirement options can contact the FedEx Retirement Service Center. This center provides essential resources and support, ensuring employees have access to all necessary information regarding their retirement planning.
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