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
As FedEx employees approach Retirement, be aware of IRS changes regarding inherited Retirement accounts and possible legislative shifts, as these can affect your tax strategy and long-term Retirement readiness, says [Advisor Name], a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement Group.
With IRS deferring new payout regulations for inherited IRAs, FedEx employees might want to reconsider withdrawal strategies and delay distributions to take advantage of tax deferral benefits, says [Advisor Name], a representative of the Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement Group.
In this article, we will discuss:
1. Regulations relating to Deferral of Inherited Retirement Account.
2. Effects of the Secure Act 2.0 on Retirement Planning.
3. Tax Advantages & Compliance for Inherited IRAs.
The Internal Revenue Service recently said it would delay implementation of new regulations regarding inherited retirement accounts. That move means certain beneficiaries will be able to withhold a required distribution in 2023, giving some temporary consolation to those struggling with inherited IRAs.
It is based on legislative changes begun in 2019 by Congress that change the requirements for inherited retirement funds. After those modifications, the expectation that the inherited funds would be exhausted within a decade was applied to most non-spousal beneficiaries and the prior provision was replaced with a lifetime distribution. So people who qualify for the 2023 prescribed minimum distributions (RMDs) are now exempt from the 10-year settlement obligation.
In the interim, beneficiaries have been left waiting for final IRS directives on 2019 retirement legislation. The new disclosure outlines the circumstances for 2023; but no comprehensive and enduring guidance remains, given that these beneficiaries still must liquidate their accounts within the ten-year timeframe.
Important for professionals at FedEx is how to structure withdrawals that are good for ten years. Actually, they are evaluating whether annual disbursements are mandatory or if they can put off withdrawals until the tenth year. Waiting too long before withdrawing funds may provide big tax advantages. By using this strategy, beneficiaries may also facilitate greater tax-deferred growth and delay withdrawals until they may be in a lower income tax bracket. This is because the IRS taxes withdrawals from inherited retirement accounts as income.
While the new guidance does not explicitly waive those annual RMDs, the penalty relief effectively exempts the affected taxpayers from those distributions through 2023, an IRS spokesperson said.
Proposed regulations from the IRS the year before also complicate things for beneficiaries. These regulations required successors to make yearly withdrawals every ten years if the original account holders had already made RMDs. Despite that ambiguity, the IRS exempted these beneficiaries from penalties for failing to receive distributions in 2021 or 2022. This exemption is valid until 2023 under the new directive.
Failure to follow the RMD provisions generally carries a 25% penalty equal to the required withdrawal amount. Some taxpayers have questioned whether they will have to reimburse the withheld distributions when routine enforcement is reinstated. In response, Grayson, Georgia-based IRA consultant Denise Appleby says retroactive compliance is highly unlikely if you miss a distribution.
The rules regarding spouses and other specific beneficiaries - including chronically ill - remain the same. These individuals are generally required to make yearly withdrawals for the duration of their projected lives. Furthermore, for accounts inherited before 2020, the previous regulations apply - beneficiaries must continue to receive yearly distributions throughout expected lifetimes.
The law is critical to retirement accounts - a subject that excites both retired FedEx employees and experienced professionals. The latest estimates from the Insured retirement Institute (2021) show that 24.3% of Baby Boomers - the majority approaching or already retired - have no savings for Retirement.
Since the IRS recently put off implementation of payout regulations for inherited IRAs, members of this demographic have a unique opportunity to craft retirement financial strategies that take full advantage of any possible tax deferrals and to consider the impact of inherited assets on comprehensive retirement plans. That event highlights the need to be informed about regulatory changes that may affect a person's retirement financial security.
Understanding recent IRS changes regarding inherited retirement accounts is like learning to handle unpredictable sea breezes. Just as adept sailors must quickly change their sails to stay on course and avoid capsize, so must FedEx retirees and those approaching retirement be flexible enough to handle such regulatory shifts.
Putting off implementation of new payout regulations is like a sudden gust of wind that if applied correctly can blow a ship forward with great potential for tax-deferred accumulation and quick withdrawals - or misconstrued and ignored - can cause turbulent conditions and possible consequences. Keep up with a constantly changing 'financial climate' and understand the 'navigation rules' set by the IRS to help steer retirement vessels toward financial security - especially with inherited assets.
Added Fact:
Besides the IRS adjustments, FedEx professionals approaching retirement should be aware of a less-publicized component of Secure Act 2.0, which would raise the age of required minimum distributions (RMDs) to 75 from 72. Such a change in retirement planning might alter plans to allow a longer growth period of retirement savings. For people turning 60, this could create new opportunities to optimize asset growth before mandatory distributions kick in - a strategy that could greatly improve retirement readiness. As legislative developments occur, this bill is one to watch closely for its direct impact on retirement strategies.
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Added Analogy:
Navigating new IRS rules on inheriting retirement accounts is like piloting a ship through the Panama Canal's tight turns. Like a captain who has to adjust to new lock sizes and water levels on a canal to keep the vessel safe on passage, FedEx professionals approaching or retiring from work must do the same with retirement account regulations. The canal is an engineering marvel that requires precise timing and knowledge of ship capabilities - just as precise and strategic financial planning is needed to take full advantage of tax advantages and account growth under new legislation. As the canal allows ships passage between two oceans, the new IRS rules allow retirees to navigate between current financial security and the legacy of their retirement assets.
Sources:
1. Internal Revenue Service (IRS). 'Retirement Plan and IRA Required Minimum Distributions FAQs.' Internal Revenue Service , 10 Dec. 2024, www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-plan-and-ira-required-minimum-distributions-faqs .
2. Fidelity Investments. 'Inherited IRA Withdrawals | Beneficiary RMD Rules & Options.' Fidelity Investments , Jan. 2025, www.fidelity.com/learning-center/investment-products/iras/inherited-ira-withdrawals .
3. Lankford, Kimberly. 'SECURE 2.0 Act Summary: New Retirement Savings Changes to Know.' Kiplinger , Dec. 2022, www.kiplinger.com/retirement/retirement-plans/602453/secure-2-0-act-summary-new-retirement-savings-changes-to-know .
4. The Vanguard Group. 'RMD Rules for Inherited IRAs.' The Vanguard Group , 2025, www.vanguard.com/retirement-plans/inherited-iras/rmd-rules .
5. Mercer. 'IRS Sets 2025 for Final RMD Rules; Extends 10-Year Rule Relief.' Mercer , 25 May 2024, www.mercer.com/insights/2025-IRS-rmd-rules-final-relief.html .
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.