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As FMC employees approach retirement, it's crucial to address the need for long-term care.
Government projections indicate that nearly 70% of older adults will require some form of long-term assistance.
Despite this, a survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation reveals that many have not prepared for this eventuality.
The Cost of Long-Term Care
For employees at FMC, understanding the financial implications of long-term care is vital.
A Genworth Cost of Care survey
reports that the average annual cost for a private room in a nursing home exceeds $100,000, while home health aides average over $60,000 per year. Since Medicare does not cover these expenses, options such as personal savings, hybrid insurance policies, annuities with long-term care components, traditional insurance, or Medicaid (post asset depletion) become necessary considerations.
Family Impact
The financial and emotional toll of unprepared long-term care can disrupt family stability. This section offers practical tips for FMC employees on managing these potential costs.
Conventional Insurance for Long-Term Care
For FMC's workforce, obtaining long-term care insurance requires good health, timely application, and the financial ability to sustain premiums. However, only a small fraction of those eligible opt for this insurance.
The Price of Long-Term Health Insurance
Purchasing long-term care insurance during one's forties or early fifties can result in significantly lower premiums. With age, not only do premiums rise, but the likelihood of being denied coverage increases as well.
Methods for Cutting Costs
FMC employees might find financial relief in purchasing insurance early, choosing policies with a joint benefit option for couples, or opting for a longer elimination period to reduce premium costs. Annual premium payments also offer cost savings.
Benefits for FMC Employees
Some employers, may offer long-term care insurance as part of their benefits package, which often remains portable after employment ends.
Hybrid Insurance Policies
The market has seen a shift towards hybrid policies that combine life insurance with long-term care benefits. These are accessible but typically more expensive than standalone policies.
Long-Term Care Rider Annuities
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Annuities with a long-term care rider provide a hybrid solution that may suit some retirees better, offering payments irrespective of long-term care needs and usually featuring more lenient health requirements.
Independent Insurance
Affluent retirees might consider self-insuring, requiring substantial liquid assets to cover potential long-term care costs. It's important for FMC employees to plan for the tax implications of using retirement savings for these costs.
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
HSAs offer a tax-advantaged way to save for long-term care expenses, suitable for FMC employees with high-deductible health plans. These accounts allow for tax-free growth and withdrawals when used for qualified medical expenses.
Family Guidance
Many retirees will rely on family for care, as shown by the case of Nancy Yung, whose family's efforts epitomize the crucial role relatives play in long-term care.
In Summary
Planning for long-term care is akin to preparing a safety net for retirement, essential for mitigating the impact of rising housing and food costs. FMC employees should consult with financial advisors to explore all available options to secure their future financially. This planning is not just about risk management—it's about assisting in a stable and shielded path into retirement.
How does FMC Technologies plan to manage the investment strategy of its pension plan to ensure it remains solvent and able to meet the benefit payments as employees retire? Given the shifting dynamics of the market, what specific measures is FMC Technologies employing to enhance the liquidity of its assets and mitigate risks associated with underfunding in the current economic climate?
Investment Strategy for Solvency and Benefit Payments: FMC Technologies' pension plan aims to ensure all benefit payments are met as they fall due. The investment strategy includes maintaining funds above the Statutory Funding Objective and transitioning towards lower-risk assets such as Liability Driven Investments (LDI), gilts, and cash. This strategy, driven by advice from LCP, seeks to reduce underfunding risks and ensure liquidity(FMC_Technologies_Pensio…).
In what ways does FMC Technologies incorporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into its investment decision-making for the pension plan? How does the commitment to ESG investing align with the broader goals of FMC Technologies, and what impact does it have on the long-term sustainability and performance of the company's pension investments?
ESG Factors in Investment Decisions: ESG factors, including climate change, are considered by FMC Technologies in investment decisions. The company encourages investment managers to integrate ESG considerations into their analysis of future performance and risks. ESG aligns with the long-term sustainability of the pension plan, though there are limited opportunities to apply ESG in the current target investment strategy of LDI, gilts, and cash(FMC_Technologies_Pensio…).
Can you elaborate on the additional voluntary contribution (AVC) arrangements available through FMC Technologies and how they are designed to support employees in building a more robust retirement income? What choices do employees have within these AVC options, and how can they tailor their investment to suit their individual risk profiles?
Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVC): FMC Technologies provides AVC arrangements designed to offer a range of investment options to help employees build a more robust retirement income. These options allow employees to tailor investments based on their risk-return preferences, ensuring flexibility in achieving personal retirement goals(FMC_Technologies_Pensio…).
As employees of FMC Technologies approach retirement, what processes are in place to evaluate their pension benefits and determine eligibility for various retirement options? What role does the pension plan's advisory team play in assisting employees with financial planning in preparation for retirement?
Pension Benefits Evaluation Process: FMC Technologies uses a structured process to evaluate pension benefits, supported by investment advisers and trustees. This process involves regularly reviewing the funding level and the benefit cash flows to ensure the pension plan is on track to meet employee retirement needs. Advisory teams help employees with financial planning during the transition to retirement(FMC_Technologies_Pensio…).
What steps is FMC Technologies taking to transition its investment strategy towards greater exposure to low-risk instruments while still aiming for satisfactory returns? How does this transition align with the company’s funding objectives, and what are the anticipated benefits for the employees in the context of their retirement planning?
Transition to Low-Risk Investments: FMC Technologies has transitioned much of its pension assets into LDI, gilts, and cash to de-risk the investment portfolio. This shift aligns with the company's funding objectives to secure pension liabilities and provide stable returns for retirees. The plan is expected to fully transition to these low-risk instruments to support long-term pension solvency(FMC_Technologies_Pensio…).
How does FMC Technologies measure the performance of its investment managers, and what criteria are used to evaluate their effectiveness in managing the pension plan's assets? In the event that an investment manager does not perform according to expectations, what procedures are in place for FMC Technologies to reassess and possibly reallocate those funds?
Investment Manager Performance: FMC Technologies evaluates the performance of its investment managers using various criteria, including their ability to meet long-term pension objectives. If an investment manager underperforms, FMC Technologies, with advice from LCP, reassesses and rebalances the portfolio as needed to ensure pension assets are properly managed(FMC_Technologies_Pensio…).
What communication channels does FMC Technologies recommend employees use if they have questions or need clarification regarding their retirement benefits and the pension plan? How can employees easily access additional resources or support to better understand their retirement options as they transition out of active employment?
Communication Channels for Retirement Benefits: Employees of FMC Technologies can access information and support regarding their pension and retirement benefits through direct communication with trustees and the pension advisory team. FMC Technologies recommends utilizing these resources for clarity on retirement options and to understand the transition out of active employment(FMC_Technologies_Pensio…).
Considering the implications of portfolio diversification, how does FMC Technologies determine the appropriate asset allocation for its pension plan's investment strategy? What considerations are taken into account to ensure that all employees’ retirement savings are managed in a way that balances risk and growth potential?
Asset Allocation and Portfolio Diversification: FMC Technologies’ pension plan employs a diversified asset allocation strategy, ensuring a balance between growth and risk. The investment strategy considers the need to match liabilities with assets while progressively reducing exposure to high-risk assets like equities and increasing exposure to low-risk instruments like LDI and gilts(FMC_Technologies_Pensio…).
How does FMC Technologies plan to maintain compliance with regulatory requirements regarding its pension plan, particularly concerning employer-related investments? What are the limitations or restrictions imposed by legislation that affect how FMC Technologies can manage its pension fund assets?
Compliance with Regulatory Requirements: FMC Technologies remains compliant with regulations regarding employer-related investments. Restrictions under the Pensions Act 1995 and the Occupational Pension Schemes (Investment) Regulations 2005 prevent significant investments in TechnipFMC or associated companies to avoid conflicts of interest(FMC_Technologies_Pensio…).
As risks associated with market fluctuations continue to evolve, how does FMC Technologies plan to adjust its investment strategy to mitigate these risks? What safeguards are put in place to protect retirement benefits during periods of economic uncertainty, and how will these strategies affect the financial well-being of FMC Technologies’ retirees?
Adjusting Investment Strategy for Market Risks: FMC Technologies employs a liability-driven approach to manage the pension fund, mitigating market risks associated with economic fluctuations. Regular reviews of the investment strategy, alongside professional advice, allow the company to adjust and protect the pension plan's assets during uncertain market conditions(FMC_Technologies_Pensio…).