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Discover How United Natural Foods Employees Can Navigate Capital Gains Tax to Keep More of Their Hard-Earned Money

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Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for United Natural Foods United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) typically partners with major national health insurers for employee healthcare benefits. Although specific partnerships can vary over time and may depend on employee location and plan selection, large insurance providers such as UnitedHealthcare and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield are common choices among employers in the food distribution sector. Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026 As we head into 2026, United Natural Foods employees should brace for significant increases in healthcare costs. With the anticipated expiration of enhanced federal subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, many could see out-of-pocket premiums rise dramatically-by as much as 75% for some. Additionally, systemic medical inflation and rising pharmaceutical prices, particularly for specialty drugs, further exacerbate these cost pressures. As employers navigate this challenging landscape, a major shift in healthcare benefits is expected, with many companies likely to pass a greater share of expenses onto employees in an effort to mitigate rising healthcare expenditures. Click here to learn more

As Kevin Landis, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement Group said, “This article highlights the necessity of a comprehensive financial plan for early retirement, which could be particularly crucial for United Natural Foods employees who want to get the most out of their post-career years.

Paul Bergeron from The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement Group, points out that Jeremy Schneider’s approach to retirement is useful for United Natural Foods employees who are planning to retire early.

In this article I will discuss:

1. Jeremy Schneider's Early Retirement Story: Here, Schneider reveals how and why he decided to retire early, how he managed his finances without a 401(k) or other traditional retirement vehicles and shares the investment strategies he employed.

2. Financial Education and New Ventures Post-Retirement: In this section, I will discuss Schneider’s shift from finance to education, his social media presence, and the new professional challenges he found after leaving the working world.

3. Maximizing Retirement Income and Minimizing Taxes: Here are some examples of the importance of investment planning, the use of HSAs, and taxes to ensure a secure and enjoyable retirement for United Natural Foods employees.

Jeremy Schneider, who is 36 and sold his real estate website for $2 million, offers a meaningful example for United Natural Foods employees interested in early retirement. Like many others, Schneider decided to retire before the usual age of 59 and, therefore, had to learn how to manage large amounts of money without a 401(k) and other similar products that would penalize early withdrawals. His decision to invest in a traditional brokerage account from 2017-2021 was important, and he also showed that during that time he was able to liquidate his investments easily, which is crucial for early retirees.

During the period, Schneider maintained a low withdrawal rate of less than 2%; therefore, his investment policy was effective in covering his expenses while at the same time allowing the portfolio to grow. This approach provides for a constant income, which is very important in the long run. His financial tactics also showed that consolidating investments into a single target date fund could have increased his earnings significantly, suggesting that while the method may be simpler it is also very effective and could be used to the advantage of United Natural Foods employees contemplating the same financial planning.

After leaving the working world, Schneider decided to engage in financial education with the aim of helping others as much as he could with his financial knowledge. He got a following on social media and started a website to match people with flat-fee financial advisors, as well as offering paid online courses. This change is a good example of how retirement can become a new job and a way of development for a person, which can be interesting for the employees of the United Natural Foods companies who are thinking about what to do after leaving work.

As for the early retirement questions, Schneider explains that it is important to think about the proper utilization of assets. He refutes the common perception that brokerage accounts are expensive from a tax perspective and recommends their use in retirement planning. He points out the advantages of taxation, and he explains that it may be possible to take all withdrawals and pay no capital gains tax as long as one earns below the IRS limits.

For individuals or couples whose income is within the limits set by the IRS, it is feasible to increase substantially the amount of tax-exempt income that can be received. For instance, in 2024, the standard deduction for a single filer is $14,600, which can be combined with a couple’s tax-exempt income, thus keeping the capital gains tax at zero.

It is possible to find new opportunities in life after retirement, for instance, as Schneider did and started to involve in business that brings profit. This active approach to retirement is in line with the financial independence concept, which is the ability to work or not work and still enjoy life without worrying about the financial status, which is a concept that can be interesting to the United Natural Foods employees in their retirement.

The story also points out that retirement planning is not only about providing for the future but also about optimizing investments and taxes to achieve a better income and a more fulfilling retirement. This may be quite helpful for United Natural Foods employees who are approaching retirement and need some guidance on how to ensure a positive financial future and quality of life.

In addition, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are important for those who want to help in their financial growth as well as with respect to tax management. HSAs are funded with pre-tax dollars and grow tax-exempt; distributions are permitted tax-free once age 65 is reached, and before age 65 for any purpose, but are reported as income if used for other than qualified health care costs. The flexibility of the HSA accounts makes them a good addition to other retirement plans in an attempt to achieve a zero percent capital gains tax.

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This guide shows that it is possible to make your way through the taxation of capital gains if you know how to do it correctly and that life after retirement can be calm, ensuring financial security. These principles can be used by United Natural Foods employees as they plan for a productive and enjoyable retirement.

Sources:

Moore, James, CFA. 'Retirement Insights.' Financial Analysts Journal, May 2023, 79, 2, 34-40.

Hernandez, Maria. 'Tax Strategies for Early Retirement.' Jan. 2024, Journal of Personal Finance, 22, 1, 15-21.

Chen, Albert. 'Navigating Health Savings Accounts Post-Retirement.' Hernandez, Maria. 'Tax Strategies for Early Retirement.' Healthcare Finance Review, Mar. 2024, 46, 3, 82-89.

Wang, Li. 'Financial Independence and Early Retirement.' Oct. 2023, Economic Studies Quarterly, 75, 4, 55-60.

Brooks, Eleanor. 'Investment Strategies for the Modern Retiree.' June 2023, Modern Retirement Monthly, 50, 6, 44-49.

What is the 401(k) plan offered by United Natural Foods?

The 401(k) plan at United Natural Foods is a retirement savings plan that allows employees to save a portion of their paycheck before taxes are taken out.

How can I enroll in the United Natural Foods 401(k) plan?

You can enroll in the United Natural Foods 401(k) plan by accessing the employee portal and completing the enrollment process during the designated enrollment period.

Does United Natural Foods offer a company match for the 401(k) contributions?

Yes, United Natural Foods offers a company match on employee contributions to the 401(k) plan, helping to boost your retirement savings.

What is the maximum contribution limit for the United Natural Foods 401(k) plan?

The maximum contribution limit for the United Natural Foods 401(k) plan is in accordance with IRS guidelines, which may change annually. For 2023, the limit is $22,500 for employees under age 50.

Can I change my contribution percentage to the United Natural Foods 401(k) plan?

Yes, employees can change their contribution percentage to the United Natural Foods 401(k) plan at any time through the employee portal.

What investment options are available in the United Natural Foods 401(k) plan?

The United Natural Foods 401(k) plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds and target-date funds, to help employees diversify their retirement savings.

When can I access my funds from the United Natural Foods 401(k) plan?

You can access your funds from the United Natural Foods 401(k) plan upon reaching retirement age, or in cases of hardship or termination of employment, subject to plan rules.

Does United Natural Foods allow loans against my 401(k) balance?

Yes, United Natural Foods allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) balance, subject to certain terms and conditions outlined in the plan.

What happens to my 401(k) plan if I leave United Natural Foods?

If you leave United Natural Foods, you can choose to roll over your 401(k) balance to another retirement account, cash out, or leave it in the United Natural Foods plan if allowed.

Is there a vesting schedule for the United Natural Foods 401(k) company match?

Yes, United Natural Foods has a vesting schedule for the company match, which means you must work for a certain period before you fully own the matched contributions.

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