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Discover How WEC Energy Group Employees Can Navigate Capital Gains Tax to Keep More of Their Hard-Earned Money

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Healthcare Provider Update: WEC Energy Group's healthcare provider is the Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement Group, which assists employees with navigating complex benefit structures and potential healthcare challenges. In 2026, employees at WEC Energy Group may face significant healthcare cost increases due to projected premium hikes in the ACA marketplace, influenced by the expiration of enhanced federal subsidies, rising medical costs, and the push from insurers seeking higher premiums. As a result, many employees might see a steep rise in out-of-pocket expenses, with some forecasts suggesting increases could exceed 75%. To navigate these financial pressures, employees are encouraged to familiarize themselves with upcoming benefit changes and strategically review their healthcare options. 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 WEC Energy Group 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 WEC Energy Group 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 WEC Energy Group employees.

Jeremy Schneider, who is 36 and sold his real estate website for $2 million, offers a meaningful example for WEC Energy Group 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 WEC Energy Group 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 WEC Energy Group 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 WEC Energy Group 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 WEC Energy Group 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 WEC Energy Group 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 WEC Energy Group?

The 401(k) plan at WEC Energy Group is a retirement savings plan that allows employees to save a portion of their paycheck before taxes are deducted.

How can I enroll in the WEC Energy Group 401(k) plan?

Employees can enroll in the WEC Energy Group 401(k) plan by completing the enrollment process online through the company’s benefits portal.

Does WEC Energy Group offer any matching contributions to the 401(k) plan?

Yes, WEC Energy Group offers matching contributions to the 401(k) plan, which helps employees boost their retirement savings.

What is the vesting schedule for the WEC Energy Group 401(k) plan?

The vesting schedule for the WEC Energy Group 401(k) plan typically requires employees to work for a certain number of years before they fully own the company’s matching contributions.

Can I change my contribution amount to the WEC Energy Group 401(k) plan?

Yes, employees can change their contribution amounts to the WEC Energy Group 401(k) plan at any time, subject to plan rules.

What investment options are available in the WEC Energy Group 401(k) plan?

The WEC Energy Group 401(k) plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, stocks, and bonds, allowing employees to choose based on their risk tolerance.

Is there a loan option available in the WEC Energy Group 401(k) plan?

Yes, the WEC Energy Group 401(k) plan may allow employees to take loans against their account balance under certain conditions.

What happens to my 401(k) account if I leave WEC Energy Group?

If you leave WEC Energy Group, you will have several options for your 401(k) account, including rolling it over to another retirement account or leaving it with WEC Energy Group.

How can I access my 401(k) account information with WEC Energy Group?

Employees can access their 401(k) account information through the WEC Energy Group benefits portal or by contacting the HR department.

Are there any fees associated with the WEC Energy Group 401(k) plan?

Yes, the WEC Energy Group 401(k) plan may have administrative fees and investment-related fees, which are disclosed in the plan documents.

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