How Genesco Employees Can Navigate Economic Shifts and Gain Financial Stability

Healthcare Provider Update: For Genesco, the healthcare provider is primarily through Aetna, which is part of CVS Health and provides a range of health insurance plans and services tailored to meet the needs of Genesco employees and their families. In 2026, the healthcare landscape could see significant challenges for Genesco due to anticipated insurance premium hikes driven by multiple factors. With the potential expiration of enhanced federal subsidies for Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans, over 22 million Americans could face out-of-pocket premium increases of more than 75%. In addition, rising medical costs, including hospital and prescription drug prices, are expected to further burden employees, potentially leading Genesco to reconsider its benefits strategy, such as shifting more costs onto workers to mitigate rising expenditures. These cumulative factors suggest a critical need for strategic planning in navigating the financial impact of healthcare in the coming year. Click here to learn more

Genesco employees who are retiring in the middle of economic uncertainties need strategies that are specific to their financial situations,' says Tyson Mavar of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement Group.

Wesley Boudreaux of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement Group, explains that it is important for Genesco employees to start planning for retirement early due to the change from pensions to 401(k)s.

1. Demographic Shifts and Financial Challenges: Examining the financial situation of the so-called 'peak boomers' as they move into retirement, focusing on their assets and reliance on Social Security.

2. Changes in Retirement Planning: Discussing the transition from pension plans that were partly funded by employers to defined contribution plans such as 401(k)s and its effects on the retirement security of different populations.

3. Economic Impact and Personal Stories: Discussing the overall impact of retiring baby boomers on the economy and personal stories that illustrate the problems that retirees face in supporting themselves and upholding middle-class standards.

This is a significant turning point in social change and this occurs when it comes to financial preparation for retirement. The Retirement Income Institute of the Alliance for Lifetime Income has revealed information about the 'peak boomers' who were born between 1959 and 1964 and are considered to be at risk. As the last of the baby boomers reach age 65, almost 30 million people are entering retirement and helping to define one segment of the population.

Among these baby boomers who are Genesco employees, things look pretty dark from the economic standpoint. A shocking 52.5% have resources of $250,000 or less, which will not allow them to live without Social Security. Furthermore, another 14.6% have less than $500,000 in assets, meaning that most may not be able to fund their post retirement lifestyle and financial independence. These numbers suggest some difficulties since many seem unprepared for the financial requirements of later years.

The retirement planning has become more risky during the working years. The change from the guaranteed defined benefit plans, pensions to the defined contribution plans like the 401(k) has increased this vulnerability. Nevertheless, pensions are more favorable than the retirement savings gap along the lines of race, gender, and ethnicity. For instance, only 24% of the peak boomers have pensions and even those may be underfunded.

The overall effects of this demographic change are not only restricted to the elderly. The report estimates that as the peak boomers leave the workforce, 14.8 million jobs in manufacturing, healthcare, and education will be vacant, affecting economic productivity. Furthermore, a noticeable shift in consumer spending is expected, with an expected decline of $204 billion by 2032 compared to 2022, especially in the transportation sector.

These changes reveal a wider social problem:

The financial problems of pensioners. More than half of the Americans 65 years and older receive less than $30,000 a year, and many of them live on $10,000 – $19,000 a year. This is because 79.2% of retirees rely on Social Security as their main source of income.

The stories of retirees are real and they often sound worried about having enough money to last them the rest of their lives, which makes some feel like they must keep working for the rest of their lives. One retiree said, “There is only going to be one group of people that are going to have any dignity in their old age and that’s the very rich.” These are the severe realities which many people face.

This demands a social partnership for financial stability of the aging population and a reexamination of retirement savings frameworks. It is, therefore, important to approach retirement planning holistically to preserve the dignity and security of all retirees as the biggest cohort of baby boomers approaches retirement with multiple problems in their lives and their pockets.

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It is very important for retirees to know how to handle their finances after leaving the working world. These scams are especially aimed at older people and those who have large amounts of money in their retirement accounts. It further highlights scams based on fake tax bills or legal threats and advises one to be careful. Genesco employees should especially avoid falling for phishing emails that are disguised as being from the IRS and ask for personal details or quick money. The IRS never reaches out to taxpayers through text messages, social media platforms, or emails regarding such matters.

Sources:

1. Statler, Jean. “Protected Retirement Income and Planning Study.” Protected Income, 2023,  www.protectedincome.org . Accessed 3 Feb 2025.

2. Norman, Suzanne. “Despite Facing Greater Obstacles to Retirement Savings, Peak 65 Women Outpace Men in Prioritizing Lifetime Income for Retirement.” Protected Income, 2023,  www.protectedincome.org . Accessed 3 Feb 2025.

3. Fichtner, Jason, and Bamji, Cyrus. “The Peak 65® Zone is Here, And Our Country is Not Prepared.” Protected Income, 2023,  www.protectedincome.org . Accessed 3 Feb 2025.

4. Shapiro, Robert J. “Peak 65 Economic Impact Forum.” Protected Income, 2023,  www.protectedincome.org . Accessed 3 Feb 2025.

5. Channel, Jacob. “Where You Need More Than $1 Million To Retire.” LendingTree, 2023,  www.lendingtree.com . Accessed 3 Feb 2025.