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Unlocking Real Estate Opportunities for Nordson Employees: A Guide to Building Wealth in Retirement

Healthcare Provider Update: Nordson offers a comprehensive benefits package to its U.S. employees, including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage. The company supports employee wellness through HSAs, FSAs, and a wellbeing program. Retirement benefits include both traditional and Roth 401(k) options, life insurance, and disability coverage. Nordson also provides paid time off, adoption reimbursement, and tuition assistance5. Healthcare costs in the United States are projected to continue rising through 2026, with insurers proposing significant premium increases for Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans. A recent analysis found that ACA insurers are seeking a median premium increase of 15% for 2026, marking the largest hike since 2018. This surge is attributed to factors such as the anticipated expiration of enhanced premium tax credits, rising medical costsincluding expensive medications and increased hospital staysand a shift in the risk pool towards higher-cost enrollees. Without the renewal of enhanced subsidies, out-of-pocket premiums for ACA marketplace enrollees could increase by more than 75% on average. Click here to learn more

If you are a Nordson employee looking to buy real estate as a part of your retirement planning, then you should know that such an approach has its advantages and disadvantages,' says Michael Corgiat of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement Group.

Brent Wolf from The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement Group advises Nordson employees who want to diversify their retirement portfolio with real estate to focus on due diligence and the local market dynamics.

In this article, we will discuss:

1. Diverse Retirement Investment Strategies: We compare the conventional stock market investments with the real estate options for retirees and emphasize the tangible benefits and the stability that comes with real estate.
2. Challenges and Benefits of Real Estate Investment for Retirement: We explore the possible drawbacks, such as problem tenants and repair costs, against the background of healthy rental yields and tax advantages.
3. Real Estate Retirement Stories: Real tales from four people over the age of 65 who have invested heavily in real estate, including their stories, approaches, and results.
While on Wall Street, many people save for their retirement, some of the Nordson employees may decide to own real estate, which is a more tangible asset, with a better curb appeal. Having kitchens, doors, and walls around their nest egg makes retirees more comfortable. These retirement investors like the property rental income and the tax benefits that come with being a landlord even though many still rely on the stock market to fund their retirement. Some of them also derive joy from the process of property rehabilitation.

The Boston College's Center for Retirement Research, in its analysis of Federal Reserve data, reported that in 2022, 10% of American homes belonged to an individual 65 years of age or older who received rental income, while just 7% of households with an individual under 65 years of age did the same. Managing properties is a job during retirement. Tenants may not pay or may cause damage, units may stay vacant, and repairs may be immediate. In addition, the costs of property ownership such as insurance and property taxes are also rising.

Nordson employees should take these into consideration when investing in real estate. Though there are such problems, there are still many retirees who believe that the advantages are greater than the disadvantages. Due to the years of increasing property values and relatively low mortgage rates, a large number of people are retiring on real estate today.

These four real estate retirees share their experiences, the expenses, the worries, and the pleasures of living off a portfolio of properties.

Josh Bottfeld: San Diego, California.

Properties: 7. Mortgage Debt: $1 million. Annual Spending: $120,000. Josh Bottfeld bought a San Diego studio apartment in 1982 using money he had taken out of his retirement account. At 29, he thought that this would provide retirement money from a portfolio. Several years later, he sold the studio and used the proceeds to buy a house in San Francisco, which he and a friend later sold for $125,000 after purchasing for $103,000.

From these earnings, a three-family home in a gentrifying neighborhood was purchased. By the year 2000, Bottfeld owned fifteen properties in Portland, Oregon, Las Vegas, and San Francisco. He was also able to take advantage of a tax loophole that deferred capital gains taxes while investing in another piece of real estate. In 1997, Bottfeld left his job in human resources to become a realtor.

In 2004, he moved to San Diego to run a real estate company and at 53 he retired after retiring from working and from investments and rentals. During the financial crisis, there was a need to return to work for a short time but in 2012, he retired for good. According to Bottfeld, real estate is a good inflation protector and therefore investment in it is better than in equities. He and his spouse, Brent Butler, currently own three rentals in a San Diego home and 14 units in seven buildings. Property managers receive between 6-10% of the rent to take care of the repair and tenant issues.

He has controlled his expenses, but his house equity is only $8 million after mortgages. His four properties are mortgaged and his fixed interest rates are about 3.5%. He has $4.8 million in equities and other interests including bridge loans that pay 8% to 15% to house flippers. He receives about $20,000 a month in rent, $8,000 a month in bridge loans, and $3,200 in Social Security. His lifestyle includes a Danube River cruise this summer at $10,000 per month in expenses.

Sarah McLane: Stowe, Vermont, and Nantucket, Massachusetts.

Properties: 2. Mortgage Debt: $0. Annual Spending: $100,000. Sarah McLane instead chose to build her fortune for retirement in historic homes in Nantucket and Stowe, Vermont while working on Wall Street. She quit her job in financial services in 2017 to become a builder in Vermont and stopped tracking the stock market. Instead, she focused on real estate, which she knew and could improve.

When McLane withdrew most of her $250,000 retirement funds in 2007 to use as a down payment and remodel an 1813 farmhouse in Stowe, she began her real estate career. She used the money for her house rather than withdraw it from her retirement account and pay the 10% early withdrawal penalty though she had to pay income tax on it. The Stowe property is worth $3 million and was purchased by McLane for $2 million. Her passion for establishing a permanent presence in an area she believes her kids would love drove her to peel off wallpaper and finish wood floors while spending her weekends. In 2018, she spent $1.6 million to purchase a historic Nantucket home and $2.5 million to renovate it to rent it out.

To rent out the Nantucket house during the busiest travel season, she intends to live in Vermont for the summer. She expects to generate $250,000 per year, which will be more than enough to cover her $100,000 in expenses. She also holds $1.3 million in bank accounts with 6% interest. During the winter, McLane plans to rent out her Stowe home and use the rental income to maintain it. She intends to live in Nantucket from fall to spring, claiming that it is the perfect place to retire and that he plans to live there. The house is ideal for her future as it is close to Boston and her grandson and has facilities nearby.

Augusta, Georgia / Bryan Haltermann.

Properties: 12 Mortgage Debt: $2 million Annual Spending: $150,000 Even two years after retiring, Haltermann still goes to the office every day to check on his holdings. The former developer of commercial real estate enjoys walking around his properties and talking to his four employees who manage his properties and responding to emails. Playing tennis on the court and having lunch with friends are his slow pace example. Four decades ago, Haltermann's business started when it paid approximately $50,000 for a 10,000 square foot facility that is currently valued at $500,000.

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He was well versed in historic properties and was able to restore them with significant tax benefits. He bought out his company partner about 15 years ago. After retirement, he invested the $5 million profit from the sale of ten buildings for about $10 million. An additional $5 million represents the value of his remaining rents, house, and vacation property, along with $2 million in low-rate mortgages. His insurance, taxes, and mortgage are all paid for by rental income.

He and his spouse, Alicia, are primarily spending on travel and are spending $150,000 a year, or $50,000 more than they did before retirement. Italy and Spain have been their recent favorite travel destinations. Due to the rising costs and interest rates, Haltermann has no plan to purchase any other real estate.

David Zach: California, Sierra Madre.

Properties: 4 Mortgage Debt: $850,000 Annual Spending: $66,000 David Zach didn't see the need for any other investments and put all of his retirement money into real estate. He preferred tangible and touchable assets. The majority of his assets are held by Zach, who is 63, and they are mostly centered on three lots in Sierra Madre: his house, a rental property nearby, and an auxiliary dwelling unit (ADU) that is currently being constructed. His current rents yield about $7,000 per month, and once the new ADU is finished, he expects to receive an additional $2,000. He is happy with his real estate investment of homes worth approximately $3.3 million and $850,000 low-rate mortgages.

Working about ten hours a month, he sells shower parts through his business and earns $84,000 a year. He spends about $5,500 a month on food, property taxes, and mortgage payments. He has invested all of his money in housing, and he has learned from the experiences. He lost a property to foreclosure 16 years ago, and he incurred $300,000 in losses.

He has kept a lean real estate portfolio, given that labor shortages and inflation have increased the cost of building an ADU to $100,000. Recently, when construction expense overruns forced him to preserve his older cars instead of ordering a new one. His two adult children will help to finance his retirement and inherit his rental properties. In his words, 'buy the worst property in the nicest neighborhood that you can afford.'

These anecdotes demonstrate that although investing in real estate is a work and risk that can produce a steady stream of income in retirement for Nordson employees. Every investor's journey is unique and reflects that of his or her circumstances and preferences in the path towards retirement financial security and satisfaction. Real estate investments for retirement offer Nordson retirees substantial tax benefits in addition to stable rental income.

The IRS explains that owners of rental properties may be able to lower their overall tax burden by claiming expenses such as property taxes, mortgage interest, depreciation, and repairs on their taxable income (IRS, 2023). This can be particularly helpful for people trying to reduce their tax liabilities and therefore increase their retirement wealth because it can generate a steadier and more reliable source of retirement income.

References:

1. Dalton, Michael J. Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits. 20th ed., Money Education, 2025. UCLA Extension. www.uclaextension.edu .

2. 'Real Estate Investing for Beginners: 5 Skills of Successful Investors.' Harvard Division of Continuing Education, 2023. professional.dce.harvard.edu.

3. 'Why ASPPA Number So Low and 2012 Budget Number So High?' Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, 2023. crr.bc.edu.

4. 'Retirement Planning Today.' Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Business, 2023. business.vcu.edu.

5. Grainger, Lauren. 'Retirement Planning Today Course Details.' Virginia Commonwealth University, 2023. connect.business.vcu.edu.

How does the Nordson Corporation Salaried Employees Pension Plan calculate an employee's Accrued Benefit, and what factors need to be considered to ensure accurate pension benefits at retirement? Understanding the components that contribute to the calculation is crucial for employees planning their retirement through Nordson Corporation.

Accrued Benefit Calculation: Nordson Corporation calculates an employee’s Accrued Benefit based on the Final Average Monthly Pay, the number of Years of Benefit Service, and an estimate of the employee’s Social Security benefit. The formula used includes a reduction if an employee has less than 30 Years of Benefit Service(Nordson Corporation_Feb…).

What are the eligibility criteria for joining the Nordson Corporation Salaried Employees Pension Plan, and how can employees determine their vesting status as they approach retirement? It is essential for employees to be aware of the timelines and requirements necessary to fully benefit from the retirement plan offered by Nordson Corporation.

Eligibility Criteria: Employees become eligible for the Nordson Corporation Salaried Employees Pension Plan after completing a Year of Eligibility Service, which requires at least 1,000 hours of work annually. Vesting occurs after completing 5 Years of Vesting Service, ensuring full entitlement to benefits(Nordson Corporation_Feb…).

In what ways can employees at Nordson Corporation access information about their pension plan benefits, and what steps should they follow if they believe their claims for benefits were denied? Knowing the appropriate channels for receiving information can help employees navigate any discrepancies with their pension benefits.

Accessing Pension Information and Claiming: Employees can access their pension plan details through John Hancock’s website or phone service. If a benefit claim is denied, employees can follow the claims procedure outlined by Nordson, which includes submitting a written request and appealing decisions(Nordson Corporation_Feb…).

What options does Nordson Corporation provide for early retirement, and how can employees assess whether an early retirement is financially feasible for them? Understanding the implications of early retirement can significantly impact an employee's long-term financial security.

Early Retirement Options: Nordson Corporation offers early retirement options starting at age 55, with at least 5 years of vesting service. Benefits are reduced by 6% per year for each year that early retirement is taken before the Normal Retirement Date(Nordson Corporation_Feb…).

How does Nordson Corporation's pension plan ensure that employees receive monthly benefits post-retirement, and what are the different forms of payment available to retirees? Grasping the payment structures may help employees make informed decisions regarding their retirement income.

Monthly Benefit Payments: Employees retiring from Nordson Corporation can choose various payment methods, including a Life Annuity or a 50% Joint & Survivor Annuity for married participants. Payments start after the Normal Retirement Date or early retirement, depending on the selected option(Nordson Corporation_Feb…).

What rights do participants have under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) concerning their Nordson Corporation pension plan, and what should they do to enforce these rights effectively? Employees should be aware of their rights to protect themselves during the benefit claiming process.

ERISA Rights: Under ERISA, participants have the right to receive information about their benefits, file claims, and sue if benefits are denied. Plan fiduciaries must act in the best interest of employees, and participants are protected from retaliation for asserting their rights(Nordson Corporation_Feb…).

How does the termination or amendment of the Nordson Corporation Salaried Employees Pension Plan affect employees' accrued benefits, and what protections are in place? Awareness of these scenarios can help employees better plan their financial futures in relation to their pensions.

Plan Termination or Amendment: If the plan is terminated or amended, accrued benefits cannot be reduced, and employees’ benefits become 100% vested. This ensures that employees retain the benefits they have earned up to the point of the change(Nordson Corporation_Feb…).

In what situations might employees at Nordson Corporation lose their pension benefits, and what preventative actions can they take to ensure they remain eligible for these benefits? Understanding the risks involved in pension plans can aid employees in maintaining their retirement security.

Loss of Pension Benefits: Employees may lose pension benefits if they leave Nordson Corporation before vesting or fail to select appropriate survivor options. Keeping the Plan Administrator informed of current contact information is crucial to avoid losing benefits(Nordson Corporation_Feb…).

How can employees at Nordson Corporation address questions or concerns related to their retirement planning, and what resources are available for personalized assistance? Access to proper resources is vital for employees needing guidance throughout their retirement journey.

Retirement Planning Resources: Employees can contact the Plan Administrator or use John Hancock’s automated services to address questions about retirement planning. Personalized assistance is available for any specific pension-related inquiries(Nordson Corporation_Feb…).

What steps should employees take to contact Nordson Corporation or the Plan Administrator to get detailed information about their pension plan, and what should they include in their inquiries to ensure a comprehensive response? Effective communication techniques can significantly enhance employees' understanding of their benefits. These questions have been designed to help employees of Nordson Corporation navigate their pension plan and retirement effectively.

Contacting the Plan Administrator: Employees can contact Nordson Corporation or the Plan Administrator by calling the number listed in the Summary Plan Description. It’s advisable to provide detailed questions regarding benefit amounts, vesting status, or payment options to receive a thorough response(Nordson Corporation_Feb…).

With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.

Pension Plan Name: Nordson Corporation Retirement Plan Qualification Criteria: Years of Service: Generally requires a minimum of 5 years. Age Qualification: Typically eligible at age 65. Pension Formula: Formula is based on a percentage of final average salary and years of service. 401(k) Plan Name: Nordson Corporation 401(k) Savings Plan Qualification Criteria: Employees are eligible to participate after completing 30 days of service. Company Contribution: Nordson matches employee contributions up to a certain percentage.

News: In early 2024, Nordson Corporation announced a significant restructuring plan, including a reduction of approximately 5% of its global workforce. This move was part of a broader strategy to streamline operations and improve overall efficiency. The company also updated its employee benefits package, including modifications to its pension and 401k plans. Specific changes included adjusting the company’s matching contributions and modifying pension benefit accrual rates.

Nordson Corporation (NDSN) provides stock options and RSUs to employees as part of their compensation packages. Stock options at Nordson Corporation (NDSN) are generally granted to senior executives and key employees based on performance and tenure. RSUs are also awarded to employees as a form of long-term incentive, typically vesting over a period of time.

Benefits Overview: Nordson's official site provides information on various health benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance plans. Employees have access to comprehensive health coverage, which typically includes options for health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs). Recent Updates: The company has updated its benefits plans over the years. Specific changes for 2022, 2023, and 2024 can be found in their annual benefits summaries or employee communications.