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Kaiser Permanente Guide to Seamless Retirement Planning

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Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider: Kaiser Permanente Kaiser Permanente is a leading integrated healthcare provider that offers a range of medical services including preventive care, hospitalization, and specialty care across various states. Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026 As we approach 2026, significant healthcare cost increases are expected, especially for Kaiser Permanente customers. Health insurance premiums for Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans are projected to rise dramatically, with some individuals facing increases of over 75% due to the anticipated expiration of enhanced federal premium subsidies. Coupled with higher medical costs and aggressive rate hikes from major insurers, many policyholders could experience unprecedented out-of-pocket expenses, signaling a challenging financial landscape for consumers in the near future. Click here to learn more

It is important for KP employees to pay specific attention to interest rates as some of the KP pension plans are sensitive to rate changes. Some KP employees are allowed to take their pension utilising new rates each month. If interest rates continue to rise, KP employees will find this article useful as it will help with the retirement planning process.

For Kaiser Permanente employees, having a defined financial plan and reviewing investment strategies is critical to long-term success - and working with a trusted advisor like myself at The Retirement Group can help you stay on course.

'I represent The Retirement Group and recommend Kaiser Permanente employees review their retirement contributions and tax strategies annually to prepare for expected and unexpected financial milestones,' said Sullivan.

In this article we will discuss:

1. Wealth management for Kaiser Permanente employees - goal setting, tax planning and investment reviews.

2. Monthly financial actions & milestones like tax payments, retirement contributions and estate planning adjustments.

3. Strategic retirement planning - using benefits, managing Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), and Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs).

Wealth management takes planning and constant attention. The following document is a month by month guide to financial management using proven economic methods to cover all of your financial life.

January: Setting Wealth Goals for the Kaiser Permanente.

Kaiser Permanente employees are encouraged at the start of the year to set financial goals. Obligations need to be defined - reducing debt, perfecting your estate plan or getting ready for early retirement. Writing them down and making a detailed plan increases the chances of them coming true.

Tax Considerations: In January, submit the last estimated tax payment for the previous year to the IRS for earnings between September 1 and December 31.

Quarterly Investment Review: Quarterly reviews - These are great for checking how investments are doing and if they are performing against your overall strategy. Strategic reviews from firms like Motley Fool Wealth Management may help (source).

February: Getting Tax Documents Ready for Kaiser Permanente Employees.

By January 31, employers must issue tax documents like W-2s and 1099s. Gather all supporting documents for tax filing in February so they can be submitted by the April deadline.Contribute to a Spousal IRA to build retirement savings for a non-working spouse. This method plans for your household's future in one financial plan.

March: Addressing Lifestyle Creep

As income increases, so does the temptation to spend more. A share of these gains could help strengthen retirement funds and limit wasteful spending.Review your contribution to 401(k)s and other retirement accounts. Catch-up contributions for those over 50 help build reserves more efficiently.

March 31 - Tax Freedom Day for Kaiser Permanente Employees.

The average American must work on Tax Freedom Day to complete their annual taxes. This date illustrates how planning can reduce taxes.

Continuing Retirement Contributions: If contribution limits for the previous year were not met, the deadline extended to April 15 allows additional contributions.

Filing and Payments: File any remaining taxes on time and consider an extension if more time is needed.

May: Evaluating Education Expenses

Check out the benefits of a 529 Plan contribution in light of new updates under SECURE Act 2.0 which expands its applications (source).

June: Planning Estimated Tax Payments.

Make the second estimated tax payment for the year for income from January 1 through March 31. Timely payments help with compliance.

July: Enhancing Estate Planning

Apply Transfer on Death (TOD) registrations to brokerage accounts to simplify asset distribution and administrative burden for your beneficiaries.

August: Reviewing Beneficiaries

Update estate plans and beneficiary designations as circumstances or family structures change.

September: Financial Preparedness

This National Preparedness Month encourages review of emergency funds and insurance coverage. Preparedness may be the key to handling unexpected situations.

October: Medicare Enrollment & RMD Planning.

You can adjust coverage during open Medicare enrollment. Start preparations early for RMD to avoid end-of-year rushes.

November: Reviewing Employment Benefits

Change health savings accounts and retirement contributions during open enrollment. Those decisions can bolster tax advantages while meeting longer-term objectives.

December: Reviewing Year-End Finances

Analyze investment income for tax impacts such as IRMAA surcharges on Medicare premiums (source). This prevents surprises come tax season.

Supporting Your Financial Journey

Get organized with tools like NerdWallet's budget planner (source) or Wealth Analytics' financial checklist (source).Its monthly financial calendar outlines steps to plan and review your financial journey. Applying these strategies may increase confidence in financial management.

QCDs—Qualified Charitable Distributions

Kaiser Permanente people age 70 1/2 or older can direct up to USD 100,000 annually from their IRA to a qualified charity that meets RMD requirements without increasing taxable income and may reduce Medicare premiums or tax liabilities.

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Sources:

1. Warren Street Wealth Management. 'Kaiser Permanente and Large Company Employees.'  Warren Street Wealth Management www.warrenstreetwealth.com/fortune-500-and-large-company-employees/?utm_source=chatgpt.com . Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.

2. Lord Abbett. 'For Qualified Charitable Distributions, Timing Is Everything.'  Lord Abbett www.lordabbett.com/en-us/financial-advisor/insights/retirement-planning/qualified-charitable-distributions---timing-is-everything.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com . Published Feb. 2025.

3. CLA. 'Qualified Charitable Distributions: Benefits and Impact.'  CLA Connect www.claconnect.com/en/resources/articles/24/qualified-charitable-distributions-benefits-and-impact?utm_source=chatgpt.com . Published Dec. 2024.

4. The Retirement Group. 'Guide to a Secure Retirement for Kaiser Permanente Employees or Retirees.'  The Retirement Group www.theretirementgroup.com/guide-to-a-secure-retirement-for-fortune-500-employees-or-retirees?utm_source=chatgpt.com . Published June 2024.

5. State Street Global Advisors. '6 Steps to Bring Financial Wellness to the Workplace.'  State Street Global Advisors www.ssga.com/library-content/pdfs/dc/6-steps-to-bring-financial-wellness-to-the-workplace.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com . Published Aug. 2024.

What is the 401(k) plan offered by Kaiser Permanente?

The 401(k) plan offered by Kaiser Permanente is a retirement savings plan that allows employees to save a portion of their salary on a pre-tax basis, helping them build a nest egg for retirement.

How does Kaiser Permanente match contributions to the 401(k) plan?

Kaiser Permanente provides a matching contribution to the 401(k) plan, where they match a percentage of employee contributions, up to a certain limit, helping employees maximize their savings.

What are the eligibility requirements for Kaiser Permanente's 401(k) plan?

Employees of Kaiser Permanente are generally eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan after completing a specified period of service, which is outlined in the plan documents.

Can employees of Kaiser Permanente make changes to their 401(k) contributions?

Yes, employees of Kaiser Permanente can change their contribution amounts to the 401(k) plan at any time, subject to the plan's guidelines.

What investment options are available in Kaiser Permanente's 401(k) plan?

Kaiser Permanente's 401(k) plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, target-date funds, and other investment vehicles to help employees diversify their portfolios.

Does Kaiser Permanente provide educational resources for employees regarding the 401(k) plan?

Yes, Kaiser Permanente offers educational resources and tools to help employees understand their 401(k) options and make informed investment decisions.

What is the vesting schedule for Kaiser Permanente’s 401(k) matching contributions?

The vesting schedule for Kaiser Permanente’s 401(k) matching contributions varies based on years of service, and employees can find specific details in the plan documents.

Can Kaiser Permanente employees take loans against their 401(k) savings?

Yes, Kaiser Permanente allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) savings, subject to the terms and conditions outlined in the plan.

What happens to the 401(k) plan when an employee leaves Kaiser Permanente?

When an employee leaves Kaiser Permanente, they have several options regarding their 401(k) plan, including cashing out, rolling it over to another retirement account, or leaving it in the plan if allowed.

Is there an automatic enrollment feature in Kaiser Permanente's 401(k) plan?

Yes, Kaiser Permanente may have an automatic enrollment feature that enrolls eligible employees into the 401(k) plan at a default contribution rate unless they choose to opt-out.

With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.
Kaiser Permanente offers a defined benefit pension plan providing retirement income based on compensation and years of service. The plan does not include a cash balance component. Employees can also contribute to additional retirement accounts with potential employer matching.
Kaiser Permanente announced significant layoffs, cutting over 100 IT roles in 2023, primarily impacting Northern California. This decision followed an earlier reduction of 49 workers in human resources services. These layoffs coincided with a major strike by over 75,000 employees protesting short-staffing and corporate outsourcing, highlighting ongoing labor tensions within the healthcare industry. In response to labor disputes, Kaiser Permanente ratified a new four-year contract in November 2023 with more than 85,000 healthcare workers. The agreement includes annual wage increases, a minimum wage boost, and more investments in employee training and hiring. This move aims to address worker burnout and staffing shortages, reflecting the pressures on the healthcare sector amidst economic challenges and rising operational costs.
Kaiser Permanente offers RSUs to its employees, vesting over a period and converting into shares upon vesting. Stock options are not typically part of their compensation package, focusing more on RSUs and other performance incentives.
Kaiser Permanente, a leader in integrated healthcare, has made several significant updates to its employee healthcare benefits in recent years, adapting to the changing economic, investment, tax, and political landscapes. In 2023 and 2024, Kaiser Permanente has emphasized connected care, combining care and coverage to simplify access to health services. Noteworthy updates include $0 copays for telehealth services, $15 chiropractic services (up to 20 visits per year), and enhanced rewards programs where employees can earn up to $150 in Healthy Rewards. The health plan also continues to support employees' mental and emotional well-being through free access to the Calm and myStrength apps, providing meditation and personalized mental health resources at no cost​ (Kaiser Permanente)​​ (Kaiser Permanente)​. Given the current economic uncertainties and evolving healthcare regulations, Kaiser Permanente's approach to healthcare benefits underscores the importance of comprehensive, accessible, and affordable healthcare for its employees. This strategy not only addresses immediate health needs but also enhances overall employee satisfaction and retention. Discussing healthcare benefits is crucial in today's climate as companies like Kaiser Permanente strive to balance cost management with the delivery of high-quality healthcare services. The company's proactive measures ensure that their employees are well-supported, promoting a healthier and more productive workforce​ (Kaiser Permanente)​​ (Working at Kaiser Permanente)​.
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For more information you can reach the plan administrator for Kaiser Permanente at one kaiser plaza Oakland, CA 94612; or by calling them at 510-271-5940.

https://healthplans.kaiserpermanente.org/federal-employees-fehb/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/2023FEHB-Brochure-73-822.pdf - Page 5, https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/content/dam/kporg/final/documents/health-plan-documents/summary-of-benefits/medicare/2023/summary-of-benefits-puget-sound-wa.pdf - Page 12, https://account.kp.org/2024/summary-benefits.pdf - Page 15, https://account.kp.org/2023/summary-benefits.pdf - Page 8, https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/content/dam/kporg/final/documents/health-plan-documents/summary-of-benefits/medicare/2024/summary-of-benefits-puget-sound-wa.pdf - Page 22, https://account.kp.org/2022/summary-benefits.pdf - Page 28, https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/content/dam/kporg/final/documents/health-plan-documents/summary-of-benefits/medicare/2022/summary-of-benefits-puget-sound-wa.pdf - Page 20, https://account.kp.org/2024/benefits-summary.pdf - Page 14, https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/content/dam/kporg/final/documents/health-plan-documents/summary-of-benefits/medicare/2023/benefits-summary-puget-sound-wa.pdf - Page 17, https://account.kp.org/2023/benefits-summary.pdf - Page 23

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