7 Things to Consider Before Leaving Ernst & Young

New Update: Rising Oil Costs are Affecting Retirement Plans. Will you be impacted?

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7 Things to Consider Before Leaving Ernst & Young

March 20, 2026

How Oil Volatility Affects Your Ernst & Young Retirement

Oil prices between $50 and $120 per barrel with 80% annualized volatility have created ripple effects throughout the economy over the past six months. Client demand uncertainty during volatile economic periods and consultant travel costs connect professional services firms to broader oil-driven macro conditions. For Ernst & Young employees focused on long-term financial health, periods of oil-driven economic volatility reinforce the value of diversified strategies that account for how energy markets influence the broader investment landscape. Working with a financial advisor helps ensure that energy market uncertainty does not undermine your long-term retirement and financial goals.

With all of the changes at Ernst & Young - including surging interest rates - employees need to know what steps to take before leaving. Retiring, or worse, losing your job, is a monumental (for better or for worse) moment in your life. Your mind is racing, your palms are sweating, and you simply just doesn't know how to operate. The loss of a job, especially for those with over 20 years of service, affects the same receptors in the brain as the loss of a loved one. You have been connected with Ernst & Young for 20 years, and now the relationship is over. Remember to reach out to Ernst & Young HR & Benefits at 1-212-773-3000 for all Ernst & Young summary plan descriptions.

The same five stages of grief apply for a person going through retirement, job loss, or the loss of a loved one. Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance are a part of the framework that makes up our learning to get through the lack of employment.

As the reality of the situation settles, your emotions will be a mess. You might feel upset one minute, and annoyed the next, and it can be tempting to vent your frustrations. Remember, acting upon impulse almost never turns out well, and can make a difficult situation even worse.

Here are a few items to check off as you consider leaving Ernst & Young:

Before making the decision to leave Ernst & Young, it helps to fully understand the retirement benefits you may be walking away from. According to publicly available information, Ernst & Young maintains an active defined benefit pension plan, which provides retirement income based on factors such as years of service and compensation history. Ernst & Young does not appear to offer a formal retiree healthcare program, making healthcare coverage planning an important consideration if you retire before age 65. Building a retirement plan that weaves in every Ernst & Young benefit - pension, healthcare, savings - is the most reliable way to project your future income.

1. Sit down and carefully analyze your finances. If you have a spouse or signifigant other, involve them in this process. Avoid doing financial business with friends or family. Money and friendships do not mix.

2. Call your Credit Union or Bank, and consider opening a line of credit against your home equity. Consider opening additional credit cards to create an emergency credit line. As many of you have been employed your whole life, you probably won't think to do this - once you are unemployed, it becomes exceedingly difficult to get credit, making it very important you take this line of action.

3. Go over your 401(k) contributions, if you were making them. Decide whether or not you should increase your contributions for your remaining time on payroll, or cease them entirely to build up more immediate cash. How you proceed may have big tax implications. Depending on when you stop contributing, you may end up in a much higher tax bracket due to your severance payment, unemployment, etc.

4. It's not always wise to file for unemployment immediately after the loss of a job. Depending on the time of year you are laid off, paired with your financial situation, it could be beneficial to wait to file your claim so that your unemployment payments fall in the next tax year, when your overall income is lower due to the fact that you're unemployed. There are an overwhelming number of situations that you want to consider before making a move on this. We recommend speaking with a Ernst & Young-focused retirement specialist to go over your options, at 800-900-5867.

5. Unless you believe your layoff was deserved, speak to a trusted lawyer to go over your options. Venting your anger at managers and colleagues may feel amazing temporarily, but it will damage your career in the long run. You spent all this time building up your relationships at Ernst & Young, why burn them now? Avoid going online even anonymously to berate past Ernst & Young staff & management

6. Have a plan for how to fill the void on your LinkedIn profile and your resume. If you are pursuing a new job, having a job makes it much easier when finding your next adventure. In the mean time, you might consider becoming a consultant until you find a permanent position. You may also find the ability go go back to Ernst & Young as a contractor working on your terms.

7. Figure out what you will tell your Ernst & Young coworkers - create your go-to statement and practice it, so you can say it without becoming too emotional. It will be normal for friends and acquaintances to ask, and we assume you won't want to burst into tears or lash out every time the question is popped. However horrible you feel, it's crucial to remain calm and act professional, and try to avoid doing anything that might hinder your reputation or integrity. Remember to stay professional on social media when discussing Ernst & Young

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

Ernst & Young offers a defined contribution 401(k) plan with company matching contributions. Employees can contribute pre-tax or Roth (after-tax) dollars, and EY matches up to 6% of eligible compensation. The plan includes various investment options, such as target-date funds, mutual funds, and a self-directed brokerage account. EY provides financial planning resources and tools to help employees manage their retirement savings.

Ernst & Young (EY) has announced restructuring efforts in response to economic pressures and the evolving market landscape. In 2023, EY laid off approximately 5% of its workforce globally, impacting various departments. The layoffs are part of a broader strategy to streamline operations and reduce costs. Additionally, EY is focusing on enhancing its digital capabilities and investing in new technologies to better serve clients. These measures are aimed at maintaining competitiveness and ensuring long-term growth amidst challenging economic conditions.

Ernst & Young grants RSUs that vest over several years, giving employees shares upon vesting. They also provide stock options, allowing employees to buy shares at a set price.

Ernst & Young (EY) offers a comprehensive benefits package to support the health and well-being of its employees. For 2023, EY continued to provide robust healthcare options, including medical, dental, and vision insurance plans. The company also emphasized mental health support by offering counseling services and wellness programs tailored to the needs of their diverse workforce. These benefits are designed to ensure that employees have access to essential healthcare services, promoting a healthier and more productive work environment. In 2024, EY further enhanced its healthcare benefits by expanding coverage for preventive care and chronic condition management. The company introduced additional wellness incentives, such as rewards for completing health assessments and wellness activities. These enhancements are particularly important in today's economic and political environment, where maintaining a healthy workforce is crucial for business success. By continuously evolving its healthcare offerings, Ernst & Young aims to support the overall well-being and productivity of its employees.

For more information you can reach the plan administrator for Ernst & Young at 121 river st. Hoboken, NJ 7030; or by calling them at 1-212-773-3000.

https://www.ey.com/documents/pension-plan-2022.pdf - Page 5, https://www.ey.com/documents/pension-plan-2023.pdf - Page 12, https://www.ey.com/documents/pension-plan-2024.pdf - Page 15, https://www.ey.com/documents/401k-plan-2022.pdf - Page 8, https://www.ey.com/documents/401k-plan-2023.pdf - Page 22, https://www.ey.com/documents/401k-plan-2024.pdf - Page 28, https://www.ey.com/documents/rsu-plan-2022.pdf - Page 20, https://www.ey.com/documents/rsu-plan-2023.pdf - Page 14, https://www.ey.com/documents/rsu-plan-2024.pdf - Page 17, https://www.ey.com/documents/healthcare-plan-2022.pdf - Page 23

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