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Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for ConocoPhillips ConocoPhillips provides its employees with access to various healthcare plans through third-party providers, primarily offering services via large insurers such as Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare. These plans typically include comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage tailored to meet the diverse needs of its workforce. Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026 As the healthcare landscape evolves, ConocoPhillips employees can expect significant premium hikes in 2026, driven by a perfect storm of factors impacting the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace. With anticipated increases exceeding 60% in some states and the potential expiration of federal premium subsidies, many employees could face out-of-pocket costs soaring by up to 75%, compounding the financial pressure. The ongoing upward trend in medical costs, coupled with employers' shifts in cost-sharing strategies, may further challenge employees as they navigate rising healthcare expenses. Planning ahead and understanding these dynamics is crucial for effective budgeting and healthcare management in the coming years. Click here to learn more
ConocoPhillips, along with most other oil companies, is in the process of trying to cut costs to help deal with the economic downturn brought on by the Coronavirus. The pandemic hurt the entire economy, but it came down on the oil & gas industry especially hard. Some companies, like Chevron, have chosen to conduct layoffs to try and reduce labor costs. According to Reuters, Chevron had planned to “cut 10% to 15% of its worldwide workforce as part of an ongoing restructuring at the second-largest U.S. oil producer.” Other oil companies, like ExxonMobil, have chosen to cut benefits instead. ExxonMobil had announced that it would stop matching employees' contributions to their retirement savings plans. Also, a Business Insider article was recently released, claiming that ExxonMobil layoffs could be announced shortly.
But will traditional cost cutting measures be enough? Could a pension freeze be the next step for ConocoPhillips?
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Companies have been effective at saving money by freezing their pension plans in the past. Verizon froze their pension back in 2005. Alternatively, they offered employees an enhancement to the existing 401(k) plans, which began in 2006. ABC reported at the time, that Verizon hoped to save $3 billion over a 10-year period by switching from a defined benefit (DB) pension plan to an enhanced 401(k) plan.
There has been a growing economic trend in which corporations are attempting to move away from Defined-Benefit (DB) plans & move toward Defined Contribution (DC) plans. The total number of corporate pension plans has steadily declined since the early 1980’s. AARP has stated that “The number of corporate pension plans with 100 or more members has fallen from almost 26,000 in 1983, the peak, to about 8,400 in 2016…That’s a drop of two-thirds in about 35 years.' On top of that, Barron’s reported that, about 60% of the $28 trillion in U.S. retirement assets are found in defined contribution (DC) plans. In the year 2000, when many more companies offered DB plans, that number was under 50%. It’s becoming less common for an employee to work at the same company for 30 years and retire with a nice pension. More corporations are freezing/off-loading DB pension plans in order to more effectively manage the size of their current pension obligations. According to Barron’s, by placing workers in a DC plan, the “corporate pension plan stops accruing new benefits as workers age and salaries rise.'
Barron’s references several companies who’ve decided to recently freeze their defined-benefit pension plans, most notably, General Electric & Lockheed Martin. General Electric is freezing its pension for 20,700 employees and has offered 100,000 former employees a buyout option for existing retirees. The buyout option is another tactic corporations will use to cut costs. According to The Retirement Group, DB plans which provide a life long monthly benefit to retirees, often create huge pension liabilities for the company. However, “by offering both workers and retirees a lump sum, corporations could take the defined-benefit off their books.' For companies like ConocoPhillips, this can shift risk from the corporation onto their workers.
Overall, this trend is good for investors because investments become less risky when companies are able to lessen their debt. However, losing DB plans is very bad for employees who often rely on those benefits for their retirement years. Typically, employees in the mid to late portion of their career are hurt the most by a pension freeze. It should also be mentioned that as it stands, ConocoPhillips offers one of the best benefit packages of any company in the country. If your pension is frozen it’s a good idea to ask your HR department for an estimate of your pension benefits upon retirement. ARRP suggests asking for estimates on your lump-sum payment & your monthly payout. It’s also wise to ask what the payout would be for a spouse if you were to pass away.
Sources:
- Khan, Shariq. “Exclusive: Chevron to Cut up to 15% of Staff amid Restructuring – Reuters.” U.S., Reuters, 27 May 2020, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-chevron-layoffs-exclusive/exclusive-chevron-to-cut-up-to-15-of-staff-amid-restructuring-idUSKBN2332P3.
- Noe, Eric. “After Verizon, Are Pension Freezes on the Way? – ABC News.” ABC News, ABC News, 16 Dec. 2005, https://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=1378711.
- “The Retirement/Transition Guide for ConocoPhillips Employees.” The Retirement Group, The Retirement Group, 11 Aug. 2020, https://energy.theretirementgroup.com/conoco-phillips-educate
- “Insider Energy: Exxon Layoffs to Come, Election Consequences – Business Insider.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 23 Oct. 2020, https://www.businessinsider.com/insider-energy-exxon-layoffs-to-come-election-consequences-2020-10#:~:text=Exxon%20could%20soon%20announce%20US,potential%20job%20cuts%20shortly%20after
- “Pension Lump-Sum Payment Windows Are Back.” The Retirement Group, The Retirement Group, 11 Aug. 2020, https://retirekit.theretirementgroup.com/pension-lump-sum-payment-windows-are-back-e-brochure
- Root, Al. “Pension Plans Continue to Fade Away. Why That Brings New Worries.” Barron’s | Financial and Investment News, Barrons, 11 May 2020, https://www.barrons.com/articles/pension-plans-continue-to-fade-away-why-that-brings-new-worries-51589199204.
- Waggoner, John. “What to Do If Your Pension Is Frozen.” AARP, 16 Oct. 2019, https://www.aarp.org/retirement/planning-for-retirement/info-2019/pension-plan-freeze.html#:~:text=Other%20major%20companies%20that%20recently,be%20a%20big%20financial%20hit.
- Gross, Elana. “ExxonMobil Reportedly Changed Its Employee Review Process To Increase Performance-Related Job Cuts.” Forbes, 24 July 2020.
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How does the retirement process at ConocoPhillips provide guidance to employees in selecting the most beneficial form of payment? In what ways can employees utilize available resources to maximize their understanding of the pension options offered by ConocoPhillips?
The retirement process at ConocoPhillips provides employees with various resources to guide them in selecting the most beneficial form of pension payment. Employees can access the "How to Choose the Best Form of Payment" link on Your Benefits Resources™ (YBR) to learn more about their options and determine what works best for their financial situation(ConocoPhillips_Your_Ret…).
What steps must be completed by employees at ConocoPhillips to ensure they initiate their retirement process accurately and avoid any delays? How crucial is the timing of these steps in determining the Benefit Commencement Date (BCD)?
Employees at ConocoPhillips must initiate the retirement process by requesting their pension paperwork 60-90 days before their Benefit Commencement Date (BCD). Timing is crucial, as missing deadlines may delay the BCD and associated payments. Completing all steps on time ensures that the retirement process flows smoothly(ConocoPhillips_Your_Ret…).
Given the complexities associated with the lump-sum pension payment option at ConocoPhillips, what considerations should employees take into account before electing this choice? How does the current interest rate at the Benefit Commencement Date impact the lump-sum amount?
Before electing a lump-sum pension payment, ConocoPhillips employees should consider the current interest rate at their BCD, as it directly affects the lump-sum amount. A higher interest rate typically reduces the lump-sum payment, making timing and rate awareness critical(ConocoPhillips_Your_Ret…).
In what ways can ConocoPhillips employees ensure their Pension Election Authorization form is completed correctly to facilitate timely pension payments? What are the implications of not adhering to the required notarized consent for married participants?
Ensuring the correct completion of the Pension Election Authorization form is vital for timely pension payments. For married participants, notarized spousal consent is required, and failure to provide this could result in delays or issues with payment processing(ConocoPhillips_Your_Ret…).
How does choosing direct deposit for pension payments at ConocoPhillips streamline the retirement process for employees? What should employees know about setup and changes regarding direct deposit after initiating their pension benefits?
Choosing direct deposit for pension payments simplifies the process for employees at ConocoPhillips, as it enables automatic payments to their bank account. Employees can set up direct deposit during their retirement process or update it at a later time(ConocoPhillips_Your_Ret…).
For employees considering rolling over their lump-sum pension payment from ConocoPhillips, what procedures should they follow to ensure compliance with IRS regulations and to avoid tax penalties? How can effective planning influence the success of this rollover?
Employees electing to roll over their lump-sum pension payment must follow specific IRS regulations to avoid tax penalties. Effective planning, such as obtaining rollover paperwork and adhering to IRS rules, ensures compliance and smooth fund transfer(ConocoPhillips_Your_Ret…).
What resources does ConocoPhillips provide for employees to calculate and project their retirement income? How can these tools empower employees to make informed decisions regarding their future financial security?
ConocoPhillips provides employees with tools such as the "Project Retirement Income" feature on YBR, empowering them to calculate and project their retirement income. These resources help employees make informed decisions about their financial future(ConocoPhillips_Your_Ret…).
How do deadlines play a pivotal role in the benefits process for retiring employees at ConocoPhillips, and what specific dates must be adhered to in order to avoid payment delays? Can you provide examples of consequences resulting from missed deadlines?
Deadlines are critical in ConocoPhillips' retirement process, as missing them can delay pension payments. For example, requesting pension paperwork after the 15th of the month can delay the BCD by a month, affecting the pension payout date(ConocoPhillips_Your_Ret…).
What are the added advantages for employees at ConocoPhillips who actively seek assistance or information from the Benefits Center during their retirement planning? How can this proactive approach enhance their overall retirement experience?
Employees who seek assistance from the Benefits Center during their retirement planning benefit from personalized guidance. This proactive approach ensures that they fully understand their options and deadlines, enhancing their overall retirement experience(ConocoPhillips_Your_Ret…).
How can employees at ConocoPhillips contact the Benefits Center to receive personalized assistance in navigating their retirement options? What specific resources and support can they expect when reaching out for help?
ConocoPhillips employees can contact the Benefits Center by calling 800-622-5501 or accessing YBR online. The Benefits Center provides personalized assistance and guidance, helping employees navigate their pension options effectively(ConocoPhillips_Your_Ret…).
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