The November interest rates, which Ball Corporation uses to determine lump sum values for everyone who retires in 2022 will be released in mid December. Rates increased in November and if that trend holds we could see a reduction in lump-sum values for Ball Corporation employees who retire in 2022. Ball Corporation interest rates decreased in 2020 causing 2021 lump sums to hit record highs. However, rates are now rising which will likely reduce lump sums for those who retire in 2022. When interest rates move up or down, your pension lump sum amount will move in an inverse relationship. Through the pandemic, interest rates have dropped dramatically which has greatly increased many lump sum payments. This trend culminated in record lows for individuals who commence their benefits 2021. However, rates have increased in 2021, and larger trends show that they will likely increase further, potentially causing a significant reduction in pension lump sums in 2022.
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The Ball Corporation Pension Plan is a great retirement benefit for Ball Corporation employees. Your exact pension depends on your hire date, original hire company, and if you are management or not. The core pension benefit uses a calculation method looking at your years of service and final average pay or wage bands to determine your monthly annuity. From there you have the option to choose a joint annuity or a lump sum. The lump sum calculation will depend on your age and the current interest rate environment.
Ball Corporation Pension Lump Sum Calculation:
For the lump sum calculation, Ball Corporation uses the PPA (Pension Protection Act) segment rates. These are 3 different segment rates based on years in retirement. The first segment is used for the first 5 years of retirement. The second segment is for years 6 through 20. The third segment is for years 21 and beyond. Your age will determine how many years segment 3 is used. These segment rates are updated monthly. Ball Corporation uses the results of the November rates to determine the interest rates used for the lump sum calculation in the following year. The segment rates are generally released about 3 weeks into the following month. Due to this, you will not know for certain what rates used for 2022 will be until late December. The best gauge is to watch the monthly rates as you get closer with the October rates being released around Thanksgiving.
In 2021 the rates moved up through the spring then came back down a bit in the summer. Since then, they have started moving back up again. As of this writing, the September rates are the most up to date which are 2 months shy of the November rates. Currently, those rates are .17% higher on the 1st segment, .24% higher on the 2nd segment, and .03% lower on the 3rd segment. Since the 2nd segment covers 15 years of retirement it has the largest weighting on the calculations. The current move of .24% will likely lead to a 2% - 3% decline in your lump sum in 2022. However, with rates rising, and the volatility we've seen lately, it's possible you could see a significant increase between now and the time the November rates are released. This would cause a larger reduction in your lump sum.
In addition to lump sum reduction in 2022, there are many other changes affecting employees, especially managers. If you would like to review your situation, we can run a complimentary detailed cash flow analysis to show you various retirement dates and how the Ball Corporation benefits may change. Click here to schedule a Cashflow Analysis.
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The annuity is discounted based on mortality as well as interest rates, meaning the present value of each monthly payment reduces as the probability of living to receive each payment reduces. The older you are when you commence your pension benefit, the fewer the number of years that will be valued using the third segment rate (20+ years) and, conversely, the younger you are, the greater the number of years that will be valued using the third segment rate.
This methodology essentially means that there will be a unique monthly interest rate (lump-sum conversion factor) for each year of birth.
How Do Rate Changes Affect Your Ball Corporation Pension?
Pension pricing is based on interest calculations, which means a slight adjustment in your retirement date may have a significant financial impact on your pension due to changing rates each year.
Everything else held equal, a higher interest rate will produce a lower lump sum. The exact changes depend on your specific age, but on average a 1% change in rates can equate to an 8% to 12% change in lump sums. So, on average, a 1% change could increase or decrease your pension lump sum by roughly 10%.
The current changes discussed above of .24% will likely mean a decline of 2-3% in your lump sum. For someone with a $500,000 lump sum, which could mean a move of as much as $15,000. For a $1,000,000 lump sum, it would be roughly $30,000. It is very likely we will see rates move even higher in 2022 which will lead to a further drop in lump sums for 2023. Should they go up by 1%, then changes could be 10%. That could mean a $50,000 decrease on a current $500,000 lump sum or $100,000 on a $1,000,000 lump sum.
Example:
John is a manager who is 61 years old and has reached Mod-75. He is a manager and is considering going early in 2021 so he does not lose the Ball Corporation paid portion on his retiree medical prior to age 65. His current lump sum is $800,000. After consulting Ball Corporation HR, he learns he could be giving up $600/mo. in benefits for the next 4 years which is a total of $28,800. He also sees that his lump sum will be going down by roughly $24,000 given the current interest rates and understands it may even go lower. His original plan was to work to age 62, however by working into 2022, he could potentially be giving up $52,800 in benefits. He will effectively be working for reduced pay or even for free in 2022 given this scenario. Due to this, it may be better for him to retire in December 2021 to capture these benefits or review working longer to recoup them.
Review:
Given the current interest rate environment, it is highly suggested you discuss your options with The Retirement Group and allow us to monitor the rates and keep you up to date on the monthly changes. We can provide a complimentary cash flow analysis to show you how various retirement dates may play out.
It is important to remember the pension annuity may be a better fit no matter how attractive the pension lump sum may be. Every situation is unique, and a cash flow analysis will allow you to compare all pension options. To schedule a cashflow analysis please click the button below:
What type of retirement plan does Ball Corporation offer to its employees?
Ball Corporation offers a 401(k) Savings Plan to its employees to help them save for retirement.
How does Ball Corporation match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?
Ball Corporation provides a matching contribution to employee 401(k) contributions, typically matching a percentage of what employees contribute up to a certain limit.
Can employees at Ball Corporation choose how their 401(k) contributions are invested?
Yes, employees at Ball Corporation can choose from a variety of investment options for their 401(k) contributions, allowing them to tailor their investment strategy.
What is the eligibility requirement for Ball Corporation employees to participate in the 401(k) plan?
Most employees at Ball Corporation are eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan after completing a specified period of service, typically within their first year of employment.
Does Ball Corporation offer any educational resources for employees to learn about the 401(k) plan?
Yes, Ball Corporation provides educational resources and tools to help employees understand their 401(k) options and make informed investment decisions.
What is the maximum contribution limit for employees participating in Ball Corporation’s 401(k) plan?
The maximum contribution limit for employees in Ball Corporation’s 401(k) plan is set by the IRS and may change annually; employees should check the latest limits for the current year.
Are there any fees associated with Ball Corporation's 401(k) plan?
Yes, Ball Corporation's 401(k) plan may have certain administrative fees, which are disclosed in the plan documents provided to employees.
Can employees take loans against their 401(k) savings at Ball Corporation?
Yes, Ball Corporation allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) savings, subject to specific terms and conditions outlined in the plan.
What happens to employees' 401(k) savings if they leave Ball Corporation?
If employees leave Ball Corporation, they can roll over their 401(k) savings into another retirement account, cash out, or leave the funds in the Ball Corporation plan, depending on the plan’s rules.
Does Ball Corporation allow for after-tax contributions to the 401(k) plan?
Yes, Ball Corporation may allow for after-tax contributions to the 401(k) plan, enabling employees to save additional funds for retirement.