If you have qualified funds in your Fleetcor Technologies retirement portfolio and are concerned about future tax law changes, converting those eligible funds to a Roth IRA could be a good solution for any Fleetcor Technologies employee or retiree.
Traditional IRAs are usually funded with before-tax dollars and are generally fully taxable when withdrawn. The owner of a traditional IRA generally has required minimum distributions (RMDs) beginning at age 72. If withdrawals are taken before age 59 1/2, they may be subject to an additional 10% federal tax.
Roth IRAs are funded with after-tax dollars. Distributions after age 59 ½ are completely income-tax-free as long as the Roth IRA owner has met a five-year requirement, determined by the date the owner first funded any Roth IRA. No required minimum distributions apply during the owner’s lifetime, but certain RMD rules do apply to Roth IRA beneficiaries.
The Benefits of a Roth IRA Conversion
A Roth IRA conversion entails taking all or a portion of funds from a traditional retirement account and converting them to a Roth IRA. This could also apply to pre-tax funds in a qualified plan like your Fleetcor Technologies 401(k). Since you are moving pre-tax dollars to a post-tax account, you owe income taxes on the amount converted in the year of conversion. This can be paid with funds outside of your IRA or qualified plan. Any such conversion should be done with due diligence and consult with a financial planner to avoid major tax implications.
A few of the advantages of this strategy include:
Tax-free growth inside of Roth IRAs.
Qualified distributions from Roth IRAs are income-tax free, providing flexibility to choose when to take these distributions for smarter tax management.
There are no RMDs for Roth IRA owners when you reach age 72, but certain rules apply to Roth IRA beneficiaries.
There is a potential for lower taxes if the income tax bracket is projected to be the same or higher at the time of distribution than at the time of conversion.
A Roth IRA conversion could lower your income-tax bracket
Can reduce your estate taxes and eliminate the income tax your heir would have to pay
Some other items for consideration:
Roth IRA conversions are subject to ordinary income tax on the entire amount of the conversion in the year of conversion.
Distributions may be subject to the additional 10% federal tax if removed within five years of the conversion.
If you have any questions about your Fleetcor Technologies 401(k) plan, you can reach out to your Fleetcor Technologies HR Department.
Jim and Linda are both 66 and retired from working at Fleetcor Technologies. They have a pension and Social Security benefits that amount to a taxable income of $65,000 a year. In 2022, they are in the 12% tax bracket ($20,551-$83,550) and are concerned that future tax law changes could put them in a higher bracket. [6]
Jim and Linda also have a traditional IRA with an account value of $750,000. In a few years, they will be required to start taking Required Minimum Distributions from this account that could bump them up to the next tax bracket.
While a Roth conversion is a fairly simple concept, there are many things to consider and several ways to do it. After discussing all of the variables with their financial professional, Jim and Linda decide to use a method often called “tax-bracket stuffing.”
With a taxable income of $65,000, there is $18,550 until they hit the top of the bracket - $83,550. If Jim and Linda convert $40,000 from the traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, they are bumped in to the 22% bracket, but once the standard deduction of $25,100 is applied, their taxable income will be $79,900.
By converting some of the funds from their traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, they can choose the amount of the distribution, so it stays within their lower tax bracket of 12% once the standard deduction is applied. And since qualified distributions from Roth IRAs are income tax free, Jim and Linda have the flexibility to choose when to take these distributions for smarter tax management.
If this method is used each year until Jim and Linda turn 72, they will continue to reduce the amount in their traditional IRA and increase the amount in their Roth IRA.
Want to learn if a solution like this is right for you? Call us today to discuss your financial goals.
What is Your Next Step?
Your receipt of this report entitles you to a one on one conversation with one of our TRG financial advisors to explore the benefits of diversifying your assets with your taxes in mind. Any customary hourly planning fees associated will be waived for this one hour session.
What should you expect at this meeting? Below are some frequently asked questions about what you can expect from our one on one meetings
Q: What will be discussed in this meeting?
A: This meeting is simply an opportunity for you to ask any questions that you may have related to the diversification of your assets with taxes in mind, as well as your personal finance and retirement. Throughout the course of the meeting, we will ask questions about you and your situation.
From working with many Fleetcor Technologies employees and retirees, we’ve found that everyone’s definition of a comfortable retirement from Fleetcor Technologies is a little different and that everyone’s situation is unique. Our goal is to learn about your personal goals as we explore how to help you retire from Fleetcor Technologies the way you want.
Q: Why is the consultation free?
A: Simple. It gives us an opportunity to meet people from around the area that may have questions about financial matters. It’s no secret that we love new clients. Gaining new clients is the way that our business grows. However, we want to provide a comfortable environment for exploring a new, potential professional relationship — for you and for us. By offering this time, it provides a non-threatening way for us to spend some time with you to see if it makes sense for us to continue discussions regarding your Fleetcor Technologies retirement in the future.
Q: Will there be a presentation?
A: Not at all. In fact, we are very hesitant to talk about any potential solutions to any questions or concerns you may have. It is important for us to understand your goals and desires about what retiring from Fleetcor Technologies or investing for your future means to you. We feel it would be financial malpractice to begin exploring solutions prematurely.
We tend to look at the first meeting as an opportunity for you to ask some questions and for us to get to know each other. Furthermore, we can both be more informed by the end of the meeting which will help determine whether or not it will be beneficial for us to meet again.
Q: How long is the meeting?
A: Most of our meetings are stacked throughout the day. Future sessions may require more time, but we’ve found that an hour, provides a good basis for getting to know a little more about each other.
Q: Is there anything I should bring to the meeting?
A: We are sensitive to the fact that your personal financial information is just that — very personal. However, it is hard for us to help if we don’t have at least a fundamental understanding of your financial position. We ask that you bring information regarding your financial accounts and your previous year’s tax return. However, we follow a strict policy of not looking at any of this until you are comfortable with us doing so.
Q: When would we meet again?
A: If we both decide that it would be beneficial to meet again, we’ll schedule another time to get together. At that meeting, we would introduce to you the various areas in which our firm may be able to provide value to your situation. Again, we shy away from offering solutions at this point because we still consider it to be a discovery meeting. At that point, you should be in a better position to make an educated decision as to whether you wish to engage the services of our firm.
Q: Should someone come with me?
A: We do ask that if you are married you bring your spouse with you. If you wish to bring any children with you to the meeting, you are welcome to do so. For that matter, anyone that you may utilize in helping you with your Fleetcor Technologies retirement and personal finances is welcome to join.
About The Retirement Group
The Retirement Group is a nation-wide group of financial advisors who work together as a team.
We focus entirely on retirement planning and the design of retirement portfolios for transitioning corporate employees. Each representative of the group has been hand selected by The Retirement Group in select cities of the United States. Each advisor was selected based on their pension expertise, experience in financial planning, and portfolio construction knowledge.
TRG takes a teamwork approach in providing the best possible solutions for our clients’ concerns. The Team has a conservative investment philosophy and diversifies client portfolios with laddered bonds, CDs, mutual funds, ETFs, Annuities, Stocks and other investments to help achieve their goals. The team addresses Retirement, Pension, Tax, Asset Allocation, Estate, and Elder Care issues. This document utilizes various research tools and techniques. A variety of assumptions and judgmental elements are inevitably inherent in any attempt to estimate future results and, consequently, such results should be viewed as tentative estimations. Changes in the law, investment climate, interest rates, and personal circumstances will have profound effects on both the accuracy of our estimations and the suitability of our recommendations. The need for ongoing sensitivity to change and for constant re-examination and alteration of the plan is thus apparent.
Therefore, we encourage you to have your plan updated a few months before your potential retirement date as well as an annual review. It should be emphasized that neither The Retirement Group, LLC nor any of its employees can engage in the practice of law or accounting and that nothing in this document should be taken as an effort to do so. We look forward to working with tax and/or legal professionals you may select to discuss the relevant ramifications of our recommendations.
Throughout your retirement years we will continue to update you on issues affecting your retirement through our complimentary and proprietary newsletters, workshops and regular updates. You may always reach us at (800) 900-5867.
What type of retirement plan does Fleetcor Technologies offer to its employees?
Fleetcor Technologies offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan to its employees.
How can employees of Fleetcor Technologies enroll in the 401(k) plan?
Employees of Fleetcor Technologies can enroll in the 401(k) plan through the company's HR portal or by contacting the HR department for assistance.
Does Fleetcor Technologies match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?
Yes, Fleetcor Technologies provides a matching contribution to employees' 401(k) plan contributions, subject to specific terms and conditions.
What is the maximum contribution limit for the Fleetcor Technologies 401(k) plan?
The maximum contribution limit for the Fleetcor Technologies 401(k) plan is in line with IRS guidelines, which can change annually. Employees should refer to the current IRS limits for specifics.
Can employees of Fleetcor Technologies change their contribution percentage to the 401(k) plan?
Yes, employees of Fleetcor Technologies can change their contribution percentage at any time by accessing their account through the HR portal.
What investment options are available in the Fleetcor Technologies 401(k) plan?
The Fleetcor Technologies 401(k) plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, stocks, and bonds, allowing employees to choose based on their risk tolerance and retirement goals.
When can employees of Fleetcor Technologies start withdrawing from their 401(k) plan?
Employees of Fleetcor Technologies can start withdrawing from their 401(k) plan at age 59½, or earlier under certain circumstances, such as financial hardship.
Does Fleetcor Technologies allow loans against the 401(k) plan?
Yes, Fleetcor Technologies allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) plan, subject to specific terms and conditions outlined in the plan documents.
What happens to my 401(k) account if I leave Fleetcor Technologies?
If an employee leaves Fleetcor Technologies, they have several options for their 401(k) account, including leaving it with Fleetcor, rolling it over to another retirement account, or cashing it out (though this may incur taxes and penalties).
Is there a vesting schedule for the matching contributions at Fleetcor Technologies?
Yes, Fleetcor Technologies has a vesting schedule for matching contributions, which means employees must work for a certain period before they fully own the matched funds.
With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.
Flowserve offers both a 401(k) plan and a defined benefit pension plan to its employees. Flowserve's 401(k) plan provides a company match of $0.75 for every dollar contributed by employees, up to 6% of their salary. This employer match is a significant benefit, encouraging employees to save for retirement while receiving additional contributions from the company. The 401(k) plan at Flowserve is well-regarded for its Roth option, introduced alongside traditional tax-deferred options, allowing employees more flexibility in how they manage their retirement savings (Guideline) (Home Page).
Additionally, Flowserve offers a Cash Balance Plan for certain employees, which is the company's defined benefit pension plan. The Cash Balance Plan provides retirement benefits based on a percentage of the employee’s annual salary and years of service. As the employee's salary increases, so does the balance in their pension plan, which earns interest each year. The Cash Balance Plan formula is structured to accumulate gradually, providing a predictable retirement income for employees who meet the plan's eligibility criteria
Restructuring Layoffs: Fleetcor Technologies, rebranded as Corpay in 2024, has been undergoing significant changes to align with its new corporate identity. This rebranding is part of a broader strategy to streamline operations and focus on its core business segments. Although no specific layoffs have been officially announced, the restructuring efforts may lead to potential workforce reductions as the company refocuses its resources. Given the current economic pressures, these changes are crucial for maintaining competitiveness and ensuring long-term financial stability. Benefit and Pension Changes: Corpay has not disclosed any direct changes to employee benefits or pension plans as part of its recent transformation. However, given the ongoing economic and political uncertainties, employees should remain vigilant for any future announcements. Changes in tax policies and economic conditions can directly influence corporate benefit decisions, making it essential to monitor updates that may affect retirement planning and financial well-being
Fleetcor Technologies (NYSE: FLT) offers both stock options and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) as part of its employee compensation package, primarily under its Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan. These options and RSUs are typically awarded to senior management and key employees to align their interests with the long-term performance of the company.
Stock Options at Fleetcor allow employees to purchase company stock at a predetermined price, known as the exercise price, after a specified vesting period. The options generally vest over several years and can be exercised upon the completion of this period. The exact terms, including the vesting schedule and the exercise price, are detailed in Fleetcor’s stock incentive plan documents.
RSUs represent a promise to deliver company shares to employees at a future date, typically upon meeting certain performance goals or after a vesting period. These RSUs do not require any purchase or exercise by the employee; instead, the shares are automatically granted upon vesting. RSUs are often used as a retention tool, providing employees with a significant financial incentive to remain with the company over the long term.
In 2022, 2023, and 2024, Fleetcor continued to grant these stock options and RSUs to key employees, emphasizing long-term value creation and retention. Employees eligible for these benefits typically include senior executives and individuals in roles that directly impact the company's strategic objectives.
Fleetcor Technologies has been actively enhancing its employee health benefits over the past few years, particularly focusing on mental health and wellness initiatives. In 2022, Fleetcor's UK branch received recognition for its commitment to mental health by winning a Gold Award in the Workplace Wellbeing Index from the mental health charity, Mind. This award reflects the company's efforts in training managers in mental health awareness and appointing Mental Health First Aiders across the organization.
Additionally, Fleetcor offers a comprehensive health benefits package to its employees, which includes coverage for medical, dental, and vision care. The company has also been focusing on providing wellness programs that promote healthy lifestyles, which are integrated into their healthcare plans. Specific terms related to these benefits include "Mental Health First Aider," which is part of their mental health support structure, and "Wellbeing Index," which measures the effectiveness of their mental health initiatives.
