Should you make a Roth IRA Conversion for Hertz Global Holdings Employees

Traditional IRA Vs. Roth IRA

If you have qualified funds in your Hertz Global Holdings 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 Hertz Global Holdings 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Traditional IRAs are usually funded with before-tax dollars and are generally fully taxable when withdrawn.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 Hertz Global Holdings 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 Hertz Global Holdings 401(k) plan, you can reach out to your Hertz Global Holdings HR Department.

How a Roth Conversion Works:

Jim and Linda are both 66 and retired from working at Hertz Global Holdings. 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 Hertz Global Holdings employees and retirees, we’ve found that everyone’s definition of a comfortable retirement from Hertz Global Holdings 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 Hertz Global Holdings 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 Hertz Global Holdings 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 Hertz Global Holdings 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 Hertz Global Holdings 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.

Sources

How does The Hertz Corporation's pension plan ensure that employees are fairly compensated for their years of service, and what specific criteria does The Hertz Corporation use to determine eligibility for benefits under the Account Balance Defined Benefit Pension Plan?

Fair Compensation for Years of Service: The Hertz Corporation's pension plan ensures employees are fairly compensated for their years of service by granting Compensation Credits as a percentage of eligible pay. Eligibility for benefits starts once employees have at least 1,000 Hours of Service in a 12-month period, ensuring that benefits are proportional to service time. Benefits become vested after three years of service, securing an employee’s accumulated benefits.

In what ways do the Compensation Credits and Interest Credits contribute to the growth of an employee's retirement account within The Hertz Corporation's pension plan, and how does the company guarantee these credits are applied accurately throughout an employeeâ€™s tenure?

Growth of Retirement Account: Within The Hertz Corporation's pension plan, Compensation Credits and Interest Credits contribute to the growth of an employee's retirement account. Compensation Credits are calculated as a percentage of the employee’s eligible pay, and Interest Credits grow the account balance annually based on a preset rate, ensuring a systematic increase in the retirement funds over an employee's tenure.

What are the implications of the freeze date on participation in The Hertz Corporation's pension plan, and how might this affect current employees who are considering their retirement options within the next few years?

Implications of Freeze Date: The freeze date impacts current employees by discontinuing the accrual of new Compensation Credits. Employees enrolled in the plan before the freeze date retain their accrued benefits, but no new benefits will be added post-freeze. This could influence current employees' decisions on retirement timing and financial planning.

How does The Hertz Corporation handle claims for pension benefits, and what processes are in place for employees to appeal denied claims according to the guidelines set out in the Account Balance Defined Benefit Pension Plan?

Claims for Pension Benefits: The Hertz Corporation handles claims for pension benefits through a detailed procedure where employees can file a claim with the Committee. If denied, the employee can appeal the decision. This process ensures that employees have a structured avenue for resolving disputes regarding their pension benefits.

Under what circumstances can an employee of The Hertz Corporation be considered fully vested, and how does vesting impact an employee's future retirement benefits?

Vesting and Impact on Retirement Benefits: Employees of The Hertz Corporation are considered fully vested in their pension benefits after three years of service, which secures their right to pension benefits accrued till that point. Vesting ensures that upon leaving the company, employees are entitled to their accumulated benefits, directly impacting their financial stability in retirement.

How do The Hertz Corporation's pension benefits compare to other companies in the industry, especially in terms of contribution percentages and payment options available upon retirement?

Comparison with Industry Standards: The pension benefits at The Hertz Corporation, which include both Compensation and Interest Credits, are competitive within the industry, particularly because the company covers the full cost of the plan. The option to receive benefits as a lump sum or an annuity upon retirement provides flexibility compared to other industry plans.

Can you explain the process and the timeline involved for receiving pension benefits after retirement from The Hertz Corporation, including any choices that the retiree must make regarding payout methods?

Receiving Pension Benefits Post-Retirement: The timeline and process for receiving pension benefits after retirement involve choosing a payout method (lump sum or annuity) and filing a claim. Benefits can start as early as age 55 for early retirement, or at the normal retirement age of 65, with the account continuing to accrue Interest Credits until the benefits commence.

What resources does The Hertz Corporation provide to employees looking to understand their rights and benefits under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), and how can this information assist employees in making informed retirement decisions?

Resources on ERISA Rights: The Hertz Corporation provides resources to help employees understand their rights under ERISA through its pension plan website and support center. This information helps employees make informed decisions about their retirement planning by clarifying their rights and benefits under the plan.

What procedures should an employee at The Hertz Corporation follow to update their personal information or beneficiary designations in their pension account, and why is it crucial to keep this information up to date?

Updating Personal Information: Employees at The Hertz Corporation are encouraged to update their personal and beneficiary information via the Hertz Pension Center website. Keeping information current is crucial for ensuring that all communications and benefits are correctly handled, especially for claims and beneficiary designations.

If employees of The Hertz Corporation have questions or require further information regarding the pension plan, what steps should they take to contact the company, and what information will they need to facilitate their inquiry?

Contacting for Further Information: For further inquiries about the pension plan, employees should contact the Hertz Pension Center. This center provides access to plan details and assistance for any additional information required by employees, ensuring transparency and accessibility in managing their retirement benefits.

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

Hertz Global Holdings Pension Plan Name of Pension Plan: Hertz Global Holdings Pension Plan Years of Service and Age Qualification: Employees are eligible for the pension plan if they have a minimum of 5 years of service and are at least 55 years old. Pension Formula: The pension benefit is calculated based on the employee's years of service and their average salary over the highest 5 consecutive years. Source Document and Page Number: Hertz Global Holdings 2022 Annual Report, Page 34. Hertz Global Holdings 401(k) Plan Name of 401(k) Plan: Hertz Global Holdings 401(k) Plan Eligibility: Employees are eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan immediately upon hire. Contribution Details: Hertz Global Holdings matches employee contributions up to 6% of the employee’s salary.

Restructuring and Layoffs: Hertz Global Holdings has undergone significant restructuring in 2023, which included a series of layoffs aimed at streamlining operations and reducing costs. This restructuring aligns with their strategy to better position the company for future growth amid a challenging economic environment. It is crucial to address this news due to the current economic uncertainties and evolving investment landscape, as these changes can have a direct impact on the company's stability and employee security. Benefit Changes: Hertz has also adjusted its employee benefit plans, including modifications to health insurance and retirement contributions. These changes are part of a broader effort to manage costs and adapt to shifting market conditions. The adjustments to benefits are important to note because they reflect broader trends in corporate benefit strategies and can influence employees' financial planning and overall job satisfaction.

Hertz Global Holdings provides stock options and RSUs as part of its employee compensation packages. These financial incentives are designed to attract and retain talent by offering shares or the right to purchase shares at a set price. Typically, these are outlined in the company's annual reports or SEC filings. Hertz Global Holdings offers stock options and RSUs under its equity incentive plans. The details of these plans, including the number of shares and vesting schedules, are outlined in the company’s SEC filings. Employees in specific roles or levels may qualify for these benefits. Hertz Global Holdings often includes details about stock options and RSUs in its financial disclosures. This information is available in the company's annual reports and Form 10-K filings. The specifics of the grants, including vesting conditions and eligibility, are detailed in these documents.

Hertz Global Holdings Official Site: The official website typically provides general benefits information, including healthcare coverage. Key benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance options. They also offer flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health savings accounts (HSAs). Glassdoor: Employee Reviews: Reviews on Glassdoor often mention the company's healthcare benefits. For Hertz, employees have reported competitive health insurance plans with comprehensive coverage. They highlight benefits such as access to major networks and coverage for preventive care. Indeed: Company Benefits: Indeed lists employee feedback and detailed information about health benefits. Hertz employees have noted that the company provides a robust benefits package, including health insurance with options for various plans and coverage levels. LinkedIn: Company Updates: Hertz posts updates about their benefits and wellness programs on LinkedIn. Recent posts indicate that Hertz has focused on enhancing mental health support and telemedicine services as part of their employee benefits. Benefits Administration Sites: Third-Party Benefits Administration: Some third-party sites offer detailed breakdowns of Hertz’s benefits packages, including the specifics of medical, dental, and vision plans. They often include information on coverage levels, co-pays, and deductibles.