With all of the changes at ConocoPhillips - 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 ConocoPhillips for 20 years, and now the relationship is over. Remember to reach out to ConocoPhillips HR & Benefits at 918-661-6199 for all ConocoPhillips 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.
Featured Video
Articles you may find interesting:
- Corporate Employees: 8 Factors When Choosing a Mutual Fund
- Use of Escrow Accounts: Divorce
- Medicare Open Enrollment for Corporate Employees: Cost Changes in 2024!
- Stages of Retirement for Corporate Employees
- 7 Things to Consider Before Leaving Your Company
- How Are Workers Impacted by Inflation & Rising Interest Rates?
- Lump-Sum vs Annuity and Rising Interest Rates
- Internal Revenue Code Section 409A (Governing Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans)
- Corporate Employees: Do NOT Believe These 6 Retirement Myths!
- 401K, Social Security, Pension – How to Maximize Your Options
- Have You Looked at Your 401(k) Plan Recently?
- 11 Questions You Should Ask Yourself When Planning for Retirement
Here are a few items to check off as you consider leaving ConocoPhillips:
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 ConocoPhillips-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 ConocoPhillips, why burn them now? Avoid going online even anonymously to berate past ConocoPhillips 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 ConocoPhillips as a contractor working on your terms.
7. Figure out what you will tell your ConocoPhillips 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 ConocoPhillips
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…).
-2.png?width=300&height=200&name=office-builing-main-lobby%20(52)-2.png)
-2.png)
