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ExxonMobil and the majority of other oil firms are currently attempting to reduce expenses in order to assist in addressing the economic decline caused by the coronavirus. The oil and gas sector was particularly heavily hit by the pandemic, although the overall economy was negatively impacted. Some businesses have decided to try and cut labor expenses by conducting layoffs, such as Chevron. "Chop 10% to 15% of its worldwide workforce as part of an ongoing restructuring at the second-largest U.S. oil producer," Chevron has announced, according to Reuters. Instead, some oil firms, such as ExxonMobil, have decided to reduce benefits. It had been stated by ExxonMobil that it would no longer match employee contributions to their retirement savings accounts. Furthermore, a recent piece published in Business Insider stated that layoffs at ExxonMobil would be announced soon.
Will conventional cost-cutting methods, however, be sufficient? Is a freeze on pensions ExxonMobil's next move?
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In the past, companies have found success in preserving cash by freezing their pension programs. In 2005, Verizon put a freeze on their pension. As an alternative, they provided workers with an improvement over the 401(k) programs that had been in place since 2006. At the time, ABC reported that Verizon planned to convert from a defined benefit (DB) pension plan to an upgraded 401(k) plan in order to save $3 billion over a ten-year period.
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. In an effort to better control the amount of their present pension commitments, many companies are offloading or freezing their defined benefit pension plans. When employees enroll in a DC plan, the "corporate pension plan stops accruing new benefits as workers age and salaries rise," according to Barron's.
Barron's lists a number of businesses, including General Electric and Lockheed Martin, who have chosen to freeze their defined-benefit pension plans as of late. General Electric has offered 100,000 former employees a buyout option for current retirees and is frozen the pensions of 20,700 employees. Another cost-cutting strategy used by organizations is the buyout option. The Retirement Group claims that defined benefit (DB) plans, which give retirees a lifetime monthly payout, frequently result in significant pension liabilities for the employer. But "corporations could take the defined-benefit off their books by offering both workers and retirees a lump sum." This has the potential to transfer risk from the company to its employees for businesses such as ExxonMobil.
In general, this trend benefits investors because it lowers the risk of investing in companies who are able to reduce their debt. For employees, who frequently depend on those benefits for their retirement years, losing DB plans is a terrible thing. A pension freeze usually has the greatest negative impact on workers who are in the middle to end of their careers. It should be noted that ExxonMobil currently provides one of the greatest benefit packages of any business in the nation. Asking your HR department for an estimate of your pension benefits following retirement is a smart idea if your pension is frozen. ARRP advises requesting estimates for both your monthly payments and lump-sum payment. It's a good idea to find out how much your spouse would get in the event of your death.
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 ExxonMobil 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 ExxonMobil Savings Plan compare against typical retirement savings plans, and what unique features does it offer that can benefit employees approaching retirement? Additionally, can you elaborate on the necessary steps ExxonMobil employees should take within the savings plan to ensure maximum contributions and employer match during their service years?
ExxonMobil Savings Plan: ExxonMobil's Savings Plan offers flexibility with pre-tax, after-tax, and Roth contributions, and features a 7% company match for the first 6% of employee contributions, a unique benefit compared to typical plans. Employees should contribute the maximum percentage to receive the full match and regularly review their investment allocations through the Voya platform(ExxonMobil_2024_ExxonMo…).
What are the eligibility criteria for employees to participate in the ExxonMobil Pension Plan, and how is the retirement benefit calculated? As employees consider their long-term savings strategy, how does the option of a lump-sum distribution versus an annuity influence their financial planning at ExxonMobil?
ExxonMobil Pension Plan: Employees are automatically enrolled and eligible for benefits after five years of service, with full retirement benefits offered at 55 with 15 years of service. The pension is calculated based on 1.6% of final average pay multiplied by years of service, minus a social security offset. Lump-sum and annuity options affect long-term financial planning, with lump sums offering immediate flexibility while annuities provide a steady income(ExxonMobil_2024_ExxonMo…).
In what ways does the ExxonMobil Employee Assistance Program (EAP) support employees during personal or family crises, and what confidentiality measures are in place to protect their privacy? Additionally, how can ExxonMobil employees access these services, and what are the key resources available through this program?
Employee Assistance Program (EAP): ExxonMobil's EAP provides confidential counseling services for personal and family issues like anxiety, addiction, and family conflict. Services are accessible by phone, video chat, or text, with privacy strictly protected. Employees can contact ComPsych for guidance and support through the GuidanceNow app or website(ExxonMobil_2024_ExxonMo…).
With the introduction of Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) at ExxonMobil, how do these accounts help employees manage their health care and dependent care expenses more effectively? What guidelines should employees follow to ensure they maximize their tax advantages while complying with IRS regulations during the enrollment process?
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs): FSAs at ExxonMobil allow employees to reduce taxable income by contributing pre-tax dollars to healthcare or dependent care expenses. Employees should estimate their expenses carefully during the enrollment period and comply with IRS rules, ensuring they submit claims by April 15th of the following year(ExxonMobil_2024_ExxonMo…).
How does ExxonMobil define "work-life balance," and what specific benefits and programs are in place to support this philosophy for employees? Can you discuss how employees can utilize these options, such as flexible schedules and leave of absence policies, without negatively impacting their career progression within the company?
Work-Life Balance: ExxonMobil promotes work-life balance with programs like “Flex Your Day,” allowing flexibility in work hours, and up to 20 days of back-up dependent care. Employees are encouraged to use these options strategically to maintain career progression while balancing personal obligations(ExxonMobil_2024_ExxonMo…).
In light of the various medical plan options offered at ExxonMobil, how should employees approach selecting the right plan to best meet their healthcare needs? What factors should they consider, including family health history and financial implications, when making their decisions?
Medical Plan Selection: ExxonMobil offers Aetna POS II and network-only options, allowing employees to choose between plans based on cost, coverage, and provider access. Employees should assess their family's healthcare needs, financial situation, and preferred providers when selecting the most appropriate plan(ExxonMobil_2024_ExxonMo…).
For ExxonMobil employees nearing retirement, what resources are available to help them understand the nuances of health benefits coordination through Medicare and their ExxonMobil coverage? How can they best navigate this transition, and what checkpoints should they be aware of to ensure they remain compliant with company policies during retirement?
Retirement Health Benefits and Medicare: ExxonMobil offers resources to help employees coordinate health benefits with Medicare upon retirement. Employees nearing retirement should explore their options through the Your Total Rewards portal and ensure compliance with company policies during the transition(ExxonMobil_2024_ExxonMo…).
What financial education resources does ExxonMobil provide to employees to promote informed decision-making about their retirement savings and benefits? Can you detail how programs like the Financial Fitness Program enable employees to strategically manage their finances and plan for retirement?
Financial Education Resources: ExxonMobil's Financial Fitness Program, provided in collaboration with Ernst & Young, helps employees manage their finances with resources such as EY Navigate and personalized financial planning. This program supports informed decision-making about retirement and savings strategies(ExxonMobil_2024_ExxonMo…).
As part of the benefits provided by ExxonMobil, how does the company facilitate employee participation in volunteer programs and charitable activities through the ExxonMobil Foundation? How can employees engage with these initiatives while also balancing their work commitments?
Volunteer Programs: Through the ExxonMobil Foundation, employees can engage in charitable activities via the Volunteer Involvement Program (VIP), which offers grants to nonprofits based on time spent volunteering. Participation in these programs is flexible, enabling employees to balance work commitments with volunteer efforts(ExxonMobil_2024_ExxonMo…).
How can ExxonMobil employees get in touch with benefits representatives to address specific questions about their retirement and savings plans? What are the recommended channels and best times to reach out for assistance to ensure they receive timely and relevant information about their options?
Contacting Benefits Representatives: Employees can reach out to the ExxonMobil Benefits Service Center at 833-776-9966 during business hours (8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CST) for assistance with retirement and savings plan questions. The Your Total Rewards portal also offers 24/7 access for reviewing and managing benefits(ExxonMobil_2024_ExxonMo…).
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