Contributed by: Nick Defenthaler, CFP®
Over the past month, Ford has extended buyout offers to nearly 15,000 of its salaried employees. The offer, in most cases, contains two main components – a severance package or an enhancement of your retirement benefit from Ford. Below is a high-level breakdown of some of the key points of the offer:
Special Incentive Program (SIP) and Select Retirement Program (SRP)
Up to 18 months’ severance
Retirement benefit enhancement
Credit for three additional years of age and three years of service for calculating benefits under the General Retirement Plan (GRP), Benefit Equalization Plan (BEP), and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP)
This can translate into a nearly 15% increase over your normal benefit
Must retire no later than September 30, 2017
This means up to 27 months of income received in 2017 which more than likely means higher tax brackets for those accepting the offer
Access to reemployment assistance from Ford for six months
Health insurance – type of coverage will depend on if you were hired before or after 6/1/2001
Life insurance – eligible to maintain if you were hired on or after 1/1/2004, are age 55 or older with at least ten years of service, or are age 65 with at least five years of service upon termination
Vacation
Regular – accrued through your last day on pay roll, unused accrued vacation is paid out if the last day on pay roll is prior to year-end
Purchased – unused days are forfeited
Buyouts from Ford or any of the “Big Three” are nothing new. As always, however, a thoughtful analysis should be completed when ultimately making a decision on whether to stay employed with Ford or to retire early. Many of the offers extended will be virtually the same, but everyone’s situation is different. If you’ve received an offer from Ford and would like our take on how that offer could impact your own long-term financial game plan, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for guidance.
P.S. I did a webinar on this topic where I dug deep into the nuances of the offer and discussed some planning opportunities you might consider if you decide to retire early. Check out the replay below!
Nick Defenthaler, CFP® is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® Nick works closely with Center clients and is also the Director of The Center’s Financial Planning Department. He is also a frequent contributor to the firm’s blogs and educational webinars.