Q2 Segment Rates Reduce ExxonMobil Pension Lump Sums

Segment rate Changes and How They Affect The ExxonMobil Pension Plan

As inflation drives prevailing bond interest rates higher, a knock-on effect that directly impacts employees of ExxonMobil is the reduction of lump-sum distribution value for the ExxonMobil pension plan. The vast majority of current employees are subject to a lump-sum calculation that uses “Segment Rates” to determine the present value of the pension annuity payments. For many employees, rolling over the lump sum of the pension value into an IRA is an attractive option at retirement. Increased Segment Rates reduce the lump-sum – in some cases dramatically.

What To Do About Q2 Rates?

After the Covid-19 crisis drove interest rates to historic lows, rates have generally been on an upward trajectory for the past 18 months. For individuals retiring in Q1, the Segment Rates were a bit lower than the rates that have been published for Q2 rates as seen below:

While Segment 3 rates remain the same, Segment 1 and Segment 2 are the rates that determine the present value of the first 20 years of annuity payments from the pension, and they’re quite a bit higher than Q1 rates. In general, a 1% move up in overall rates corresponds to a ~10% reduction in lump-sum values, so Segment 1 moving 0.4% and Segment 2 moving 0.2% is meaningful and could have employees considering how to optimize their retirement strategy given this trend in rates.

Am I Working for Free?

This is a commonly asked question by those close to retirement when we start to see rates creeping higher. Pension lump-sum values are frequently in the $1-2 million range, so a 1% move in segment rates over the course of the year could cost a retiree well into the six-figure range in terms of lost value. Other factors that can help to offset this loss by working longer include additional pension service credit or potential salary increases – everyone’s individual circumstances are different, so it’s important to discuss these matters with an experienced professional who can help you make an informed decision.

Will Rates Continue To Go Higher?

While it can be difficult to predict what future segment rates will be, it’s interesting to note that each quarter’s rates are calculated by averaging the rates from the 4th and 5th month PRIOR to the beginning of the quarter as published by the IRS here. That means Q2 rates were determined by rates that existed in November and December of 2021, and Q3 rates will be determined by February and March data in 2022.

A good metric to watch for the direction of prevailing rates is the 10-year U.S. Treasury Bond yield. While in November/December it fluctuated in the ~1.5% range, it’s over 2% today, making it very likely that Q3 rates will rise yet again. This can be useful information for individuals considering the timing of their retirement.

Can I Afford To Retire Now?

If rates are likely to continue to increase, the next logical question to ask is: Should I retire now? Many individuals close to retirement may want to consider separating before a larger effect occurs on their lump-sum, but just aren’t sure if they’re financially prepared.

The Rhame & Gorrell team is pleased to offer complimentary retirement readiness assessments for any individual considering their options. Schedule a time today with one of our Certified Financial PlannerTM (CFP®) professionals via the link below to get a better idea of where you stand and the ideal strategy for you moving forward.