Traditional pensions, which promise lifetime income payments in retirement, have become less common in the private sector, with only about 10% of workers currently participating in a traditional pension plan. However, pensions are still widely offered in federal, state and local government employment, and 61% of workers expect a pension to be a major or minor source of retirement income.¹

About half of pension plan participants can choose to take their money in a lump sum when they retire.² In addition, companies may offer pension buyouts to vested former employees who are working elsewhere, and even to retirees who are already receiving pension payments. By shrinking the size of a pension plan, the company can reduce the associated risks and costs, and limit the impact of future retirement obligations on current financial performance. However, what's good for a corporation's bottom line may or may not be in the best interests of plan participants and their families.

A Critical Decision

For many workers, there are clear mathematical and psychological advantages to keeping the pension. However, a lump sum could provide financial flexibility that may benefit some families. The prospect of a large check might be tempting, but cashing out a pension could have costly repercussions for your retirement. One study found that one out of five people who took a lump sum depleted the money within five and a half years, and an additional 35% were concerned that the money would run out.³ Given the risks, it's important to have a long-term perspective and consider the following factors when a sizable lump-sum offer is on the table.

Terms of the Offer

The amount of a lump sum is based on the discounted present value of an employee's future pension, set by the IRS formula based on current bond interest rates and average life expectancies. Keep in mind that a pension's lifetime income may be more valuable for women than for men because women tend to live longer, but gender is not considered when calculating lump sums. In addition, companies may not include the value of subsidies for early retirement or spousal benefits in their buyout offers, the latter of which could be a major disadvantage for married couples.

Taxes and Potential Penalties

Pension payments (monthly or lump sum) are taxed in the year in which they are received. Cashing out a pension before age 591/2 may trigger a 10% federal income tax penalty, unless the lump sum is rolled into an IRA or to an employer-sponsored retirement plan (if allowed), which postpones taxes until withdrawals taken prior to age 591/2 are subject to the 10% federal income tax penalty, with certain exceptions. Annual minimum distributions are required starting at age 72 (701/2 if born before July 1, 1949).

Financial Resources

A lump sum might be helpful for someone with little cash in the bank for emergencies or with debts to pay off. Those who are able to live comfortably on other sources of retirement income might also benefit from a lump sum.

Risk Tolerance

A lump-sum payout transfers the risk from the pension plan sponsor to the participant. Individuals who opt for a lump sum must then manage that money and determine for themselves how much risk to take in the financial markets. Often the amount is not enough to replace the pension income given up, unless the investor can tolerate exposure to stock market risk and is able to achieve equivalent returns over time.

Health Status

A lump-sum payment might make sense for a participant with potentially life-threatening medical issues, because pension payments end when the plan participant (or a surviving spouse) dies. Money held in an IRA could be withdrawn and spent as needed on health related costs and/or custodial care. Any IRA funds that are preserved can be passed down to heirs.

Pension's Prospects

A pension plan's "funded status" is a measure of its assets and liabilities that must be  reported annually; a plan funded at 80% or less may be struggling. Most pensions are backstopped by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) , but retirees could lose a portion of the "promised" benefits if their plan fails. For single-employer plans, which are most common, the PBGC annual maximum is $69,750. However, for a multi-employer plan (created between employers an a union), the guarantee is much lower at $12,870.²

All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal, and there is no guarantee that any investment strategy will be successful. Investments seeking to achieve higher rates of return also involve hirther degree of risk.

1. https://www.ebri.org/docs/default-source/rcs/2020-rcs/2020-rcs-summary-report.pdf ?sfvrsn=84bc3d2f_7
2. https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/annuities/601077/pension-or-lump-sum-compare-payouts-and-options-before-you-decide
3. https://www.aarp.org/retirement/planning-for-retirement/info-2020/monthly-pension-vs-lump-sum-payout.html

This information is not intended as tax, legal, investment, or retirement advice or recommendations, and it may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties.

You are encouraged to seek advice from an independent professional advisor. The content is derived from sources believed to be accurate. Neither the information presented nor any opinion expressed constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. This material was written and prepared by Broadridge Advisor Solutions. © 2019 Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc.

Advisory services are offered through Buska Wealth Management, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor in the state of Wisconsin. Insurance products and services are offered through Buska Retirement Solutions, Inc., an affiliated company. Buska Retirement Solutions, Inc. and Buska Wealth Management, LLC are not affiliated or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any government agency. All written content is for information purposes only. It is not intended to provide any tax or legal advice or provide the basis for any financial decisions. The information contained herein is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities, products or services mentioned, and no offers or sales will be made in jurisdictions in which the offer or sale of these securities, products or services is not qualified or otherwise exempt from regulation. The information contained in this material have been derived from sources believed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed as to accuracy and completeness and does not purport to be a complete analysis of the materials discussed.