The MyFordBenefits Pension Plan: Everything You Need To Know

Retirement benefits are a vital aspect for any employee, providing them with the financial independence to retire comfortably and maintain their standard of living. MyFordBenefits Pension program is a retirement plan that aims to provide employees with a defined benefit or a defined contribution plan, depending on their job position and the plan they enroll in.

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The MyFordBenefits Pension Plan

MyFordBenefits Pension Plan is a defined benefit plan offered to eligible employees who enrolled in the plan before the end of 2019. The pension plan calculates the retirement benefits based on an employee’s years of service and their final average pay. This plan guarantees a fixed cash benefit for the retiree or their beneficiaries, which is determined by the employee’s age, years of service, and their highest average compensation.

Enrollment Requirements

MyFordBenefits Pension Plan enrollment is automatically granted to employees who are eligible for the plan, based on their job position and years of service. For employees who are not automatically enrolled, they can still enroll in the plan if they satisfy the eligibility criteria and enrollment requirements.

Eligibility and Vesting Period

To be eligible for the MyFordBenefits Pension Plan, an employee must be a regular full-time employee of the company and complete five years of credited service. Credited service includes years of service at the company plus any advancements in seniority or promotions. After meeting the eligibility criteria, employees must complete a vesting period of three years, which means they have accumulated enough service credits to be entitled to their pension benefits when they retire.

Calculation of Benefits

The MyFordBenefits Pension Plan calculates retirement benefits by taking into account an employee’s final average pay and years of credited service. The final average pay is calculated by averaging their highest 60 months of compensation, while the years of credited service are the number of years an employee has accumulated service credits.

Retirement Age and Retirement Options

Employees who participate in the MyFordBenefits Pension Plan can choose to retire at any age, provided they have completed the required vesting period. The pension plan provides different retirement options, such as a single life annuity, joint and survivor annuity, and lump-sum payment.

The Retirement Savings Plan

The MyFordBenefits Retirement Savings Plan is a defined contribution plan that allows employees to make voluntary contributions to an individual account. The contributions can be invested in various funds depending on the employee’s risk tolerance and investment objectives. The Retirement Savings Plan also offers a matching contribution from the company up to the IRS defined contribution limit.

Enrollment Requirements

To enroll in the Retirement Savings Plan, an employee must complete one year of service and attain 21 years of age. Enrollment in the Retirement Savings Plan is voluntary and depends solely on the employee’s decision to participate.

Contribution Limits and Match: The maximum contribution limit for the MyFordBenefits Retirement Savings Plan is set annually by the IRS. The company also offers a dollar-for-dollar match up to the first 5% of the employee’s contributions.

Investment Options

The MyFordBenefits Retirement Savings Plan offers a wide variety of investment options, including target-date funds, actively managed funds, and index funds. The investment options are designed to meet the investment objectives of each employee based on their age, risk tolerance, and investment goals.

Distribution Options

Employees who participate in the Retirement Savings Plan can choose from several distribution options, including a lump-sum payment, a partial lump-sum payment, or an annuity. The distribution options depend on the employee’s account balance and their preference.

Differences between the MyFordBenefits Pension Plan and Retirement Savings Plan: The MyFordBenefits Pension Plan is a defined benefit plan that guarantees a specific retirement benefit for an employee based on their years of service and final average pay. In contrast, the Retirement Savings Plan is a defined contribution plan that allows employees to make voluntary contributions to their accounts and invest them in various funds. The Pension Plan assumes all financial risk, while the Retirement Savings Plan shifts most of the financial risk to the employee.

How to Access Information Regarding MyFordBenefits Pension Plan: Employees can access information about their MyFordBenefits Pension Plan by contacting MyFordBenefits customer service, visiting myfordbenefits.com, and identifying and understanding their retirement benefits.

Conclusion

The MyFordBenefits Pension Plan and Retirement Savings Plan offer employees the flexibility to choose a plan that best fits their retirement goals. The Pension Plan guarantees a specific retirement benefit while the Retirement Savings Plan allows employees to make voluntary contributions to their individual accounts. By understanding the features, eligibility, and distribution options of each plan, employees can make informed decisions and plan for their retirement.

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