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09-18-2016, 11:08 PM
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#1
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,872
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a (very) small pension
I have a tiny pension from a previous job and I received a notice that I can either take a lump-sum payment or begin monthly annuity payments now. Or I can do nothing and wait until 65.
Option #1 - Lump-sum payment. The amount is ~$5,584. I should be able to roll this over into my IRA, so no tax penalty.
Option #2 - Immediate Single Life Annuity for $29.37/month.
Option #3 - Single Life Annuity at age 65 for $106/month.
The annuities have no COLA.
I'm 43 years old. Looking at the IRA tables, my life expectancy is about 84 years old.
Based on the numbers, you can easily tell this isn't a deal breaker regardless of which option I choose.
I looked at immediateannuities and for a Immediate Single Life Annuity I'd get $21.30/month and at 65, $65.20/month. So if I went this route, I'd be better sticking with the current pension plan.
For the lump-sum option, I used VPW for now and at 65. For the former, I'd get ~$27/month and for the latter, $140/month. I used the average portfolio value from Firecalc from now until 65 using default values. Of course, these are ball-park numbers, since there's no way to know how the markets will perform.
As for the payout rate, it's: ($29.37*12)/$5584 = 6.3%, which looks pretty good.
The amount is so small that I'll probably take the lump-sum payment and buy a high-risk/high-reward ETF, something like EM.
But I have no experience in analyzing pensions and I'm wondering what's the best option out of three and mostly, why?
__________________
Eat, Drink and Be Merry.
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09-18-2016, 11:42 PM
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#2
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Dutchess County
Posts: 1,599
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My wife will be getting 2 small pensions in a few years. The way I see it is she should take the annuity on both, one will pay for dining out 3 or 4 times a month for the rest of her life and the other will pay for the electric bill every month for the rest of her life. Two less things she has to worry about coming out of our budget.
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09-19-2016, 08:05 AM
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#3
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sarasota, FL & Vermont
Posts: 36,361
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Given the small amounts involved and your young age, I would take the lump sum and roll it over into your IRA and invest it. I wouldn't want to bother with checks of $30/month or even $100/month in 20+ years.
__________________
If something cannot endure laughter.... it cannot endure.
Patience is the art of concealing your impatience.
Slow and steady wins the race.
Retired Jan 2012 at age 56
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09-19-2016, 08:41 AM
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#4
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 7,372
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I'm with pb4uski. Avoid the hassle factor; take the lump sum and invest it. Remember too, that every address change and every bank change over the years would require providing them your new information.
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09-19-2016, 09:18 AM
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#5
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: May 2008
Location: No fixed abode
Posts: 8,765
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Or even, take the lump sum and spend it. Have a nice vacation or something. You're talking chump change here.
If you want to invest it, obviously that's the way to go. But definitely take the lump sum.
__________________
"Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement." - Anonymous (not Will Rogers or Sam Clemens)
DW and I - FIREd at 50 (7/06), living off assets
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09-19-2016, 09:40 AM
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#6
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,844
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You are talking about a 6.3% payout rate at age 43, while the amount is small that is no reason to not give these funds the same care any of your other funds have. Take the pension/annuity now and add this to your retirement portfolio, it can replace a portion of your bonds and allow you to invest other funds in equities. The size of the payment should not effect the decision making process. I find in life paying attention and making good small decisions leads to better luck in the big decision process. As for the reason why, to buy an immediate annuity on the open market at your age the amount paid is 4.3% payout, the offer you have is 46.5% higher in monthly payout than the market is offering. There are no safe fixed income alternatives I am aware of that will equal this payout for the remainder of your life.
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09-19-2016, 10:19 AM
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#7
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Chicago West Burbs
Posts: 3,014
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if you don't need it now ( I know) then I'd roll it over into an IRA. It will grow and you will have some form of COLA associated with your investment. Looking at it another way, taking 30 now gives you about 19 dollars / month (inflation adjusted) when you reach 65.
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09-19-2016, 02:21 PM
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#8
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Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 7,940
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pb4uski
Given the small amounts involved and your young age, I would take the lump sum and roll it over into your IRA and invest it. I wouldn't want to bother with checks of $30/month or even $100/month in 20+ years.
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Completely agree. It's not out of the question that by the time you could start collecting it, you would have moved and they would have lost track of you, etc.
__________________
"One of the funny things about the stock market is that every time one person buys, another sells, and both think they are astute." William Feather
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ER'd Oct. 2010 at 53. Life is good.
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09-19-2016, 02:29 PM
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#9
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Alexandria, Va
Posts: 1,053
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MBAustin
Completely agree. It's not out of the question that by the time you could start collecting it, you would have moved and they would have lost track of you, etc.
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+1
__________________
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I - I took the one less travelled by...
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09-19-2016, 02:41 PM
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#10
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 459
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Running_Man
You are talking about a 6.3% payout rate at age 43, while the amount is small that is no reason to not give these funds the same care any of your other funds have. Take the pension/annuity now and add this to your retirement portfolio, it can replace a portion of your bonds and allow you to invest other funds in equities. The size of the payment should not effect the decision making process. I find in life paying attention and making good small decisions leads to better luck in the big decision process. As for the reason why, to buy an immediate annuity on the open market at your age the amount paid is 4.3% payout, the offer you have is 46.5% higher in monthly payout than the market is offering. There are no safe fixed income alternatives I am aware of that will equal this payout for the remainder of your life.
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+1. I also have very small pension valued at 339/Month at age 65. I will look into see what I get beginning of next year when I FIRE...I will be 52 next month.
Sent from my iPhone using Early Retirement Forum
__________________
Retired at age 52 on 12/1/2016
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09-19-2016, 06:17 PM
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#11
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,844
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CRLLS
if you don't need it now ( I know) then I'd roll it over into an IRA. It will grow and you will have some form of COLA associated with your investment. Looking at it another way, taking 30 now gives you about 19 dollars / month (inflation adjusted) when you reach 65.
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Invest the monthly annuity and earn 3% over inflation and you will have about 11,000 in the bank in today’s moneyand a 4% withdrawal along with the annuity pension assuming 3% inflation to your age 65 gives you $52 a month annuity with 2/3 inflation protected.
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09-19-2016, 07:30 PM
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#12
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,872
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I had exactly the same decision to make. My numbers were $35k lump sum at age 53 or $5.6k annual pension at age 65. I took the lump sum because I have
another larger pension that covers my income and I wanted to do an experiment.
http://www.early-retirement.org/foru...ear-80526.html
Your pension is a little better than mine and it looks like you'll have to average 5.6% annual return from the lump sum to match the pension....assuming you live to 84.
__________________
“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”
Current AA: 75% Equity Funds / 15% Bonds / 5% Stable Value /2% Cash / 3% TIAA Traditional
Retired Mar 2014 at age 52, target WR: 0.0%,
Income from pension and rent
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09-19-2016, 09:05 PM
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#13
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 17,237
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pb4uski
Given the small amounts involved and your young age, I would take the lump sum and roll it over into your IRA and invest it. I wouldn't want to bother with checks of $30/month or even $100/month in 20+ years.
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+whatever number is needed...
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09-19-2016, 10:52 PM
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#14
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,872
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Thanks to everyone who responded. I'm planning on taking the lump sum, but I especially appreciate Running Man's take on this situation. This is exactly what I want to understand better.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Running_Man
You are talking about a 6.3% payout rate at age 43, while the amount is small that is no reason to not give these funds the same care any of your other funds have. Take the pension/annuity now and add this to your retirement portfolio, it can replace a portion of your bonds and allow you to invest other funds in equities. The size of the payment should not effect the decision making process. I find in life paying attention and making good small decisions leads to better luck in the big decision process. As for the reason why, to buy an immediate annuity on the open market at your age the amount paid is 4.3% payout, the offer you have is 46.5% higher in monthly payout than the market is offering. There are no safe fixed income alternatives I am aware of that will equal this payout for the remainder of your life.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Running_Man
Invest the monthly annuity and earn 3% over inflation and you will have about 11,000 in the bank in today’s money and a 4% withdrawal along with the annuity pension assuming 3% inflation to your age 65 gives you $52 a month annuity with 2/3 inflation protected.
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What about taxes?
I didn't mention this in my original post, but I don't need the money nor do I want to increase my income. I'm in a high tax bracket, probably 33% this year, maybe the upper edge of 28% if I'm lucky.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MBAustin
Completely agree. It's not out of the question that by the time you could start collecting it, you would have moved and they would have lost track of you, etc.
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I've had a pretty good track record so far. I earned this pension when I was around 20 and have been tracking it for the last 23 years. I only have 22 years to 64, so I'm half way there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by nun
I had exactly the same decision to make. My numbers were $35k lump sum at age 53 or $5.6k annual pension at age 65. I took the lump sum because I have
another larger pension that covers my income and I wanted to do an experiment.
http://www.early-retirement.org/foru...ear-80526.html
Your pension is a little better than mine and it looks like you'll have to average 5.6% annual return from the lump sum to match the pension....assuming you live to 84.
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Thanks for sharing the thread. I remember skimming it a while ago, but didn't pay too much attention to the details at the time. I'm going to read through it in more detail when I have time, but a quick look this time around and Fritz's comment #26 resonates with me. I'll definitely be following your experiment.
__________________
Eat, Drink and Be Merry.
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09-20-2016, 11:05 AM
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#15
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,192
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I took 1/2 now and 1/2 I rolled over (as they were not fully funded so thats the best option they had without waiting). I'm 44 and had $35K turned into $170/month annuity. It happens to be just enough to pay for my health care premium each month so I do like the fact I don't have to draw down my taxable accounts to cover that. One bonus is we could have used it for the mortgage if we wanted a bigger house as they were willing to take a pension (that had paid out 2+ years) and treat it as good as a paycheck vs. the dividend income they were not accepting.
Being 44 I'm not that concerned about 65+, my 401k and SS will be more than sufficient, I'm more worried about getting my taxable accounts to last until 59 1/2. Having a small annuity now I thought was acceptable as part of diversification.
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09-20-2016, 11:17 AM
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#16
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Lake Livingston, Tx
Posts: 4,204
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I have a small non cola's pension. I was not given the option, well not that I remember. Each month like clock work the money appears in my bank account. It just about covers mine and DW's medicare payment. No hassle at all. If I had taken a lump sum it would have been added to my IRA and I would have forgotten about it. Kind of reminds me of one of the places I w@rked. Good memories there.
__________________
If it is after 5:00 when I post I reserve the right to disavow anything I posted.
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09-20-2016, 01:53 PM
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#17
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: North
Posts: 4,043
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rustic23
Good memories there.
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I hope to forget about my work memories soon after retirement. Means to an end. Perhaps I chose the wrong profession or have become cynical.
I do spend a lot of time at work, but hoping to remember the vacations in the tropics, long walks on the beach, not the typing and nagging.
__________________
Time > $$$ ~ 100% equities ~ FIRE @2031
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09-20-2016, 02:32 PM
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#18
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 17,237
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Running_Man
You are talking about a 6.3% payout rate at age 43, while the amount is small that is no reason to not give these funds the same care any of your other funds have. Take the pension/annuity now and add this to your retirement portfolio, it can replace a portion of your bonds and allow you to invest other funds in equities. The size of the payment should not effect the decision making process. I find in life paying attention and making good small decisions leads to better luck in the big decision process. As for the reason why, to buy an immediate annuity on the open market at your age the amount paid is 4.3% payout, the offer you have is 46.5% higher in monthly payout than the market is offering. There are no safe fixed income alternatives I am aware of that will equal this payout for the remainder of your life.
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My bold...
I disagree with this.... this is a small amount of money... you can make almost any decision with this and not change anything related to RE...
It also matters having money spread all over the place instead of in a few places...
So, IMO, size does matter in the process.... I would not want this money separate unless there were some big advantage for it sitting there... I do not see any big advantage.... if it were a lot more money, then even a small advantage would mean something....
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09-20-2016, 09:11 PM
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#19
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sarasota, FL & Vermont
Posts: 36,361
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tulak
What about taxes?
I didn't mention this in my original post, but I don't need the money nor do I want to increase my income. I'm in a high tax bracket, probably 33% this year, maybe the upper edge of 28% if I'm lucky.....
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If you have the lump-sum rolled into an IRA (preferably directly) then there is no taxable income to you until you take the money out of your IRA.
__________________
If something cannot endure laughter.... it cannot endure.
Patience is the art of concealing your impatience.
Slow and steady wins the race.
Retired Jan 2012 at age 56
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09-20-2016, 09:14 PM
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#20
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: San Diego
Posts: 5,267
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Texas Proud
My bold...
I disagree with this.... this is a small amount of money... you can make almost any decision with this and not change anything related to RE...
It also matters having money spread all over the place instead of in a few places...
So, IMO, size does matter in the process.... I would not want this money separate unless there were some big advantage for it sitting there... I do not see any big advantage.... if it were a lot more money, then even a small advantage would mean something....
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What do you think the inflection point is? My pension is small but larger than this, I'm taking the about $1000/month at age 55 until I take social security, no COLA, option - work froze the plans a couple years ago, I'm 42 now. I chose this because it felt nice to pad the income until social security kicks in and reduce the withdrawal amount on my portfolio by about 10% for those seven years.
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