Verizon Retirement Planning Help

Commencing your retirement from Verizon is perhaps once of the most exciting events a Verizon employee can experience – it means you’re only a few short steps away from enjoying your retirement! At the same time, the process can be somewhat daunting and even intimidating due to coordinating the commencement of all your benefits including your Pension, 401(k) and medical benefits, making sure all the paperwork is submitted correctly, and actually getting your retirement money to you to start taking income. The resources below will help guide you through this process so that retiring from Verizon doesn’t feel like a second job to you.

Get Your Verizon Retirement Timeline

We used our 20+ years of experience helping Verizon employees retire to create this guide. It includes a retirement planning timeline and the most important steps to consider.

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Your Pension

For many Verizon employees, the pension is an important component of your retirement income plan. To elect and initiate your pension you will need to complete the Pension Election and Authorization Form. You can request this form by either calling the Verizon Benefits Center or accessing it on the Verizon Net Benefits Site. This form must be properly completed and signed to be accepted by Verizon. Any errors, mistakes, or missing information will delay receipt of your pension benefits, sometimes by months.

Your Verizon 401(k)

Verizon retirees have several options regarding their 401(k). The choice you make depends on the retirement income plan. Your choices at retirement are:

  • Roll over all or a part of it into an IRA.
  • Leave all or a part of it in the 401(k), with distributions made to you depending on your income needs.
  • Transfer all or a part of it into another qualified retirement plan.

Your Health Care Benefits (Medical Dental, and Vision)

Many Verizon retirees will have health care benefits that continue into retirement, sometimes with similar coverage and at about the same cost as when employed. A Verizon Benefits Specialist can review your retiree health care benefits and their costs. The election of these health care benefits should be made before your termination date from Verizon.

Life Insurance

The continuation of your life insurance benefits is an option for many Verizon retirees. You should contact the Verizon Benefits Center to review your life insurance options and the costs to continue them in retirement.

You’re about ready to put into action your retirement income and investment plan that you’ve likely been working on for quite some time now. We recommend doing one more review of your plan making sure all components of your finances are in line to support your retirement. The resources on this page have helped hundreds of Verizon employees with their retirement.

FAQ's

How do I roll over my 401(k)?

You can request a check (make sure it’s made payable to the institution at which your individual retirement account is at so that you don’t have to withhold taxes) and can then deposit that check into your retirement account. You can also request a direct rollover from your 401(k) to your retirement account without receiving a check first. 401(k) rollover initiation requests can be done by calling Fidelity at 1-888-457-9333.

Additional options include:

  • Leave the money in your former employer’s plan, if permitted
  • Roll over the assets to your new employer’s plan, if one is available and rollovers are permitted
  • Cash-out the account value

How do I commence my pension benefit?

You must initiate your pension benefit commencement through the Pension Election and Authorization form. This will be provided to you by the Verizon Benefits Center. You can request this paperwork by calling them at 1-855-489-2367.

There are a lot of moving parts to the pension benefit commencement process, and it’s important to carry them out correctly so that you are maximizing your benefit and receiving that benefit in a timely manner. This is, therefore, usually a part of the retirement process that we assist our clients with. Please do reach out to us if you would like a partner in this process.

How do I make sure I don’t outlive my money?

Not outliving your money in retirement is one of the biggest concerns and focuses when planning for retirement. We recommend if you haven’t already, take inventory of your expense components and income resources in retirement and project your monthly and annual cash flows. This will help determine a withdrawal game plan for your investments throughout your retirement.

Webinars/Videos

Jim Palka (Verizon Retiree)

Meet Jim, a retiree from Verizon. In this video, Jim shares his decision to finally retire from Verizon and his experience in working with us to help him take care of the retirement process.

Verizon 401(k) Savings Plan Webinar

The 401(k) savings plan is one of the most widely used tools in terms of saving for retirement. The H&A Verizon experts break down the Verizon 401(k) savings plan to help you better understand your options.

Understanding the Verizon Retirement Benefits Webinar

Members of the Hapanowicz & Associates' investment committee discuss the typical retirement benefits for Verizon associates and how those should work within your total financial plan and retirement plan.

Verizon Benefits Center Webinar

Hapanowicz & Associates' Verizon retirement experts Casey, Bobby, and Christina discuss what you should know when contacting the Verizon Benefits Center regarding your pension and employee benefits.

Verizon Pension Benefit Webinar

Christina Hapanowicz, Bobby Hapanowicz, and Casey Gibb discuss the Verizon Pension Benefit and the choice between the annuity and lump-sum payout options.

RETIRING FROM VERIZON - Top considerations when taking the EISP offer

In this Verizon retirement video, we will cover some related questions submitted to us, as well as the top considerations we encourage you to keep in mind when retiring from Verizon or retiring in general, such as:

  1. Considering Your Timing
  2. Tax Considerations
  3. Age Related Rules
  4. Setting Up An Investment Game Plan

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Verizon Retirement: Expectations for Q2 2021 Pension Rates:

In this video, Christina, Bobby and Casey discuss the expectations for Q2 2021 pension rates.

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Why Verizon?

With the launch of the new Verizon Retirement Red Zone page on their website, Bob, Casey and Christina sit down to discuss how they came to know the Verizon retirement program and why they continue to work so closely with Verizon employees.

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Verizon Retirement: Your Guide to Verizon Target Date Funds

In this video, Christina, Bobby and Casey discuss Target Date Funds, which are newly available to Verizon associates as another investment option within their 401(k).

Verizon Spouses: A Guide To Your Benefits

In this webinar, we are going to discuss the benefits for Verizon spouses. Enjoy!

Verizon Special EISP Offer July 2021

In this video, we go over some highlights from the most recent EISP offer and bring up some points to consider to help you make the most of your benefits.

Verizon Special EISP Offer July 2021 Live Q&A

In this video, we’re going to be talking about the special offer available to certain associates from Verizon. Highlighted in this live Q&A is the breakdown of the offer. With that in mind, we hope that this helps you in maximizing your benefits.

Why INTEREST RATES Matter for Pension Lump Sums

In this video we cover the main components that make your pension lump sum and how the interest rates in particular affect the overall value.

Expectations for Q2 2021 Pension Rates

In this video, Christina, Bobby and Casey discuss the expectations for Q2 2021 pension rates.

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Documents

  • Article

The Verizon Corporate Profit-Sharing Award for Verizon Associates

The Verizon Corporate Profit-Sharing Award for Verizon Associates &  guide to understanding Verizon Corporate Profit-Sharing

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  • Article

What Should I Do if I’m Retiring and Have a Loan against My Verizon 401(k)?

Borrowing from your retirement savings is a quick, affordable, and convenient way of fulfilling your cash needs.

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  • Article

401(K) Investment Options for Mid-Atlantic Verizon Associates

If you are a Verizon associate, you probably are familiar with the 401(k) plan the company offers.

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  • Article

Retiree Life Insurance for Verizon Mid-Atlantic Associates

If you are beginning the process of planning for your retirement, there are steps to take now to ensure your healthcare coverage continues after you retire.

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  • Article

Verizon Retiree Healthcare Coverage Benefits

If you are beginning the process of planning for your retirement, there are steps to take now to ensure your healthcare coverage continues after you retire.

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  • Article

Social Security Benefits for When a Husband or Wife Dies

Social Security benefits provide a much-needed financial security net that facilitates a comfortable retirement.

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  • Article

Article - ADV Offer Letter

As we are early in 2022 it’s a good time to reflect on the guiding principles which govern our investment advice philosophy. H&A’s overall basis of investment advice is goal-focused

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  • Article

Article - August 2019 In Review

As we are early in 2022 it’s a good time to reflect on the guiding principles which govern our investment advice philosophy. H&A’s overall basis of investment advice is goal-focused and planning-driven

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  • Memos & Documents

Pension Election Guide

An in-depth look at how Verizon associates can properly make a pension election when retiring. 

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  • Case Studies

Diversifying concentrated VZ Stock Allocation in 401(k)

Learn how one client properly allocated his 401(K) between stocks and bonds, as well as diversified his plan across all asset classes and market sectors. 

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  • Case Studies

Rising Interest Rates and Pension Lump Sum Values

If you are a Verizon associate, you probably are familiar with the 401(k) plan the company offers.

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  • Memos & Documents

Lump Sum or Annuity? Verizon Pension Benefit Choices Explained

Pension-eligible Verizon employees should understand the pros and cons of the annuity option and the lump-sum payout. Learn more. 

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  • Memos & Documents

Tips for Verizon Employees Considering an EISP Offer and Early Retirement

We help Verizon employees considering or taking EISP offers plan for a financially secure retirement. Learn how to get the most out of your EISP.

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  • Case Studies

Pension Lump Sum or Pension Annuity Case Study

Follow fictional Jane Miller as she decides between the Lump Sum option or the Annuity option with the guidance of H&A. 

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  • Case Studies

Retirement Paperwork Case Study

The paperwork process to retire needs to be handled with care. Learn how the H&A team helped one client through the overwhelming retirement paperwork process and ensured she made the decisions that were right for her and her family.

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  • Case Studies

How the Right Guidance Saved a Verizon Employee $30K

Learn how the H&A team helped one client save $30,000 in pension benefits by identifying an error in his retirement commencement date.

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  • Memos & Documents

Verizon Benefits Directory

Contact information for the Verizon Benefits Center and other important contacts. 

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  • Memos & Documents

Estate Planning Guide

A helpful guide to help ensure you have everything you need for comprehensive estate planning.

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Start planning for your retirement today!

We’re only a phone call or email away. Whether you have a question about building and managing your wealth or planning for your future, or if you just want to get to know us better, we would love to hear from you.