When you are apart of a small or large layoff there a few key points and decisions you will need to make.
Key points
- Work closely with your financial advisor to establish spending priorities and determine the best options for managing retirement assets.
- Apply for unemployment benefits immediately. There are strict deadlines that can’t be missed.
- If possible, don’t let health insurance lapse. Without insurance, a health crisis could seriously jeopardize your financial stability.
- Consider deferring debt payments until your situation stabilizes. Many creditors are willing to revise or suspend payment plans temporarily while you look for work.
- If you are aware of a layoff looming, strategize with your Wealthnest advisor prior to it happening.
Step 1. File for unemployment
Filing has become a lot easier in many states now that you can apply for benefits over the phone or online. Deadlines for filing after a layoff are often strict, so contact your local unemployment office as soon as possible. Standard unemployment benefits, which are based on your previous income, last for 26 weeks, while extended unemployment benefits could give you an extra 13 weeks. Check with your local unemployment office for details on eligibility amounts, which vary from state to state. Keep in mind that these benefits are treated as income by the IRS and are subject to taxation.
Step 2. Create a budget
Once you’ve established what your monthly unemployment benefits will be, pare your expenses to the bone. For now, consider budgeting only for the essentials and review your spending patterns to pinpoint areas where you can cut back. Premium cable, dinners out, theater tickets — these are discretionary expenses you may want to eliminate to ensure you have enough money to cover the basics. Use the worksheet provided and work with your financial advisor to get started.
Step 3. Shop for health insurance
Factor health insurance into your budget if at all possible — it shouldn’t be considered a discretionary cost. A health crisis can be financially devastating when you don’t have insurance. If your spouse or partner already has health insurance through an employer, enroll in that plan. If not, consider taking advantage of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). COBRA allows workers to continue their health benefits after they’ve ended their employment. Normally, you are responsible for 100% of your coverage during this period, so consider choosing an option with a high deductible to keep down monthly costs.
Step 4. Contact your creditors
As soon as you learn that you’re getting laid off, contact your creditors (mortgage lender, auto lender, bank, etc.) to let them know your situation. It may be a good idea to tell them that you will attempt to make your payments, but that your finances may become constrained. Consider doing this while you are still a borrower in good standing and before you are in danger of missing payments. If you wait until you are in arrears, you may lose your negotiating power. In many cases, you may be able to work out a deal to decrease or stop payments temporarily. If you have credit card debt, you may want to choose to pay only the minimum due each month. You can think about making larger payments later when you land a job. Right now, you’ll probably need to focus on covering your essential expenses.
Step 5. Manage your retirement assets
Unless your financial situation is dire, you may not want to touch any assets in a retirement plan. Early withdrawals are considered taxable income, plus, you’ll incur a 10% IRS tax penalty for early withdrawal before age 59½.
However, consider working with your financial advisor to decide whether to roll over any 401(k) assets from your former employer directly into an individual retirement account (IRA). A direct rollover into an IRA will not trigger penalties or taxes and allows you more discretion on where and how to allocate retirement assets. You can certainly leave your 401(k) with your employer, but your investment options will be limited to the choices available through that plan.
If you decide to roll over your distribution, you will need to determine how to invest your money. Among the most popular choices for IRAs are mutual funds, which offer professional, full-time management, diversification (to help reduce risk) and the flexibility to move from one fund to another as your needs change. Keep in mind that all investments, including mutual funds, carry a certain amount of risk, including the possible loss of the principal amount invested. The principal value and return of mutual funds will fluctuate with changes in market conditions, and shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Also, diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss.
There are advantages and disadvantages to an IRA rollover depending on investment options, services, fees and expenses, withdrawal options, required minimum distributions, tax treatment and your unique financial needs and retirement goals. Please be aware that rolling over retirement assets into one IRA account could potentially increase fees as the underlying funds may be subject to sales loads, higher management fees, 12b-1 fees and IRA account fees such as custodial fees. For assistance in determining if a rollover to an IRA is appropriate for you, consult your investment professional.
Step 6. Prepare to job-hunt
There may be some costs associated with job hunting, from transportation to printing resumes and business cards to networking events such as business lunches. Keep receipts for these expenses. They may be tax-deductible.
Many job search resources are free, so be sure to take advantage of them. Resume-building and interviewing tips and even employment leads can be obtained at state unemployment offices, public libraries and even through your former employer’s human resources department. Networking is free on LinkedIn and many online job search sites. You can post your resume on these sites as well. Consider part-time work while you’re looking for something longer term. Extra income may lower the amount of unemployment you can collect, but such positions can lead to full-time employment.
If you have recently been laid off or are anticipating a layoff, its is always good to have a plan. Short term or long term unemployment can have a lasting effect on your retirement future. Contact a Wealthnest Advisor today if you have questions on how to effectively manage your financial life during this transitional period.
Resources
MakingHomeAffordable.gov: The US Department of the Treasury offers this program for individuals and families struggling with mortgage payments. The site contains instructions and forms to help renegotiate a home loan.
Healthinsurance.org: This online resource offers free tools and information to help you research health insurance options, including COBRA coverage and private insurance choices.