Bell Retirement Strategies

05/29/2026

📢 Verizon Associates
Rising pension rates for the upcoming July through September period are reducing lump sum pension calculations.

📈 For the first time since 2006, the GATT rate has moved above 5%.

GATT Rate
• Q2 4.76% until the end of June 2026
• Q3 5.03% in July, August, and September 2026

PBGC Rate (120% rate)
• Q2 2.7% until the end of June 2026
• Q3 3.0% in July, August, and September 2026

☝️ Remember, higher rates correspond to a lower lump sum value, so these quarterly changes can have a significant impact on your pension cashout.

The following example illustrates the difference in the final lump sum value for a 55-year-old employee with a $2,000 per month annuity pension benefit:
Using the GATT Rate

• Q2 2026 GATT rate at 4.76% = $368,057 pension lump sum
• Q3 2026 GATT rate at 5.03% = $357,503 pension lump sum

Using the PBGC Rate
• Q2 2026 PBGC rate at 2.7% = $406,977 pension lump sum
• Q3 2026 PBGC rate at 3.0% = $394,767 pension lump sum

Verizon uses the formula that produces the highest benefit. In this example, the PBGC calculation at 3.0% produces the larger lump sum of $394,767 in Q3 and would be the winning rate. Individual results will vary.

📺 To understand how interest rates affect the value of your lump sum pension, watch this 7-minute video where I break it all down:
https://youtu.be/iFuWKtHmZIs

Sources: Treasury Yield 30 Years (^TYX) Yahoo Finance 05/29/2026 PBGC 05/29/2026

05/25/2026

Wishing everyone a meaningful and reflective Memorial Day as we remember and honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

04/18/2026

Behind every powered home and every lit street is a lineman who made it possible.

We are proud to serve the utility community and grateful for everything you do.

Happy Lineman Appreciation Day.

04/10/2026

03/27/2026

More than half of Americans don’t have an estate plan, an oversight that could cost their families significantly. Here are 3 moves to protect what you’ve built:

➡️Name Decision-Makers: Set up health care and financial powers of attorney in case you’re unable to act.

➡️Avoid Probate Costs: Add beneficiaries and transfer-on-death designations to keep assets out of court.

➡️Plan for Taxes Early: Strategies like Roth conversions and trusts can help preserve more of your wealth.

See the 5 essential estate planning steps to put in place now:

Completing these five essential tasks right away can protect your family and their inheritance from potential high taxes and the probate process.

03/26/2026

Think that call or text from the IRS is real? It probably isn’t. The IRS will typically contact clients by mail delivered by the U.S. Postal Service. Here’s what the IRS will not do:

➡️The IRS will NOT reach out through social media.

➡️The IRS will NOT take payment in the form of gift cards or prepaid cards.

➡️The IRS will NOT leave threatening messages, including threats to call law enforcement or immigration officials.

Learn how to protect yourself: https://bit.ly/4t86huC

Know the difference between impersonators and the IRS to protect yourself from scams.

03/21/2026

We had a great week at the IBEW District 3 Progress Meeting in Atlantic City.

Our team, including Jessica Ryan, Mike Rothfuss, and Alyssa Chartrand, enjoyed connecting and having meaningful conversations with so many locals from the district.

We appreciate the opportunity to be part of such a great event. Thank you to IBEW District 3 for hosting a great conference.

02/27/2026

📢Verizon Associates:
Pension rates remain steady entering Q2 (April, May & June).

The PBGC rate remains flat going into Q2 at 2.75%
The GATT rate ticks up slightly from 4.7% to 4.76%

This means interest rates will not change your pension lump sum calculation from now until the end of June. We'll know what the Q3 rates will be at the end of May.

Verizon calculates employees' lump sum payouts using formulas that can use either the 30-year Treasury bond rate (GATT) or the PBGC rate, as well as different life expectancy tables.
Retirees receive their lump sum payment calculated from the formula that generates the largest benefit.

📺To understand how interest rates affect the value of your lump sum pension, watch this 7-minute video where I break it all down:

bellretirement.com(610) [email protected] and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®, Member https://www.F...

12/08/2025

📢Verizon Associates
Falling pension rates for this upcoming January - March are improving lump sum calculations.
GATT Rate
- Q4 4.87% until the end of December 2025
- Q1 4.7% in January, February, and March 2026
PBGC Rate (120% rate)
- Q4 3% until the end of December 2025
- Q1 2.7% in January, February, and March 2026

☝️Remember, lower rates correspond to a higher lump sum value, so these new rates have an impact on your lump sum calculation as they change every quarter.

The following example illustrates the difference in the final cashout value using the PBGC rate for a 55-year-old employee with a $2,000 per month annuity pension benefit.
- Q4 2025 PBGC rate at 3% = $394,767 pension lump sum
- Q1 2026 PBGC rate at 2.7% = $406,977 pension lump sum

📺To understand how interest rates affect the value of your lump sum pension, watch this 7-minute video where I break it all down: https://youtu.be/iFuWKtHmZIs

Sources: Treasury Yield 30 Years (^TYX) Yahoo Finance 11/30/2025 www.pbgc.gov 12/01/2025

bellretirement.com(610) [email protected] and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®, Member https://www.F...