Managing a Job Layoff

Facing a layoff is a nerve-wracking event that leaves many reeling. How long will I be out of work? Do I have a
savings cushion that can last until I find a new job? Will I be able to make the payments on my house? Working with your financial advisor or investment professional, you can begin to take stock of your situation, methodically address your priorities and try to weather this setback without radically restructuring your finances.

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. 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 or investment professional 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 or investment professional 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. A popular choice for IRAs is 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 an 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 financial advisor or 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, 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.

KEY POINTS

• Work closely with your financial advisor or investment professional 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. Otherwise, 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.

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.

*If you separate from your employer after January 1 of the year you turn 55, distributions from that employer’s qualified retirement plan are not subject to the early distribution penalty. This exception to the penalty is not available in an IRA. If you are between the age of 55 and 59½, talk to your tax advisor and your financial advisor or investment professional before rolling your plan into an IRA.

Important Disclosures: 

MFS Fund Distributors, Inc. is not  affiliated with LPL Financial or StrateFi Wealth Management. MFS® does not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. Any statement contained in this communication (including any attachments) concerning U.S. tax matters was not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code. This communication was written to support the promotion or marketing of the transaction(s) or matter(s) addressed. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however LPL Financial makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy.  Investing involves risks including possible loss of principal.