Financial Planning for IPA Pilots

Our goal is to help you find financial clarity. Whether you are at the peak of your career or descending into retirement, our team is here to help you create a financial plan that works for you.

Explore Our Solutions

We believe creating a financial plan is the first step toward a successful retirement. Many factors affect your financial future, so we’ve created an in-house team of specialists to help you along the way. As an Cerity Partners client you will have a dedicated advisor team with access to specialists in other fields such as tax and insurance through one of our many affiliates.

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A Collaborative Team Focused on You

We believe creating a financial plan is the first step toward a successful retirement. Many factors affect your financial future, so we’ve created an in-house team of specialists to help you along the way.

Joe Tichenor
Our IPA advisor team and fellow colleagues are extremely excited to join Cerity Partners. We believe our teams are stronger and more equipped to continue servicing our existing IPA clients, employees and retirees. With consistent change related to your IPA benefits, it has never been more important to have ongoing communication and direction from a trusted resource.”

Joe Tichenor, CFP®, Partner

Frequently Asked Questions

If I bid for time off in December, can I use that to control my income and impact my tax bracket?
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Yes, especially if you’re nearing a tax threshold or anticipating a bonus, deferral election, or stock payout. Strategically taking time off in higher-income months can help manage year-end income recognition. Pairing your bidding strategy with tax planning could help you avoid pushing yourself into a higher bracket.

I’m considering stacking vacation weeks together to open up time for contract work or flying on the side. What do I need to think about financially?
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Side income can be powerful, but it also brings tax complexity, potential liability, and even implications for long-term retirement strategies. We can help you understand how to structure that income, consider self-employment tax, and evaluate whether a solo 401(k) or other structure makes sense to offset tax exposure.

Should I be thinking about vacation pay and how it fits into my long-term savings or deferral strategy?
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Absolutely. Vacation pay can boost cash flow, especially in months when you’re flying less, but it’s often overlooked in savings strategies. For those deferring income or maxing out savings targets, it’s worth understanding how that pay can be timed or redirected toward retirement, investment, or debt goals.

I received a large Sick Check or flew extra last year. How should I use the extra cash?
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Consider paying down debt, boosting savings, or increasing retirement contributions. A financial advisor can help you weigh how the additional income affects your tax situation and overall strategy.

How can I maximize the benefits of my VEBA account for healthcare expenses during retirement?
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As an IPA pilot, you are automatically enrolled in the VEBA account. A $2.00 per hour contribution accumulates tax-free funds for eligible health premiums and non-insured medical expenses during retirement. You should also invest the assets in mutual funds chosen by the IPA Board of Trustees to grow your funds. Make sure to select the appropriate healthcare options upon retirement to maximize coverage for you and your dependents.

What should I consider when optimizing my disability and life insurance benefits?
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It’s important to sign up for Mutual Aid and Long-Term Disability during the open enrollment period for comprehensive disability coverage. The company also provides Short-Term Disability Insurance and Loss of License coverage.

UPS also offers $100,000 in life insurance, with options to supplement coverage up to $2 million. You can also consider additional coverage for your spouse and children to safeguard your family’s financial security.

On the investment side, keep in mind that if you don’t proactively choose investments best suited for you, your savings will be automatically invested in an age-based mutual fund aligned with your target retirement date.

How can I fully utilize my HSA for both current healthcare expenses and long-term financial planning?
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Contribute the maximum amount allowed to your Health Savings Account (HSA) to benefit from tax-free usage of funds for qualified medical expenses. You can also consider investing your HSA funds to grow your savings for future healthcare costs in retirement. It’s a good idea to consult with a financial advisor to ensure that you are making the best financial decisions to reach your goals.

Let’s achieve your goals together.

Building for the future requires a comprehensive plan built on knowledge and experience. We believe that in order to provide our clients with the financial foundations they need to succeed, we must first take time to fully understand the depths of their personal financial goals.

For this reason, we offer a complimentary consultation to review the following topics and address any questions you may have:

  • Your IPA/UPS contract & the benefits offered to you
  • Your A plan & B Plan
  • Which pension you would fall under (flat dollar or percentage benefit)
  • Your healthcare options and how your VEBA interacts with your medical benefits
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Cerity Partners provides financial planning and advisory services to employees of IPA. Cerity Partners is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially sponsored by IPA.

Please read important disclosures here.