With more than 80 years of combined experience working inside Cardinal Health, our team understands your benefits and compensation in a way few firms can. We’ve helped countless Cardinal employees navigate 401(k) decisions, LTI, deferred compensation, and the transition into retirement — and connect those choices with the rest of their financial life, including assets outside of Cardinal. Because these decisions affect the entire household, we also naturally include spouses and partners in the process. Whether you’re optimizing your strategy today or planning for the future, we’re here to help you make the most of every opportunity
Common questions we help Cardinal Health employees answer:
Retirement Timing & Income
- I’d like to retire in the next several years — what steps should I take now to feel confident and prepared
- How much after‑tax monthly income will I safely have in retirement — and what will that actually feel like day‑to‑day
- When should I file for Social Security — and how does that decision fit with my Cardinal benefits and retirement timeline
- How should I use my HSA to prepare for healthcare costs in retirement
- What happens if I retire before Medicare — and how should I plan for healthcare in the gap years?
Taxes, Stock, & Compensation
- What are the tax implications of RSUs, PSUs, and NQ options, and how do I make choices that support a stable retirement income
- If eligible, is the deferred compensation program right for me, and how does it fit into my retirement timeline and cash‑flow needs
- How do I reduce taxes in the years leading up to retirement — especially with higher income and stock compensation?
- How should I manage tax withholding on LTI, bonuses, and payroll so I don’t end up owing a large amount at the end of the year
401(k) & Investment Decisions
- Should I consider a 401(k) in-service distribution while I'm still employed - and how would that affect my long-term plan?
- If I retire before 65, how do I manage my income to keep healthcare affordable and potentially qualify for ACA subsidies
- Which accounts should I take distributions from first in retirement — and how do I sequence withdrawals to minimize taxes and keep my long‑term plan flexible
- How should I coordinate my spouse’s retirement accounts and timeline with mine?
- Am I maximizing my 401(k)? Should I use Roth, Traditional, or both based on the retirement lifestyle I want
- Should I use target date funds or build my own allocation to support a reliable retirement plan
Family Protection & Security
- How do I make sure my spouse or partner will have stable income if something happens to me — especially if I retire early
- How do I keep things simple for my spouse or kids if something happens to me — and avoid leaving a financial burden
- What should I do when I receive an inheritance — including understanding any taxes, how to invest it, and how to honor the person who left it to me
- Is supplemental life insurance through Cardinal a smart choice as I approach retirement, or are there better options
- How do I know if my estate plan is up to date — and when should I meet with an attorney to review wills, trusts, powers of attorney, or property titles?
- What should I consider around long‑term care planning, and how do I prepare without over‑insuring
- How do I coordinate my plan with a spouse who isn’t a Cardinal employee, so everything works together as one household plan
If you ever want to talk through your own situation, you’re always welcome to schedule a relaxed Q&A Conversation for Cardinal professionals. No pressure — just a space to ask questions and get clarity around whatever’s on your mind.
Schedule a Q&A Conversation for Cardinal Professionals
https://calendly.com/dan-colburn/30-min-cardinal-q-a