--- title: Pantex Financial Advisor in Amarillo, TX | Ashby Dawson, CFP®, AAMS® description: Independent fiduciary guidance for Pantex employees and retirees in Amarillo. Pension elections, Voya rollovers, tax planning, and retirement income strategy. image: https://secure.kingsview.com/hubfs/Kingsview%20Partners_Backgrounds%20(30).png --- ![kvp-logo-horizontal-blue](https://secure.kingsview.com/hs-fs/hubfs/KVP%20--%20Brand%20Assets/KVP%20--%20Logos/kvp-logo-horizontal-blue.png?width=250&height=22&name=kvp-logo-horizontal-blue.png "kvp-logo-horizontal-blue") [About Ashby](https://secure.kingsview.com/financial-planning-for-pantex-employees-ashby-dawson#about-ashby) [Resources](https://secure.kingsview.com/financial-planning-for-pantex-employees-ashby-dawson#resources) [Schedule a Conversation](https://calendly.com/adawson-kingsview/30-minute-virtual-meeting-teams) ![kvp-logo-horizontal-blue](https://secure.kingsview.com/hs-fs/hubfs/KVP%20--%20Brand%20Assets/KVP%20--%20Logos/kvp-logo-horizontal-blue.png?width=250&height=22&name=kvp-logo-horizontal-blue.png "kvp-logo-horizontal-blue") # Financial Planning for Pantex Employees & Retirees in *Amarillo, TX* Ashby Dawson, CFP®, AAMS® provides independent fiduciary guidance for Pantex professionals approaching retirement — pension elections, Voya 401(k) decisions,tax strategy, and the rest of the plan that comes after a long career of service. [Schedule a Conversation](https://calendly.com/adawson-kingsview/30-minute-virtual-meeting-teams) [Take The Retirement Readiness Quiz](https://quiz.kingsviewwealth.com/?_gl=1*1rn5c4z*_gcl_au*ODAzNjY3NDAxLjE3NzY5NjY0MDI.) ![Kingsview Partners\_Backgrounds (29)](https://secure.kingsview.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Kingsview%20Partners_Backgrounds%20(29).png?width=200&height=210&name=Kingsview%20Partners_Backgrounds%20(29).png) # Financial Planning for Pantex Employees & Retirees in *Amarillo, TX* Ashby Dawson, CFP®, AAMS® provides independent fiduciary guidance for Pantex professionals approaching retirement — pension elections, Voya 401(k) decisions,tax strategy, and the rest of the plan that comes after a long career of service. [Schedule a Conversation](https://calendly.com/adawson-kingsview/30-minute-virtual-meeting-teams) [Take The Retirement Readiness Quiz](https://quiz.kingsviewwealth.com/?_gl=1*1rn5c4z*_gcl_au*ODAzNjY3NDAxLjE3NzY5NjY0MDI.) ![Kingsview Partners\_Backgrounds (29)](https://secure.kingsview.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Kingsview%20Partners_Backgrounds%20(29).png?width=200&height=210&name=Kingsview%20Partners_Backgrounds%20(29).png) ![KV footer-sections-01](https://secure.kingsview.com/hubfs/KV%20footer-sections-01.png "KV footer-sections-01") ![KV footer-sections-01 (2)](https://secure.kingsview.com/hubfs/KV%20footer-sections-01%20(2).png "KV footer-sections-01 (2)") ![KV footer-sections-01 (3)](https://secure.kingsview.com/hubfs/KV%20footer-sections-01%20(3).png "KV footer-sections-01 (3)") ## WHO WE HELP If you’ve spent 20, 30, or 40 years at Pantex, the decisions in front of you in the next 5–10 years will shape the rest of your financial life. Which pension option to elect. When to roll your Voya Savings Plan — and where. How to bridge healthcare to Medicare. When to claim Social Security. How to keep more of what you’ve earned out of the IRS’s hands. We work with Pantex employees and retirees across the Amarillo area who want to make these decisions once, make them right, and get on with the life they’ve worked decades to build. ## We're typically the right fit for clients who: ✓ Are 5–15 years from retirement, or recently retired ✓ Have $1 million or more in retirement and investable assets ✓ Want a fiduciary partner, not a salesperson ✓ Value clarity, follow-through, and a long-term relationship ## WHO WE HELP If you’ve spent 20, 30, or 40 years at Pantex, the decisions in front of you in the next 5–10 years will shape the rest of your financial life. Which pension option to elect. When to roll your Voya Savings Plan — and where. How to bridge healthcare to Medicare. When to claim Social Security. How to keep more of what you’ve earned out of the IRS’s hands. We work with Pantex employees and retirees across the Amarillo area who want to make these decisions once, make them right, and get on with the life they’ve worked decades to build. ## We're typically the right fit for clients who: ✓ Are 5–15 years from retirement, or recently retired ✓ Have $1 million or more in retirement and investable assets ✓ Want a fiduciary partner, not a salesperson ✓ Value clarity, follow-through, and a long-term relationship ## WHY A PANTEX-SPECIALIZED ADVISOR MATTERS Pantex is not a typical employer. The benefit structure is layered — three pension plans, the Voya-administered Savings Plan, retiree medical coverage, and a complex web of pension election decisions that cannot be changed once benefits commence. A general financial advisor learning the Pantex plan on your dollar is one thing. An advisor who already speaks the language is another. ### We help Pantex clients with: ![](https://secure.kingsview.com/hubfs/Kingsview%20Partners_Backgrounds%20(39).png) Pension election strategy — single life, joint & survivor, level income, certain & continuous, and how each interacts with taxes and your other assets ![](https://secure.kingsview.com/hubfs/Kingsview%20Partners_Backgrounds%20(40).png) Voya Savings Plan rollover analysis — whether to keep, roll, or move it, and the tax consequences of each ![](https://secure.kingsview.com/hubfs/Kingsview%20Partners_Backgrounds%20(41).png) Early retirement modeling — the math behind retiring at 55, 58, or 62 vs. waiting to 65 ![](https://secure.kingsview.com/hubfs/Kingsview%20Partners_Backgrounds%20(42).png) Tax planning across the retirement transition — Roth conversions, IRMAA management, and state tax positioning ![](https://secure.kingsview.com/hubfs/Kingsview%20Partners_Backgrounds%20(43).png) Social Security claiming strategy coordinated with your Pantex pension ![](https://secure.kingsview.com/hubfs/Kingsview%20Partners_Backgrounds%20(44).png) Estate and legacy planning for $1M+ households ## WHY A PANTEX-SPECIALIZED ADVISOR MATTERS Pantex is not a typical employer. The benefit structure is layered — three pension plans, the Voya-administered Savings Plan, retiree medical coverage, and a complex web of pension election decisions that cannot be changed once benefits commence. A general financial advisor learning the Pantex plan on your dollar is one thing. An advisor who already speaks the language is another. ### We help Pantex clients with: ![](https://secure.kingsview.com/hubfs/Kingsview%20Partners_Backgrounds%20(39).png) Pension election strategy — single life, joint & survivor, level income, certain & continuous, and how each interacts with taxes and your other assets ![](https://secure.kingsview.com/hubfs/Kingsview%20Partners_Backgrounds%20(40).png) Voya Savings Plan rollover analysis — whether to keep, roll, or move it, and the tax consequences of each ![](https://secure.kingsview.com/hubfs/Kingsview%20Partners_Backgrounds%20(41).png) Early retirement modeling — the math behind retiring at 55, 58, or 62 vs. waiting to 65 ![](https://secure.kingsview.com/hubfs/Kingsview%20Partners_Backgrounds%20(42).png) Tax planning across the retirement transition — Roth conversions, IRMAA management, and state tax positioning ![](https://secure.kingsview.com/hubfs/Kingsview%20Partners_Backgrounds%20(43).png) Social Security claiming strategy coordinated with your Pantex pension ![](https://secure.kingsview.com/hubfs/Kingsview%20Partners_Backgrounds%20(44).png) Estate and legacy planning for $1M+ households ![Ashby Dawson](https://secure.kingsview.com/hubfs/Kingsview%20Partners_Backgrounds%20(38).png) ABOUT ASHBY ## Ashby Dawson, CFP®, AAMS® Partner | Wealth Manager, Kingsview Partners Ashby Dawson is a fiduciary wealth manager who believes better financial decisions lead to healthier lives, stronger relationships, and greater confidence. As Partner and Wealth Manager at Kingsview Partners, she leads an independent practice in Amarillo, Texas, helping clients align their financial strategies with their deepest values and aspirations. Ashby brings more than 15 years of experience and is a true fiduciary, working alongside clients when important decisions are made. She has been recognized as a Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisor and Best-in-State Women Wealth Advisor in 2022, 2023, and 2026. “ We can’t perfect the world, but we can show up for the people in it — and hold ourselves to a standard worthy of the trust they place in us. — Ashby Dawson ![Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors 2026](https://secure.kingsview.com/hubfs/2026-SHOOK-BIS%20Wealth%20Advisors-Award%20Logo-Square-Light-300PPI-01.png) ![Forbes Best-In-State Top Women Wealth Advisors 2026](https://secure.kingsview.com/hubfs/2026-SHOOK-BIS%20Top%20Women%20Wealth%20Advisors-Award%20Logo-Square-Light-300PPI-01.png) Awarded by Forbes and SHOOK Research. See Disclosures. ![Ashby Dawson](https://secure.kingsview.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Kingsview%20Partners_Backgrounds%20(38).png?width=230&height=323&name=Kingsview%20Partners_Backgrounds%20(38).png) ## Ashby Dawson, CFP®, AAMS® Partner | Wealth Manager, Kingsview Partners Ashby Dawson is a fiduciary wealth manager who believes better financial decisions lead to healthier lives, stronger relationships, and greater confidence. As Partner and Wealth Manager at Kingsview Partners, she leads an independent practice in Amarillo, Texas, helping clients align their financial strategies with their deepest values and aspirations. Ashby brings more than 15 years of experience and is a true fiduciary, working alongside clients when important decisions are made. She has been recognized as a Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisor and Best-in-State Women Wealth Advisor in 2022, 2023, and 2026. “ We can’t perfect the world, but we can show up for the people in it — and hold ourselves to a standard worthy of the trust they place in us. — Ashby Dawson ![Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors 2026](https://secure.kingsview.com/hubfs/2026-SHOOK-BIS%20Wealth%20Advisors-Award%20Logo-Square-Light-300PPI-01.png) ![Forbes Best-In-State Top Women Wealth Advisors 2026](https://secure.kingsview.com/hubfs/2026-SHOOK-BIS%20Top%20Women%20Wealth%20Advisors-Award%20Logo-Square-Light-300PPI-01.png) Awarded by Forbes and SHOOK Research. See Disclosures. Explore Financial Resources ## Insights, Tools & Education — Curated for Amarillo Investors Stay informed with Kingsview’s library of expert insights, financial guides, and educational videos — all designed to help you make smarter, more confident decisions about your wealth. START LEARNING → ![The Retirement Tax Bomb](https://secure.kingsview.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Kingsview%20Guide%20Mockups%20(11).png?width=212&height=255&name=Kingsview%20Guide%20Mockups%20(11).png) eBook ### The Retirement Tax Bomb Don’t let these hidden tax surprises blow up your retirement plans. [Download Now](https://secure.kingsviewwealth.com/retirement-tax-bomb-ebook-download?hsLang=en) ![The Business Owner's Guide to Lasting Wealth](https://secure.kingsview.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Kingsview%20Guide%20Mockups%20(2).png?width=162&height=252&name=Kingsview%20Guide%20Mockups%20(2).png) For Business Owners ### The Business Owner's Guide to Lasting Wealth Turn your hard work and sweat equity into lasting wealth. [Download Now](https://secure.kingsviewwealth.com/business-owners-guide-to-lasting-wealth?hsLang=en) ![The Retirement Income Playbook](https://secure.kingsview.com/hubfs/Kingsview%20Guide%20Mockups%20(1).png) eBook ### The Retirement Income Playbook A comprehensive guide to building a retirement income strategy. [Download Now](https://secure.kingsviewwealth.com/the-retirement-income-playbook-download?hsLang=en) Explore Financial Resources ## Insights, Tools & Education — Curated for Amarillo Investors Stay informed with Kingsview’s library of expert insights, financial guides, and educational videos — all designed to help you make smarter, more confident decisions about your wealth. ![The Retirement Tax Bomb](https://secure.kingsview.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Kingsview%20Guide%20Mockups%20(11).png?width=255&height=306&name=Kingsview%20Guide%20Mockups%20(11).png) eBook ### The Retirement Tax Bomb Don’t let these hidden tax surprises blow up your retirement plans. [Download Now](https://secure.kingsviewwealth.com/retirement-tax-bomb-ebook-download?hsLang=en) ![The Business Owner's Guide to Lasting Wealth](https://secure.kingsview.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Kingsview%20Guide%20Mockups%20(2).png?width=199&height=309&name=Kingsview%20Guide%20Mockups%20(2).png) For Business Owners ### The Business Owner's Guide to Lasting Wealth Turn your hard work and sweat equity into lasting wealth. [Download Now](https://secure.kingsviewwealth.com/business-owners-guide-to-lasting-wealth?hsLang=en) ![The Retirement Income Playbook](https://secure.kingsview.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Kingsview%20Guide%20Mockups%20(1).png?width=208&height=307&name=Kingsview%20Guide%20Mockups%20(1).png) eBook ### The Retirement Income Playbook A comprehensive guide to building a retirement income strategy. [Download Now](https://secure.kingsviewwealth.com/the-retirement-income-playbook-download?hsLang=en) ## PANTEX RESOURCES Explore educational resources created specifically for Pantex employees and retirees. These articles cover retirement timing, rollover decisions, and tax planning strategies that can shape your long-term financial future. Early Retirement Planning ### Can I Retire Early From Pantex? What Amarillo Employees Should Know About Leaving Before 65 Understand the financial tradeoffs, healthcare considerations, and retirement income planning factors involved in leaving Pantex before age 65. [Read Article →](https://insights.kingsview.com/can-i-retire-early-from-pantex-what-amarillo-employees-should-know-about-leaving-before-65?hsLang=en) Voya 401(k) & IRA Planning ### Should I Roll My Pantex Voya 401(k) Into an IRA When I Retire? Learn the framework many Amarillo retirees use when deciding whether to leave assets in the Pantex Savings Plan or roll them into an IRA. [Read Article →](https://insights.kingsview.com/should-i-roll-my-pantex-voya-401k-into-an-ira-when-i-retire-an-amarillo-advisors-framework?hsLang=en) Roth Conversion Planning ### Roth Conversions for Pantex Retirees: The 5–15 Year Planning Window Discover why the years between retirement and required distributions can create one of the biggest tax planning opportunities for Pantex retirees. [Read Article →](https://insights.kingsview.com/roth-conversions-for-pantex-retirees-the-5-15-year-planning-window-that-shapes-your-retirement-and-your-legacy?hsLang=en) ## PANTEX RESOURCES Explore educational resources created specifically for Pantex employees and retirees. These articles cover retirement timing, rollover decisions, and tax planning strategies that can shape your long-term financial future. Early Retirement Planning ### Can I Retire Early From Pantex? What Amarillo Employees Should Know About Leaving Before 65 Understand the financial tradeoffs, healthcare considerations, and retirement income planning factors involved in leaving Pantex before age 65. [Read Article →](https://insights.kingsview.com/can-i-retire-early-from-pantex-what-amarillo-employees-should-know-about-leaving-before-65?hsLang=en) Voya 401(k) & IRA Planning ### Should I Roll My Pantex Voya 401(k) Into an IRA When I Retire? Learn the framework many Amarillo retirees use when deciding whether to leave assets in the Pantex Savings Plan or roll them into an IRA. [Read Article →](https://insights.kingsview.com/should-i-roll-my-pantex-voya-401k-into-an-ira-when-i-retire-an-amarillo-advisors-framework?hsLang=en) Roth Conversion Planning ### Roth Conversions for Pantex Retirees: The 5–15 Year Planning Window Discover why the years between retirement and required distributions can create one of the biggest tax planning opportunities for Pantex retirees. [Read Article →](https://insights.kingsview.com/roth-conversions-for-pantex-retirees-the-5-15-year-planning-window-that-shapes-your-retirement-and-your-legacy?hsLang=en) ## FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Below are the most common questions we hear from Pantex employees in the years before and after retirement. 1\. Which Pantex pension payment option should I choose? + There’s no universally right answer — it depends on your spouse’s age and health, your other income sources, your tax situation, and how the pension fits with the rest of your retirement income. The single life option pays the most each month but stops at your death. Joint and survivor options pay less monthly but continue to your spouse for life (typically at 50%, 75%, or 100% of your benefit). The level income option (where available) front-loads payments before Social Security kicks in, then reduces afterward. Certain and continuous options guarantee a minimum number of payments (10, 15, or 20 years) to a beneficiary if you pass early. Once you elect and payments begin, the choice generally cannot be reversed, so this is a decision worth modeling carefully before you sign. 2\. How is my Pantex pension actually calculated? + Your monthly benefit is based on a formula that multiplies a percentage (typically 1.3% or 1.5%, depending on your plan) by your Final Average Earnings and your years of Pension Service Credit. Final Average Earnings is calculated differently across the Non-Bargaining, Metal Trades Council, and Guards Union plans, so two Pantex employees who retire the same year with similar paychecks can end up with meaningfully different pensions. 3\. Can I retire from Pantex at age 50? + You can begin receiving a reduced pension benefit as early as age 50 if you’re vested (five years of credited service), but the reduction can be significant. Whether early retirement makes sense depends less on whether the plan allows it and more on whether your overall financial picture — including the Voya Savings Plan, other investments, and healthcare bridging — can support 15+ years of retirement before normal Social Security and Medicare eligibility. 4\. What happens to my Pantex pension if I pass away before my spouse? + It depends on the payment option you elect at retirement. If you elect a single life annuity, payments stop at your death. If you elect a joint and survivor option, your surviving spouse receives a percentage (typically 50%, 75%, or 100%) of your benefit for life. If you elect a certain and continuous option, payments continue to your designated beneficiary for the remainder of the guaranteed term. Pre-retirement survivor protection works differently from post-retirement — both deserve a careful look before you sign your election forms. 5\. Should I roll my Pantex Voya Savings Plan into an IRA? + Tax planning for Pantex retirees usually involves three levers: timing (when you take income from each account), location (which account types you draw from in which order), and conversion (moving money from tax-deferred to tax-free vehicles in low-bracket years). The years between retirement and age 73 are often the highest-leverage tax planning window of your life. We help clients map out a 10–20 year tax projection and plan around it. 6\. Can I leave my money in the Pantex Savings Plan after I retire? + Yes, you can keep your balance in the plan and continue to invest it through Voya. Required Minimum Distributions still apply once you reach the applicable age (currently 73 for most retirees). Keeping funds in the plan can preserve some advantages — but it also limits your flexibility, so it’s worth comparing against an IRA rollover annually. 7\. I have over $1 million in my Pantex Savings Plan. Are there strategies to reduce taxes long-term? + Possibly significant ones. Strategies worth analyzing include partial Roth conversions during low-income years (especially the gap between retirement and Social Security), strategic withdrawal sequencing across taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-free accounts, qualified charitable distributions after age 70½, and net unrealized appreciation (NUA) treatment if you hold employer stock. For larger balances, the tax savings from getting this right can be six figures over retirement. 8\. When should I claim Social Security if I’m also receiving a Pantex pension? + Pantex pensions are not subject to the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), so claiming Social Security is a more straightforward decision than for some government workers. Most pre-retirees benefit from waiting past Full Retirement Age — every year you delay past FRA up to age 70 increases your benefit by roughly 8%. The right claiming age depends on your other income, your spouse’s benefit, your health, and your tax bracket. 9\. Will my Pantex pension cause my Medicare premiums to increase? + It can. Medicare’s Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) increases your Part B and Part D premiums when your modified adjusted gross income exceeds certain thresholds. A pension, Social Security, and required minimum distributions can stack quickly. With planning — particularly Roth conversions before Medicare eligibility — many clients can reduce or avoid IRMAA surcharges in retirement. 10\. How can I minimize taxes on my Pantex retirement income? + Tax planning for Pantex retirees usually involves three levers: timing (when you take income from each account), location (which account types you draw from in which order), and conversion (moving money from tax-deferred to tax-free vehicles in low-bracket years). The years between retirement and age 73 are often the highest-leverage tax planning window of your life. We help clients map out a 10–20 year tax projection and plan around it. 11\. How do I cover health insurance if I retire from Pantex before age 65? + Your options usually include continuing Pantex retiree medical (if eligible based on your hire date and service), a spouse’s employer plan, COBRA for up to 18 months, or an ACA marketplace plan. Each has very different cost structures, and ACA premium subsidies are income-tested — which means how you pull income from your accounts in those bridge years can directly affect what you pay for insurance. 12\. What happens to my Pantex retiree medical benefits when I turn 65? + Once you become Medicare-eligible, your Pantex retiree medical coverage typically transitions or coordinates with Medicare. The specifics depend on your hire date and plan, so this is one of the more individualized questions on this list. We help clients sequence their retirement date, Medicare enrollment, and any retiree coverage transitions so nothing falls through the cracks. 13\. Why work with an independent fiduciary instead of the advisor I already have? + A fiduciary is legally obligated to act in your best interest at all times — not "suitability," not "best interest at the moment of recommendation." Independent fiduciaries also aren’t tied to a parent company’s product shelf. For someone navigating Pantex pension elections, Voya rollover decisions, and a $1M+ portfolio, that distinction matters: the wrong election or the wrong rollover can cost you a great deal more than any advisory fee. 14\. Do I really need a financial advisor if I have a pension and a 401(k)? + If your situation were truly simple, probably not. But by the time someone has a Pantex pension, a Voya balance, Social Security decisions ahead, retiree healthcare to navigate, $1M+ in investable assets, and a spouse and family to plan for — the question stops being "do I need help" and starts being "can I afford the cost of getting any one of these decisions wrong?" Most of our clients say the value of getting it right vastly exceeds the fee. 15\. How do we get started? + The first step is a confidential conversation — no cost, no obligation. We’ll ask about your timeline, your benefits, and what you’re trying to accomplish. If we’re a good fit, we’ll lay out exactly what working together looks like. If we’re not, we’ll point you toward someone who is. We work with a select number of Pantex households at a time so we can give each one the attention they deserve. ## FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Below are the most common questions we hear from Pantex employees in the years before and after retirement. 1\. Which Pantex pension payment option should I choose? + There’s no universally right answer — it depends on your spouse’s age and health, your other income sources, your tax situation, and how the pension fits with the rest of your retirement income. The single life option pays the most each month but stops at your death. Joint and survivor options pay less monthly but continue to your spouse for life (typically at 50%, 75%, or 100% of your benefit). The level income option (where available) front-loads payments before Social Security kicks in, then reduces afterward. Certain and continuous options guarantee a minimum number of payments (10, 15, or 20 years) to a beneficiary if you pass early. Once you elect and payments begin, the choice generally cannot be reversed, so this is a decision worth modeling carefully before you sign. 2\. How is my Pantex pension actually calculated? + Your monthly benefit is based on a formula that multiplies a percentage (typically 1.3% or 1.5%, depending on your plan) by your Final Average Earnings and your years of Pension Service Credit. Final Average Earnings is calculated differently across the Non-Bargaining, Metal Trades Council, and Guards Union plans, so two Pantex employees who retire the same year with similar paychecks can end up with meaningfully different pensions. 3\. Can I retire from Pantex at age 50? + You can begin receiving a reduced pension benefit as early as age 50 if you’re vested (five years of credited service), but the reduction can be significant. Whether early retirement makes sense depends less on whether the plan allows it and more on whether your overall financial picture — including the Voya Savings Plan, other investments, and healthcare bridging — can support 15+ years of retirement before normal Social Security and Medicare eligibility. 4\. What happens to my Pantex pension if I pass away before my spouse? + It depends on the payment option you elect at retirement. If you elect a single life annuity, payments stop at your death. If you elect a joint and survivor option, your surviving spouse receives a percentage (typically 50%, 75%, or 100%) of your benefit for life. If you elect a certain and continuous option, payments continue to your designated beneficiary for the remainder of the guaranteed term. Pre-retirement survivor protection works differently from post-retirement — both deserve a careful look before you sign your election forms. 5\. Should I roll my Pantex Voya Savings Plan into an IRA? + Tax planning for Pantex retirees usually involves three levers: timing (when you take income from each account), location (which account types you draw from in which order), and conversion (moving money from tax-deferred to tax-free vehicles in low-bracket years). The years between retirement and age 73 are often the highest-leverage tax planning window of your life. We help clients map out a 10–20 year tax projection and plan around it. 6\. Can I leave my money in the Pantex Savings Plan after I retire? + Yes, you can keep your balance in the plan and continue to invest it through Voya. Required Minimum Distributions still apply once you reach the applicable age (currently 73 for most retirees). Keeping funds in the plan can preserve some advantages — but it also limits your flexibility, so it’s worth comparing against an IRA rollover annually. 7\. I have over $1 million in my Pantex Savings Plan. Are there strategies to reduce taxes long-term? + Possibly significant ones. Strategies worth analyzing include partial Roth conversions during low-income years (especially the gap between retirement and Social Security), strategic withdrawal sequencing across taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-free accounts, qualified charitable distributions after age 70½, and net unrealized appreciation (NUA) treatment if you hold employer stock. For larger balances, the tax savings from getting this right can be six figures over retirement. 8\. When should I claim Social Security if I’m also receiving a Pantex pension? + Pantex pensions are not subject to the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), so claiming Social Security is a more straightforward decision than for some government workers. Most pre-retirees benefit from waiting past Full Retirement Age — every year you delay past FRA up to age 70 increases your benefit by roughly 8%. The right claiming age depends on your other income, your spouse’s benefit, your health, and your tax bracket. 9\. Will my Pantex pension cause my Medicare premiums to increase? + It can. Medicare’s Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) increases your Part B and Part D premiums when your modified adjusted gross income exceeds certain thresholds. A pension, Social Security, and required minimum distributions can stack quickly. With planning — particularly Roth conversions before Medicare eligibility — many clients can reduce or avoid IRMAA surcharges in retirement. 10\. How can I minimize taxes on my Pantex retirement income? + Tax planning for Pantex retirees usually involves three levers: timing (when you take income from each account), location (which account types you draw from in which order), and conversion (moving money from tax-deferred to tax-free vehicles in low-bracket years). The years between retirement and age 73 are often the highest-leverage tax planning window of your life. We help clients map out a 10–20 year tax projection and plan around it. 11\. How do I cover health insurance if I retire from Pantex before age 65? + Your options usually include continuing Pantex retiree medical (if eligible based on your hire date and service), a spouse’s employer plan, COBRA for up to 18 months, or an ACA marketplace plan. Each has very different cost structures, and ACA premium subsidies are income-tested — which means how you pull income from your accounts in those bridge years can directly affect what you pay for insurance. 12\. What happens to my Pantex retiree medical benefits when I turn 65? + Once you become Medicare-eligible, your Pantex retiree medical coverage typically transitions or coordinates with Medicare. The specifics depend on your hire date and plan, so this is one of the more individualized questions on this list. We help clients sequence their retirement date, Medicare enrollment, and any retiree coverage transitions so nothing falls through the cracks. 13\. Why work with an independent fiduciary instead of the advisor I already have? + A fiduciary is legally obligated to act in your best interest at all times — not "suitability," not "best interest at the moment of recommendation." Independent fiduciaries also aren’t tied to a parent company’s product shelf. For someone navigating Pantex pension elections, Voya rollover decisions, and a $1M+ portfolio, that distinction matters: the wrong election or the wrong rollover can cost you a great deal more than any advisory fee. 14\. Do I really need a financial advisor if I have a pension and a 401(k)? + If your situation were truly simple, probably not. But by the time someone has a Pantex pension, a Voya balance, Social Security decisions ahead, retiree healthcare to navigate, $1M+ in investable assets, and a spouse and family to plan for — the question stops being "do I need help" and starts being "can I afford the cost of getting any one of these decisions wrong?" Most of our clients say the value of getting it right vastly exceeds the fee. 15\. How do we get started? + The first step is a confidential conversation — no cost, no obligation. We’ll ask about your timeline, your benefits, and what you’re trying to accomplish. If we’re a good fit, we’ll lay out exactly what working together looks like. If we’re not, we’ll point you toward someone who is. We work with a select number of Pantex households at a time so we can give each one the attention they deserve. ![Calendar Icon](https://secure.kingsview.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Kingsview%20Partners_Backgrounds%20(45).png?width=102&height=102&name=Kingsview%20Partners_Backgrounds%20(45).png) ## You’ve spent decades serving at Pantex. Let’s make sure your retirement plan works as hard for you as you have. [Schedule a Conversation with Ashby](https://calendly.com/adawson-kingsview/30-minute-virtual-meeting-teams) ## You’ve spent decades serving at Pantex. Let’s make sure your retirement plan works as hard for you as you have. [Schedule a Conversation with Ashby](https://calendly.com/adawson-kingsview/30-minute-virtual-meeting-teams) ![KV\_Logo-Horizontal\_white](https://secure.kingsview.com/hs-fs/hubfs/KV_Logo-Horizontal_white.png?width=320&height=29&name=KV_Logo-Horizontal_white.png) © 2026 Kingsview Partners. All rights reserved. This website and information are provided for guidance and information purposes only.  Investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed.  Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy.  This website and information are not intended to provide investment, tax, or legal advice. Investment advisory services are offered through Kingsview Wealth Management ("KWM"), an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Insurance products and services are offered and sold through Kingsview Trust and Insurance Services ("KTI") and individually licensed and appointed insurance agents. Financial Advisor Ashby Dawson was recognized as one of America’s Top Wealth Advisors by FORBES for 2026. Rankings are based on an algorithm of quantitative data collected through surveys, in-person and phone interviews collected by SHOOK Research, LLC, as of June 30, 2025. Kingsview Partners paid no application fee to participate.   Financial Advisor Ashby Dawson was recognized as one of America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors by FORBES for 2026. Rankings are based on an algorithm of quantitative data collected through surveys, in-person and phone interviews collected by SHOOK Research. Kingsview Partners paid no application fee to participate. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "WebPage", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "description" : "Ashby Dawson is a fiduciary wealth manager helping Pantex employees and retirees navigate retirement income, pension elections, tax planning, and long-term wealth strategy.", "image" : "https://secure.kingsview.com/hubfs/Kingsview%20Partners_Backgrounds%20(38).png", "jobTitle" : "Partner | Wealth Manager", "name" : "Ashby Dawson", "worksFor" : { "@type" : "Organization", "name" : "Kingsview Partners" } }, "name" : "Financial Planning for Pantex Employees | Ashby Dawson", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "name" : "Kingsview Partners" }, "url" : "https://secure.kingsview.com/financial-planning-for-pantex-employees-ashby-dawson" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "FAQPage", "mainEntity" : [ { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The right pension election depends on your spouse’s situation, taxes, income sources, and retirement goals. Options like single life, joint and survivor, level income, and certain and continuous each involve tradeoffs that generally cannot be changed once benefits begin." }, "name" : "Which Pantex pension payment option should I choose?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Pantex pension benefits are generally calculated using a formula based on your years of Pension Service Credit, Final Average Earnings, and plan multiplier percentage. Different Pantex plans calculate benefits differently." }, "name" : "How is my Pantex pension actually calculated?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Pantex employees may begin receiving a reduced pension benefit as early as age 50 if vested. Whether early retirement makes sense depends on retirement assets, healthcare costs, income planning, and long-term sustainability." }, "name" : "Can I retire from Pantex at age 50?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Survivor benefits depend on the pension option selected at retirement. Joint and survivor options continue payments to a spouse, while certain and continuous options provide guaranteed payments to beneficiaries for a set period." }, "name" : "What happens to my Pantex pension if I pass away before my spouse?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Whether to roll your Pantex Voya Savings Plan into an IRA depends on investment flexibility, tax planning, creditor protection, withdrawal needs, and retirement timing. Some retirees benefit from staying in the plan while others prefer an IRA." }, "name" : "Should I roll my Pantex Voya Savings Plan into an IRA when I retire?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Yes. Retirees can generally leave funds invested within the Pantex Savings Plan through Voya after retirement, although Required Minimum Distributions still apply once eligible." }, "name" : "Can I leave my money in the Pantex Savings Plan after I retire?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Potential strategies may include Roth conversions, withdrawal sequencing, charitable distribution planning, and tax-efficient income strategies during retirement. Larger retirement balances often create significant tax planning opportunities." }, "name" : "I have over $1 million in my Pantex Savings Plan. Are there strategies to reduce taxes long-term?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Most retirees benefit from coordinating Social Security timing with pensions, taxes, and retirement income planning. Delaying Social Security beyond Full Retirement Age can increase benefits substantially." }, "name" : "When should I claim Social Security if I’m also receiving a Pantex pension?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "It can. Higher retirement income may trigger IRMAA surcharges that increase Medicare Part B and Part D premiums. Advance tax planning may help reduce or avoid these increases." }, "name" : "Will my Pantex pension cause my Medicare premiums to increase?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Tax planning strategies may include Roth conversions, income timing, withdrawal sequencing, and balancing taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-free accounts throughout retirement." }, "name" : "How can I minimize taxes on my Pantex retirement income?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Retirees may use Pantex retiree medical coverage, COBRA, ACA marketplace plans, or a spouse’s employer coverage before Medicare eligibility. Costs and subsidies can vary significantly." }, "name" : "How do I cover health insurance if I retire from Pantex before age 65?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Pantex retiree medical coverage typically coordinates with Medicare once you become eligible. Specific transitions depend on your plan and employment history." }, "name" : "What happens to my Pantex retiree medical benefits when I turn 65?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Independent fiduciaries are legally obligated to act in clients’ best interests and are not limited to a single company’s products or investment solutions." }, "name" : "Why work with an independent fiduciary instead of the advisor I already have?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Many retirees benefit from professional guidance when coordinating pensions, Social Security, taxes, healthcare, investments, and long-term retirement income planning." }, "name" : "Do I really need a financial advisor if I have a pension and a 401(k)?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The process typically begins with a confidential conversation to review your goals, benefits, retirement timeline, and financial situation to determine whether working together is the right fit." }, "name" : "How do we get started?" } ] } ```