Your Retirement Roadmap at Alyeska: Maximizing the 401(k), Self Directed Brokerage Account & Pension

If you’re approaching retirement at Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, you’re in a strong position. Among the benefits you’ve earned are a defined-benefit pension plan, a robust 401(k) with T. Rowe Price and Vanguard fund options, and even a self-directed brokerage account for greater flexibility. These tools provide a solid foundation for a confident retirement — but only if they’re managed intentionally.

At our firm, we primarily work with physicians and medical professionals across Alaska. However, we also serve employees from a few major local employers — including Alyeska Pipeline Service Company — since some are married to physician clients or share similar financial complexity and retirement planning needs.

If you’re within five years of retirement, here’s how to make the most of the benefits you’ve earned.

1. Understand the Full Scope of Your Retirement Benefits

Alyeska’s retirement program offers both a pension and a Savings & Investment Plan (the company’s 401(k)), which includes your contributions, employer matching, and customizable investment options.This combination gives you three key income sources in retirement:

• Pension payments – steady, guaranteed monthly income (if eligible)

• 401(k) and brokerage accounts – flexible, growth-oriented assets you control

• Social Security and outside savings – additional layers of security

Knowing how each piece fits together is the cornerstone of your retirement strategy.

2. Review Your Pension Options Carefully

If you qualify for Alyeska’s pension plan, you’ll likely choose between payout options such as:

• Single-life annuity (higher monthly income, ends at your death)

• Joint & survivor annuity (lower monthly income but continues for your spouse)

• Possible lump-sum payout (if available)

Because your pension acts as the “income floor” in retirement, understanding its timing, tax treatment, and survivor benefits is critical. It’s worth modeling different options to see how they interact with your 401(k) and Social Security benefits.

3. Fine-Tune Your Alyeska 401(k) and Brokerage Investments

In the final years before retirement, your focus shifts from growth to preservation, tax and income planning.Inside Alyeska’s 401(k) plan — powered by T. Rowe Price and Vanguard — review:

• How diversified your holdings are (avoid heavy concentration in any single fund or asset type)

• Whether your risk level matches your retirement timeline

• If you’re taking full advantage of the company match and any catch-up contributions

• How your self-directed brokerage fits into your broader strategy

A balanced, low-cost investment approach can reduce volatility and help ensure your savings support you through a long retirement.

4. Create a Distribution and Tax Strategy

A clear withdrawal plan separates successful retirees from anxious ones.As you transition out of Alyeska, consider:

• When to start pension payments

• How to draw from your 401(k), Roth, and taxable brokerage in a tax-efficient order

• Whether rolling your 401(k) into an IRA makes sense (especially if you want broader investment control)

• How to fund your first few years of living expenses (a “cash bucket” can help you avoid selling investments in a down market)

• When to claim Social Security — delaying can significantly increase lifetime benefits

This kind of coordination is where a professional financial advisor can add real value.

5. Protect What You’ve Built

Before you retire, review these essentials:

• Healthcare and retiree medical benefits (especially once you reach Medicare age)

• Beneficiary designations on your pension, 401(k), and brokerage accounts

• Estate documents (will, power of attorney, and healthcare directives)

• Emergency savings for unexpected costs

Retirement isn’t just about income — it’s about independence, flexibility, and peace of mind.

In Closing

Retiring from Alyeska is a milestone achievement. You’ve spent decades helping power Alaska — now it’s time to ensure your finances power your next chapter.

At our firm, we specialize in guiding physicians and other highly skilled professionals through the final stages of retirement preparation — coordinating pensions, employer plans, and investment accounts to create sustainable, tax-efficient income for life.

You’ve built a career of discipline and precision. Your retirement deserves the same attention to detail. Learn more about Daniel Harris and D.R. Harris and Co. When you’re ready, fill out this form to request an introductory call.

Disclosure: This article is written for educational purposes only. We are not your financial advisor unless you have a written advisory contract with us. You should do all of your own research or talk to your own advisors before acting on any information you read about in this article.