Mid-Year Update to Interest Rates Used in RS Plan Estimate Calculations for 2026 and Beyond

For Retirement Security (RS) Plan participants seeking single cash payment benefit estimates for 2026 and later event dates, a mid-year update has been made to the interest rates used to calculate those estimated payments. These rates are now active for estimates requested on the Employee Benefits website.

In previous years, this mid-year rate update has occurred in August. The earlier timing this year (and going forward) is part of the larger timing shift in NRECA’s process of providing interest rates that will be used for single cash payment calculations (also called lump sums). As we shared in 2024, NRECA has shifted to a new process that selects final rates for upcoming years earlier—in October instead of December. You can also consult this fact sheet for more details about RS Plan rate announcements and how timing has changed.

The new rates as of mid-year are not “final” for future-year event dates, but this adjustment brings estimated rates in line with the current interest rate environment, therefore providing a better benefit estimate for participants considering single cash payments.

If you have questions about the RS Plan estimate request process, please contact your field representative or the Member Contact Center at 866.673.2299 or contactcenter@nreca.coop. Members of the Personal Investment & Retirement Consulting (PIRC) team are available to assist plan participants with their retirement planning and may also assist participants in obtaining updated RS Plan estimates. The PIRC team can be contacted at pirc@nreca.coop or 866.673.2299, option 6.