Apollon Financial with Jim McGowan

06/05/2026

𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗸 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄

Getting a package can be either a huge jump start to your retirement or one of the scariest moments of your career. The process that follows can feel just as overwhelming as the news itself.

Having worked with Merck employees for nearly 25 years, I want to walk you through what actually happens in the weeks after your separation date.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗙𝗲𝘄 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗹𝘆

You will need to sign and return your Separation Agreement and General Release. You cannot sign it before your separation date, and there is a deadline on the back end as well. Read it carefully.
You will also receive your first medical and dental premium invoice. Coverage continues for you and spouse, but it shifts to a direct billing arrangement, and setting up that payment through Fidelity NetBenefits requires action on your part.

𝗦𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝘆, 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟰𝟬𝟭(𝗸) 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲

Your separation payout typically lands in the first pay period about two weeks after your separation date. One thing many employees do not realize until it is too late: that payment is issued as a lump sum, not through your normal paycheck cycle. Because it is not treated as regular wages for plan purposes, you cannot direct any portion of it into your 401(k). If maximizing your tax-deferred contributions for the year is a priority, the time to act is before your separation date by front-loading your 401(k) contributions while you are still receiving regular paychecks.

The pension process takes longer. Around four weeks out, you will receive confirmation from Merck Benefits that your pension is ready for distribution. At that point there are important decisions to make around how you take that money.

Your 401(k) becomes eligible for a transfer or rollover approximately 30 days after separation. This decision will depend on many factors, most importantly whether your age 55 or 59 ½ or older since different rules apply.

𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

If you or your spouse are age 65 or older, Medicare coordination is not optional. Once your separation date triggers the end of your active employee coverage, Merck's plan coordinates with Medicare as the secondary payer. That means the Medicare-eligible individual needs to be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B to avoid gaps in coverage and potential late enrollment penalties. This applies whether you are in the benefits continuation period, on COBRA, or moving to retiree medical coverage.

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱

The financial decisions that come with a package: cash flow needs, pension elections, 401(k) rollovers, tax planning around severance, and benefits coordination, are not decisions that benefit from being rushed or made in isolation. Each one connects to the others, and the choices you make can have long-term consequences.
If you or someone you know is going through this process or considering a package and would find it helpful to talk through the options, I am glad to have that conversation. Reach out to set up a call. The goal is simply to make sure you are making informed decisions during a time that can feel anything but certain.

👉 Schedule your confidential call now: https://calendly.com/jim-mcgowan-apollonfinancial/30min

📍 Virtual meetings available nationwide. Local service areas include Pennsylvania, West Point, Lansdale, North Wales, Doylestown, Blue Bell, Newtown, Montgomery, and Bucks County.

FAQ:
• When does Merck separation pay arrive?
o One pay cycle after your separation date and it’s a lump sum.
• Can I roll my separation payout into my 401k?
o No, your separation pay doesn’t withhold for 401k contributions
• When does my Merck 401k become eligible for rollover?
o 30 days after separation.
• Do I need Medicare if I have Merck retiree medical coverage?
o Yes, Medicare becomes your primary insurance with retiree medical as secondary.

Related Resources
• Maximize your Merck 401(k): https://apollonfinancial.com/merck-401k-spillover-election-roth-conversion/
• Roth Conversions: https://apollonfinancial.com/roth-conversions-for-merck-employees-near-19446-rahway-lansdale-north-wales-gwynedd-west-point-doylestown-blue-bell-montgomery-and-bucks-county/
• How Interest Rates Impact your Merck Pension: https://apollonfinancial.com/how-interest-rates-impact-your-merck-lump-sum-pension-payout/

Apollon Financial, LLC (“Apollon”) provides advice and makes recommendations based on the specific needs and circumstances of each client. The information contained herein is intended for information purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Please contact your financial advisor with questions about your specific needs and circumstances. Please visit our website www.apollonfinancial.com, for other important disclosures.

04/10/2026

I posted about this last week and it lead to many questions and good conversations.

Most people know age 59½ matters for retirement accounts. And age 65 for Medicare.

04/01/2026

The proposal, which offers plan sponsors a process-based safe harbor to curb ERISA lawsuits, comes as private-credit volatility raises fresh questions for advisors and their clients.

03/12/2026

Got a Bonus? Bank Account’s Full? Now What?

You got the bonus, YES!
Your 401(k) is growing.
Your checking account’s healthy (maybe too healthy).
You don’t stress about bills. You don’t balance your checkbook anymore.

So now you’re wondering:
“Should I finally buy the nicer car?”
“Is it time to book the dream vacation?”
“Or should I start putting this money to work?”

This is exactly when many of my clients come to me.

They’ve built financial stability and now they want to make the next right move.

I help career professionals figure out what to do when they’ve hit this turning point. Through personalized financial planning, strategic tax guidance, and coordinated investment management, we create a plan for the future.

✅ You’ve done the hard part: earning it.

Now let’s talk about growing it, so you can achieve your goals.

Have you hit this stage and ready to make the most of it.

Let’s start with a quick conversation so I can answer your questions.

Click this link to find a time, https://calendly.com/jim-mcgowan-apollonfinancial/30min

Apollon Financial, LLC (“Apollon”) provides advice and make recommendations based on the specific needs and circumstances of each client. The information contained herein is intended for information purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Please contact your financial advisor with questions about your specific needs and circumstances. Please visit our website www.apollonfinancial.com, for other important disclosures.

02/27/2026

The Merck reorganization is moving forward.
Have you recently separated?
Did you raise your hand?
Is a deadline approaching?

Whether you volunteered or not, the financial decisions in front of you are significant and, in many cases, irreversible.

For you, this may be the first and only time you navigate a transition like this.
For me, guiding Merck professionals through transitions like this is an important part of the work I do.

Reach out if you have questions.

Right now, here are the three areas I’m discussing most often:

1️⃣ Severance Payout Strategy
A lump sum can look substantial on paper.
What matters is how it’s managed over time.
Severance needs to provide income over time, not just sit in a checking account.
Without a coordinated cash flow and tax strategy, it may erode faster than expected.
We typically address:
• Tax withholding and projected brackets
• RSU vesting, timing, and concentration risk
• Structuring withdrawals so the payout supports your next chapter

2️⃣ Your 401(k)
Should you leave it in the plan?
Roll it to an IRA?
Begin distributions?
The answer may depend on:
• Your age and Rule of 55 considerations
• Income needs over the next several years
• Broader tax planning strategy
• Investment flexibility and costs
This decision should align with your overall Financial Planning framework, not be made in isolation.

3️⃣ Your Pension Decision
Lump sum or monthly payment?
This isn’t just a math calculation, there are many factors.
• Interest rates
• Your spouse and beneficiaries
• Financial goals
• Other available assets

Transitions create uncertainty.
But they also create opportunity, if handled thoughtfully.

If you’re at Merck and facing these decisions, I’m here as a resource. Click this link to find a time, https://calendly.com/jim-mcgowan-apollonfinancial/30min


Apollon Financial, LLC (“Apollon”) provides advice and make recommendations based on the specific needs and circumstances of each client. The information contained herein is intended for information purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Please contact your financial advisor with questions about your specific needs and circumstances. Please visit our website www.apollonfinancial.com, for other important disclosures.

02/16/2026

“Are you a fiduciary?”
I get that question all the time and I love it. Yes, I’m a fiduciary.

People today are far more educated about our industry than they used to be. I believe the commission-driven sales crowd isn’t thrilled about that… but those of us who focus on honest advice? We can benefit from it.

I’m held to the fiduciary standard because of my Certified Financial Planner™, CFP® designation. But just as important, I intentionally structured my business, so I’m not required to sell proprietary investment products.

If you think about it, if you’re paying for advice and you’re invested in that company’s product, you could be paying them twice.

I give advice. That’s what my clients pay for.

Not products.
Not something tied to a sales quota.
Not a mutual fund with our name on it.

And here’s something that really shouldn’t be groundbreaking:
You don’t have to wonder what I do or what it costs. I’m upfront about both in our very first call. No mystery pricing. No vague answers.

Curious... send me a message or use this link to schedule a quick call, https://lnkd.in/e_2PesxS

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Apollon Financial, LLC (“Apollon”) provides advice and make recommendations based on the specific needs and circumstances of each client. The information contained herein is intended for information purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Please contact your financial advisor with questions about your specific needs and circumstances. Please visit our website www.apollonfinancial.com, for other important disclosures.

02/10/2026

Staring at a pile of tax forms thinking, “I wish someone could help me make sense of all this”?

You’re not alone.

Every year around this time, people reach out to me, not just because they want help with investments, but because they realize how connected everything is in their financial life.

📌 Taxes
📌 Employee benefits
📌 Retirement plans
📌 Equity comp or RSUs
📌 Cash flow decisions

As a Certified Financial Planner™, I don’t just manage portfolios, I help organize the full picture.

Think of me as the quarterback of your financial life.

I help coordinate with your CPA, make the most of your workplace benefits, plan ahead for major spending, and ensure your money decisions are aligned with what matters most to you.

So if tax season has you feeling overwhelmed or unsure, it might be time to build a game plan.

Let’s talk.
📅 https://calendly.com/jim-mcgowan-apollonfinancial/30min
📍 Serving clients locally in PA, NJ & virtually nationwide.



Apollon Financial, LLC (“Apollon”) provides advice and make recommendations based on the specific needs and circumstances of each client. The information contained herein is intended for information purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Please contact your financial advisor with questions about your specific needs and circumstances. Apollon does not provide tax advice, individuals are strongly advised to consult with a tax professional before making any tax-related decisions. The information provided herein may not be relied on for purposes of avoiding taxes.
The specific considerations for you may need expertise or review by a tax professional, licensed insurance provider, estate planning attorney or other professional to determine how it applies to you. Information provided is generic in nature, for educational purposes and not specific advice. Speak with your tax professional about your specific personal considerations before making any planning decisions.
Please visit our website www.apollonfinancial.com, for other important disclosures.

01/16/2026

Does your 401(k) statement show these key sections?
If not, you might be missing out on the Mega Backdoor Roth conversion.

Doesn’t sound real? That’s not my phrase, look it up.

Want a second set of eyes on your retirement strategy?

The first step is a quick call so you can ask questions and see if I’m a good fit. Reach out if you’d like to connect.

01/08/2026

𝗛𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝘆𝗺? 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵. 𝗚𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱? 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘆, 𝗜’𝗹𝗹 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘃𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴.

All it takes is a quick call so you can qualify me and ask any questions. Whenever you’re ready you can use this link to find a time to talk, https://calendly.com/jim-mcgowan-apollonfinancial/meeting-around-60-min

If 2026 is the year you finally want to get your finances in order, I’m here to help. Let’s make it happen.

12/23/2025

𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝟭-𝟴𝟬𝟬 𝗻𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲?

Many of my Merck clients begin their journey with Fidelity. It’s a lot like shopping at Walmart: easy, cost-efficient, and convenient when your needs are basic.

At a certain point, your financial life deserves more than a call center and a generic investment portfolio.

As your accounts grow, so do your questions:
✅ How can I reduce taxes in retirement?
✅ Am I truly on track to retire comfortably and stay retired?
✅ Are my investments diversified beyond one company's funds?

The big firms often do a fine job managing basic portfolios. But they’re not built to help you navigate more complex decisions like tax planning, retirement income strategies, or maximizing your employee benefits.

That’s where I come in.

As an independent Certified Financial Planner™ and fiduciary, I’m not tied to a single company’s products. I focus on what matters most to you, your goals, your tax situation, your retirement income, and your full financial picture.

Most of my clients reached a point where they knew it was time to step up from "basic" and start working with someone who sees the whole picture.

If you think you might be there too, I’d be happy to talk.

👉 Book a time on my calendar, https://calendly.com/jim-mcgowan-apollonfinancial/meeting-about-60-min

Or visit my website to learn more. https://apollonfinancial.com/jim-mcgowan/

📍 Virtual meetings available nationwide. Local service areas include Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Rahway, Upper Gwynedd, West Point, Lansdale, North Wales, Blue Bell, Doylestown, New Hope, Newtown, Montgomery, and Bucks County.

Related Resources on my website:
• Backdoor Roth Contributions – How to do them Right
• Pre-Tax vs. Roth 401(k): Does it Really Matter?
• Merck Pension: Should You Take the Lump Sum or Monthly Annuity?

Apollon Financial LLC ("Apollon") is an investment advisor registered with the SEC. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, financial, tax or legal advice. It is not a recommendation or solicitation to buy or sell any security. Investing involves risk, and clients should carefully consider their own investment objectives and never rely on any single chart, graph, or marketing piece to make decisions. Please consult a licensed professional before making investment, tax, or legal decisions