Nigel Tufnel
Spinal Tap
We are happy to report that the transition of the I.B.E.W. Local 697 Defined Contribution Plan from Vanguard to that of Empower, that began at 3 P.M. Central Time on Tuesday, May 28th, 2024, is progressing well.
If you are an avid reader of the Funds newsletter, or its communications, and/or attend membership meetings regularly, or were at the Empower presentation before and after the May membership meeting, you are aware that the Defined Contribution Plan has entered into the much-publicized Blackout period and equally important, are aware that the Blackout period will end the week of June 16th, 2024.
If this does not describe you, um, well………. “The Plan has entered the much-publicized Blackout period, and it will end the week of June 16th, 2024.”
From our photo album
Participants and Fund staff converse and share a laugh during the blackout period.
What Happens Next?
A postcard will be sent to you via U.S. Mail notifying you of the completion of the transition between these two recordkeepers upon its completion. So, you will want to watch your mail closely during the aforementioned week. Of course, the Fund Office will also post the “go live” notice within the Funds website and for those that have opted to receive push-notifications from the Local, you will also receive a “go live” announcement via that medium.
After the Blackout Period
AFTER the blackout period / freeze period ends, you can access your Defined Contribution Plan’s account in the following three ways:
Online – empowermyretirement.com
- To access your account for the first time, click the Register button.
- Follow the prompts on the I do not have a PIN tab to enter your personal information and create a username and password.
- The next time you access your account, simply choose Sign in.
By Phone – 833-569-2433 – Empower representatives are available weekdays from 7:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. Central time (excluding most financial market holidays) and Saturdays from 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. central time.
By the App – Download the Empower mobile app by going to the Apple App Store or Google Play by searching for the word “Empower” and looking for the following image:
