Listed below are some highlights of the past month.
3 – The number of days ahead of schedule that the Defined Contribution Plan went live with Empower. Huzzah!
Sadly, and despite months of communication about this transition, some participants remain oblivious to it even having occurred. This just goes to prove the adage that in the age of information, ……, remaining focused on the important things becomes paramount.
4 – The number of times the HRA benefit has been addressed, mentioned and/or explained within the Funds monthly newsletter during the first six months of 2024.
Coincidently, it is also the number of participants that incessantly whined in the month of June (and continue to do) about losing their HRA Debit Card privileges because of what they did and/or didn’t do.
20 – Summer officially began on June 20th. Did you know that on this day, the sun rises in perfect alignment with both the Heel and Altar stones of Stonehenge? Or, that it sets between two of the pyramids in Giza? If you were not in Wiltshire England nor Giza, Egypt at either of those times on Thursday, June 20th, 2024, no worries, there is always next year. Start making your plans now and remember to pack your sunscreen.
25 – The day in June that China’s lunar probe, the Chang’e-6, successfully completed its mission and returned to earth with samples of the Moon’s unexplored far side surface. This is truly a milestone, as to this date no other country has accomplished that feat. Ever.
So, park your politics at the curb, “crack one open” and raise it in honor of mankind’s ingenuity, tenacity and technological achievements. Don’t forget to queue up the DSOTM while you marvel at this triumph.
27 – The presidential debate on Thursday, June 27th, 2024, made it quite evident that both of America’s presidential candidates are unfit for office. How did we get to the point where the choice for a president is a delusional felon or a career politician in serious cognitive decline? Well, that’s kind of a long story and one for another time. Suffice it to say, we have only ourselves to blame.
I am not sure what direction the country will be heading if either of them is successful in their presidential bids. However, I am relatively certain that there will be no winners.
Buckle up, people, and keep your hands inside the car at all times, this is going to be a rough ride!
44 – As of June 13th, 2024, forty-four (44) Participants of the Health and Benefit Plan, or 1.3% of the entire covered population of that Plan, accounted for 58.7% percent of the Plan’s last twelve months of spending. Some of these individuals are really up against it, so keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
53 – The number of Defined Contribution Plan participants that have chosen not to enroll themselves into the Plan’s auto-repayment loan-program. All we can say to these intrepid stalwarts is A) Godspeed and B) remember to make your loan repayments on time so that your loan or loans are not deemed.
297 – Is the number of Defined Contribution participants that have registered and secured their Annuity accounts at Empower. Which means….
811 – Defined Contribution participants are either:
- “Asleep at the wheel,”
- Don’t care,
- Erroneously believe that the allotment of the five minutes from their day needed to set up and secure their account at Empower and possibly their future retirement is not worth it, and/or,
- Are neither curious nor interested in exploring the new site and the possibilities that are to be found within.
More than likely, it is a combination of all four.
Now, what does the 297 know that the 811 don’t? Plenty. But here are two for you to contemplate. First, they know that these monies represent a substantial portion of their retirement income plans and as such require their attention. They also know that any explanation other than death or illness is a stupid reason for not having already accomplished this simple task.