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9 Facts About Social Security for Avantor Employees

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Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Avantor Avantor, Inc. is a leading global provider of mission-critical products and services primarily serving the biopharma and healthcare sectors, among others. While Avantor operates extensively within these fields, specific details regarding partnership with a healthcare provider are typically not publicly disclosed in standard documents. However, Avantor's contributions to healthcare are primarily through the supply of high-purity materials, advanced technologies, and crucial solutions for bioprocessing and scientific research, indicating that they do engage closely with healthcare providers as part of their operations. Expected Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026 As we look toward 2026, healthcare costs are anticipated to rise dramatically, with projections indicating an average increase of 75% in out-of-pocket premiums for Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace enrollees. This surge is due to a convergence of factors, including the expiration of enhanced federal premium subsidies and significant rate hikes from major insurers, with some states seeing requested increases over 60%. The Kaiser Family Foundation has warned that more than 22 million individuals could be affected, facing steep premiums amidst a backdrop of escalating medical costs, requiring consumers to prepare strategically now to mitigate the financial impact in the coming year. Click here to learn more

'As a result of this, it is important that Avantor employees understand the basics of Social Security, such as how benefits are calculated and the potential return on delaying the claim, to ensure they are getting the most out of their benefits and thus their overall financial security.'

It is important that Avantor employees be self-initiated with the Social Security laws and regulations because tactics, for example, delaying benefits can result in huge profits in the long run, to the advantage of their retirement plan.

In this article, we will discuss:

1. The Social Security trust fund and more specifically the eligibility criteria for the fund.

2. The significance of cost of living adjustment (COLA) and its implications on the benefits.

3. Ways to optimize Social Security payments by not claiming them.

Social Security has been in effect since 1935 and is one of the most significant sources of income for retired people. We all think we know how it works, but how much do you know? If you work for Avantor, you may be surprised by the following nine facts.

The Social Security trust fund is very large. It is greater than the GDP of every economy except the ten largest: China, the European Union, the United States, India, Japan, Germany, Russia, Indonesia, Brazil, and the United Kingdom. The vast majority of workers, including those working at Avantor companies, are entitled to Social Security discounts. Former federal government employees before 1984 were covered by the Civil Service Retirement System rather than Social Security.

This is because, as a Avantor employee, you do not have to work for long to qualify. Anyone born in 1929 or later must have earned income for at least 10 years to be eligible for benefits. Under the Social Security system, benefits are calculated from the total earnings of an individual's working life. It is based on the 35 years of highest earnings. Social Security may include a person’s low or no earning years in the total number of years for which they are eligible for benefits, up to 35 years.

It is also important for Avantor employees to know that Social Security benefits have not always had cost-of-living adjustments (COLA). Prior to 1975, Congress had to pass a bill to raise benefits; today, automatic revisions are tied to the Consumer Price Index. The COLA in 2019 rose by 2.9 percent, while that of 2018 was 2%. About 67% of current retirees, including Avantor retirees, depend on Social Security as their primary source of retirement income. Social Security benefits were not taxed under federal income tax. The Social Security Act of 1983 modified the Social Security Act to allow for the taxation of benefits from the year 1984. From 1937 to 1940, Social Security payments were made as a one-off lump sum.

A one-off payment was considered to be made to those who had paid into the program. The management of Social Security thought that such people would not work long enough to be eligible for monthly payments. The first Social Security benefit paid in the United States was paid to Earnest Ackerman in January 1937 and was a fixed amount of 17 cents. 1. Social Security Administration, 2018; CIA World Factbook, 2018 2-5, 7-9. Social Security Administration, 2019. 6. Employee Benefit Research Institute, 2018

Do you know that if you postpone receiving your Social Security benefits past your full retirement age, your monthly benefit amount could increase substantially? This is important for the retirement planning of Avantor employees. Every year that you postpone claiming benefits after your full retirement age, up to age 70, may result in a benefit increase of as much as 8% per year. This means that if you delay claiming, you will receive a higher monthly benefit for the rest of your life. It is therefore advisable to consider this option to ensure that you get the most out of your Social Security payments. (Source: Social Security Administration, “When to Start Receiving Retirement Benefits,” 2021)

Social Security can be understood as a complex process that is similar to solving a puzzle. This is because for the Avantor employees who are about to retire, it affects their lives. Social Security can be viewed as a large Rubik’s Cube where each of the turns and shifts represents a different fact or provision of the system. To get the benefits you are entitled to, you must know each step of the process. Some of the pieces of the puzzle are interesting and include the fact that the Social Security trust fund is equivalent to the GDP of most countries.

Some of the pieces are strategic and include having to work for at least 10 years to be eligible for benefits. When approaching Social Security as a Avantor employee does, with the patience and determination of a puzzle solver, one can make the right pieces fit together to get the best out of their retirement benefits. Solving a Rubik’s Cube can be time and energy-consuming, but the feeling of a good plan and a secure future is for those who will embrace the challenge.'

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Sources:

  1. MarketWatch Staff. 'Social Security COLA Could Fall in 2026, Forecasts Say.'  MarketWatch , 13 Feb. 2025,  www.marketwatch.com/story/social-security-cola-could-fall-in-2026-according-to-forecasts-fd4b8742 .

  2. The Sun Staff. 'Three Chances to Score Social Security Checks Worth $5,108 with First Set to Hit Accounts in Hours.'  The Sun , 12 Feb. 2025,  www.the-sun.com/money/13515321/social-security-checks-february-payment-schedule/ .

  3. New York Post Staff. 'Rep. Nicole Malliotakis Floats New Proposed Tax Cuts for Seniors in Pair of Bills.'  New York Post , 11 Feb. 2025,  www.nypost.com/2025/02/10/us-news/rep-nicole-malliotakis-floats-new-proposed-tax-cuts-for-seniors-in-pair-of-bills/ .

  4. Social Security Administration.  Social Security in Retirement . 2021,  www.ssa.gov/retirement .

  5. Social Security Administration. 'Summary: Actuarial Status of the Social Security Trust Funds.'  Social Security Administration , 2024,  www.ssa.gov/policy/trust-funds-summary.html .

What is the 401(k) plan offered by Avantor?

The 401(k) plan at Avantor is a retirement savings plan that allows employees to save for their future by contributing a portion of their salary on a pre-tax basis.

How does Avantor match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?

Avantor offers a company match on employee contributions to the 401(k) plan, typically matching a percentage of the employee's contribution up to a certain limit.

When can employees at Avantor enroll in the 401(k) plan?

Employees at Avantor can enroll in the 401(k) plan during their initial onboarding period or during the annual open enrollment period.

What investment options are available in Avantor's 401(k) plan?

Avantor's 401(k) plan provides a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, target-date funds, and other investment vehicles to help employees diversify their portfolios.

Is there a vesting schedule for Avantor's 401(k) contributions?

Yes, Avantor has a vesting schedule for company contributions to the 401(k) plan, meaning employees must work for a certain period before they fully own the employer contributions.

Can employees take loans against their 401(k) at Avantor?

Yes, Avantor allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) balance, subject to specific terms and conditions outlined in the plan.

What happens to my 401(k) if I leave Avantor?

If you leave Avantor, you can choose to roll over your 401(k) balance into another retirement account, leave it in the Avantor plan (if eligible), or cash it out, subject to taxes and penalties.

How can employees at Avantor access their 401(k) account information?

Employees can access their 401(k) account information through the online portal provided by Avantor's plan administrator.

Does Avantor provide financial education regarding the 401(k) plan?

Yes, Avantor offers resources and financial education sessions to help employees understand their 401(k) options and make informed investment decisions.

What is the minimum contribution percentage for the 401(k) plan at Avantor?

The minimum contribution percentage for the 401(k) plan at Avantor is typically set at 1%, but employees are encouraged to contribute more to maximize their retirement savings.

With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.
Avantor announced a significant restructuring plan that involves layoffs affecting 5% of its workforce. The company is also changing its pension plan, moving from a defined benefit to a defined contribution model. Additionally, they are modifying their 401(k) matching contributions to align with industry standards.
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For more information you can reach the plan administrator for Avantor at 3477 Corporate Pkwy Center Valley, PA 18034; or by calling them at +1 610-573-2600.

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