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9 Facts About Social Security for Louisiana-Pacific Employees

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Healthcare Provider Update: Offers medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, along with HSAs, FSAs, and wellness programs1. As ACA premiums rise and subsidies expire, LPs comprehensive benefits help employees avoid the financial strain of marketplace plans, especially through tax-advantaged savings accounts. Click here to learn more

'As a result of this, it is important that Louisiana-Pacific 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 Louisiana-Pacific 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 Louisiana-Pacific, 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 Louisiana-Pacific 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 Louisiana-Pacific 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 Louisiana-Pacific 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 Louisiana-Pacific 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 Louisiana-Pacific 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 Louisiana-Pacific 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 Louisiana-Pacific 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 primary purpose of the Louisiana-Pacific 401(k) Savings Plan?

The primary purpose of the Louisiana-Pacific 401(k) Savings Plan is to help employees save for retirement through tax-deferred contributions.

Who is eligible to participate in the Louisiana-Pacific 401(k) Savings Plan?

All full-time employees of Louisiana-Pacific who meet the age and service requirements are eligible to participate in the 401(k) Savings Plan.

How can Louisiana-Pacific employees enroll in the 401(k) Savings Plan?

Louisiana-Pacific employees can enroll in the 401(k) Savings Plan by completing the enrollment form available through the company’s HR portal.

Does Louisiana-Pacific offer a company match for 401(k) contributions?

Yes, Louisiana-Pacific offers a company match for employee contributions to the 401(k) Savings Plan, subject to specific terms and conditions.

What types of contributions can employees make to the Louisiana-Pacific 401(k) Savings Plan?

Employees can make pre-tax and, in some cases, after-tax contributions to the Louisiana-Pacific 401(k) Savings Plan.

Are there any limits on how much I can contribute to the Louisiana-Pacific 401(k) Savings Plan each year?

Yes, the IRS sets annual contribution limits for 401(k) plans, and Louisiana-Pacific adheres to these limits.

How often can Louisiana-Pacific employees change their contribution amounts?

Louisiana-Pacific employees can change their contribution amounts at any time, subject to the plan's rules.

What investment options are available in the Louisiana-Pacific 401(k) Savings Plan?

The Louisiana-Pacific 401(k) Savings Plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds and target-date funds.

Can Louisiana-Pacific employees take loans against their 401(k) savings?

Yes, Louisiana-Pacific allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) savings, subject to specific plan provisions.

What happens to my Louisiana-Pacific 401(k) savings if I leave the company?

If you leave Louisiana-Pacific, you can choose to leave your savings in the plan, roll them over to another qualified plan, or withdraw the funds, subject to tax implications.

With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.
Name of the Plan: Louisiana-Pacific Pension Plan. Pension Formula: The plan uses a traditional defined benefit formula, which is calculated based on years of service and average compensation. Years of Service Requirement: Employees generally need to accumulate a minimum of five years of service to be vested. Age Qualification: The typical retirement age is 65, but early retirement options are available starting at age 55 with reduced benefits. Company Acronym and Terminology: The pension plan is commonly referred to as "LP Pension Plan" within internal documentation. Louisiana-Pacific 401(k) Plan: Name of the 401(k) Plan: LP 401(k) Savings Plan. Eligibility: Employees are eligible to participate from the first day of employment. Company Matching Contributions: Louisiana-Pacific provides a matching contribution, typically matching 50% of the employee's contributions up to 6% of their salary. Vesting: Employees are fully vested in their contributions immediately, while company contributions vest after three years of service. Company Terminology: Internally, this is referred to as the "LP 401(k)" and includes standard financial terms like "deferral" and "matching."
Restructuring and Layoffs: In 2024, Louisiana-Pacific Corporation (LP) announced it would cut back on operations at five North American mills due to low demand and product pricing​ (FloorDaily). This restructuring is expected to lead to minimal layoffs at the affected facilities. LP also announced mill closures and production curtailments across Texas, Georgia, and Wisconsin​ (Go Layoffs). This news is critical to address because of the ongoing economic uncertainties, which have been exacerbated by rising inflation and fluctuating demand in the construction materials sector. Companies in this industry must remain flexible to avoid significant financial impacts while protecting their workforce and ensuring long-term viability. Given the current political and tax environment, such restructuring decisions can have far-reaching effects on both employees and the local economy, making it essential to monitor developments closely.
Louisiana-Pacific (LP) Stock Options and Restricted Stock Units (RSU) Overview Louisiana-Pacific Corporation (LP) offers its employees stock options and RSUs through the 2022 Omnibus Stock Award Plan. The RSU award grants employees the right to receive company shares upon vesting, typically over a period of three years. Louisiana-Pacific employees eligible for these awards include senior executives and other high-performing employees. Under this plan, RSUs are awarded at the discretion of the company's administrator, allowing for a retention of shares to satisfy tax obligations at the fair market value of the shares on the date of delivery​ (Louisiana-Pacific Corporation)​ (Justia). In 2022, LP's stock options and RSUs were available to both management and key employees as part of a broader incentive structure to align employees' interests with shareholders. The eligibility criteria were expanded in 2023, allowing more mid-level employees to participate in the equity compensation program. By 2024, Louisiana-Pacific continued to refine its compensation plan by adjusting vesting periods and tax treatment options to comply with updated federal regulations​ (Louisiana-Pacific Corporation)​ (markets.businessinsider.com). Louisiana-Pacific offers stock options and RSUs as part of its incentive-based compensation, ensuring employees can benefit from the company's financial success. These stock options are generally granted with a fixed exercise price, while RSUs vest over time without requiring any purchase from employees​ (Justia)​ (Louisiana-Pacific Corporation).
Louisiana-Pacific Corporation (LP) offers a comprehensive range of healthcare benefits to its employees, designed to support their well-being while also being competitive in the industry. The company provides full-time and part-time employees with medical, dental, and vision coverage, including a wellness program that incentivizes healthy behavior. These benefits extend to dependents and domestic partners, ensuring broad support for employee families. In 2023, LP enhanced its healthcare options to include flexible telemedicine services and an expanded mental health program, reflecting growing trends in the industry toward supporting both physical and mental well-being. With healthcare costs rising significantly, LP's focus on a holistic benefits package helps mitigate some of the economic pressures felt by employees in today’s challenging economic climate​ (LP Building Solutions)​ (Louisiana Health Connect). In response to the broader economic and political environment, LP has also adapted its healthcare offerings to account for inflationary pressures on healthcare costs. For example, in 2024, the company implemented measures to absorb part of the projected 5.4% increase in healthcare costs, preventing significant cost burdens from falling on employees. Additionally, LP's safety and health initiatives, as outlined in their sustainability reports, have been crucial in maintaining workplace health, particularly as global health risks have increased. The company’s decision to prioritize safety training and offer preventative health resources exemplifies its proactive approach in a politically charged healthcare landscape. These efforts help ensure that LP remains an attractive employer, retaining talent amidst economic uncertainty​ (LP Building Solutions)​ (Louisiana Health Connect).
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For more information you can reach the plan administrator for Louisiana-Pacific at , ; or by calling them at .

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