New Update: Rising Oil Costs are Affecting Retirement Plans. Will you be impacted?
6 Retirement Myths Every Las Vegas Sands Employee Should Not Fall For!
With crude oil volatility near 80% and prices spanning $50 to $120 per barrel over the past six months, energy cost uncertainty influences economic conditions across industries. Facility energy costs and travel demand suppression from high fuel prices create direct and indirect headwinds for hospitality companies. Retirement savings strategies at Las Vegas Sands should account for how energy price cycles influence inflation, interest rates, and market returns over the long horizons that retirement planning requires. Working with a financial advisor can help you position your planning strategy for sustained energy price uncertainty.
During our 30+ years helping retirees, the majority have been very excited to start the planning process. However, some have been surprised to find out our recommendations differ from what they have heard elsewhere.
This is because there’s a lot of misinformation swirling around. As a fiduciary, we are legally obligated to serve your best interests at all times. So, we can tell you achieving the retirement you desire is not going to happen if you’re sidetracked by myths and false information.
That's why we aim to debunk the top six retirement myths that Las Vegas Sands employees may have heard. Our goal is to help you start building the retirement of your dreams today.
Myth #1: If I receive a pension, I do not have to make any decisions regarding my pension.
If Las Vegas Sands offers you a defined-benefit plan, your pension is primarily the responsibility of the company. However, that doesn’t mean you just wait for a check in the mail once you retire. You have major decisions to make.
If offered a pension, employees can potentially elect to receive a monthly payout like a traditional pension or they could convert their pension into a one-time lump-sum benefit, which can be subsequently rolled over into an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) and then controlled by the retiree.
So, monthly or lump-sum pension?
Each payout has its own set of pros and cons. Deciding which option is most appropriate for you involves many factors. Deciding which option is most appropriate for you involves many factors. It is best done with the help of a professional, who can incorporate all aspects of your financial life – Social Security, 401(k), real estate, and inheritance into your decision.
Further, married Las Vegas Sands employees may have survivor benefit options to consider. At retirement, it is possible that you have multiple survivor options to choose from for the monthly pension, but these are only available for a qualified spouse.
Myth #2: If I receive a pension from Las Vegas Sands , Social Security becomes less important.
Social Security will likely be one of your primary sources of retirement income. And just like your pension, you should carefully consider how best to use it based on your personal needs.
The size of your Social Security benefit is greatly determined by your age when you claim. You can receive your full Social Security retirement benefit upon reaching your Full Retirement Age, which is age 66 or 67, depending on your date of birth. But you can claim a permanently reduced benefit as early as age 62. Delaying Social Security until age 70 entitles you to a higher benefit of up to 8% per year. A benefit at age 70 will be 76-77% higher than the payout if you start at age 62.
Ultimately, factors such as your other income sources, marital status and health should guide your decision, not just when you can get the biggest Social Security paycheck.
Myth #3: When I retire from Las Vegas Sands doesn’t matter
No, no, no. When you retire has a major effect on the quality of your retirement.
For one, years of service is one of the primary factors in your pension calculation. Generally, the longer you work at Las Vegas Sands, the higher your pension. Your pension is also impacted by interest rates, which fluctuate. When rates are lowered, lump-sum pension payouts are increased, and vice versa.
Plus, Las Vegas Sands retirement benefits are not set in stone. They are subject to change. For example, the significant changes made to Las Vegas Sands’s pension calculation, health care subsidies and retiree health insurance.
You may find that it is more financially advantageous to retire sooner or later than your desired retirement date.
Myth #4: Las Vegas Sands stock is a good investment
Something Las Vegas Sands employees should be aware of is that we commonly see employees invest an excessive amount of their 401(k) in their company’s stock. While it can be rewarding to own a piece of a respected company, it may be risky from a retirement planning perspective.
Firstly, most of your financial life becomes dependent on the performance of one company. That includes your current income and retirement income from the Las Vegas Sands pension and 401(k) plan (if Las Vegas Sands offers these to you). Such a high concentration of your financial well-being in a single company is risky. Secondly, a single stock can be riskier and more volatile than a mutual fund or the broader stock market. Therefore, the greater amount of Las Vegas Sands stock you have in your 401(k), the more you can expect your investment return to fluctuate.
It’s more appropriate to diversify the investment choices in your Las Vegas Sands 401(k) account (If Las Vegas Sands offers you a 401K). That means selling your company stock and investing in mutual funds. The right mix of funds depends on your specific needs, goals and level of risk you’re comfortable with.
Myth #5: It’s better to leave my 401(k) with my company.
Upon leaving Las Vegas Sands, you may leave some or all of your savings in your Las Vegas Sands 401(k) account (If this is offered to you). However, there are a variety of benefits to rolling over your 401(k) to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). These include greater investment choices, greater withdrawal flexibility, more withholding options, and professional management by an advisor of your choosing.
When done properly, no tax applies to the rollover. One area of your 401(k) that provides no flexibility is tax withholdings.Every withdrawal is subject to a mandatory 20% federal tax plus applicable state taxes.
Myth #6: Medicare will cover my medical expenses
One of the biggest expenses for most people in retirement is health care. Taking the time to review your options can help you plan accordingly and avoid large out-of-pocket costs that could derail your retirement.
Once you turn 65 you are Medicare-eligible You and your Medicare-eligible dependents are required to enroll in Medicare Part A (hospital benefits) and Part B (doctor benefits). These two parts cover about 80% of health care benefits for individuals, so it’s important to consider your supplemental coverage options.
That same shift from growing assets to drawing them down applies directly to the pension decisions in front of you at Las Vegas Sands. Las Vegas Sands's defined benefit pension is closed to new entrants but continues accruing for legacy employees enrolled before the closure. If you joined Las Vegas Sands before the plan closed, your pension continues to grow with additional service. If you joined after the closure, your retirement income at Las Vegas Sands rests primarily on your 401(k) and Social Security. Las Vegas Sands may offer a 401(k) employer match - review your Summary Plan Description for current match rate and vesting details.
On the healthcare side, Las Vegas Sands does not offer continued medical coverage to retirees, which means coverage through the company ends when employment does. Planning for the cost of health insurance during any gap between your retirement date and Medicare eligibility at age 65 is a critical step - marketplace coverage, COBRA continuation, or a spouse's employer plan are common options. Building an accurate estimate of bridge-coverage costs into your retirement income projection prevents underestimating one of the largest variable expenses retirees face. Connecting your specific Las Vegas Sands benefits situation to a comprehensive retirement income plan - and understanding how each component interacts - gives you the most complete picture of what retirement will look like.
What is the 401(k) plan offered by Las Vegas Sands?
The 401(k) plan at Las Vegas Sands is a retirement savings plan that allows employees to save a portion of their salary on a pre-tax or post-tax basis.
How can I enroll in the Las Vegas Sands 401(k) plan?
Employees can enroll in the Las Vegas Sands 401(k) plan by completing the enrollment form available through the HR department or the company’s benefits portal.
What is the employer match for the Las Vegas Sands 401(k) plan?
Las Vegas Sands offers a competitive employer match for contributions made to the 401(k) plan, typically matching a percentage of employee contributions up to a certain limit.
Can I change my contribution rate to the Las Vegas Sands 401(k) plan?
Yes, employees can change their contribution rate to the Las Vegas Sands 401(k) plan at any time by accessing their account online or contacting HR.
What investment options are available in the Las Vegas Sands 401(k) plan?
The Las Vegas Sands 401(k) plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, target-date funds, and other investment vehicles to suit different risk tolerances.
Is there a vesting schedule for the employer match in the Las Vegas Sands 401(k) plan?
Yes, Las Vegas Sands has a vesting schedule for the employer match, which means employees must work for the company for a certain period before they fully own the matched funds.
How can I access my Las Vegas Sands 401(k) account?
Employees can access their Las Vegas Sands 401(k) account online through the designated benefits portal or by contacting the plan administrator.
What happens to my Las Vegas Sands 401(k) if I leave the company?
If you leave Las Vegas Sands, you have several options for your 401(k), including cashing out, rolling it over to another retirement account, or leaving it in the Las Vegas Sands plan if eligible.
Are there any fees associated with the Las Vegas Sands 401(k) plan?
Yes, there may be administrative fees and investment-related fees associated with the Las Vegas Sands 401(k) plan, which are disclosed in the plan documents.
Can I take a loan from my Las Vegas Sands 401(k) plan?
Yes, employees may be able to take a loan from their Las Vegas Sands 401(k) plan, subject to the plan's specific rules and limits.
For more information you can reach the plan administrator for Las Vegas Sands at , ; or by calling them at .
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