New Update: Rising Oil Costs are Affecting Retirement Plans. Will you be impacted?
6 Retirement Myths Every Martin Marietta Materials Employee Should Not Fall For!
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Crude oil prices remain elevated and volatile, with annualized volatility around 80% and a closing futures price of $68.75 for WTI and $72.22 for Brent as of July 06, 2026. Diesel for haul trucks, processing energy, and remote site generator fuel make mining operations significantly exposed to sustained crude price increases. Retirement savings strategies at Martin Marietta Materials 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.
Source: Yahoo Finance
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 Martin Marietta Materials 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 Martin Marietta Materials 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 Martin Marietta Materials 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 Martin Marietta Materials , 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.
Martin Marietta Materials has agreed to acquire Lhoist North America in a $13.5 billion deal, marking a major expansion of the Raleigh-based building materials supplier into the lime sector. The transaction gives a Belgian family a 15% stake in Martin Marietta and positions the company as a leading player in lime production. While analysts remain upbeat about the deal's strategic merit, the announcement initially pressured the stock price lower as investors weighed the implications of the large acquisition. The company is also navigating analyst scrutiny of its financial performance, with some Wall Street observers trimming their assumptions and fair value estimates. For retirement plan participants holding Martin Marietta shares, the deal signals management's confidence in long-term growth opportunities despite near-term market skepticism.
Source: Currents API / Google News
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 Martin Marietta Materials 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 Martin Marietta Materials, 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, Martin Marietta Materials retirement benefits are not set in stone. They are subject to change. For example, the significant changes made to Martin Marietta Materials’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: Martin Marietta Materials stock is a good investment
Something Martin Marietta Materials 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 Martin Marietta Materials pension and 401(k) plan (if Martin Marietta Materials 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 Martin Marietta Materials 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 Martin Marietta Materials 401(k) account (If Martin Marietta Materials 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 Martin Marietta Materials, you may leave some or all of your savings in your Martin Marietta Materials 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.
For Martin Marietta Materials employees thinking through retirement savings, the transition from general advice to a workable plan starts with your employer's benefits. What the company puts toward your retirement, and the rules around accessing it, shapes every decision downstream.
The retirement plan at Martin Marietta Materials is worth understanding in detail: The company provides retirement plan options including defined contribution savings plans with employer contributions to support employees' long-term financial planning. Equally important is the healthcare picture. Your health plan elections during open enrollment, any HSA you're building, and whether retiree medical coverage or COBRA will bridge you to Medicare all factor into retirement savings.
Taking the time to review your Martin Marietta Materials benefits in the context of retirement savings, rather than treating them as separate decisions, is how you avoid the gaps that catch most employees off guard.
What type of retirement savings plan does Martin Marietta Materials offer to its employees?
Martin Marietta Materials offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan to its employees.
How can I enroll in the 401(k) plan at Martin Marietta Materials?
Employees can enroll in the 401(k) plan at Martin Marietta Materials by completing the enrollment process through the company’s benefits portal.
Does Martin Marietta Materials match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?
Yes, Martin Marietta Materials provides a matching contribution to employee 401(k) plan contributions, subject to certain limits.
What is the maximum contribution limit for the 401(k) plan at Martin Marietta Materials?
The maximum contribution limit for the 401(k) plan at Martin Marietta Materials is in line with the IRS annual contribution limits, which can change each year.
Can employees at Martin Marietta Materials take loans against their 401(k) savings?
Yes, employees at Martin Marietta Materials may have the option to take loans against their 401(k) savings, subject to the plan’s terms.
What investment options are available in the Martin Marietta Materials 401(k) plan?
The Martin Marietta Materials 401(k) plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds and target-date funds, allowing employees to choose based on their risk tolerance.
Is there a vesting schedule for the employer match in the Martin Marietta Materials 401(k) plan?
Yes, there is a vesting schedule for the employer match in the Martin Marietta Materials 401(k) plan, which determines when employees fully own the matched contributions.
Can I change my contribution percentage to the 401(k) plan at Martin Marietta Materials?
Yes, employees can change their contribution percentage to the 401(k) plan at Martin Marietta Materials at any time, subject to plan rules.
What happens to my 401(k) savings if I leave Martin Marietta Materials?
If you leave Martin Marietta Materials, you have several options for your 401(k) savings, including rolling it over to another retirement account, cashing it out, or leaving it in the plan if permitted.
Are there any fees associated with the Martin Marietta Materials 401(k) plan?
Yes, there may be administrative fees associated with the Martin Marietta Materials 401(k) plan, which are disclosed in the plan documents.
For more information you can reach the plan administrator for Martin Marietta Materials at , ; or by calling them at .
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