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6 Retirement Myths Every Vulcan Materials Employee Should Not Fall For!
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Energy market instability persists, with crude prices fluctuating between $50 and $120 per barrel and annualized volatility running around 80%. The effects reach well beyond the energy sector. 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 Vulcan 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 helps ensure that energy market uncertainty does not undermine your long-term retirement and financial goals.
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 Vulcan 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 Vulcan 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 Vulcan 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 Vulcan 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.
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 Vulcan 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 Vulcan 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, Vulcan Materials retirement benefits are not set in stone. They are subject to change. For example, the significant changes made to Vulcan 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: Vulcan Materials stock is a good investment
Something Vulcan 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 Vulcan Materials pension and 401(k) plan (if Vulcan 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 Vulcan 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 Vulcan Materials 401(k) account (If Vulcan 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 Vulcan Materials, you may leave some or all of your savings in your Vulcan 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.
That same shift from growing assets to drawing them down applies directly to the pension decisions in front of you at Vulcan Materials. Vulcan Materials has frozen its defined benefit pension to new accruals, meaning your benefit is based on service and compensation accumulated up to the freeze date - but the value already locked in remains a meaningful asset worth analyzing. If a lump sum option is available, IRS segment rates in effect during the plan's lookback period directly affect the present value calculation; rising rates reduce the lump sum amount, so the rate environment at your retirement date matters. Understanding the annuity equivalent of your frozen benefit and comparing it to a potential lump sum is an important step in sequencing your retirement income from multiple sources.
On the healthcare side, Vulcan Materials provides continued medical coverage to eligible retirees, which can bridge the gap between retirement and Medicare eligibility at age 65 or serve as a supplement to Medicare thereafter. Confirming the service and age requirements for retiree coverage, and understanding your premium contribution, is an important step in building an accurate healthcare cost projection. Coordinating Vulcan Materials's retiree coverage with Medicare Part B and Part D enrollment timing can also reduce duplication and avoid late-enrollment penalties. Connecting your specific Vulcan Materials 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 type of retirement plan does Vulcan Materials offer to its employees?
Vulcan Materials offers a 401(k) Savings Plan to help employees save for retirement.
Does Vulcan Materials provide a company match for contributions made to the 401(k) plan?
Yes, Vulcan Materials provides a company match for employee contributions to the 401(k) plan, subject to specific terms.
What is the minimum age requirement to participate in Vulcan Materials' 401(k) Savings Plan?
Employees must be at least 21 years old to participate in Vulcan Materials' 401(k) Savings Plan.
How can employees enroll in the 401(k) Savings Plan at Vulcan Materials?
Employees can enroll in the 401(k) Savings Plan at Vulcan Materials through the company’s benefits portal or by contacting the HR department.
What are the contribution limits for the Vulcan Materials 401(k) plan?
Contribution limits for the Vulcan Materials 401(k) plan align with IRS regulations, which may change annually.
Can employees of Vulcan Materials take loans against their 401(k) savings?
Yes, Vulcan Materials allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) savings, subject to the plan's terms and conditions.
What investment options are available in Vulcan Materials' 401(k) Savings Plan?
Vulcan Materials offers a variety of investment options within the 401(k) Savings Plan, including mutual funds and target-date funds.
Is there a vesting schedule for the company match in Vulcan Materials' 401(k) plan?
Yes, Vulcan Materials has a vesting schedule for the company match, which outlines when employees fully own the matched contributions.
How often can employees change their contribution amounts to the Vulcan Materials 401(k) plan?
Employees can change their contribution amounts to the Vulcan Materials 401(k) plan at any time, subject to specific deadlines.
What happens to my 401(k) savings if I leave Vulcan Materials?
If you leave Vulcan Materials, you have several options for your 401(k) savings, including rolling it over to another retirement account or cashing it out.
For more information you can reach the plan administrator for Vulcan Materials at , ; or by calling them at .
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