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Granite Construction Employees: Navigating the Rising Costs of College Tuition for Your Family

Healthcare Provider Update: Offers PPO and HSA-compatible medical plans through Anthem Blue Cross, with employees paying only 19% of healthcare costswell below industry average 1. As ACA premiums rise and subsidies expire, Granites low employee cost share and HSA contributions provide a strong alternative to increasingly expensive marketplace plans. Click here to learn more

It doesn’t take a degree in finance to see the cost of college continues to rise.

In its 2017 report, the College Board showed that public four-year institutions raised prices an average of 3.2% annually between the 2007-08 and 2017-18 school years. Put another way, a $5,000 education in 2007-08 would cost $6,851 in 2017-18.

For a few families, the lion’s share of education costs falls on parents and, in some cases, on grandparents. For our Granite Construction clients who are parents you may already know, generally, the majority of families rely on a combination of scholarships, grants, financial aid, part-time jobs, and parent support to help pay the cost.

For Granite Construction employees who have children approaching college age, a good first step is estimating the potential costs. The accompanying worksheet can help you get a better idea about the cost of a four-year college.

For Granite Construction employees who already put money away for college, the worksheet will take that amount into consideration. For Granite Construction employees who haven’t, it’s never too late to start.

Resources

There are a number of resources that can help individuals prepare for college. The U.S. government distributes certain information on colleges and costs. Here are two sites for these Granite Construction employees to consider reviewing:

www.studentaid.ed.gov
The government’s college and financial aid portal.

Featured Video

Articles you may find interesting:

www.collegeboard.org
The group that administers the SAT test.

Estimating the Cost of College

Estimating the Cost of College

What type of retirement savings plan does Granite Construction offer to its employees?

Granite Construction offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan to help employees save for their future.

How can Granite Construction employees enroll in the 401(k) plan?

Granite Construction employees can enroll in the 401(k) plan through the company's HR portal or by contacting the HR department for assistance.

Does Granite Construction match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?

Yes, Granite Construction provides a matching contribution to employee 401(k) accounts, subject to certain limits.

What is the maximum contribution limit for the Granite Construction 401(k) plan?

The maximum contribution limit for the Granite Construction 401(k) plan is in line with IRS regulations, which can change annually. Employees should check the latest limits for the current year.

Can Granite Construction employees take loans against their 401(k) savings?

Yes, Granite Construction allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) savings, subject to the plan's terms and conditions.

What investment options are available in the Granite Construction 401(k) plan?

The Granite Construction 401(k) plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, target-date funds, and other investment vehicles.

How often can Granite Construction employees change their 401(k) contribution amounts?

Granite Construction employees can change their 401(k) contribution amounts at any time, typically during open enrollment or through the HR portal.

Is there a vesting schedule for Granite Construction's 401(k) matching contributions?

Yes, Granite Construction has a vesting schedule for its matching contributions, which means employees must work for the company for a certain period before they fully own those contributions.

What happens to Granite Construction employees' 401(k) accounts if they leave the company?

If Granite Construction employees leave the company, they can choose to roll over their 401(k) funds to another retirement account, cash out, or leave the funds in the Granite Construction plan, subject to plan rules.

Are there any fees associated with the Granite Construction 401(k) plan?

Yes, there may be administrative and investment fees associated with the Granite Construction 401(k) plan. Employees should review the plan documents for specific details.

With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.

Granite Construction provides a comprehensive retirement benefits package, which includes the Granite Construction Profit Sharing and 401(k) Plan. This plan is a defined contribution plan, where employees can voluntarily contribute a portion of their pre-tax earnings towards their retirement. Granite Construction offers a 401(k) matching contribution that is 100% of employee contributions up to 6% of compensation, with employees becoming eligible for this match after six months of service (JobzMall) (SEC.gov). In addition to the 401(k) plan, Granite Construction offers a Profit Sharing Plan, which is tied to company profits. The profit-sharing contributions are discretionary and vary depending on the company's earnings (SimpleQDRO). Employees who work for Granite Construction for 10 years or more may also qualify for a pension plan, which complements their retirement savings (JobzMall). Furthermore, Granite Construction provides an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), where the company contributes newly issued stock or cash that is used to purchase shares for the employees. This further enhances the retirement benefits available to employees

Restructuring Layoffs: Granite Construction has undergone a significant restructuring effort across its operations throughout 2023-2024. The company reported adjusting its leadership and operational segments to align with market trends, which resulted in notable workforce reductions and asset divestitures (World Construction Network). The adjustments have been positioned as necessary to navigate economic pressures, supply chain disruptions, and increased labor costs. This news is crucial due to the current economic climate, as companies in the construction sector are especially vulnerable to market volatility and regulatory changes. Addressing these layoffs is vital to understanding the broader trends in construction employment and their ripple effects on communities and the economy.

Granite Construction offers stock options and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) under their 2012 and 2021 Equity Incentive Plans. These stock options are performance-based and are made available to employees as part of their compensation packages. Granite (GVA) employees are eligible to participate in the company's equity awards based on their role and performance, which align with the company’s strategic financial and non-financial goals (Last10K) (SEC.gov). Stock options and RSUs at Granite Construction are available to both managerial and supervisory personnel, aiming to enhance retention and reward significant contributors to the company's success (SEC.gov) (SEC.gov). In 2022, 2023, and 2024, Granite Construction (GVA) continued offering RSUs and stock options as part of its performance-based incentive structure. These RSUs vest over a defined period, typically contingent on meeting certain performance criteria or service durations (SEC.gov). Eligible employees include salaried personnel, primarily those in management roles across the company’s diverse sectors (Granite Construction). The incentive programs are designed to align employee interests with shareholders, promoting long-term growth and value creation

Medical Plans: Granite Construction offers comprehensive healthcare benefits, including options like PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) and HSA (Health Savings Account) plans. Anthem Blue Cross is a major provider for Granite's medical coverage, offering various plan structures such as HSA plans with high deductibles (e.g., $3,000 deductible). Employees typically have access to preventive care, primary care, and specialist visits with coverage based on plan selection. Acronyms and Healthcare-Related Terms: PPO (Preferred Provider Organization): Employees can choose providers within a network for lower out-of-pocket costs. HSA (Health Savings Account): Employees may contribute pre-tax dollars to an account for healthcare expenses. COBRA: Coverage continuation for employees after employment termination or certain life events. Open Enrollment: The annual period where employees can select or change their benefit elections. Recent Employee Healthcare News: Granite Construction has updated its benefit offerings to comply with federal healthcare reform laws, including the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In 2023 and 2024, employees have been encouraged to use online benefits platforms like Workday for enrollment. 100% company-paid health insurance for some employee categories continues to be a key benefit, particularly for those enrolled in high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) that integrate with HSAs.

Additional Articles

Check Out Articles for Granite Construction employees

For more information you can reach the plan administrator for Granite Construction at , ; or by calling them at .

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