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Discover 9 Surprising Insights About Social Security for Medical Mutual of Ohio Employees That Could Transform Your Retirement Planning

Social Security’s been a fact of retirement life ever since it was established in 1935. We all think we know how it works, but how much do you really know? If you work for Medical Mutual of Ohio, here are nine things that might surprise you.

The Social Security trust fund is huge. At $2.9 trillion at the end of 2018, it exceeds the gross domestic product (GDP) of every economy in the world except the ten largest: China, the European Union, the United States, India, Japan, Germany, Russia, Indonesia, Brazil, and The United Kingdom.
Most workers including those at Medical Mutual of Ohio are eligible for Social Security benefits, but not all. For example, until 1984, federal government employees were part of the Civil Service Retirement System and were not covered by Social Security.
As an employee of Medical Mutual of Ohiok, you don’t have to work long to be eligible. If you were born in 1929 or later, you need to work for 10 or more years to be eligible for benefits.
Benefits are based on an individual’s average earnings during a lifetime of work under the Social Security system. The calculation is based on the 35 highest years of earnings. If an individual has years of low earnings or no earnings, Social Security may count those years to bring the total years to 35.

Those at Medical Mutual of Ohio may also want to consider how there hasn't always been cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) in Social Security benefits. Before 1975, increasing benefits required an act of Congress; now increases happen automatically, based on the Consumer Price Index. There was a COLA increase of 2.9% in 2019, but there was only an increase of 2% in 2018.
Social Security is a major source of retirement income for 67% of current retirees, including those at Medical Mutual of Ohio.
Social Security benefits are subject to federal income taxes — but it wasn’t always that way. In 1983, Amendments to the Social Security Act made benefits taxable, starting with the 1984 tax year.
Social Security recipients received a single lump-sum payment from 1937 until 1940. One-time payments were considered “payback” to those people who contributed to the program. Social Security administrators believed these people would not participate long enough to be vested for monthly benefits.

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In January 1937, Earnest Ackerman became the first person in the U.S. to receive a Social Security benefit—a lump sum 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

What type of retirement savings plan does Medical Mutual of Ohio offer?

Medical Mutual of Ohio offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan for its employees.

Does Medical Mutual of Ohio match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?

Yes, Medical Mutual of Ohio provides a matching contribution to employee contributions, up to a certain percentage.

What is the eligibility requirement to participate in the Medical Mutual of Ohio 401(k) plan?

Employees of Medical Mutual of Ohio are eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan after completing a specified period of service.

How can employees of Medical Mutual of Ohio enroll in the 401(k) plan?

Employees can enroll in the Medical Mutual of Ohio 401(k) plan through the company's HR portal or by contacting the HR department.

What investment options are available in the Medical Mutual of Ohio 401(k) plan?

The Medical Mutual of Ohio 401(k) plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds and target-date funds.

Can employees of Medical Mutual of Ohio take loans against their 401(k) savings?

Yes, Medical Mutual of Ohio allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) savings, subject to specific terms and conditions.

What is the vesting schedule for employer contributions in the Medical Mutual of Ohio 401(k) plan?

The vesting schedule for employer contributions at Medical Mutual of Ohio is outlined in the plan documents, typically based on years of service.

How often can employees change their contribution amounts in the Medical Mutual of Ohio 401(k) plan?

Employees can change their contribution amounts in the Medical Mutual of Ohio 401(k) plan at designated times throughout the year.

Does Medical Mutual of Ohio offer educational resources for employees regarding their 401(k) plan?

Yes, Medical Mutual of Ohio provides educational resources and tools to help employees understand their 401(k) options and investment choices.

What happens to my 401(k) savings if I leave Medical Mutual of Ohio?

If you leave Medical Mutual of Ohio, you can choose to roll over your 401(k) savings into another qualified retirement account or leave it in the Medical Mutual of Ohio plan, subject to certain conditions.