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Discover 9 Surprising Insights About Social Security for Vista Outdoor Employees That Could Transform Your Retirement Planning

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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 Vista Outdoor, 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 Vista Outdoor 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 Vista Outdoork, 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 Vista Outdoor 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 Vista Outdoor.
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 is the 401(k) plan offered by Vista Outdoor?

The 401(k) plan at Vista Outdoor is a retirement savings plan that allows employees to save a portion of their salary on a tax-deferred basis.

How does Vista Outdoor match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?

Vista Outdoor offers a matching contribution to the 401(k) plan, which means that for every dollar an employee contributes, the company will match a certain percentage, up to a specified limit.

When can employees at Vista Outdoor enroll in the 401(k) plan?

Employees at Vista Outdoor can enroll in the 401(k) plan during their initial onboarding period or during the annual open enrollment period.

What types of investment options are available in Vista Outdoor's 401(k) plan?

Vista Outdoor's 401(k) plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, target-date funds, and company stock, allowing employees to choose based on their risk tolerance.

Is there a vesting schedule for the employer match in Vista Outdoor's 401(k) plan?

Yes, Vista Outdoor 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 contributions.

Can employees take loans against their 401(k) at Vista Outdoor?

Yes, Vista Outdoor allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) balance, subject to specific terms and conditions outlined in the plan.

What happens to my 401(k) if I leave Vista Outdoor?

If you leave Vista Outdoor, you have several options for your 401(k), including rolling it over into an IRA, transferring it to a new employer's plan, or cashing it out, keeping in mind the tax implications.

How often can employees change their contribution amounts to the Vista Outdoor 401(k) plan?

Employees at Vista Outdoor can change their contribution amounts at any time, subject to the plan's guidelines, typically during open enrollment or through specific requests.

Does Vista Outdoor provide financial education or resources for employees regarding the 401(k) plan?

Yes, Vista Outdoor offers financial education resources, including workshops and access to financial advisors, to help employees make informed decisions about their 401(k) plan.

Is there an automatic enrollment feature in Vista Outdoor's 401(k) plan?

Yes, Vista Outdoor may offer an automatic enrollment feature, where new employees are automatically enrolled in the 401(k) plan unless they choose to opt out.