This is an excellent chance to find individual satisfaction in retirement for Ohio National Mutual employees if they learn to balance their wishes, family needs, and the desire to leave a legacy in the right way.
'As Ohio National Mutual employees approach retirement, it is important to take time to consider what is most important to you in your personal life and in your legacy, and this can make retirement a journey of meaning and enrichment for which financial planning is a key enabler.'
Three main points of the article are described below:
1. Defining Your Retirement Goals – How to Identify an Active Role in Defining Personal and Financial Objectives for a Fulfilling Retirement.
2. Managing Finances and Lifestyle Choices – The use of budgeting, downsizing and other financial decisions that support the long term retirement plans.
3. Creating a Meaningful Retirement Experience – How personal growth, relationships and legacy planning can improve the quality of retirement.
What do you picture in your future?
Some people intend to retire and start a new profession. Some intend to travel. Others want to spend more time with their families and friends. Hence, there are few factors to consider.
What are your must-do list in retirement?
In retirement, if you could only achieve four or five things, what would they be? This may help you create a list of your life goals. While some of these goals may have nothing to do with money, the financial decisions you make may be crucial to achieving them.
What would revitalize you?
Some retirees have no particular objectives. After a period of weeks or months of rest, ambition may return. They begin to consider the pursuits and excursions that could make these years memorable. Some people have known for decades which ambitions they will pursue, but when the time comes, those dreams may take a different path than anticipated or even be replaced by new ones.
Leisure is the most valuable asset in retirement. With more free time and opportunities for introspection, you may discover that your old aspirations have been replaced by new ones.
Who you should spend your time with?
This is another important decision you must make in retirement. The quick response for many retirees to this query would be: Today, there are nuclear families, blended families, and extended families; some individuals consider their friends or coworkers to be family.
How much do you anticipate spending?
We cannot manage all retirement expenses, but we can control a portion of them. You may have considered downsizing your residence at some point. A potential benefit of downsizing is that it may result in no mortgage or a mortgage payment that is more manageable.
Is it possible to leave a legacy?
Many of us would like to give our children or grandchildren a decent start in life, but leaving an inheritance is often more difficult than many people believe. Tax laws are in a constant state of flux and strategies that were effective years ago may have diminished utility today.
It is recommended that this article only be used for informational purposes and not for any form of decision making; therefore, if you want to change any part of your overall estate plan, you should seek the counsel of a tax or legal professional.
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- Stages of Retirement for Corporate Employees
- 7 Things to Consider Before Leaving Your Company
- How Are Workers Impacted by Inflation & Rising Interest Rates?
- Lump-Sum vs Annuity and Rising Interest Rates
- Internal Revenue Code Section 409A (Governing Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans)
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How are you preparing for retirement?
This is the most significant topic. If you sense the need to prepare more for the future or reevaluate your current strategy in light of recent changes in your life, a retirement-savvy financial professional may be able to offer guidance.
It is from sources which are expected to provide accurate information. This material is not intended to serve as tax or legal advice. It is prohibited from being used to evade federal tax penalties. Please seek the advice of a legal or tax professional for information related to your specific situation. This content was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a potentially interesting topic. The named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm is not affiliated with FMG Suite. The opinions expressed and materials provided are for informational purposes only; they should not be construed as an offer to buy or sell any security. Copyright FMG Suite.
Did you know that retirement can also be viewed as a way of learning about oneself and finding out who one is? Although this view was not described in the article, it may be interesting for Ohio National Mutual employees who are planning on retiring. When you think about the future, you might want to make new friends, learn new skills, or contribute to the community in some way that is important to you. Retirement is a time of leisure, which gives one a chance to discover new and interesting aspects of oneself. Retirement: A Time to Discover and Develop New Aspects of the Self for a More Fulfilling Life. (Source: American Psychological Association, 'Retiring Minds Want to Know,' February 2018)
Analogy:
When it comes to retirement, the view from your eyes, Ohio National Mutual employees, is a fresh one. Looking at retirement, you are like an artist who is about to start painting on a clean canvas. Imagine yourself as a painter, and you are standing in front of an endless void. Retirement gives you the chance to pick up the paintbrush and paint the picture you want to paint. Every choice is deliberate, whether it is attaining important goals, finding relaxation through new interests, spending time with loved ones, managing your resources, leaving a legacy, or growing as a person. Just as a painter uses colours, techniques, and brushstrokes to bring their vision to life, you can use your retirement journey as a way to intentionally design your life. Begin the retirement canvas with creativity, imagination, and the ability to produce a truly remarkable work of this chapter in your life.
Sources:
1. Helhoski, Anna. 'Retirement Planning: A 5-Step Guide for 2025.' NerdWallet , January 2025, www.nerdwallet.com/article/retirement/retirement-planning-guide .
2. Whitney, Roger. 'Retirement Planning Is More Than Financial Planning.' Forbes , December 2023, www.forbes.com/advisor/retirement/retirement-planning-more-than-financial/ .
3. 'Retirement 101: A Beginner's Guide to Retirement.' Trinity College , 2024, www.trincoll.edu/retirement-planning-guide .
4. 'Survey Reveals Growing Importance of Financial Planning for Retirement.' T. Rowe Price , January 2024, www.troweprice.com/retirement-planning-survey-2024 .
5. Whitney, Roger. 'The Most Important Rules For Retirement Planning? Yours!' Forbes , March 2024, www.forbes.com/advisor/retirement/the-most-important-rules-for-retirement-planning-yours/ .
What retirement plan options does Ohio State offer its employees, and how do these plans compare in terms of contribution rates and employer matching? Understanding the distinctions between the ARP Defined Contribution and OPERS Traditional Pension Plan is important for making informed retirement choices.
Retirement Plan Options: Ohio State offers several retirement plan options, including the ARP Defined Contribution, OPERS Member-Directed, OPERS Traditional Pension (Defined Benefit), and OPERS Combined Plan (Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution). Employees contribute 10% of their eligible compensation to these plans, and Ohio State contributes 14%. In the ARP, employees manage their investments, while OPERS plans involve a mixture of defined benefit formulas and employee contributions(Ohio State_Retirement P…).
How does the vesting schedule work for contributions made to the various retirement plans at Ohio State? Employees should have a clear understanding of when they become fully vested in employer contributions and how this affects their retirement benefits.
Vesting Schedule: For the ARP plan, both employee and university contributions are immediately vested. In the OPERS Member-Directed plan, employee contributions are immediately vested, but university contributions are vested over five years. For the OPERS Traditional Pension and Combined plans, vesting occurs in stages: employees become 33% vested after 5 years and 67% vested after 10 years(Ohio State_Retirement P…).
In what ways can Ohio State employees manage their retirement accounts following termination or retirement, including options for lump-sum distributions or rolling funds into other retirement vehicles? Exploring these options can help employees better plan their financial future post-employment.
Account Management Post-Employment: Upon termination or retirement, employees can either leave their balance with the provider, roll it over into another qualified account, or withdraw funds as lump sums, fixed-period payments, or annuities. OPERS also offers joint or multiple life annuities(Ohio State_Retirement P…).
Can you elaborate on the investment choices available under the Ohio State ARP Defined Contribution plan, and how does the investment risk differ from that of the OPERS plans? It’s essential to assess how employees can maximize their retirement savings through sound investment strategies.
Investment Choices and Risk: In the ARP Defined Contribution and OPERS Member-Directed plans, employees choose from various investment options, bearing all the associated risks and fees. In contrast, OPERS manages the assets in the Traditional Pension and the DB portion of the Combined Plan, so employees assume no investment risk(Ohio State_Retirement P…).
What criteria must be met for employees at Ohio State to qualify for disability benefits under the pension plans, and how are these benefits structured? Understanding the nuances of these benefits can be crucial for staff planning for unforeseen events.
Disability Benefits: Employees can qualify for disability benefits under OPERS after five years of service. Benefits are calculated based on service credits in the Traditional Pension and Combined Plans. The ARP plan offers no additional disability benefits beyond the vested account balance(Ohio State_Retirement P…).
How does the interaction between Ohio State's retirement plans affect employees' eligibility for Social Security benefits, and what considerations should be taken into account? This is a significant aspect that can influence long-term retirement planning.
Interaction with Social Security: Participation in Ohio State's retirement plans may reduce Social Security benefits for eligible employees due to offset provisions. This can impact long-term retirement planning, so employees should consider this when making decisions(Ohio State_Retirement P…).
What are the tax implications of withdrawing funds from Ohio State's retirement plans, and how can employees effectively plan for these taxes? Insights into the tax-deferred nature of contributions can aid in financial decision-making.
Tax Implications: Contributions to Ohio State’s retirement plans are made on a pre-tax basis, meaning federal and state taxes are deferred until the time of withdrawal. Early withdrawals (before age 59½) may incur additional tax penalties(Ohio State_Retirement P…).
Are there any additional benefits or programs available to employees through Ohio State that can complement retirement savings, such as health care benefits after retirement? These additional offerings can significantly enhance overall retirement security.
Additional Benefits: Ohio State provides health care, disability, and survivor benefits to employees enrolled in the OPERS Traditional Pension and Combined Plans. Access to a Retiree Medical Account for healthcare expenses is available in some plans(Ohio State_Retirement P…).
How can Ohio State employees get in touch with the Human Resources department to learn more about retirement plan options, contribution limits, and other benefits? It's crucial for employees to know the right channels to obtain help regarding their retirement planning.
Human Resources Contact: Employees can contact the Office of Human Resources or their selected ARP provider for more information on retirement plan options, contribution limits, and other benefits. Ohio State also provides resources on its HR website(Ohio State_Retirement P…).
What changes, if any, are expected in Ohio State's retirement plans for the upcoming year, especially concerning contribution limits and other regulatory adjustments? Staying informed about potential changes can help employees proactively adjust their retirement savings strategies. These questions aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of retirement plans and associated benefits at Ohio State, facilitating employee engagement and informed decision-making.
Expected Plan Changes: Any changes to contribution limits or plan adjustments will likely be communicated through Ohio State’s HR department. It's essential for employees to stay updated through official HR channels to proactively adjust their retirement strategies(Ohio State_Retirement P…).