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Are Surgery Partners Employees Consistently Making These 401(k) Mistakes?

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This paper is for Surgery Partners employees who will have to know the basics of their 401(k) plans, including the role of the company's contributions and the way the assets are invested in order to understand the basics of the retirement planning process.'

'['Free' means that, as a Surgery Partners employee, you can optimize your retirement savings and, thus, your future financial independence by frequently checking and changing your 401(k) contributions, as well as by consulting for a Roth 401(k)].

In this article, we will discuss:

1. How to increase your chances of retirement savings by taking advantage of employer contributions.

2. What are the conditions under which you own the company contributions? Do not miss the money! A simple guide to the basics of stock investing within your 401(k) plan.

3. It is not intended to be an exhaustive treatment of the subject, but rather a general introduction that will help you understand the basics and consider whether or not to participate.

In a time of increasing financial complexity, it is essential to know how to make the most out of your savings, especially when you are planning for your retirement. The 401k plan has been and will be one of the best ways to build wealth over the long term. However, as with any instrument, its effectiveness depends on the user’s understanding of its capabilities and potential risks.

Harnessing Matching Contributions:

Most of the Surgery Partners companies provide for matching schemes under which they pay for a certain percentage of the amount an employee places into a 401k. On average, companies match 4.5% of employee contributions, as per Vanguard’s annual report. Although this percentage may not be very high, it can amount to a lot of money over the years. When you include the interest that is charged on the account, this can make for a good retirement portfolio.

Vesting Requirements - Patience Pays:

Vesting refers to the conditions under which an employee is entitled to the company contributions to a 401(k) plan. Two main types are:

Cliff Vesting: Contributions are fully vested at the end of the set period, which is usually three years.

Graded Vesting: The employer’s contributions become vested at 20% annually from the second year and at 100% by the end of the sixth year.

Thus, if you change jobs before your contributions become vested, you will deny yourself access to the money. So, it is important to know your company’s vesting policy.

The Risk of Company Stock:

While it may be tempting to invest in your company’s stock, it’s wise to limit such investments to 5-10% of your total 401(k) assets. This is because too much money is at risk in the event the company is not doing well.

The Dual-Edge of Stock Investments:

Equities, or stocks, shouldn’t be avoided entirely. Although they are risky, very conservative products may not perform well versus inflation, and, thus, reduce your buying power in the future. This is where balanced equity investments come in to help with this.

Sources:

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Articles you may find interesting:

1. Internal Revenue Service (IRS). 'Matching Contributions Help You Save More for Retirement.' IRS, https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/matching-contributions-help-you-save-more-for-retirement . Accessed 17 Feb. 2025.

2. Internal Revenue Service (IRS). 'Retirement Topics - Vesting.' IRS, https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-vesting . Accessed 17 Feb. 2025.

3. Empower. 'What is 401(k) Matching & How Does It Work?' Empower, https://www.empower.com/the-currency/work/how-does-401k-matching-work . Accessed 17 Feb. 2025.

4 Investopedia. '401(k) Vesting Rules.' Investopedia, https://www.investopedia.com/401-k-vesting-rules-5323652 . Accessed 17 Feb. 2025.

5. National Council on Aging (NCOA). 'Leverage Employer Matching Contributions to Your 401(k).' NCOA, https://www.ncoa.org/article/matching-contributions-101-how-to-maximize-your-retirement-savings-now . Accessed 17 Feb. 2025.

What type of retirement savings plan does Surgery Partners offer to its employees?

Surgery Partners offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan to its employees.

Does Surgery Partners match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?

Yes, Surgery Partners provides a matching contribution to employee contributions made to the 401(k) plan, subject to certain limits.

What is the eligibility requirement to participate in the Surgery Partners 401(k) plan?

Employees of Surgery Partners are generally eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan after completing a specified period of service, typically 30 days.

Can employees of Surgery Partners choose how their 401(k) contributions are invested?

Yes, employees at Surgery Partners can choose from a variety of investment options for their 401(k) contributions.

How much can employees contribute to the Surgery Partners 401(k) plan each year?

Employees can contribute up to the IRS annual limit for 401(k) contributions, which is adjusted periodically. For 2023, the limit is $22,500, with an additional catch-up contribution for those aged 50 and older.

When can employees of Surgery Partners start withdrawing from their 401(k) accounts?

Employees can typically begin withdrawing from their Surgery Partners 401(k) accounts at age 59½ without penalties, subject to plan rules.

Does Surgery Partners allow for loans against the 401(k) plan?

Yes, Surgery Partners 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) balance if I leave Surgery Partners?

If you leave Surgery Partners, you can choose to roll over your 401(k) balance to another retirement account, leave it in the Surgery Partners plan, or cash it out, though cashing out may incur taxes and penalties.

Is there a vesting schedule for the Surgery Partners 401(k) matching contributions?

Yes, Surgery Partners has a vesting schedule for matching contributions, meaning employees must work for a certain period before they fully own the matched funds.

How can employees at Surgery Partners access their 401(k) account information?

Employees can access their Surgery Partners 401(k) account information through the plan’s online portal or by contacting the plan administrator.