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CHS Employees: Discover Smart Strategies to Activate Your Retirement Savings Today!

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In the world of personal finance, having a prosperous retirement depends on managing your money well. 'Lazy money' is the term used to describe retirement funds that are not actively producing returns. Such idle funds include, for example, cash that sits in low-interest savings accounts that earn very little return. While having a safety net for finances is typical, taking too cautious of a course could prevent you from building wealth and even reduce your purchasing power if inflation takes hold.


It's important to know the difference between investing and saving. Saving is the act of reserving money that has been earned but has not yet been spent in order to maintain financial stability. However, the potential growth of these assets may be restricted if one simply saves without diversifying their financial portfolio. For CHS employees, investing entails using your resources to purchase assets that may increase in value over time, such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and securities. Investing is necessary for accumulating wealth even though it increases risk due to market volatility.

Understanding your retirement needs and coming up with a plan to make sure you have enough money to maintain your lifestyle after retirement are the first steps in creating a well-structured financial plan. Increasing your contributions to employer-sponsored plans, such as a 401(k), can help you save more for retirement. CHS typically matches contributions up to a certain amount, so you're essentially getting free money for your future.

To increase retirement savings or for people without a 401(k), an individual retirement account (IRA) should be opened. A variety of financial institutions, such as mutual fund companies, banks, credit unions, and brokerage firms, offer IRA establishment services. CHS employees can maximize their retirement savings by contributing to both their employer's plan and their own personal IRA, which can be either a standard or Roth IRA.

Furthermore, there are strategic benefits to paying down debt with extra money. Paying off debt lowers interest costs and raises your credit score, giving you more money to build up your retirement savings.


Another essential step in making your money work for you is investing. CHS employees have available options such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), annuities, real estate, cash value life insurance, and even cryptocurrency. All investments, though, come with some inherent risk. It's crucial to speak with a financial advisor to ascertain your risk tolerance and the best investing methods, especially when your goals and financial status change over time.

'Safe money' solutions that generate higher returns than standard bank accounts are worth looking into for more cautious investors or those who are worried about market volatility. These choices include principal-protected notes, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, fixed index annuities, multi-year guaranteed annuities, and indexed universal life insurance. CHS employees will find these products have little to no market risk because they are frequently insured and offer varying degrees of liquidity.

Once you have determined your level of risk tolerance, you must build and diversify your investing portfolio. In order to reduce risks and optimize returns, a diverse portfolio might be helpful. Before making any investing decisions, it is advisable to speak with a financial advisor to make sure your portfolio fits your risk tolerance and financial objectives.

Proactive financial management is essential for financial success. Depending on the state of the economy, letting your money get 'lazy' might have serious consequences for you in addition to making it more difficult for you to reach your financial objectives. It is wise for CHS employees to use whatever money that remains after taking care of urgent financial needs and setting up an emergency fund to promote financial development and increase your level of economic independence.

To put it briefly, the secret to improving your financial health and creating a safe and enjoyable retirement is to turn your 'lazy money' into active, working capital.

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The significance of healthcare planning in retirement investing strategies has been underscored by recent studies, particularly in view of the considerable predicted increase in healthcare costs. A couple planning to retire in 2021 at age 65 can anticipate spending around $300,000 on healthcare during the course of their retirement, based on Fidelity's yearly estimate (Fidelity, 2021). This emphasizes how important it is for CHS retirees to think of health savings accounts (HSAs) as a worthwhile investment choice. In addition to providing tax benefits, health savings accounts (HSAs) can be invested in a range of assets, allowing them to grow tax-free and increasing the amount of money available for future medical expenses.

Invest your idle money to get the most out of your retirement funds. Discover the distinction between investing and saving, as well as methods for increasing your wealth through IRAs, diversified portfolios, and responsible debt management. Examine secure investment choices that yield larger returns than bank accounts, such as structured notes and annuities. Get professional guidance on creating a solid investment plan that may change with your requirements to shield your financial future. Ideal for CHS employees who have retired or are about to retire and want to live comfortably and financially free.

Imagine your retirement assets as a group of seasoned sportsmen getting ready for a big-league baseball game. Your retirement savings need a planned and varied investment plan to reach their full potential, just as athletes need a demanding and varied training schedule to perform at their best. Putting your money in a low-interest savings account is like watching an athlete play the game from the sidelines; it's safe, but it doesn't help them win. As you get closer to and enjoy retirement, you can make sure that every dollar is working for you by actively managing your investments through IRAs, stocks, bonds, and other vehicles.

What are the specific criteria that determine eligibility for the various contributions within the CHS 401(k) plan, and how do these contributions affect an employee’s retirement savings over time at CHS? Understanding these criteria can help employees maximize their contributions to ensure they are making the most of the benefits offered by CHS.

Eligibility for 401(k) Contributions: CHS employees can contribute up to 75% of their eligible compensation to their 401(k), with an IRS limit of $18,000 (in 2017) plus an additional $6,000 for those aged 50 and older. CHS also provides a basic contribution of 2% and a performance-based contribution, which increases based on years of service​(CHS_12_31_2017_Retireme…). Understanding these contributions can help maximize retirement savings.

How does the CHS Pension Plan work, particularly regarding the differences between the traditional account and the cash balance account? Employees might want to delve into how their choices and years of service will impact their retirement payout from either account.

CHS Pension Plan Structure: CHS offers a pension plan with both traditional and cash balance accounts. The traditional account is based on average pay and years of service, while the cash balance account accrues pay credits based on service. After December 31, 2017, pay credits ceased, but interest credits continue​(CHS_12_31_2017_Retireme…). Employees should understand how these accounts affect their retirement benefits.

In what ways does the vesting schedule of CHS employer contributions influence an employee's retirement strategy? Employees at CHS need to understand how vesting affects their overall benefits and what steps they must take to ensure they are fully vested in time for retirement.

Vesting Schedule Impact: CHS has a three-year vesting schedule for its basic 401(k) contributions, while match and performance-based contributions are immediately vested​(CHS_12_31_2017_Retireme…). Knowing the vesting rules is crucial for employees planning their retirement strategy, ensuring full benefits are realized.

Can you explain what "frozen" benefits mean for employees nearing retirement at CHS, and how this affects the calculations of future pension benefits? It's critical for employees to grasp the implications of a frozen pension account on their retirement plans.

Frozen Benefits: CHS employees with frozen benefits in the pension plan will not receive further pay credits after December 31, 2017, but interest credits will continue​(CHS_12_31_2017_Retireme…). Understanding this freeze is essential for planning retirement payouts.

How can employees at CHS plan for their retirement withdrawals post-employment, particularly focusing on the pension distribution options that are available to them? Employees may find it beneficial to understand the long-term effects of these options on their financial health during retirement.

Retirement Withdrawals: CHS employees have the option to withdraw retirement savings via lump-sum payments or monthly annuities​(CHS_12_31_2017_Retireme…). Choosing the right distribution option can significantly impact long-term financial health in retirement.

What actions should employees take if they want to change their contribution elections or investment strategies within CHS retirement plans? Knowledge of the processes for making changes can empower employees to take proactive steps in managing their retirement savings.

Changing Contribution Elections: Employees can change their contribution and investment elections online via the Empower Retirement portal or by calling Empower Retirement​(CHS_12_31_2017_Retireme…). This flexibility allows for proactive management of retirement savings.

How does the ability to access and review pension benefits online through the Empower Retirement website enhance the retirement planning process for employees at CHS? This question can lead to discussions about the importance of staying informed about one's financial future.

Access to Pension Benefits Online: Employees can access their pension benefits through Empower Retirement’s website​(CHS_12_31_2017_Retireme…). Regularly reviewing these accounts is crucial for staying informed about retirement planning.

What are the implications for CHS employees who are not 100% vested in the Pension Plan before the freeze date, and what alternative options do they have for their retirement savings? Understanding this will help employees make informed choices regarding their benefits.

Not Fully Vested Before Freeze: If employees were not fully vested in the pension plan before the freeze date, they are still eligible to receive vested benefits​(CHS_12_31_2017_Retireme…). Exploring alternative retirement savings options is important for those affected.

How do fluctuations in national interest rates impact the retirement plans of employees at CHS, particularly in the context of cash balance accounts? Employees should consider how external economic factors can affect their financial future.

Interest Rate Impact: The interest rate used to calculate cash balance account credits is the 10-year Treasury constant maturity rate plus 2%. These rates fluctuate annually​(CHS_12_31_2017_Retireme…). Employees should be aware of how changes in interest rates affect their pension growth.

How should employees contact CHS for more information regarding their retirement benefits, and what resources are particularly useful for navigating the complexities of the pension and 401(k) plans? Contacting the right departments or utilizing specific resources can be crucial for maximizing retirement benefits at CHS. These questions are designed to provide depth and complexity, enabling employees to better understand their retirement benefits and the policies at CHS.

Contacting CHS for Retirement Information: Employees can contact Empower Retirement for pension and 401(k) inquiries via the Empower Retirement website or by phone​(CHS_12_31_2017_Retireme…). Utilizing these resources can help navigate complex retirement options.

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For more information you can reach the plan administrator for CHS at 5500 Cenex Dr Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077; or by calling them at (651) 355-6000.

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