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USG Corporation Employees: Discover the Key Questions to Ask for a Fulfilling Retirement Journey

Eight years ago, in my mid-40s, I attended a dinner party where I witnessed an older man, slightly tipsy from his gin, pose a question to a young girl: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Her response was a gleefully rattled off list: veterinarian, painter, computer programmer. I listened, intrigued, which soon turned into a near-panic realization. She had time to be all those things. However, no one was asking me what I wanted to be at a mature age. More critically, I wasn’t asking myself that question. At USG Corporation, midlife is often not just a reflection but a redirection, sparking new career phases and personal growth.

Midlife is often seen as a 'crisis' time, marked by a U-shaped happiness curve with a dip in middle years. A significant reason for this is a tendency to fall into a vicious circle of complacency, where we lean heavily on our existing skills. We are reassured by our competence yet constrained by our perceived limitations, distributing our time accordingly. This inertia can pose health risks if it leads to prolonged burnout. Conversely, pondering 'What do I want to be?' can foster positive age perceptions and a strong will to live, something USG Corporation professionals understand well, encouraging ongoing learning and adaptation.

This dinner party encounter propelled me into an unexpected six-year journey to become a competitive athlete, something I would never have envisioned. As a skinny, gangly child born a year before Title IX was amended, I always had an instinctive craving for what sports could offer me. Usually picked last for teams and warming the bench, I leaned into what I was praised for—stringing words together—and followed this feedback into a journalism career. I found myself tethered to my keyboard, leading a sedentary life of sitting and screen watching. Meanwhile, athletics took a backseat. Indeed, no one burst with joy when I fumbled on the seventh-grade basketball court, a reminder that we value resilience and the courage to try new roles, regardless of past experiences.

I was advised that by embracing something you enjoyed as a child and were naturally good at, it could become your superpower. Whether true or not, I’d be thrilled to gain an additional 7.5 years of life. This figure comes from Becca Levy, a Yale epidemiology professor who led a pioneering study linking age perception with mortality data. She concluded that individuals with a more positive view of aging lived an average of 7.5 years longer. Central to these positive perceptions was maintaining a 'will to live,' encompassing activities that excite and motivate us—much like the ongoing development opportunities at USG Corporation, where employees are encouraged to engage in activities that fuel their passion and vitality.

After discussing with Levy and reviewing multiple studies from health, cognition, and longevity experts for my book 'Not Too Late: The Power of Pushing Limits at Any Age,' one conclusion was clear: avoiding the skill trap as we age is vital for preserving our sharpness and agility. Chronic exhaustion—like that which comes from tackling tough situations—has been linked to anxiety, depression, and an increased risk of making mistakes. By embracing new or uncomfortable experiences, we stop forcing our brain to operate on autopilot and make challenging choices. For example, always taking the same route, eating at the same restaurants, talking to the same people, or performing the same job in the same way. Routines have their place, but not when they put your life on autopilot, a philosophy well-aligned with USG Corporation’s emphasis on innovation and dynamic career paths.

The Seattle Longitudinal Study, a significant research project running from 1956 to 2012, investigated cognitive development and change through adulthood. Over 6,000 adults, aged 22 to 100, participated, undergoing exercises to assess their cognitive skills. K. Warner Schaie, the lead author, wrote: 'When one stops making decisions, it won't be long before it's hard to make decisions at all. The belief that one can do no more becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.' At USG Corporation, we challenge this notion by fostering an environment where lifelong learning and decision-making are key components of our culture.

Still disoriented the morning after the dinner party, a simple Google search on 'the most challenging activities to do' led me to obstacle course racing (OCR), a demanding sport that combines running with obstacles such as carrying heavy sandbags and navigating ropes and monkey bars. An OCR variant will be featured in the 2028 Olympic Games as part of the modern pentathlon.

OCR was my answer to the old man’s question. Although I was certainly older, 'athlete' was still something I longed to be. Thus, for the past six years, I have trained nearly every day, despite my other responsibilities and professional obligations, to become what I always wished to be as a little girl but never imagined possible. As a competitive athlete, I've participated in over 50 races, won numerous medals in my age group, and competed in two world championships of the Spartan Race.

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When I was younger, there wasn't much to tell me that I could ever develop these skills. However, by tapping into the qualities, experience, and wisdom I now possess as an adult, I finally achieved this. Your ambition might differ, but you can also realize it. The path forward requires a reorganization of time and priorities. Three strategies to consider when embarking on your own quest to escape the skill prison:

Do not impose entry barriers.
Try something you truly enjoy, regardless of whether you think you are skilled at it.
Be willing to appear foolish.

According to research, retirees who regularly ask themselves reflective questions about their life satisfaction tend to experience greater joy. A Harvard University study found that questions like 'What activities bring me joy?' and 'How can I continue to grow and learn?' are crucial for maintaining a fulfilling retirement. Regular self-assessment helps retirees align their activities with their values, enhancing overall well-being.

Explore how embracing new challenges can enhance your retirement years. This article examines how to push boundaries, avoid chronic monotony, and extend your life with expert advice and real-life examples. Keywords: retirement, active aging, mental well-being, overcoming ennui, longevity, new challenges, maintaining activity, positive age perceptions, health benefits, retirement activities.

How does the retirement plan structure at USG Corporation impact both final average earnings participants and cash balance participants, especially regarding their eligibility and benefits accrued over time? In what ways does the differentiation between these two categories influence the retirement outcomes for employees of USG Corporation?

Retirement Plan Structure: USG Corporation's retirement plan differentiates between Final Average Earnings Participants and Cash Balance Participants. Final Average Earnings participants, who joined before January 1, 2011, accrue benefits based on their final average earnings and years of service, which can result in higher benefits for longer-serving employees. Cash Balance participants, who joined after January 1, 2011, have their benefits calculated based on a cash balance account, which grows with contributions and interest credits. These differences affect retirement outcomes, as Final Average Earnings participants may see higher pension payments if they have longer service or higher wages, while Cash Balance participants have more predictable but potentially lower benefits based on their account balance(USG Corporation_Retirem…).

USG Corporation's Retirement Plan allows for different age-specific rules regarding early retirement. How do the "Rule of 90" and "Rule of 82" affect the financial planning of employees considering an early retirement option, and what should they consider regarding their long-term financial security?

Rule of 90 and Rule of 82: The "Rule of 90" allows employees to retire early without a reduction in benefits if their age plus years of service total 90, provided they retire at or after age 62. The "Rule of 82" permits early retirement with reduced benefits for those whose age and years of service total 82. Employees planning early retirement must consider these rules as they directly affect the amount of benefits they receive, making it important to assess how long-term financial security will be impacted, especially if they retire before age 62(USG Corporation_Retirem…).

Could you elaborate on the process through which employees at USG Corporation can change their beneficiaries within the retirement plan? What steps need to be taken, and what are the implications of these changes on the benefits received upon the participant's death?

Changing Beneficiaries: To change beneficiaries, USG Corporation employees must contact Your Benefits Resources™, where they can designate a primary and contingent beneficiary. If married, the spouse must provide notarized consent to name a different primary beneficiary. The process involves completing a form, and any changes affect who receives benefits upon the participant's death. Failing to update the beneficiary could result in benefits being paid to unintended individuals(USG Corporation_Retirem…).

As part of the retirement process at USG Corporation, how are pensionable earnings calculated? What factors are included in this determination, and how might they vary among different employees based on their roles within the organization?

Pensionable Earnings Calculation: Pensionable earnings at USG Corporation include regular pay, shift differentials, and bonuses but exclude items like nonqualified deferred compensation, severance, and stock awards. These earnings are used to calculate benefits based on formulas that take into account an employee’s service years and earnings over the 36 highest consecutive months of the last 15 years of participation(USG Corporation_Retirem…).

How does the automatic enrollment in the USG Corporation Retirement Plan work, and what options do employees have if they initially chose not to participate? What implications might this have for their retirement savings strategy?

Automatic Enrollment and Opting In: Employees at USG Corporation are automatically enrolled in the retirement plan unless they choose to opt out. If employees decide not to participate initially, they can enroll later by contacting Your Benefits Resources™. Failure to participate from the start could result in lower retirement savings due to fewer years of contributions(USG Corporation_Retirem…).

In the context of USG Corporation, what are the potential tax consequences for employees withdrawing their retirement benefits, especially regarding the mandatory withholdings? How might employees effectively manage these tax liabilities when planning for retirement?

Tax Consequences of Withdrawals: Employees withdrawing their retirement benefits from USG Corporation will face mandatory federal income tax withholdings, typically 20% for lump sum distributions, unless the distribution is rolled over into an IRA. Employees must plan for these taxes when withdrawing to avoid unexpected liabilities and ensure they maximize their after-tax retirement income(USG Corporation_Retirem…).

How do employees at USG Corporation access the necessary documents related to their retirement benefits, and what is the process for obtaining copies of these documents if needed? What are the responsibilities of the Plan Administrator in this process?

Accessing Retirement Documents: Employees can access documents related to their retirement benefits through Your Benefits Resources™ online or via phone. If additional copies are needed, employees can request them from the Plan Administrator for a small fee. The Plan Administrator oversees ensuring these documents are provided to participants as required by ERISA(USG Corporation_Retirem…).

What unique provisions exist for USG Corporation employees who experience a break in service? How do these provisions impact their accumulated benefit service and overall benefits upon reemployment?

Break in Service Provisions: USG Corporation allows employees who experience a break in service to retain their accumulated benefits if they are reemployed within one year. If reemployed after one year, their previous service may not count toward future benefits unless they were vested prior to termination. This can affect the total benefits an employee accrues if they leave and later return(USG Corporation_Retirem…).

What options do employees of USG Corporation have for managing their benefits if they return to work after retirement? How does this affect their pension benefits and the overall strategy for maximizing retirement income?

Returning to Work After Retirement: Employees returning to work after retirement at USG Corporation will have their pension payments suspended and recalculated based on additional years of service. This recalculation takes into account prior payments, meaning employees should consider the impact of returning to work on their long-term pension strategy(USG Corporation_Retirem…)(USG Corporation_Retirem…).

How can employees of USG Corporation contact their Benefits Resourcesâ„¢ for more information on their retirement plan options? Are there specific channels preferred for different types of inquiries, and what resources are available to assist them?

Contacting Benefits Resources™: Employees can contact Your Benefits Resources™ via the web or a toll-free number to inquire about retirement plan options. Different inquiries, such as changes to beneficiaries or requesting benefit estimates, can be handled through these channels. Resources such as detailed benefit estimates are available to help employees plan for retirement(USG Corporation_Retirem…).