Keith's Note: "Pantex employees and retirees, understanding how your 401(k) and Enhanced Defined Contribution (EDC) plans work is key to building your Real Wealth. This guide will help you navigate contributions, company matching, and vesting so you can make the most of your retirement savings." - Keith Demetriades, CFP®, CKA® | Financial Advisor Specializing in Pantex Retirees.
The Overall Pantex Retirement Saving Structure Encompasses Three Main Plans:
- The Consolidated Nuclear Security, 401(k) Plan for Non-Bargaining Pantex Location Employees (Pantex Non-Bargaining Plan)
- The Consolidated Nuclear Security, 401(k) Plan for Bargaining Pantex Location Employees (Pantex Bargaining Plan)
- The Savings Program for Employees of Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC at the U.S. Department of Energy Facilities at Oak Ridge, Tennessee (Y-12 Plan)
Eligibility
General Eligibility: Bargaining unit and non-bargaining employees at the Pantex and Y-12 locations are eligible to participate.
Ineligible Individuals include:
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Leased Employees.
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Ad Hoc Employees.
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Employees not receiving wages from the company.
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Nonresident aliens receiving no earned income from the Company that constitutes earned income from sources within the United States.
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Employees who have entered into an agreement waiving participation.
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Interns and co-op students at the Pantex location.
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Enrollment
Enrollment is generally voluntary and may occur at any time after the date of hire.
Automatic Enrollment Provisions:
Some Pantex Guards Union (PGU) employees hired on or after April 1, 2008 are automatically enrolled at a 3% pre-tax contribution rate.
This enrollment can be changed or declined by contacting Voya Financial within 30 days of the hire date.
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These PGU employees are also automatically enrolled in the Annual Increase Plan, which increases the contribution by 1% annually (starting after one full year of service on April 1st, 2008) until reaching 10%, unless declined or modified.
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Newly hired Y-12 Employees covered by the International Guards Union of America (IGUA) collective bargaining agreement are automatically enrolled in the Y-12 Plan at a 2% pre-tax contribution rate.
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This enrollment can be changed or declined by contacting Voya Financial within 45 days of the hire date.
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Employee Contributions
You can contribute from your Eligible Earnings in the following ways:
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Before-tax contributions.
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Roth (after-tax) contributions.
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Regular after-tax contributions (only available for Y-12).
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Rollover contributions.
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Contribution Limits and Maximums
Federal tax laws limit the amount of Eligible Earnings counted for plan purposes, and the IRS annually adjusts the limit on total combined before-tax and Roth contributions to all employer plans.
Pantex Employees may contribute up to 50% of Eligible Earnings.
Y-12 Employees may contribute up to 75% of Eligible Earnings
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Highly compensated employees may contribute up to 16% of Eligible Earnings.
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All contributions must be made in 1% increments.
Employees aged 50 or older by the end of the calendar year can make additional "catch-up contributions" (before-tax or Roth).
Excess Contributions (Pantex): If a Pantex Employee reaches the annual before-tax/Roth limit, contributions are automatically stopped, but employer matching contributions continue as if the employee's contributions had continued.
Company Contributions
The Company provides contributions through matching and Enhanced Defined Contributions (EDC).
Company Matching Contributions (Varies by Employee Group):
4% Maximum Match (at 6% contribution): Applicable groups receive 100% match on the first 2% + 50% match on the next 4% of Eligible Earnings:
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Pantex Non-Bargaining Employees (excluding Protective Force Officers).
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Y-12 Non-Bargaining and Fire Captains and Lieutenants employees.
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Atomic Trades and Labor Council and United Steel Workers employees.
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Metal Trades Council employees hired on or after 1/1/2016.
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5% Maximum Match (at 8% contribution): MTC Employees hired before 1/1/2016 receive 62.5% of the first 8% of Eligible Earnings.
10% Maximum Match (at 10% contribution): Pantex Protective Force Officers/PGU Employees who opted out of the Pension Plan or were hired on or after 3/18/2002 receive 100% of the first 10% of Eligible Earnings.
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International Guards Union of America Central Alarm/Training/Beta 9 Operators: 100% of the first 5% of Eligible Earnings (Max match: 5% at 5% contribution).
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International Guards Union of America Security Police Officers: 100% of the first 6% of Eligible Earnings (Max match: 6% at 6% contribution).
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Enhanced Defined Contribution (EDC) Program:
This non-discretionary contribution is funded entirely by the Company.
It is provided to eligible employees regardless of participation in the Savings Plan.
Eligibility generally applies to employees who are not eligible for the Pension Plan or were not vested in the Pension Plan when it closed to new participants.
Contribution Rates (Based on Years of Service):
Less than 5 years of service: 3% of Eligible Earnings.
5 years of service or more: 4% of Eligible Earnings.
Vesting
You are 100% vested immediately in your own contributions and rollover contributions.
Vesting in Company matching and EDC funds is based on Credited Service.
100% Vesting After 3 Years of Credited Service applies to:
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Pantex Non-Bargaining Employees hired on or after January 1, 2015.
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MTC Employees hired on or after January 1, 2016.
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All Y-12 Employees.
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Graduated Vesting (reaching 100% after 6 years) applies to:
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Pantex Protective Force Officers and PGU Employees.
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MTC Employees hired before January 1, 2016.
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All participants in the Enhanced Defined Contribution Plan (EDC).
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Immediate 100% Vesting of Company Contributions occurs if you:
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Reach age 65 while an employee.
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Retire and are eligible for an immediate pension.
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Leave the company due to disability, death, or involuntary termination for reasons other than cause.
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Real Wealth Questions
Would reaching the maximum contribution limit every year be a top use of your resources?
Is your portfolio diversified outside of your Pantex plans?
What To Do Next
Review your current 401(k) contribution rate and consider increasing it toward the maximum allowable percentage, while confirming you’re enrolled in any automatic increase or company match programs for which you’re eligible. Check your vesting status for both company match and Enhanced Defined Contribution (EDC) contributions to understand what is fully yours, and make sure your Pantex retirement savings are aligned with your overall investment and Real Wealth strategy.
For personalized guidance on optimizing contributions, taking full advantage of company matches, and coordinating your 401(k) with your long-term retirement plan, contact Keith Demetriades, CFP®, CKA®, a financial advisor specializing in Pantex retirees.
