(Mid-America Pension Rights Project): Coal Miners Back in Washington Fighting for Benefits

Via Western Kentucky University By Becca Schimmel United Mine Workers and supporters were on Capitol Hill Wednesday in an effort to shore up their pension and health benefits. More than 43,000 coal miners in Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia are growing anxious about losing their retirement benefits. The coal miner’s union says its pension fund will be insolvent in three years if Congress doesn’t take action. If … Continue reading (Mid-America Pension Rights Project): Coal Miners Back in Washington Fighting for Benefits

(Mid-America Pension Rights Project ): A Working-Class Program that Works to Solve Your Pension Problems

By Sandra Wisnewski, Director of the Mid-America Pension Rights Project at Elder Law of Michigan The Mid-America Pension Rights Project (MAPRP) assists clients with pension and 401(k) issues. There are no age or income restrictions and there is never a charge for the services. The Pension Project works to find answers and solutions to your pension-related problem. Just ask Ms. Q. Ms. Q. worked for … Continue reading (Mid-America Pension Rights Project ): A Working-Class Program that Works to Solve Your Pension Problems

(Mid-America Pension Rights Project): IRS Raises 401(k), IRA Contribution Limits for 2019

Via ThinkAdvisor By Marlene Satter The IRS has announced in Notice 2018-83 new cost-of-living adjustments that affect dollar limitations for defined contribution plans and other retirement-related items for tax year 2019. Those contributing to 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans and the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan will be able to boost their contribution from $18,500 to $19,000. IRA contributions, not raised since 2013, will now be $6,000, … Continue reading (Mid-America Pension Rights Project): IRS Raises 401(k), IRA Contribution Limits for 2019

(Mid-America Pension Rights Project): AK Steel transfers $280 million in pension liabilities with group annuity purchase

Via Pensions&Investments By Rob Kozlowski AK Steel Corp., West Chester, Ohio, purchased a group annuity contract from Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. to transfer about $280 million in pension liabilities, spokeswoman Lisa H. Jester said in an email. The transaction took place this month, according to a 10-Q filing with the SEC on Friday. AK Steel transferred the liabilities of about 5,400 retirees and beneficiaries to the … Continue reading (Mid-America Pension Rights Project): AK Steel transfers $280 million in pension liabilities with group annuity purchase

(Mid-America Pension Rights Project): Western Pennsylvania Teamsters fund seeks benefit reductions

Via Pensions & Investments By Hazel Bradford Western Pennsylvania Teamsters and Employers Pension Fund, Pittsburgh, applied for permission to reduce benefits to remain solvent, according to the Treasury Department website listing applications under the Kline-Miller Multiemployer Pension Reform Act of 2014. As of Jan. 1, 2017, the pension fund had $718.4 million in assets and $2.2 billion in liabilities, according to its most recent Form 5500; it … Continue reading (Mid-America Pension Rights Project): Western Pennsylvania Teamsters fund seeks benefit reductions

(Mid-America Pension Rights Project): Pension crisis worries mid-state retirees

Via Fox17 By Nikki Junewicz It’s a looming crisis set to impact one million American workers, including thousands in middle Tennessee: pension cuts. This weekend local union members came together to talk about what they’re going to do if or when the pension plans they’ve been paying into for decades run out. “I do feel it’s a betrayal, and it strikes me as particularly un-American … Continue reading (Mid-America Pension Rights Project): Pension crisis worries mid-state retirees

(Mid-America Pension Rights Project): Pension lump-sum payouts and your retirement security

Via pueblo.gpo.gov A guide for consumers considering their retirement payout options from a private-sector plan. Your traditional pension plan is designed to provide you with a steady stream of income once you retire. That’s why your pension benefits are normally paid in the form of lifetime monthly payments. Increasingly, employers are making available to their employees a one-time payment for all or a portion of … Continue reading (Mid-America Pension Rights Project): Pension lump-sum payouts and your retirement security

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You’ll Feel Like You’re on Vacation With How Easy This Is

By: Vonda VanTil, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist August might be the last of the months that people think of when we say “summer vacation,” but it’s by no means the least. People are still taking trips and hosting family while enjoying America’s beaches and national parks. Social Security might not be on the top of your to-do list when you’re on vacation, but we’ve … Continue reading You’ll Feel Like You’re on Vacation With How Easy This Is

(Mid-America Pension Rights Project): Retirement Planning Mistakes You Probably Don’t Realize You’re Making

Via CNN Money By Maurie Backman Though retirement can be a fulfilling time in people’s lives, it can also be a stressful one. This especially holds true if you fall victim to the following mistakes, so be sure to avoid them at all costs. 1. Relying too heavily on Social Security Millions of seniors collect Social Security in retirement, and those monthly payments play a … Continue reading (Mid-America Pension Rights Project): Retirement Planning Mistakes You Probably Don’t Realize You’re Making

(Mid-America Pension Rights Project): Miners Urge Congressional Action On Pensions, Black Lung Fund

Via Ohio Valley Resource By Becca Shimmel Retired coal miners and coal community activists are on Capitol Hill this week urging action on two important issues for miners: pensions and black lung benefits. Advocates say funds supporting both pensions for retired miners and the federal benefits for those sickened by black lung disease are at risk if Congress does not act. Read the full article. Continue reading (Mid-America Pension Rights Project): Miners Urge Congressional Action On Pensions, Black Lung Fund