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Why the change?

We are so thankful for the overwhleming response to last week's survey. Our employees are either 1) really excited about this change or 2) really excited about a chance to win the Lego Christmas ornament book and $100 Amazon gift card. Whatever the motivation was, we received a lot of good feedback! We're going to take the next few weeks to help unpack some FAQs about this change in more detail.

The most frequent response we received from our survey was that employees were tuned in and listening and either excited or curious to know more.  The top 5 questions we received are listed below with answers. We're also going to host a Zoom webinar on the evening of September 20th at 7:00PM that will be co-hosted by Reliant's retirement plan broker, Michael Clark and Reliant's Director of Finance teams, Barb Seckler. Michael is a licensed financial advisor that helps us manage our retrirement plan. He's been serving Reliant for close to 15 years and has been an important counselor to us as we've carefully researched this decision to transfer to the 403(b)(9) plan. Save the date on your calendar and join us (we'll send a Zoom link in next week's email) for a great evening of information and all attendees will receive an additional entry into our prize drawings.

Top 5 questions asked in our recent survey. 

(Didn't get a chance to fill out our survey yet - it's still open. Heres' the link: https://a.co/d/dPxD54k)

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titleWill our current 401k be transferred to the new 403(b)(9) automatically?

Yes, Reliant will be working with Principal to transfer our employees' existing 401(k) balances into the 403(b)(9) plan. No action is needed by employees.  

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titleWill my investment options change?

No, the investment options will remain the same.

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titleWhy the change from a 401(k) to a 403(b)(9)?
  1. Historically, 403(b) plans have been the retirement plan option that the majority of non-profits offer. When selecting our existing 401(k) plan years ago, Reliant wanted to offer a retirement plan that was more "main-stream" for employees - so we selected a 401(k). At that time, Reliant also wanted some features that were only available in a 401(k) plan. Times have changed! In most cases, today's 403(b) plans are widely used and understood in the retirement planning world. Many large hospitals and universities have 403(b) retirement plans. Also, changes in legislation for retirement plans have made the the reasons we previously preferred the 401(k) plan to a 403(b) plan obsolete. The two types of plans have become extremely similar yet 403(b) plans now offer a few additional features that are advantageous to non-profits such as Reliant. The 403(b)(9) plan is a type of 403(b) plan specifically set-up for churches and religious non-profits with a parsonage withdrawal distribution option "built-in" to the plan. That option will make parsonage distributions easier for retiring Commissioned and Ordained Ministers.  Our next answer (below) explains some of the "pros" to this plan that we are excited about.  
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titleWhat are the pros and cons of a 403(b)(9)?

One "pro" of a 403(b) plan is that it isn't subject to some compliance rules that 401(k) plans have. What this "pro" means for Reliant is that we can customize our plan for different program teams based on the unique needs of those groups of employees. For example, we're varying eligibility rules and the employer contribution for Fixed Term employees in residency programs vs our more traditional "career" employees. This flexibility will allow those different types of employes to have a retirement plan that is customized for them, rather than being forced into a "one size fits all" plan like our previous 401(k), due to the compliance rules associated with it. Another "pro" is the built-in parsonage withdrawal option (mentioned in Answer 3 above). One "con" of a 403(b) is certain types of investments are restricted from being offered within a 403(b).  We researched our current investment options with our retirment plan broker, Michael Clark, and he felt confidant the offerings we currently have and any future investment options that we'd want will still be available under the 403(b)(9). Another con is sometimes 403(b) plans have higher fees but, we have been assured our fees with Principal won't be affected by this change.    





Before hitting the road, you're accustomed to taking these important steps:

  • Buckle up

  • Check your fuel tank (or battery charge)

  • Scan for warning lights and surrounding hazards

  • Set your destination 

Your retirement planning works the same way.

This checklist will help you tune up your retirement “vehicle,” so you’re prepared for the road ahead.


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colorgreen
titleChecklist Submission - Entry for the drawing
urlhttps://forms.office.com/r/kBTGYhxmgG


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titleBuckle up & Check your Fuel Tank (Battery Charge)
Note
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Log in to your 403(b) account with GuideStone and review these essential gauges

Buckle Up (Safeguard your savings)

Fuel Up (Make sure your retirement has the right fuel to get you to your destination).

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titleCheck for Warning Lights & Surrounding Hazards

When you look at your retirement plan through the lens of driving, it’s not just about having enough fuel in the tank to reach your destination.

You also need to check for warning indicators:

  • Are there major expenses ahead you haven’t planned for?
  • What about roadblocks or detours—unexpected life events or market shifts?
  • Have you built in contingency plans for the bumps along the way?
  •  Complete the Retirement Readiness Assessment. This tool can be found on the MyGuidestone website under Retirement and Investments>"Retirement Resources". You'll be asked to update your age, planned retirement age, income, retirement income goal, investment style, Social Security benefits (if applicable) etc. Once you get your score, if you are in the yellow or red sections, this means you may need to make some adjustments. Consider what adjustments can be made to your "inputs" to get on track for a healthy retirement balance. 


  •  

    Check for Roadblocks: 20-Minute Brainstorm + Prayer Challenge

    Take 10 minutes to brainstorm a list of potential obstacles that could hinder your retirement goals.
    Consider:

    • Financial “potholes” like unexpected medical expenses or debt
    • Life “detours” such as career changes or family responsibilities
    • External “roadblocks” like inflation or market volatility

    Prayer challenge

    After your brainstorm, spend10 minutes in prayer, asking the Lord for wisdom and clarity on how to faithfully adjust your retirement planning.

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titleSet Your Destination

Every journey needs a destination—your retirement is no different.


Invest 1 hour planning your Retirement Destination. 

  •  Take 30 minutes to prayerfully reflect on what a meaningful retirement looks like for you. 

    Ask yourself:

    • What do I want my retirement to feel like?
    • Where do I want to be—physically, financially, spiritually?
    • What activities, relationships, or goals matter most in that season of life?
    • How much time do I spend each month thinking about my finances now and in the future? Do I feel like the time spent is sufficient to focus on my financial future needs/goals? (If not, we challenge you to add a financial check-in every month or two to your schedule.) 
    • Consider what your "future" retirement-age self may say to you looking back on where you're at right now. What advice would your future self suggest to help you achieve your future goals?
  •  Take 30 minutes to prayerfully seek God's guidance in helping you meet your goals: 
  •  Bonus challenge - Tell someone about your dreams/goals and ask them to pray for you and hold you accountable in meeting these goals!

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titleWill anything change for part-time employees' eligibility?

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