As The Harvard Happiness study found, social connections are often the most valuable and rewarding aspect of retirement for Alcoa employees - Patrick Ray, The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement Group.
As Alcoa employees plan for retirement, they must recognize that the wealth of social relationships built at work can provide more emotional fulfillment in retirement than any financial asset - social capital - Michael Corgiat, The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement Group.
In this article we will discuss:
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1. Relationships matter during retirement for Alcoa employees.
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2. Best practices for building and maintaining good work relationships.
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3. Findings from the Harvard Happiness study on how relationships influence retirement satisfaction.
Harvard researchers began investigating what makes us joyful in 1938.
Two years apart, the researchers reviewed 724 health records and asked questions about lifestyles across the globe. As participants aged into middle age and old age, the Harvard study raised many retirement-related questions. Their answers revealed the biggest obstacle for retirees is finding work that lasts them longer than social connections.
Retirees miss working but they miss people they worked with.
We worry about finances, health and caregiving in retirement.
But Alcoa employees should ask how the best retirees build relationships. But almost nobody discusses the importance of finding new meanings and purposes.One participant told CNBC what he missed about being a physician for nearly 50 years. Another participant, Leo DeMarco, said the same thing: Once retired as a high school teacher, he had difficulty contacting former colleagues again.He said discussing business gives him spiritual food. Teaching young people started my exploratory project.
But hobbies are not sufficient.
Many feel most important at work because we serve colleagues, customers, communities, and sometimes our families too. Alcoa employees may relate.Changes at his factory forced Henry Keane into abrupt retirement. So he suddenly had time to himself and energy.He began assisting with the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He enjoyed furniture restoration and cross-country skiing. Yet something remained lacking.
To get your golden years now, invest in your relationships.
Alcoa employees should know that Keane's epiphany not only teaches a lesson about retirement, but work in general: We are so consumed by money and time constraints that we do not appreciate our work relationships until they are gone.
According to a Harvard happiness study covering 85 years, the biggest retirement challenge for Alcoa employees that is rarely discussed is finding new social connections and relationships after working years. The study found that retirees do not necessarily miss the work itself but rather the people they worked with. Such is the value of having meaningful relationships throughout one's career and beyond retirement.
Alcoa employees should consider the following when developing deeper relationships:
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Who do I like working with and how do they contribute to my success? Am I seeing their worth?
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Which types of relationships do I want more of but am I lacking? But how will they come about?
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Anyone I should know better? But how do I contact them?
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How do I end a disagreement with a coworker?
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Who thinks differently, has a different background, or works in a different field from me? How will they help me?
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Consider what has shaped your daily experience of meaning and purpose. It may therefore be that this influence is net positive. But in any case - can you make a few minor changes?
- Former university administrator Ellen Freund tells CNBC in a 2006 study.
Every workday is part of our individual experience - and the more interpersonal contact enriches it. Work is also existence.Things we as Alcoa employees should consider when building positive work relationships:
Intimate relationships with others take time and effort. Yet there are also simple things Alcoa employees can do to better communicate with coworkers.
Set your relationship requirements. Know what you expect of others? And can you comprehend what is asked of you? Recognizing these requirements may create stronger relationships.
Develop your interpersonal skills. Relationship health depends on interpersonal competence. Alcoa employees can take the Mind Tools assessment of collaboration, communication, and conflict management. The exam also points you to resources to strengthen any weak spots.
Consider your EI. Emotional intelligence refers to the ability to understand and process one's own and others' emotions. You will get better at recognizing the emotions and demands of others as your EI increases.
Practice mindful listening. They feel more positive about people who listen carefully to what they say. You will speak less and understand more with mindful listening. You will also build a reputation for reliability.
Set aside time for relationship building. You might take a colleague out for a coffee if possible. Comment on a colleague's LinkedIn post or send a short note asking about their health. These little interactions are necessary for lasting relationships.
Establish your boundaries. Make time - but don't waste it! A work relationship can sometimes impede productivity when a friend or coworker takes over your time. There needs to be boundaries and time management around social interactions at work.
Consider others. Everyone wants to feel appreciated from the manager to the intern. So when others perform well, compliment them. Praise and recognition will build good workplace relationships.
Be optimistic. Keep yourself upbeat. Because positive energy is infectious, people tend to follow those who make them happy.
Avoid gossiping. Occupational politics and gossip sabotage workplace relationships. In a dispute with a group member, contact the member directly. The gossip with other colleagues will only increase distrust and animosity.
Develop and maintain good working relationships that increase interest in your work, your career, and a harmonious work environment. Employ all of the above strategies to build productive working relationships with colleagues / managers / customers / others. Some business relationships will be easier than others. But with thought, time, and effort, these relationships can also be beneficial.
Retirement is like a garden with flowers representing various aspects of our lives. And while the financial blooms are often more prominent - a nest egg or investment return - the social connections we made whilst working go unnoticed. As a garden produces many different and vibrant flowers, so too can our retirement if we take care of our relationships. The Harvard Happiness study finds these social connections - like petals on a flower - are the top retirement challenge for Alcoa employees. The colors they add bring color, joy, and purpose to our golden years. Just as a gardener spends time and care on his or her garden, so must Alcoa employees invest in their relationships with intention and cherish the bonds that make retirement enjoyable and fulfilling.
Articles you may find interesting:
- Corporate Employees: 8 Factors When Choosing a Mutual Fund
- Use of Escrow Accounts: Divorce
- Medicare Open Enrollment for Corporate Employees: Cost Changes in 2024!
- Stages of Retirement for Corporate Employees
- 7 Things to Consider Before Leaving Your Company
- How Are Workers Impacted by Inflation & Rising Interest Rates?
- Lump-Sum vs Annuity and Rising Interest Rates
- Internal Revenue Code Section 409A (Governing Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans)
- Corporate Employees: Do NOT Believe These 6 Retirement Myths!
- 401K, Social Security, Pension – How to Maximize Your Options
- Have You Looked at Your 401(k) Plan Recently?
- 11 Questions You Should Ask Yourself When Planning for Retirement
- Worst Month of Layoffs In Over a Year!
- Corporate Employees: 8 Factors When Choosing a Mutual Fund
- Use of Escrow Accounts: Divorce
- Medicare Open Enrollment for Corporate Employees: Cost Changes in 2024!
- Stages of Retirement for Corporate Employees
- 7 Things to Consider Before Leaving Your Company
- How Are Workers Impacted by Inflation & Rising Interest Rates?
- Lump-Sum vs Annuity and Rising Interest Rates
- Internal Revenue Code Section 409A (Governing Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans)
- Corporate Employees: Do NOT Believe These 6 Retirement Myths!
- 401K, Social Security, Pension – How to Maximize Your Options
- Have You Looked at Your 401(k) Plan Recently?
- 11 Questions You Should Ask Yourself When Planning for Retirement
- Worst Month of Layoffs In Over a Year!
Sources:
1. Mineo, Liz. 'Over Nearly 80 Years, Harvard Study Has Been Showing How to Live a Healthy and Happy Life.' Harvard Gazette , 11 Apr. 2017, news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2017/04/over-nearly-80-years-harvard-study-has-been-showing-how-to-live-a-healthy-and-happy-life .
2. Mineo, Liz. 'Work Out Daily? OK, but How Socially Fit Are You?' Harvard Gazette , 10 Feb. 2023, news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2023/02/work-out-daily-ok-but-how-socially-fit-are-you .
3. Liebergall, Molly. 'Author Talks: The World’s Longest Study of Adult Development Finds the Key to Happy Living.' McKinsey & Company , 16 Feb. 2023, mckinsey.com/featured-insights/mckinsey-on-books/author-talks-the-worlds-longest-study-of-adult-development-finds-the-key-to-happy-living .
4. Broom, Douglas. 'Scientists Have Found the Key to a Healthy, Happy Life: Our Relationships.' World Economic Forum , 22 Aug. 2023, weforum.org/stories/2023/08/relationships-basis-long-healthy-life .
5. Kram, Kathy E. 'How Will My Relationships Change in Retirement?' WorkTies , 4 Nov. 2024, workties.org/post/how-will-my-relationships-change-in-retirement .
What are the key eligibility requirements for employees to participate in the Pension Plan for Certain Hourly Employees of Alcoa USA Corp, and how do these requirements change if an employee is hired or rehired after April 1, 2022? This question aims to explore the specific criteria that must be met for participation in the plan, providing clarity on both the general eligibility for new employees and any exceptions for those previously employed.
Eligibility Requirements: Employees are automatically eligible for the Pension Plan for Certain Hourly Employees of Alcoa USA Corp if they were hired or rehired before April 1, 2022, have reached age 21, and completed one year of vesting service. Employees hired or rehired on or after April 1, 2022, are not eligible for this pension plan(Alcoa USA Corp_Pension …).
How is the vesting service calculated in the context of the Alcoa USA Corp pension plan, and what implications does it have for an employee considering retirement? Understanding the nuances of how vesting service is accrued and the minimum time required to become vested can significantly impact an employee's retirement planning.
Vesting Service Calculation: Vesting service determines when an employee becomes eligible for pension benefits. Employees become vested after completing five years of vesting service, which includes both periods of pension service and non-pension service such as absences not counted towards pension service. This is crucial for retirement planning, as it ensures employees are entitled to pension benefits even if they leave the company after becoming vested(Alcoa USA Corp_Pension …).
What various retirement options are available to employees of Alcoa USA Corp, and how do these options affect the benefits and payout structure for retiring employees? This question addresses the multiple choices employees face when planning their retirement, including the differences between normal retirement, early retirement, and disability retirement benefits.
Retirement Options: The plan offers normal retirement (at age 65 with five years of vesting service), 60/10 retirement (for employees between 60 and 62 with 10 years of vesting service), and 62/10 retirement (for employees between 62 and 65 with 10 years of vesting service). Disability retirement is also available for those permanently incapacitated with 10 years of vesting service(Alcoa USA Corp_Pension …).
Can you elaborate on the survivor benefits provided under the Alcoa USA Corp pension plan, and what steps need to be taken to ensure that a spouse or partner is eligible for these benefits upon the employee's retirement? This question seeks to examine the protections and financial security afforded to survivors, alongside the required documentation and choices available to employees.
Survivor Benefits: The pension plan provides automatic surviving spouse coverage unless waived by the employee and spouse. Surviving spouse pensions are payable if the employee dies while actively employed and vested in the plan, after retirement, or while receiving a deferred vested pension. The spouse must submit a written application to claim benefits(Alcoa USA Corp_Pension …)(Alcoa USA Corp_Pension …).
What are the specific methodologies used to calculate the regular monthly pension for employees retiring under the Alcoa USA Corp pension plan, and how might these calculations vary based on an employee's age and years of service? This question looks at the complex actuarial factors that influence pension benefits, enhancing employees' understanding of how their retirement income is determined.
Pension Calculation: The regular monthly pension is calculated using a formula based on the employee's pension service and a pension factor in effect when pension service ends. For example, if an employee retires at 65 with 10 years of service, the pension factor might be $57 per year of service. The pension is adjusted based on age and service length(Alcoa USA Corp_Pension …).
In the event of a disability, how does the Alcoa USA Corp pension plan provide support to affected employees, and what are the requirements to qualify for disability retirement benefits? This question emphasizes the importance of understanding disability provisions, ensuring employees are aware of their rights and the circumstances under which they might qualify for benefits.
Disability Retirement: Employees under 62 who are permanently incapacitated with at least 10 years of vesting service qualify for disability retirement. They must be deemed permanently disabled and unable to return to work in a bargaining unit occupation. A medical examination may be required to confirm ongoing eligibility(Alcoa USA Corp_Pension …).
What steps must Alcoa USA Corp employees take to apply for retirement benefits, and what timelines are involved in the processing and payout of these benefits? This question delves into the procedural aspects of retirement applications, aiming to prepare potential retirees for the necessary actions they must undertake.
Retirement Application Process: Employees must file a retirement application with the plan administrator before their desired retirement date. The application can be filed up to 90 days before retirement, and the process typically includes receiving benefit explanations and payment elections within this timeframe(Alcoa USA Corp_Pension …).
How does the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) influence the pension benefits received by employees of Alcoa USA Corp, particularly in the context of plan terminations or financial challenges? This question explores the security provided by the PBGC, focusing on its role as a backup for employees’ pension benefits.
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC): The PBGC provides a safety net for pension benefits in the case of plan termination or financial distress. If the pension plan is underfunded, the PBGC ensures employees still receive pension benefits, although certain limitations may apply(Alcoa USA Corp_Pension …).
What resources and support does Alcoa USA Corp provide to its employees for understanding their pension plan, and how can employees reach out for assistance regarding their retirement options? This question emphasizes the resources available to employees for further education and guidance, ensuring they know where to turn for help.
Resources for Understanding the Plan: Employees can access information about their pension plan and retirement options through the Alight Worklife™ website or by calling the Alcoa benefits helpline. These resources offer guidance on applying for retirement and understanding plan benefits(Alcoa USA Corp_Pension …).
How can employees of Alcoa USA Corp contact the benefits management team to learn more about their specific pension plan details, and what channels are available for inquiries? Understanding the communication channels can empower employees to seek the information they need, facilitating a smoother transition into retirement.
Contacting Benefits Management: Employees can reach out to the benefits management team through the Alight Worklife™ website or by phone at 1-844-31ALCOA. This service provides assistance with pension-related inquiries and retirement applications(Alcoa USA Corp_Pension …).
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