Exelon employees should focus on long-term compounding - using time and reinvestment to grow their money - says Paul Bergeron of the Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement Group. It's about playing the long game and having discipline - even in volatile markets,' he said.
For Exelon employees, diversifying and following a disciplined asset allocation strategy can reduce risk and improve returns over time,' says Tyson Mavar of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement Group. Knowing your investment mix over different life stages will give you stability and growth for a secure retirement,' she said.
In this article, we will discuss:
1. The Importance of Compounding: Why compounding may help Exelon employees increase the growth of investments over time.
2. Navigating Market Volatility: Investment risk management strategies during market fluctuations to maintain a steady growth trajectory.
3. Effective Asset Allocation: Contribution of asset distribution across different investment categories to maximizing returns and minimizing risks.
For any Exelon employee who has invested in the market, you might want to know how successful investors maximize gain and minimize loss. Though no strategy can guarantee success and all investing involves risk - including principal loss - these six basic principles may help you invest more effectively.
Your Nest Egg May Grow With Long-Term Compounding.
I am a market-invested Exelon employee and I understand the rolling snowball effect. Essentially, compounding generates earnings on reinvested earnings. And the numbers get more exciting the longer you invest your money. Imagine, for example, that you invest USD 10,000 annually at 8%. Your USD 10,000 investment would have grown to USD 46,610 in 20 years if you took no withdrawals. That amounted to USD 68,485 in 25 years - 47 percent more than the 20-year projection. In thirty years your account balance would be USD 100,601. (Obviously this is a hypothetical example and does not represent the performance of any particular investment.) This also means no taxes are paid along the way, so the entire investment capital is preserved. So it is with tax-deferred retirement accounts and qualified retirement plans. Experts recommend fully funding all tax-advantaged retirement accounts and plans you have because of the compounded earnings of deferred tax dollars. This is information I can use as I work for a Exelon employee on financial planning and return maximization.
Although you should regularly review your p
ortfolio like a Exelon employee, the point is that money invested alone can make a big return over time. No need to hit 'home runs' when time is on your side.
Accept Short-Term Pain for Long-Term Gain.
Surviving market volatility sounds simple, right? But what if you invested USD 10,000 in the stock market and one day your stock price drops like a rock? On paper you lost a lot, which negates the point of compounding you are trying to achieve. You can hardly stand still.
The financial market can be volatile, no one can deny that. Yet two things are important. First of all, a more diversified portfolio means a greater chance of reducing risk and increasing the probability of profit. Past performance does not necessarily mean future results, but the stock market trend has historically been upward. So as a Exelon employee, consider your time horizon when developing an investment strategy. For soon-to-be-used assets, you may not want to sit on the market and should consider principal-protecting investments. For years away goals, however, long-term thinking is necessary.
Second, historically during periods of market or economic volatility some asset classes and certain investments have been less volatile than others. The changes in bond prices have generally been smaller than stock price fluctuations. Diversification alone cannot provide a profit or protection against loss, but you can reduce risk by distributing your holdings across different asset classes and asset types within each asset class. Considering an investment strategy? Exelon employees might find the following information useful.
Allocate Your Wealth Through Asset Allocation.
You allocate your expenditures across different investment categories - or asset classes -. Typical asset classes are stocks, bonds and cash or currency alternatives like money market funds. Subcategories such as aggressive growth stocks, long-term growth stocks, international stocks, government bonds (U.S., state, and local), high-quality corporate bonds, low-quality corporate bonds, and tax-free municipal bonds are also called assets classes. A fundamental asset allocation would presumably include stocks, bonds (or stock-and bond-based mutual funds) and cash or cash alternatives.
Exelon employees need to understand two reasons why asset allocation is important. Second, how you structure your assets is probably the most important factor affecting how your investments perform - and for some - the single most important. Essentially, the first decision about how to divide your money up among equities, bonds, and cash could be more important than any other investment decision later on.
Allocating investment dollars across asset classes that do not respond to the same market forces in the same way at the same time reduces market volatility and improves long-term return prospects. Your investments in one asset class may be performing poorly but assets in another may be performing better. Gains on either can recoup some of the losses on the former and reduce the total effect of the portfolio. In response, Exelon employees should diversify to limit risk and volatility.
Consider Your Time Horizon When Making Investment Choices.
As a Exelon employee, you have to consider how quickly you might need to change an investment to cash without losing the principal (your first investment) when choosing an asset allocation. The sooner you will need your money, the more prudent you should be with it - in investments with relatively stable prices. Avoiding a situation where you need to quickly spend money that is locked up in a declining investment.
That means as a Exelon employee, you should weigh your investment decisions against how soon you plan on using the money. Should you need the funds within 1 to 3 years, you can put them in a money market fund or other cash alternative designed to protect the principal investment. It might yield a lower rate of return than more volatile investments such as equities, but you can rest assured that your principal is secure and readily available - whatever the market conditions of the day - every day. If you have a long time horizon - for example, if you're saving for a retirement many years away - you might be able to put a larger proportion of your assets into something that has more volatile price fluctuations but potentially greater long-term growth.
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Note: Check out the fund's investment objectives, risks, fees, and expenses outlined in the prospectus before you invest. Read the information thoroughly before you invest. Money market funds are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund wants to keep your investment at USD 1 a share value but you can lose money by investing in it.
Dollar Cost Averaging: Investing Consistently and Often
Dollar cost averaging lets Exelon employees buy shares of an investment at regular intervals over a long period of time for a fixed dollar amount. High prices will buy fewer shares of your fixed-dollar investment. It will buy more shares when prices are low. A normal, fixed-dollar investment should deliver a lower average share price than buying a fixed number of shares at each investment interval. A classic example of dollar cost averaging at work is a workplace savings plan - a 401(k) - that takes the same amount from each income and invests it through the plan. Such strategies can help Exelon employees realize maximum gains.
Like any investment strategy, dollar cost averaging cannot assure a profit or protect against a loss in a declining market. For the full benefit of dollar cost averaging, you as a Exelon employee must consider whether you can afford to keep investing when the market is down. An alternative to dollar cost averaging is to try to 'time the market' by predicting how the shares will move over the next few months to get your whole investment at the lowest point. Market forecasting usually is not profitable though. The discipline of regular investing is a more manageable strategy and automating it is a bonus.
To rebalance your portfolio you would buy more of the underperforming asset class - maybe using some proceeds from the overperforming asset class. You can also keep your present asset allocation but assign future investments to a class of assets you want to grow over time. Yet despite that, employees of the Exelon should understand that failing to periodically review their holdings will not tell them whether a change is necessary. Some select a date every year for an annual evaluation.
Added Fact:
A Dalbar Inc. study found that emotional decision-making and market timing drive the average investor far below the market. The study said that over a 20-year period the average investor returned just 5.19% annually versus 9.85% for the S1and1P 500 index. This performance gap largely reflects investor reaction to short-term market movements and emotional investment decisions. For a 60-something Exelon employee looking to maximize your investment success, discipline and avoiding emotional reactions to market volatility are critical. Focusing on long-term goals and following a defined investment strategy may yield better investment results. (Source: Dalbar Inc., Quantitative Analysis of Investor Behavior 2021 (February 2021).
Added Analogy:
To invest successfully is to tend a garden. Consider yourself a veteran gardener with a bunch of plants that all need special attention. Just as diversifying your investment portfolio across asset classes is important, tending a diverse garden ensures a healthy landscape. You know some plants bloom earlier and some take time to grow, and some investments pay off quickly while others pay off over a long period of time. By periodically assessing your garden's needs, adjusting watering and fertilization accordingly, and periodically pruning to maintain balance you maintain its beauty. Like with investing, regular review of your portfolio, adjustment of asset allocation as circumstances dictate and restraining of impulsive decisions during market swings will all help you build a healthy investment habit. As a well-tended garden brings joy and fulfillment, following these principles could help Exelon employees approaching retirement and current retirees make more successful and rewarding investments.
Sources:
1. Warren Street Wealth Advisors. “Exelon and Large Company Employees.” Warren Street Wealth Advisors, warrenstreetwealth.com . Accessed 24 Feb. 2025.
2. Bluering Investors. “Investment Strategies By Exelon CEOs.” Bluering Investors, blueringinvestors.com . Accessed 24 Feb. 2025.
3. Reddick, Chris. “How to Effectively Save for Retirement in Exelon Companies.” Chris Reddick Financial Planning, LLC, chrisreddickfp.com . Accessed 24 Feb. 2025.
4. Firm Pavilion. “The Secrets Behind Exelon Success: Unveiling the Strategies of the World's Most Influential Companies.” Firm Pavilion, firmpavilion.com . Accessed 24 Feb. 2025.
5. Morgan Stanley. “Our Firm-Wide Capabilities.” Morgan Stanley at Work, morganstanley.com . Accessed 24 Feb. 2025.
How does Exelon's separation process into RemainCo and SpinCo impact the retirement benefits for employees in both segments, and what should employees at Exelon consider regarding their retirement planning in light of this structural change?
Exelon’s Separation into RemainCo and SpinCo: The separation into RemainCo and SpinCo may result in different benefits structures for employees, with RemainCo focusing on regulated utilities and SpinCo on competitive energy generation. Employees should evaluate how their specific retirement benefits, such as pensions and 401(k) plans, may change or be restructured under the new entities. Employees need to consider the impact of this change on their long-term retirement planning, especially with regard to how the corporate shift may affect contributions, vesting, and retirement payouts.
In what ways can Exelon employees leverage the Employee Savings Plan to maximize their retirement savings, and what specific features of the plan should employees be aware of to ensure they are making the most of their contributions?
Maximizing Retirement Savings through the Employee Savings Plan: Exelon’s Employee Savings Plan offers tax-advantaged retirement savings with employer matching contributions. Employees should be aware of contribution limits, matching percentages, and vesting schedules to make the most of the plan. Additionally, employees should consider automatic enrollment features, target-date funds, and the availability of Roth contributions, ensuring they optimize their retirement savings through strategic contribution increases over time.
What retirement resources does Exelon provide to assist employees in understanding their pension options, and how does the company's support aim to facilitate a smooth transition into retirement?
Pension Options Resources: Exelon provides resources like retirement planning tools, financial counseling, and access to benefits specialists to help employees understand their pension options. These resources are designed to assist employees in making informed decisions regarding payout options such as lump sums versus annuities. The company’s goal is to help employees transition smoothly into retirement by offering educational sessions and personalized guidance on maximizing their benefits.
Can you elaborate on the diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts at Exelon, particularly how these initiatives impact the workplace environment for employees approaching retirement, and what specific policies or programs are in place to support them?
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Efforts: Exelon's DEI initiatives positively impact employees approaching retirement by fostering an inclusive environment where employees from diverse backgrounds are supported in planning for their future. Policies such as anti-age discrimination and flexible working arrangements help ensure that older employees can transition smoothly into retirement while still contributing meaningfully in their final working years(Exelon_Corporation_Febr…).
How can Exelon employees evaluate their nonqualified deferred compensation options as they near retirement, and what implications should they consider regarding taxes and withdrawal strategies?
Evaluating Nonqualified Deferred Compensation: Exelon employees nearing retirement should carefully evaluate their nonqualified deferred compensation options, focusing on timing withdrawals to minimize tax liabilities. These plans are often subject to different tax treatments, and employees should consider potential penalties for early withdrawal and strategize around deferral and distribution schedules to optimize their retirement income.
What role does Exelon’s commitment to ESG principles play in its employee benefits structure, and how might changes in this area influence retirement planning for employees at Exelon?
ESG Principles and Employee Benefits: Exelon’s commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles influences its benefits structure by promoting sustainable and responsible practices. Employees may see continued enhancements in green investment options in their retirement plans, and changes to benefits programs may reflect a stronger focus on social responsibility and long-term sustainability, which could affect their retirement planning strategies(Exelon_Corporation_Febr…).
How can employees at Exelon access information about their total compensation packages, including retirement benefits, and what steps should they take to ensure they are maximizing their overall compensation as they approach retirement?
Accessing Total Compensation Information: Exelon employees can access information about their total compensation packages, including retirement benefits, through the company’s HR portal and benefits department. To ensure they are maximizing their compensation as they approach retirement, employees should regularly review their pension, 401(k) contributions, and healthcare benefits, seeking advice from the company’s financial planners or HR representatives(Exelon_Corporation_Febr…).
What constitutes the normal retirement age at Exelon, and how do retirement benefits adjust for employees who retire earlier or later than this age?
Normal Retirement Age and Early/Late Retirement: Exelon’s normal retirement age typically aligns with the age for full pension eligibility, which could be 65 or 67 depending on the plan. Employees who retire earlier may face reduced pension benefits, while those who delay retirement could receive enhanced payouts. It’s crucial for employees to understand how their specific retirement age affects their pension formula(Exelon_Corporation_Febr…).
How can Exelon employees provide feedback on employee benefits during the consultation process, especially those related to retirement, and what channels are available for them to voice their concerns or suggestions?
Providing Feedback on Retirement Benefits: Exelon encourages employees to provide feedback on benefits through regular surveys, town hall meetings, and direct consultations with the HR department. Employees can voice their concerns or suggestions regarding retirement plans during open enrollment periods or scheduled consultations with benefits specialists(Exelon_Corporation_Febr…).
What is the best way for employees to contact Exelon regarding questions about their retirement benefits and other related topics, and which resources or personnel should they turn to for the most accurate and reliable information?
Contacting Exelon for Retirement Questions: Employees with questions about retirement benefits can contact Exelon’s HR department, use the company’s dedicated benefits hotline, or access retirement planning resources on the company’s internal portal. For specific inquiries, employees may also reach out to benefits counselors or attend company-provided retirement planning seminars(Exelon_Corporation_Febr…).