retirement
401(k) Plan
The Archdiocese of Cincinnati 401(k) Plan became effective January 1, 2011. This Plan is an important benefit intended to help employees in their retirement years as a supplement to their personal retirement savings, Social Security benefits, the frozen Archdiocese of Cincinnati Pension Plan for Lay Employees and the terminated Archdiocese of Cincinnati 403(b) Plan.
Eligible participants can: (1) make their 401(k) elective contributions; (2) receive Archdiocese base contributions; and (3) receive favorable tax advantages through either traditional or Roth 401(k) elections.
Specific 401(k) account details, investment options, and additional retirement readiness tools are attainable through the Empower Retirement participant website – empowermyretirement.com
Additional details regarding the 401(k) Plan:
Empower Education Series
Join Empower during the month of November for a live webinar: Benefits of your plan
- Benefits of saving in the plan
- Retirement planning basics
- How to enroll plus next steps
Register for the live virtual session of your choice via this link: www.learningfromempower.com
Simple Guide to Understanding the 401k Plan
The Archdiocese of Cincinnati 401(k) Plan is an important benefit, intended to help you build and invest in your future.
By making the decision to actively participate, you’re taking an important step towards achieving a secure financial future!
The program is designed to include:
- Tax benefits through traditional pre-tax and Roth(k) (after-tax) contributions
- A variety of attractive investment options.
- Age-based target-date funds to help simplify your investment choices.
- A robust, user-friendly website with online tools, calculators and information designed to help you take control of your financial future
- Instant account access from your smartphone.
- Dedicated retirement representatives available via a toll-free number.
Accessing and Managing Your Account
The Plan offers flexible account access options that help you stay connected, manage your account, and make the most of your plan benefit so you can look to the future with confidence.
- Website: empowermyretirement.com
- Mobile App: Empower Retirement
- Empower Retirement Participant Services Line: 1-866-467-7756
- Retirement Representatives: weekdays 8:00 am -10:00 pm ET and Saturdays 9:00 am – 5:30 pm ET
Empower Retirement APP
Participants can access their retirement accounts right from their iOS or Android devices.
The Empower app gives employees the freedom to access and view their accounts anywhere – anytime.
Beneficiary Designation
Ensure your retirement assets end up in the hands of those intended.
Keep your beneficiary information up to date:
Log on to your account via empowermyretirment.com and follow these easy steps:
1. Go to > Accounts
2. Select > Beneficiaries
Security Guarantee
Did you know that Empower Retirement offers a Security Guarantee as part of its commitment to your 401k account safety?
Do your part by taking the following steps to keep your account secure:
- Register your account online
- Choose a strong username and password
- Review all security alerts immediately
- Review your accounts periodically
Market Volatility
Market volatility is a normal and inevitable part of the stock market cycle and should be factored into your long-term investment strategy. Learn more
Questions about retiring
As you begin to plan for retirement below are considerations to keep in mind:
There is no application form to be completed to retire from a location within the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. It is not necessary to notify the Pastoral Center at the Archdiocese of your upcoming retirement, however, the Benefits Office is available to answer questions when you are navigating through the process. Learn more by downloading an FAQ informational flyer.
- Be sure to touch base with your Parish/School/Agency business manager so they are aware of your intent to retire.
If your employment occurred prior to December 31, 2010 you might be vested in the frozen Lay Employees defined pension plan. Contact UMR, Administrator of the Lay Employees Pension Plan at 1.888.640.1700.
If you are an eligible participant in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati 401(k) plan contact the Customer Care team at empowermyretirement.com, 866.467.7756, for information on rollover and/or withdrawal options.
Effective December 31, 2016, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati terminated its Supplemental Retiree Health Insurance Plan and Retiree Dental Plan for Post-65 lay retirees. Effective September 1, 2016, the Pre-65 Retiree Health Plan and Pre-65 Retiree Dental Plan were frozen and no longer accept any new participants.
All Archdiocese of Cincinnati lay employees, retirees, and their spouses can benefit from the RetireMed program. RetireMed is a completely free resource that provides expert guidance as you transition from employer health coverage to Medicare or Marketplace plans. Their team of licensed advisors is dedicated to making this process simple, stress-free, and tailored to your unique needs. What sets RetireMed apart is their lifelong support—once you enroll, their team remains available to answer questions, review your coverage annually, and help you navigate any changes in your health care needs. Whether you’re planning for retirement soon or just want to understand your options. Please follow the link by clicking here if you’d like more information or to schedule a consultation.
If you haven’t already done so it is important to begin the process of applying for Medicare Parts A & B. Follow this link for Medicare information.
Social security
Lay Employee pension plan
The Lay Employees of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati Pension Plan was frozen on December 31, 2010.
The Plan provides a monthly pension benefit at retirement, for vested employees hired prior to December 31, 2010.
An employee must be vested in the Plan to be entitled to a benefit. To commence retirement benefit payments, apply to UMR, the Contract Administrator for the Plan by calling 888.640.1700
403 (b)
Termination of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati 403(b) Plan
The Archdiocese of Cincinnati 403(b) Plan was “frozen” effective December 31, 2010, and no further contributions could be made to the 403(b) Plan.
This 403(b) Plan was formally terminated effective December 31, 2015. Lay-employee participants in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati 403(b) plan have a “distributable event” on account of its termination and should contact their 403(b) Plan vendor to elect a distribution.