Retirement Choice for AgriBank District Employees Postponed
Last summer, the AgriBank District employers announced plans to offer a Retirement Choice opportunity starting in November 2008. This opportunity was designed to give employees hired before Jan. 1, 2007, the option to participate in the same retirement program offered to employees hiredon or after that date.
Project On Hold Until 2009 or 2010
Earlier this month, the CEOs of the AgriBank District, with the support of the Farm Credit Foundations Plan Sponsor Committee, decided to put this project on hold until 2009 or 2010. While the AgriBank District Employers remain committed to the concept of Retirement Choice, there was concern that current volatile market conditions would make it difficult for choice-eligible employees to model their estimated benefits under the current and new Retirement Choice options.
Awaiting IRS Approval
In addition, as of the decision date to postpone, we were still awaiting the required approval from the Internal Revenue Service.
The AgriBank District employers will pick a new date for this Retirement Choice opportunity once market conditions stabilize.
When this project resumes, you will be able to choose between:
Current Option
Stay in your current plan, which includes either the AgriBank District Retirement Plan (with the Final Average Pay formula or the Cash Balance formula) and the Farm Credit Foundations Defined Contribution/401(k) Plan with the Legacy Employer Matching Contribution.
OR
New Option
Move the value of your AgriBank District Retirement Plan benefit to the Farm Credit Foundations Defined Contribution/401(k) Plan with the new Fixed Employer Contribution and Dollar for Dollar Employer Matching Contribution (New Match). This is the retirement program that covers employees hired on or after Jan. 1, 2007.
For additional information about these issues, contact the Benefits Team by calling 1-800-892-7924 or by e-mail at benefits@farmcreditfoundations.com.