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Friday, November 4, 2016

TCP1 future

Yesterday, LLNL Director Bill Goldstein presented an update to the general lab. At the end of the talk, Goldstein answered the rumors about TCP1. LLNS was not going to contribute to the fund this year. The most common phrase up and down the halls was "Bullshit!" Employees are required to put 7% toward the fund. A few years ago, LLNS was to contribute $40M, but reneged yet still requiring the employees to contribute. It's unknown why LLNS doesn't share the contribution to the fund, perhaps at the same rate as the TCP2 option.

The other item of interest was the claim of improvements to the infrastructure. There have been no difference in roof leaks, broken bathrooms, etc. The Union, SPSE, has been raising awareness of the "Run until Failure" model for some time. 

It appears to be more empty promises and continued erosion in employee benefits by LLNS. Those who chose TCP1 should have concern. 
Joe 2 cool

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

What is the current population and average age of LLNS TCP1 and TCP2 employees? Is the LLNS decision not to contribute to TCP1, a soft push to encourage older TCP1 employees to retire?

Anonymous said...

You Livermore guys have the biggest mass case of Stockholm syndrome. You all will stick it out. Have to pay for the kid's Ivy League education. Plus you'll be coming into work until the day you die. Or retire and come back as a contractor.

And Goldstein is a shlub in the truest sense of the word. What dynamic leadership you guys have.

Did he mention the new NIF high foot campaign or how many Livermore flunkies became APS fellows this year.

Exciting!

Anonymous said...

I really like how Goldstein had to answer a rumor. Nice transparency there, guys!
Probably had a few meetings with staff relations to figure out how to break the news.

Anonymous said...

The oldest trick in the book by "politicians" and "for-profit" is to go after pensions whenever they need/want extra $$...Sad But True !

Anonymous said...

11/4/16 4:43pm, I'm afraid transparency to "worker bees" is not a valued prerequisite to LANSLLNS upper management. In fact, it may be a LANSLLNS promotion disqualifier.

Anonymous said...

How long did LANS Director McMillan sit on knowledge of the Beth Sellers violations before the DOE IG would have forced her out? There is your leadership transparency to "worker bee" model in action.

Anonymous said...

FYI, someone posted on the LLNL internal web site with a link to a statement made by LLNS in 2012 - I'm paraphrasing, but essentially the comment was "that as soon as TCP1 reached the 140% funded level, BOTH LLNS AND employees would no longer have to contribute". I'm suggesting that all interested TCP1 folks post a question to Goldstein regarding this matter - see the "ask the director" button on the home page. If several hundred of us ask the question, then maybe LLNS will rethink their position on this and maybe at least LOWER the employees contribution. And, BTW, LLNL's infrastructure is a joke with the exception of a few shiny baubles they trot out to show our congressmen...

Anonymous said...

Leadership should not require several hundred employees to inspire the LLNS Director to act on behalf of LLNS employees.

Anonymous said...

I think 4:47 is due for a visit from staff relations. Disloyalty to management is major no-no in that hellhole.

Anonymous said...

The purpose of the meeting was probably to announce the APS fellowship of Omar Hurricane. Stay on topic people!

Anonymous said...

As long as LLNL's infrastructure can support the manufacture and fielding of NIF targets that fizzle, things will be OK.

Anonymous said...

So how well funded is the TCP1 ? 95% ? 110% ?

How many people still working are in it?

How much money a year does the 7% from participants contribute ?

Any increase in interest rates will make plans like this look over funded quickly. Do the Feds then take money back? Is that legal?

Anonymous said...

Any funds left over after the last tcp1er retires will go back to DOE. there are roughly 2900 tcp1ers.
Contributions can only increase.

Anonymous said...

Employees added to TCP1 after it was said to be closed was proven to be false correct?

Anonymous said...

The 7% post-tax contribution definitely changes the calculus of when one is 'working for free' whether you call it a soft push or not.

Anonymous said...

That's one of the neater things about TCP-2; it breaks the old "working for free" model attached to the old UCRP and TCP-1 plans.

Anonymous said...

If you use $75,000 as an after tax annual salary (probably a low number), the amount of money LLNS takes in is over $15 million per year. Isn't that wonderful that the TCP1 folks are paying for infrastructure since DOE does not want to.

Anonymous said...

Isn't that wonderful that the TCP1 folks are paying for infrastructure since DOE does not want to.

November 10, 2016 at 7:27 AM

You are such a sick lying sack of shit. Crawl back into your hole.Some of us still care about facts.

Anonymous said...

That's one of the neater things about TCP-2; it breaks the old "working for free" model...

Fair enough, as one is unlikely to get close enough to the mystical 100%-of-salary cash flow with TCP-2 to have to sweat that detail.

Anonymous said...

TCP2, paid absolutely no % contributions annually, add a 401K with LLNS matching funds and guess what...methinks I have made my 100%. BOHICA!! hahahahahaha!

Anonymous said...

You're still a turd with no pension.

Anonymous said...

I thought this would be a good forum to make, or attempt to make, intelligent comments (for or against) this issue, but some people use it to practice their third grade potty language. And you, Mr November 10, 5:42, what facts are you referring to? Just go back to your rewarding custodial job and let us adults have meaningful discussions!

Anonymous said...

TWo thoughts. The 7% contribution signifi anty hastens the breakeven date for participants with longevity.

Second, it works. Checks come. Medical etc is paid. It works and it is great. #currentbeneficiary #oldfart

Anonymous said...

What a bunch of dummies. Work for free? TCP1 is part of the compensation for employees. Otherwise, they would have left for MUCH better paying jobs. It's also a reason that LLNL cannot retain the next generation of Labbies. Unsure how employees would feel if their paychecks were smaller than agreed upon.

Anonymous said...

There is the story of the frog in water. Heat up the water slowly and the frog won't complain, but will eventually die when the water is hot enough. Since the transition to LLNS. employees have (fearfully) sat back while many changes were made to benefits and policy. Now LLNS is at the point to take TCP1 contributions. What will employees do?

Anonymous said...

"What will employees do?" History says employees will choose to get a little warmer, and accept their ever eroding benefits.

Anonymous said...

Poor analogy...try ..retired...collect $7k per month...grows 2% annually. ..feel great...golf... jog...wife lets me catch her Saturday mornings...its boring and ok... (Saturday morning)

Anonymous said...

Retirement is an obvious option for those of retirement age, but many TCP1 employees are not ready or eligible for that option. Which brings us back to the original question: "What will employees do?

Anonymous said...

I retired under TCP-1 at the end of 2012. Was tired of paying the 5 to 7% off the top into TCP-1. However, the fraction of money you spent after taxes pays off later, as that part of your pension is TAX FREE ! Like a Roth IRA, which didn't exist while we where working. So actually, if you live long enough I think the TCP-1 plan is a great deal. This will never come around again. TCP-1 was an incentive to keep working at LLNL with a below market salary. TCP-2 is an incentive to work less than 5 years and move on.

Anonymous said...

Agree, rolling over to TCP1 was an opportunity to take advantage of having a pension without having to freeze salary and years of service. If the 7% required contribution (tax free as part of the pension) helps to ensure its longevity, I think most would agree it works out as a better option than TCP2 for many (not all). From what I have seen, no regrets from those who chose TCP1 over TCP2, and vice-versa. We'll check back in ten years or so.

Anonymous said...

From the LLNS "Annual Funding Notice" - Dates April 2016

How the Pension Plan is Funded: LLNS and active plan participants contribute to the pension trust.. . . In general, contributions from LLNS are required if the assets in the trust are less than the current value of pension benefits.
From "FAQa for Contributions to LLNS Defined Benefit Plan - April 12, 2012

What happens when interest rates increase and the Defined Benefit Plan becomes well overfunded?
A. The amount of future contributions will depend on many factors including future asset performance. As interest rates increase and assets grow through earnings and contributions, the plan will become better funded. Once the plan has enough assets to pay all future pension obligations, both employee and LLNS contributions will cease.


From the "LLNS Defined Benefit Plan Contribution Briefing" - Dated May 2 & 3, 2012

When will employee contributions end?
Contributions must continue until the plan has sufficient assets to pay all future pension obligations. We expect contributions to continue for the foreseeable future.

There is no statutory requirement to determine employee contributions. LLNS is implementing an employee contribution level of 5 percent, which is the amount active UC employees will be contributing to the UCRP effective July 1, 2012.

All this being said, why are employees still contributing 7% (AFTER TAXES) and the employer contributing ZERO?

Anonymous said...

If you're so valuable and being so mistreated go to industry or elsewhere for employment, otherwise suck it up government Clinton voters. You'll find it is a privilege to work, or just hang around at LLNL

Also, it is racist to consider TCP1 7% contributions when there's racism lurking around each corner:

E-LINE: Diversity, respect essential to Lab’s success

The recent presidential campaign was unusually contentious, at least in my experience. In its aftermath, fears have been raised that intolerance and prejudice – always lurking – will become more overt and acceptable.

People I know have even expressed concern for the safety and security of themselves or their families. While revanchist sentiments exist to roll back progress in recognizing and valuing human differences, I don’t believe they represent a credible force today.

In any case, prejudice, bigotry and exclusion based on race, gender, ethnicity or religious or sexual preference are never acceptable at the Lab. We will continue to strive for a diverse and inclusive community as an essential element of mission success.

As we all return from the Thanksgiving holiday, that echoes with the values of grace, good will and community, please remember to treat one another with respect and consideration.

Bill Goldstein
Director

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