I just received my annual TCP-1 letter from LLNS and a summary of the LLNS Pension Plan. Looked in pretty good shape in 2013. About 35% overfunded (funding target attainment percentage = 134.92%). This was a decrease from 2012 where it was 51% overfunded (funding target attainment percentage = 151.59%). They did note that the 2012 change in the law on how liabilities are calculated using interest rates improved the plan's position. Without the change the funding target attainment percentages would have been 118% (2012) and 105% (2013). 2013 assets = $2,057,866,902 2013 liabilities = $1,525,162,784 vs 2012 assets = $1,844,924,947 2012 liabilities = $1,217,043,150 It was also noted that a slightly different calculation method ("fair market value") designed to show a clearer picture of the plan' status as December 31, 2013 had; Assets = $2,403,098,433 Liabilities = $2,068,984,256 Funding ratio = 116.15% Its a closed plan with 3,781 participants. Of that number, 3,151 wer...
Comments
Who the hell knows what will happen if they attempt to do this. The labs are a far cry from what they use to be 20-30 years ago. On the other hand people from those times actually knew what they where doing and made stuff that was built to last. Contrary to what Nanos said people do matter and did matter.
Now suppose it is a successful or quasi successful test, another speculative question is how it would effect the world. Would it usher in more stability, less, or just satus que? One could argue for all these possibilities.The other is the how would it change national politics. The left would go nuts if this is done, the right will cheer, whether it would increase the chances for Trump are hard to say but it could make life interesting at the labs. You could imagine Biden saying, "The recklessness of Trump will be countered when I come in and dismantle 75% of these damm bombs!" In other words there could be promises to cut the NNSA if Biden comes in.
5/28/2020 9:03 PM
This is my guess, it is very risky for a number or reasons.
5/28/2020 9:03 PM
Who knows, the National is falling apart, riots in major cities, 100k dead, war with China. All in 4 years, these are the darkest times in in the history of this county and it may be coming to end, we cannot go on much longer. With the riots , Covid is going spread and we will have 2 million dead or more, sure some people can't get haircuts but the end is coming. The nation is divided and it cannot be repaired until major, and I mean major changes are made.
5/29/2020 3:22 PM
That is the elephant in the room.
You better get you ducks in a row come 2020. If you are left wing and lose you will be upset but ok, if you are right wing and win you will be happy, if you left wing and win you will be happy. The problem is if you are right wing and lose, than after 2020 you are going up against the proverbial wall and made to pay. If you are smart you better start changing your politics now.
In other words suppose we do test, and the left wins, they are going to make the NNSA labs pay for that test. There could be calls to dismantle them, de-fund them, and punish the NNSA for going along with Trump. If we don't test, and the right wing wins, no problem, if we don't test and the left wins, they ignore us. A major purge could be possible.
5/31/2020 11:00 AM
Why not just pay attention to the argument. This is a blog nothing more.