Who is withholding from whom?

I lost $10,000 today. Poof. Gone. Finito.

While I could claim it was stolen, it was never 'fully' mine.

And, unlike truly losing something, I know where it went.

It is a return-to-sender loss, back into the (presumably) deep pockets or pocketbooks of previous #companies I once represented.

The irony is that I didn't get the luxury of holding back on my professional contributions after 1 day, 1 month, 1 year, and beyond. There are corporations holding strings. And, then, there is the person tied to said strings, and I am–like the domestic workforce–the former.??

I was vested. Unwaveringly vested.

Yet, my employer contributions were 'unvested.' I hadn't hit my [x]-year mark to commiserate or com'misery'ate our relationship. Instead, I had forfeited our time together, and like all irreparable break-ups, power must be asserted.

Even years later, I never earned the opportunity to reclaim my time, my 'swequity,' my sanity back. Leaving was, at times, professionally incited (including not on my terms). Other times, I left for personal reasons like moving states or better insurance requirements (in the USA, insurance must fall in the best category, or you will pay...dearly).?

In #America, #employers always get the last laugh. And it reverberates...all the way to an employee's retirement.

Highlighting simple numbers with infinite financial implications, 5 years is a standard mark for an employer to eventually 'fully financially' invest in you and your 401K. Yet, the average USA worker stays for 4.6 years (not including the onslaught of layoffs) (CNBC). As of 2022, the #USALaborForce is 164.29 million (Statistica).??

How much money is being 'lost' each year from future retirement accounts? This doesn't include the contributory holding periods, the status quo 3% employer match (if that), or employee contribution restrictions placed on age.?

Is the system designed not to have a functional retirement fund to retire? Or should we rely on #SocialSecurity? Funds are 'only' set to run out in 2035 (NerdWallet). There has to be a better way, right?

In #Australia, employers' contributions (#superannuation aka #super) hold steadfast at...drumroll...10.5%. So stay, leave, live(!)...your company contributions follow you and your career. It's mandated (MoneySmart)! Novel!

In conclusion, what does employer withholding do??

1. It contributes to the term '#GoldenHandcuffs.' Stay, whether happy or not, to reap the financial benefits (potentially to the detriment of other things like happiness).
2. It 'retains' employees (aka maintains possession of).?
3. It contributes to the #USWorkforce being in the red for retirement.
4. It puts more strain on #government resources, that is, if they are available. The cycle of #EconomicDisparity continues.
5. With a call for #WageTransparency, #BenefitTransparency is part and parcel.

When most companies did away with pensions, they also did away with the commitment to their employees. In turn, it has produced retention and loyalty issues. #401K employer matches are cited as one of the best job benefits (Forbes)–but this is optional. Employers don't need to contribute at all.??

As an #AmericanEmployer, is it your goal to attract or control talent? Then, bring sexy back with #NoHoldsBack of 401K contributions. It's time to fully invest in your employees and their future, as this is the expectation you put on us.??

#GovernmentMandatedBenefits #EmployeeBenefits #PeopleOverProfits #MutualWorkingRelationship #401krollover