tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post4120332110555259141..comments2023-08-27T06:53:36.768-06:00Comments on LANL: The Rest of the Story: Frank Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134775226991383924noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-8647624909181513812009-01-20T13:12:00.000-07:002009-01-20T13:12:00.000-07:0011:34The document you speak of was the subject of ...11:34<BR/>The document you speak of was the subject of a Lab-Wide distribution via LINKS/Newsbulletin, and the letter to employees is still available from the LANS Benefits "Retirement Planning" page. The letter does not say that TCP1 is underfunded by 25%, only that the fund balance is down 25%.(By the way the plan was indeed overfunded upon receipt of the funds from UCRP, not underfunded as so often claimed on this blog). Don't know why some folks want to keep adding unwarranted angst to folks who already have enough to deal with. Beginning this year, LANS will be required to distribute an annual plan funding status in lieu of the old SARs. Maybe this will be more informative for all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-19132131052643771752009-01-18T16:31:00.000-07:002009-01-18T16:31:00.000-07:00Anonymouse? I think we've been insulted, Brain.-Pi...Anonymouse? I think we've been insulted, Brain.<BR/>-PinkyFrank Younghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02134775226991383924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-20891291960066865112009-01-18T15:09:00.000-07:002009-01-18T15:09:00.000-07:00To 1:00 PM.You are still an idiot, an anonymouse. ...To 1:00 PM.<BR/>You are still an idiot, an anonymouse. You could not even read accurately what I wrote.<BR/><BR/>To 8:09PM<BR/><BR/>I am hiring people out of SNL and LANS. My question was more general. It was, 'Would people reading this blog take up the challenge to behave as adults toward potential funders or not?'<BR/><BR/>So far NOT is winning, which to me is why the lab (as represented by commenters here) is non competitive with other organizations.<BR/><BR/>Does this help?Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04112131448599926289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-46663820525276737032009-01-17T17:19:00.000-07:002009-01-17T17:19:00.000-07:00UC underfunded TCP1 at LANL from the get-go. They...UC underfunded TCP1 at LANL from the get-go. They corrected this little "mistake" when it came time to fund the lab in their very own state, LLNL. Bottom line to this is that TCP1 at LLNL is in much better shape than TCP1 at LANL. <BR/><BR/>I expect LANS to suddenly announce this summer that LANL employees are going to be force to deposit a large percentage of their salary into TCP1 (~10% or more?). <BR/><BR/>And, no, don't expect to see any help to this pension mess from NNSA, LANS or the LANL budget. The funds to make TCP1 whole again will come only from the employees and, believe me, it's gonna hurt!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-21970649136119332462009-01-17T15:28:00.000-07:002009-01-17T15:28:00.000-07:001/17/09 11:34 AMRemember that TPC-1 is a "closed" ...1/17/09 11:34 AM<BR/><BR/>Remember that TPC-1 is a "closed" pension plan - no new participants. While cities, states, and corporate pensions are open and still adding new participants as future liabilities. <BR/><BR/>This not to say that LANS's TPC-1 is clear of problems. <BR/><BR/>LLNL has an identical TPC-1 (both are administered by Hewitt). LLNL's transition is a year and a half behind LANL so the publicly available annual summary reports are not aligned. However the end of CY07 comparison is interesting. As of December 31, 2007 - the LANS TPC-1 had a value of $1,517,299,409 with 6334 persons in it and the LLNS TPC-1 had a value of $1,657,376,087 with 3927 persons in it. This lends credence to the assertion that LANS TPC-1 is underfunded.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-54003493379028241482009-01-17T11:40:00.000-07:002009-01-17T11:40:00.000-07:00"If the Obama administration wants to show the cou..."If the Obama administration wants to show the country an early success, they should take on draining the LANS, LLNS, and NNSA swamps." (8:24 AM)<BR/><BR/><BR/>Don't hold your breath on that wish.<BR/><BR/>According to recent press reports, Mikey has been spending quality time hanging out with Sen. Udall and telling him that the future of LANL looks bright and everything is great under LANS' leadership... <BR/><BR/>and Udall believes him!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-50198948477971230332009-01-17T11:34:00.000-07:002009-01-17T11:34:00.000-07:00Saying that TCP1 may be facing funding problems in...Saying that TCP1 may be facing funding problems in not a nonsensical statement. LANL Benefits put out a short memo that mentioned under-funding of about 25% back in November. This memo was not sent out by either Email or hard copy to LANL employees. Instead it was almost hidden on one of the Benefits web pages.<BR/><BR/>If problems with pension funds are being seen at all levels (cities, states, corporate), then you can bet that TCP1 is also seeing these very same problems. <BR/><BR/>The question I have is this: Why are all these companies and other public entities talking with their employees about the deteriorating pension situation, but LANS is almost complete silent on the subject? The employees of LANL deserve to be better informed about what is happening to their pension and the future mitigation efforts that will be required to put it back in balance.<BR/><BR/>If you want to believe that "no news means good news" as far as TCP1 goes, then be my guest, 10:42PM. However, no one should take you seriously.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-52460362570984737522009-01-17T08:24:00.000-07:002009-01-17T08:24:00.000-07:00LANS is a failure. An interview with any staff me...LANS is a failure. An interview with any staff member would turn up many examples of overhead functions pushed down onto the the technical staff simply to hide overhead costs. <BR/><BR/>NNSA is a failure for continuing to pay the LANS fee despite LANL's decline in productivity, loss of talent, decaying physical plant, and huge increases in LANS management related costs. <BR/><BR/>If the Obama administration wants to show the country an early success, they should take on draining the LANS, LLNS, and NNSA swamps.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-65855730664416771602009-01-17T07:57:00.000-07:002009-01-17T07:57:00.000-07:00Don't know how LANS TCP1 is being funded, but NM E...Don't know how LANS TCP1 is being funded, but NM Educational Retirement Board members contribute 7.9% of their earnings to the retirement plan, in addition to Social Security.<BR/><BR/>The employer (school board, institution of higher learning, state agency, etc.) contributes an amount equal to 10.9% (effective 7-1-07) of a members’ total salary. The employer contribution will increase by .75% each year until July 1, 2011 when the employer contribution will be 13.9%.<BR/>------------------------------<BR/>NMERB Fund Status - 11/30/2008 <BR/>The $6.5 billion Educational Retirement Fund posted investment returns of -6.4% for the month ending November 30th, 2008. <BR/><BR/>For the trailing three and five year periods, the fund posted returns of -4.3% and 1.6%, respectively.<BR/>---------------------------------<BR/>Quick current estimate. According to their 6/30/07 Annual Report, they had assets with a FMV of $9.5B. The actuarial value of the assets was $8.6B (90% FMV) and the accrued actuarial liability was $12.2B, which gave a funded ratio of 70%.<BR/><BR/>Presumably, things have deteriorated a bit. From the Annual Report it looks like the AAL is growing at about $0.6B/yr. Assuming a 90% FMV ratio for AVA (0.9 x $6.7B = $6B), the plan would have a current estimated funding ratio of ~6/12.8 = 47%.<BR/><BR/>Even with some 20% of payroll being put into the plan it appears to have issues.<BR/>---------------------------------<BR/>NM is small population-wise of course, and I imagine this is being played out in many places around the country at a magnified level. <BR/><BR/>Following site not recommended for all-will-work-out-well types. These are primarily news articles. Tough decisions ahead. <BR/><BR/>http://www.pensiontsunami.com/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-60381505084580333202009-01-16T22:42:00.000-07:002009-01-16T22:42:00.000-07:009:10 pm: "The state pensions in NM are in trouble....9:10 pm: "The state pensions in NM are in trouble. LANS has been very quiet about TCP1, but you have to assume that it, too, is looking dicey..."<BR/><BR/>And what is your evidence for such a nonsensical, ridiculous statement? What is the connection you see between NM state pensions and the LANS pension fund? Be specific, if you want to be taken seriously.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-32343793836996808302009-01-16T21:10:00.000-07:002009-01-16T21:10:00.000-07:00The state pensions in NM are in trouble. LANS has...The state pensions in NM are in trouble. LANS has been very quiet about TCP1, but you have to assume that it, too, is looking dicey...<BR/><BR/>**********<BR/><BR/>Market losses batter state retirement<BR/><BR/>Friday, 16 Jan 2009<BR/>Reporter: Michael Herzenberg <BR/><BR/>SANTA FE (KRQE) - Several retirement funds for New Mexico public employees are in trouble, and that could mean changes for past, current and future workers.<BR/><BR/>Ten years, that's how long before state government retirees could lose their health insurance.<BR/><BR/>The New Mexico retiree health care authority is in such bad shape that without changes, it will go belly up in 2019.<BR/><BR/>60,000 New Mexico educators contribute part of their salaries to their retirement. 30,000 retirees depend on the money they gave while working to live now.<BR/><BR/>Wall Street dinged the pension fund managed by the educational retirement board by 33 percent last year, dropping it from about $10 billion to $6.7 billion.<BR/><BR/>"This is a very difficult time however our current retirees have nothing to worry about," Executive Director of the Educational Retirement Board Jan Goodwin said.<BR/><BR/>Goodwin pushed for the Legislative Finance Committee, or LFC, to make new hires work longer, 30 years instead of 25, before receiving full pensions. That's something the LFC chair admits may be necessary.<BR/><BR/>"It's not actually sound and it has not been and it's been made worse by market." LFC chairman Sen. John Arthur Smith, D, said.<BR/><BR/>The market also took a chunk out of the pension fund for New Mexico state, county and city retirees. A 25 percent hit from $12 billion to $9 billion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-33886635253183412772009-01-16T20:09:00.000-07:002009-01-16T20:09:00.000-07:009:12 am, are you saying you have two projects for ...9:12 am, are you saying you have two projects for which you have already received funding and are trying to decide if you should include Sandia or LANL?<BR/><BR/>If so, why not just hire some folks willing to work as consultants/contractors outside of LANS or Sandia for much less?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-69016819735499730282009-01-16T18:30:00.000-07:002009-01-16T18:30:00.000-07:001/15/09 8:44 AM,Everything about the Lab's Oracle ...1/15/09 8:44 AM,<BR/><BR/>Everything about the Lab's Oracle implementation is idiotic and has been for several years. Now that you know what your admins have been dealing with for the past three years, maybe you'll be nicer to them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-79971584979518658062009-01-16T13:00:00.000-07:002009-01-16T13:00:00.000-07:00Eric, no one wants to participate in one of your l...Eric, no one wants to participate in one of your little pet projects. Please stop pimping for cash on this blog.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps you should order one of those DVDs that teach people how to make a killing by buying and selling foreclosed real estate or day trading stocks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-75427111174589322212009-01-16T09:12:00.000-07:002009-01-16T09:12:00.000-07:00WFOI have a simple challenge.I have two decent siz...WFO<BR/><BR/>I have a simple challenge.<BR/><BR/>I have two decent sized potential WFO projects for LANL.<BR/><BR/>The commenters on this blog constantly say that WFO should go elsewhere and that LANS does not support it.<BR/><BR/>Are there any commenters willing to convince me that they can handle their part of either project whether the commenter works at LANL or moves elsewhere?<BR/><BR/>Blaming LANS is cheap. Convincing me that one of my projects (and its need for completion on time and under budget) should be done by LANL or by commenters on this blog is harder. Anyone willing to try?<BR/><BR/>At the moment, these projects are likely to go to SNL or other national labs, in part because LANL folks are not competing effectively and are not trying as hard as people at other places. One of these projects is in renewable energy, the big deal for the new administration and the new Secretary of Energy.Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04112131448599926289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-14143733693670948422009-01-16T08:59:00.000-07:002009-01-16T08:59:00.000-07:00"I know history holds no excitement for physicists..."I know history holds no excitement for physicists, but give it a try, just this once.<BR/><BR/>1/16/09 12:59 AM"<BR/><BR/>Not true. You need to do your homework before you make lameass statments.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-43880718506249507472009-01-16T07:26:00.000-07:002009-01-16T07:26:00.000-07:0010:22, that is incorrect. There was most certainly...10:22, that is incorrect. There was most certainly a job ad posted for TT DL.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-19782817535588915962009-01-16T07:11:00.000-07:002009-01-16T07:11:00.000-07:00"History is a relentless master. It has no present..."History is a relentless master. It has no present, only the past rushing into the future. To try to hold fast is to be swept aside."<BR/><BR/>John F. KennedyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-59218478398764784732009-01-16T06:39:00.000-07:002009-01-16T06:39:00.000-07:001/16/09 12:59 AM,Copy and paste the history for us...1/16/09 12:59 AM,<BR/>Copy and paste the history for us, or please take the time to type it out for us.Frank Younghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02134775226991383924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-23028831707560343632009-01-16T05:17:00.000-07:002009-01-16T05:17:00.000-07:00"That's the point we've arrived at with the labs b..."That's the point we've arrived at with the labs being mis-managed by NNSA/DOE. It's time to take a chance at something better. DOD offers that chance.<BR/>1/16/09 12:20 AM"<BR/><BR/>I agree. NNSA/DOE is a proven failure. There has to be a better way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-37254897903710521372009-01-16T00:59:00.000-07:002009-01-16T00:59:00.000-07:00"It's time to take a chance at something better. D..."It's time to take a chance at something better. DOD offers that chance."<BR/><BR/>You are clueless about history and have no idea what "chance" you are taking. If you have an academic background, you should at least understand the concept of doing your homework. I know history holds no excitement for physicists, but give it a try, just this once.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-82083727003826460512009-01-16T00:26:00.000-07:002009-01-16T00:26:00.000-07:00My experience is that DOD values leaders who take ...My experience is that DOD values leaders who take care of their people and gets rid of those who don't. Your mileage may vary.Frank Younghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02134775226991383924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-85871704827879223482009-01-16T00:20:00.000-07:002009-01-16T00:20:00.000-07:00"You do NOT want to be a DoD civilian scientist." ..."You do NOT want to be a DoD civilian scientist." - 8:23 PM<BR/><BR/>Yes, I DO. <BR/><BR/>Keeping the labs under DOE/NNSA is not a solution. When a procedure fails over and over again, it's insane to keep using the same procedure. <BR/><BR/>That's the point we've arrived at with the labs being mis-managed by NNSA/DOE. It's time to take a chance at something better. DOD offers that chance.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-46001464867719228362009-01-15T22:22:00.000-07:002009-01-15T22:22:00.000-07:00So Domenici spoke of the absolute importance of LA...So Domenici spoke of the absolute importance of LANS diversification and technology transfer. So how did LANS respond to this? Re-hire (externally with no job advertisement) Steve Girrens as the new Division Leader of Technology Transfer just back from his failed attempt as an private-sector entrepreneur. Girrens was a complete disaster as a team leader, group leader, and division leader. My only guess was that LANS rewarded Girrens for having destroyed Los Alamos National Laboratory prior to his departure and being responsible for handing LANL to LANS and then getting out of their way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28220200.post-88425047615980113932009-01-15T20:23:00.000-07:002009-01-15T20:23:00.000-07:006:54 pm: "Hope that Secretary Chu detaches NNSA en...6:54 pm: "Hope that Secretary Chu detaches NNSA entirely from the DOE and hands it over to DOD, where it belongs."<BR/><BR/>You do NOT want to be a DoD civilian scientist. And, you do NOT want nuclear weapon design, development, and testing in military hands (as examined exhaustively in the years following WWII). The DoD doesn't want it, either.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com