RAP/Pension InterestRate Chart September 2020
BP EMPLOYEES, Interest rates for August, which impact BP Employees collecting their pension on December 1, were flat compared to November’s rates and mostly inline with our expectations. Our outlook for interest rates in January suggests we will see another month of minimal changes in rates. The slight change in rates means retirees should anticipate only [...]
RAP/Pension InterestRate Chart August 2020
BP EMPLOYEES, The interest rates for July, which impact BP Employees collecting their pension on November 1st, continued to decline and were almost exactly in line with our estimated rates. For those of you currently elected for a November 1st Benefit Commencement date, we recommend you keep the elected date. If you have not yet elected [...]
RAP/Pension InterestRate Chart July 2020
BP EMPLOYEES, June’s interest rates impacting those of you collecting your pension on October 1st, declined as expected and was mostly in line with our forecast from last month. The impact these lower rates will have on your pension value can vary significantly from person to person. It is important to take a close look at [...]
BP 401(k) Model Allocations – Q3/2020
Attention BP Employees, Capstone RIA is pleased to announce the release of our Q3 2020 model allocations for your BP ESP. As the effects from COVID-19 continue, so does the heightened volatility in financial markets. The second quarter of 2020 was a drastically different scenario from the first quarter, with equity markets recouping a significant amount [...]
BP & Hilcorp 401(k) Model Allocations – Q3/2020
Attention BP Employees, Capstone RIA is pleased to announce the release of our Q3 2020 model allocations for your BP ESP & Hilcorp 401(k). As the effects from COVID-19 continue, so does the heightened volatility in financial markets. The second quarter of 2020 was a drastically different scenario from the first quarter, with equity markets recouping [...]
RAP/Pension InterestRate Chart June 2020
BP EMPLOYEES, May interest rates, affecting those of you selecting September 1st as your benefit commencement date, continued to decline. This decline was mostly in line with our expectations and gradual declines in coming months are expected. September is currently the best month to collect your pension lump sum. The Federal Reserve expanded its bond buying [...]
RAP/Pension InterestRate Chart May 2020
BP EMPLOYEES, April’s interest rates, affecting those of you retiring before August 1st, show a substantial decline versus March’s rates. We expect May rates to continue that decline as US Government stimulus programs continue their current track. Please note, we are forecasting another noticeable rate drop in May and as result, September is currently the best [...]
BP 401(k) Model Allocations – Q2/2020
Attention BP Employees, Capstone RIA is pleased to announce the release of our Q2 2020 model allocations for your BP ESP. The first quarter of 2020 was turbulent to say the least. During the week of March 9th through 16th, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) experienced several of the greatest percentage losses it has ever [...]
RAP/Pension InterestRate Chart April 2020
BP EMPLOYEES, March was nothing short of a tumultuous month for both stocks and bonds. Equity markets experienced the second highest level of volatility ever recorded; only surpassed by the peak of the 2008 financial crisis. March was an erratic month for bonds. US Treasury rates fell across the board to their lowest levels ever recorded, [...]
RAP/Pension InterestRate Chart March 2020
BP EMPLOYEES, As discussed in last month’s pension email, we called for bond rates to fall substantially as the current market sell-off on Wall St. continued. That certainly ended up being the case; falling to levels our bond markets have never seen before. Since your BP Pension (RAP) is inversely tied to interest rates, falling rates [...]
