From Deseret News archives:

West Point man plays role in Bush speech

He flies to D.C. to help push Social Security plan

Published: Friday, April 22, 2005 9:42 a.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
At age 16, Wright Noel began paying the government to fund his retirement through Social Security.

At age 23, he started a personal retirement account through his work as a schoolteacher in Bend, Ore.

Now, at 67, retired in West Point, Davis County, that planning has paid off — not only with extra cash, but with the opportunity for high-profile social appointments.

On Thursday, Noel met with President Bush and was cited in a speech about Social Security reform. It was an exciting opportunity, said his daughter, Teresa Hislop, although her dad "knows nothing about investing."

"He's totally an average American," Hislop said. "He just had the opportunity to control that (personal retirement account), and that was done largely through advice given through the teacher's retirement plan in Oregon."

Noel was unavailable for comment because he was on a flight back to Utah.

The White House asked Noel to come to Washington after staffers saw an opinion piece he had written for a local newspaper.

Excerpts from President Bush's speech, given Thursday at the annual conference of Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, show several references to Noel and his use of a personal retirement account.

Story continues below
"I appreciate you coming, Wright," said the president. "I appreciate you letting me use you as an example of missed opportunity for a lot of people because of the way the current system is structured.

"You see, I think we need to give everybody a chance, if they so choose, to put some of their money into a personal savings account, a conservative mix of bonds and stocks, so they can get a better rate of return on their money."

Bush joked about Noel, telling a story about what he did when he got his first retirement checks. Noel's monthly Social Security check is about $1,152; his retirement check from his personal account is about $5,400.

"When he said he started getting his retirement checks, he went out and bought himself five brand-new shirts," said Bush, drawing laughter from the audience. "He said, 'I never did that before because, being a schoolteacher with five kids, you have to shop at the used clothing store.'"

West Point Mayor John Petroff laughed when he heard the news about Noel. "Shows we have smart people in West Point," Petroff said. "I think it's great."


E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

Image

Wright Noel

previousnext

Latest comments

So are you saying that women's soccor should evolve into this type of...

The Church has never been about hating gays, or any other group. It has only...

Hatch empathizes with Muslims

To which I add Amen, and Amen! [Thank you!]

RSL in win-Windy City situation

this is going to so much fun? Gee who do i cheer for if REAL plays Galaxy? ...

Hall would rather take a hit

The great QBs make defenses pay for bringing pressure. Hall offers up...

I completely concur, this exhibition game was supposed to be easy and a blow...

Maybe we should just back up 50 years and do away with all laws etc. passed...

So does Hall enjoy absorbing the contact as Call says, or in Hall's own...

Well put, let it die. A lot people who want the health care bill haven't...

D-Will, Price sit out Jazz practice

If Jerry studies "game tape" he will see how to beat the Celtics, see Phoenix...

Advertisements
Advertisement