RSP 085 5/18/07
RSP 112 11/05/07
The RSP Periodic Email Archive:
With somethings old, somethings new, somethings borrowed and sometimes blue!
Please realize that the focus of RSP was never intended to be a pension mess. When this is over and done with, I will direct this email and website in a lighter direction. I post almost every email that I receive, with last names removed unless granted permission. The editor does not always agree with contributors, but protects their right to share opinion We will share info that we think our community will find pertinent and enjoyable. Thank you for staying in touch and happy retirement!
The following are the RSP email archives that I still have, complete with grammar and mis-spelled SNAFU's! Caution, when reading archives keep in mind our world is a dynamic place and many bits of information become dated and are super-ceded by later updated info.
Dear Retired Delta Pilot,
Calendar:
Nov 14th for class action suit hearing (amended from Oct 2nd)
2008 - Secondary and final distributions? (Now after May 2008 -according to Kight)
________________________________________________
DAL NEWS/RUMORS: (DAL AJC, DAL Yahoo,)
Might want to check this out:
Delta Air Lines Exec Vp Sells Shares
AP - Fri 5:16 pm ET
Photo Release -- Bon Appetit! Delta Boards Exclusive New Entrees From Celebrity Chef Todd English for Domestic Coach Class Customers
Thursday November 1, 10:23 am ET
English's tempting and delicious dishes take flight as part of the airline's food for purchase menu
ATLANTA, Nov. 1, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL - News) introduced new signature entrees from celebrity chef Todd English on EATS, the airline's food for purchase menu, for customers traveling in Coach Class on nearly all flights within the 48 contiguous United States of at least 2,000 miles or four hours. By spring 2008, 50 percent of Delta's domestic, mainline flights will offer EATS.
Photos accompanying this release are available at
Delta's new menu features five selections from English, including two breakfast and three lunch/dinner entrees -- all available for a cost of $4 to $9:
Breakfast Entrees:
-- Nutella(r), Banana PB&J: Nutella, grape jelly and banana slices
on a ciabatta roll ($4)
-- Cheddar, Turkey Bacon and Apple Butter Croissant: apple butter,
cheddar cheese, sliced turkey bacon and Granny Smith apple slices
on a croissant ($6)
Lunch/Dinner Entrees:
-- Grilled Mediterranean Shrimp Salad: Earthbound Farm(r) baby
romaine lettuce, pitted kalamata olives, diced tomato, cucumber
strips, red onion julienne, feta cheese triangles and grilled
shrimp, served with red wine vinaigrette ($9)
-- Roast Beef Steak Cobb Sandwich: Thinly sliced roast beef,
Earthbound Farm romaine lettuce, avocado egg salad, applewood
smoked bacon on Cuban bread served with blue cheese dressing ($8)
-- Chilled Black Olive Spaghetti Salad: Spaghetti tossed with a black
olive tapenade, topped with olives, capers, basil leaves, served
with Earthbound Farm romaine hearts, a parmesan tuille and olive
oil and balsamic vinaigrette dressing ($8)
| |
``Todd English has a truly unique and world-class approach to cuisine that is a perfect addition to Delta's food for purchase menu,'' said Joanne Smith, Delta's senior vice president of In-Flight Service and Global Product Development. ``We are committed to providing our customers with a wide variety of choices when they travel with us and we are confident these delicious, new signature dishes offer something to suit every taste.''
``This is a new day for Delta, an airline committed to upgrading its in-flight experience, and I'm proud to be a part of this project. I've designed a menu of entrees that I hope will change customers' ideas of what Coach Class food can be,'' said Todd English. ``These dishes offer a modern twist on popular classics, and I hope that customers will be surprised and impressed with the quality of their in-flight meal.''
Delta launched its food for purchase menu -- featuring a variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner entrees, as well as popular snack items -- in September on nonstop mainline flights between New York - John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport and Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle. Today, the food for purchase menu, including English's signature creations is available on almost every mainline flight within the 48 contiguous United States of at least 2,000 miles or four hours, including those to/from Atlanta, Boston, Cincinnati, Fort Lauderdale, Hartford, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York - JFK, Oakland, Orlando, Phoenix, Portland, Raleigh, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle and Tampa. As Delta expands the menu to more flights by spring 2008, the food for purchase offerings will also be available on mainline flights within the 48 contiguous United States of more than 750 miles out of cities including Atlanta, Chicago, Cincinnati, Boston, Houston, Phoenix, Portland, Tampa, Las Vegas and more. Customers continue to receive complimentary snacks on all flights of more than 250 miles and on Delta Connection carrier flights.
English joins renowned Chef Michelle Bernstein, Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson and Nightlife proprietor Rande Gerber in Delta's effort to create a distinctive and delicious experience for travelers at 30,000 feet. To complement the food for purchase menu, Delta customers can toast to their travels with new creations from Midnight Sky -- the signature cocktail program created exclusively for Delta by nightlife proprietor Rande Gerber. Delta's signature cocktails are offered on board all domestic and international Delta mainline flights, select Delta Connection(r) carrier flights, and in the airline's Crown Room Clubs(r) and BusinessElite lounges. This fall, customers can choose from three signature cocktails, personally mixed by Delta flight attendants who have been specially trained by mixologists from the Gerber Group.
Additionally, by mid-2008 Delta customers traveling in both First and Coach Classes on all flights of at least 2,000 miles or four hours will experience comfortable all-leather seating and Delta on Demand at every seat. The airline's advanced digital entertainment system features a personal seven-inch widescreen monitor; 18 channels of live television; a choice of up to 25 new and popular classic films; 40 hours of premium HBO content; more than 3,000 MP3s; a suite of 12 video games and much more.
Todd English is a celebrity chef, restaurateur, author, entrepreneur, and television star based in Boston, Massachusetts and New York City. He is currently the chef and owner of Olives in Charlestown, Massachusetts. In recent years, English has established Olives as one of the most prestigious names in the nation by opening other locations around the world: Olives New York in the W Hotel in Union Square, Olives Las Vegas at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, Olives DC in the heart of Washington, DC, Olives Aspen at the St. Regis Hotel in Aspen, Colorado, and Olives Biloxi at Beau Rivage.
Todd has just been named to the James Beard Foundation's ``Who's Who in Food and Beverage in America.'' English's television credits include his public television series, Cooking with Todd English, produced by Connecticut Public Television. He also now stars in Food Trip with Todd English, a half-hour program produced by WGBH that debuted in January 2007. On Food Trip, Todd travels to domestic and international locations (Tokyo, Nantucket, New York City, Boston, Phoenix, and Tucson) to explore different regional dishes and culinary traditions. At the end of each show he returns to his home kitchen at Olives in Boston to create a dish inspired by the ingredients and cuisine of each locale he has visited. Todd has authored the critically acclaimed cookbooks, The Olives Table, and The Figs Table and The Olives Dessert Table published by Simon & Schuster.
Delta Air Lines operates service to more worldwide destinations than any airline with Delta and Delta Connection flights to 317 destinations in 55 countries. Since 2005, Delta has added more international capacity than any other major U.S. airline is the leader across the Atlantic with flights to 35 trans-Atlantic markets. To Latin America and the Caribbean, Delta offers nearly 500 weekly flights to 58 destinations. Delta's marketing alliances also allow customers to earn and redeem SkyMiles on nearly 15,000 flights offered by SkyTeam and other partners. Delta is a founding member of SkyTeam, a global airline alliance that provides customers with extensive worldwide destinations, flights and services. Including its SkyTeam and worldwide codeshare partners, Delta offers flights to 479 worldwide destinations in 104 countries. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes and check flight status at .
_______________________________________________
FINANCE: CLAIMS/PBGC/HCTC/ INSURANCE/PLANNING/TAX/ESTATE
Remaining 5 Watch:
After Aug 2007 there are 5 retirement items remaining with financial consequence.
1. PBGC 2nd look re-calc at qualified annuity benefits - completed 8/24/07
2. PBGC make up lump payment for underpayments since termination: pending (due Jan '08)
3. 2nd (final) claim distribution by DAL through BSI - pending (likely after May '08)
4. Class Action suit concerning 5 yr lookback worth in excess of $100 million - pending
5. Final PBGC re-calc "determination" of qualified annuity (likely after claim stock sale) - pending
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
REPRINT FOUND MONEY!!! Don't Miss this!!!
Thanks to my friend Marc for emailing the following. When DAL started to furlorugh ALPA decided to help the furloughees by paying for health insurance premiums. Those of us who paid into the the fund through assessment will have a refund of the balance.
MAKE SURE YOU GUYS GET THIS FROM THEM !!!!!
MINE WAS FOR $115.00
October 26, 2007
COBRA Refund
Earlier this year, every furloughed Delta pilot was
offered recall. That milestone triggered the process
to return the remaining balance in the COBRA fund. The
refunds will be made to the pilots who paid COBRA
assessments while we had pilots on furlough.
It is important to understand that the refund will be
based on the amount paid into the account. Every pilot
who paid COBRA assessments will have their payments
compared to the total paid into the COBRA Fund. This
calculation will produce a percentage. The same
percentage will be used when calculating a pilot’s
refund.
Approximately, $761,000 is available for the refund
after administrative fees. The total is an
approximation because the administrative fees will
vary based on the form of payment selected by the
pilots due a refund. Due to processing costs, the MEC
Administration has set a $5 minimum for refund
payments. All monies below the $5 minimum will be
donated to the Delta Pilots Charitable Fund (DPCF).
A link has been created on the MEC website,
, titled “COBRA Refund”.
When a pilot who is due a refund clicks on the link, he will
be taken to a page that displays the amount of his
refund. He will also be offered two choices of how the
refund will be paid:
• Send a check to the address in the Delta MEC database
• Make a tax-deductible donation to the Delta Pilots Charitable Fund (DPCF)
Each pilot who makes a selection will receive a
confirmation email.
The MEC Administration strongly encourages all pilots
to consider donating their refund to the Delta Pilots
Charitable Fund. The DPCF supports children’s needs
throughout the country. The COBRA refunds donated will
make a difference in many children’s lives.
If you have any questions about the COBRA refund
process, please contact the
MEC Secretary Treasurer,
Capt. Kingsley Roberts, at the MEC office
(800-USA-ALPA) or by email to
kingsley.roberts@.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
RE: Legal Representation
I asked Will on behalf of some pilots who still have objection claims still standing with the court, who might be a good legal source to seek out. Here is his response:
Mark:
I apologize for not getting back to you sooner but my wife and I have just returned from a trip to Europe (at least one of our Delta benefits is intact) and have been out of email contact.
The attorney who represented the pilots who made a final attempt to keep the pension plan alive was Donald Sapir from the Sapir and Frumkin law firm in White Plains, New York.
Donald L. Sapir
399 Knollwood Road, Suite 310
White Plains, New York 10603
(914) 328-0366
Don and his firm are very familiar with the issues surrounding the pension termination and he has said that he would be willing to represent other retirees who have issues before the bankruptcy court or PBGC. (His fees last year ranged from $175 to $400 per hour depending on the experience of each attorney in the firm working on a case.)
As you probably know, I am now a trustee of DP3 and I want to assure you and your readers that DP3 will fight to preserve the rights and benefits of all retired Delta pilots, as evidenced by our class action to address the issue of the pension benefits that have currently been "disregarded" by both Delta and the PBGC. (Due to the PBGC's assertion that it can use its five year lookback authority to impose reduced section 415 limits on our benefits that were previously classified as Qualified but are now deemed to be "non-qualified" by the agency.)
While DP3 will represent all retired pilots as it pursues remedies to problems encountered in the area of retiree benefits post-bankruptcy, we will only be allowed to legally represent our members in proceedings before the PBGC or Bankruptcy Court regarding individual benefits.
I understand why many retired pilots did not support DP3's position regarding the termination of the pilot pension plan, but that is now behind us and we all need to work together and speak with one voice. I encourage all retired Delta pilots to consider joining their fellow retirees who are fully paid up members of DP3. (The current total of all DP3 assessments is $1000.)
For current information and a membership form, please log onto the website at .
Will Buergey
\
+++++++++++++++++++++++
Good Article on when to start SS:
On The Cover/Top Stories
The 62/70 Solution
Janet Novack 11.12.07, 12:00 AM ET
When should you claim Social Security benefits? Here's a surprising split answer for married couples.
More than half of Americans claim Social Security retirement benefits at age 62, the earliest allowed. This has long been a source of consternation to financial and policy pundits, who contend that, given Americans' lengthening life expectancies, they should work longer and wait longer--until 66 or, better yet, 70--to start collecting. The longer you wait, the bigger your monthly Social Security check.
But now two sets of researchers have suggested in separate papers a novel strategy that should benefit many married couples: One spouse (usually the wife) claims at 62 to 66, while the other waits until 69 or 70 to collect. This pays off because of obscure Social Security rules and some facts about life expectancy that aren't obvious if you don't make your living as an actuary.
For the boomers turning 62 next year (and anyone born from 1943 through 1954) the Social Security "full retirement age" is 66. If they claim benefits at 62, they get just 75% of their full retirement age benefits. For each year they wait past 66, they get 8% more (plus an inflation adjustment), for a maximum benefit at 70 equal to 132% of the full retirement age payout.
These adjustments are supposed to be actuarially neutral--meaning if you live to the average age, you get about the same whether you start collecting smaller checks early or bigger checks later. But they're not. One reason is that married couples get a special deal: When one dies, the survivor can take the dead spouse's benefits (if they're higher) and drop his or her own.
"Whoever the higher earner is should plan to delay taking Social Security, because the higher benefit will always live on," says James Mahaney, vice president of Prudential Retirement and coauthor of one of the papers. "The key message is keep your husband in the workforce as long as you can,'' quips Alicia H. Munnell, director of the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College and coauthor of the other paper. (She notes that a wife might continue to work, too, while collecting Social Security. Although early retirees can lose a portion of their benefits if they earn too much, once you reach 66 you don't incur any penalty for working.)
Part of why the 62/70 solution works is something known as joint mortality. Consider a husband and wife, both born on Jan. 1, 1950. When they become eligible for Social Security at 62, the wife will have a projected life expectancy of 84 years and 8 months. That roughly means there's a 50% chance she'll live that long (roughly, because the median life span is not necessarily the average life span). The husband's life expectancy will be 81 years and 10 months. But there's a 50% chance one spouse will die before 78 and a 50% chance the second will hold on until almost 89, the Government Accountability Office calculates. So, in effect, a woman who takes Social Security at 62 isn't necessarily accepting a smaller payout until 84, but only (on average) until her husband (or she) kicks off shy of 78. And that bigger check that the husband waited until 70 to get? Half the time it will keep coming to one of them for 19 years or more.
The table shows the total Social Security payout a high-earning husband and his wife would get in net present dollars, assuming average life expectancies. In all cases, it pays for the husband to wait and the wife to collect earlier. The numbers shown actually understate the advantages of the split-age strategy for many couples, since the husband and wife in this table are both now 62. If the wife is younger, as is common, the benefits of this split strategy are even bigger.
Note that a wife who hasn't worked outside the home can collect "spousal" benefits, but not until her husband either draws his own Social Security check or reaches full retirement age. Spousal benefits are reduced if taken at 62. But unlike worker benefits, they don't grow if they're delayed beyond 66. That used to be a disincentive for a husband in a one-earner family to delay claiming Social Security. But in 2000 Congress added a provision allowing a worker to file for Social Security at 66, so his spouse could collect, and then "suspend" his own benefits, thereby earning a bigger delayed retirement check for himself and, very likely, his widow.
What if a couple of high earners decides to go with the 62/70 approach and then he keels over from a heart attack at 64? Incredibly, the wife can undo her early retirement by paying back, without interest, the Social Security benefits she has received and then wait until 70 to claim bigger retirement checks for herself.
The split-age strategy works even if both husband and wife have earned the Social Security tax base maximum ($97,500 for 2007 and $102,000 for 2008) their whole careers. Still, this strategy isn't for everybody. If both spouses have Methuselah genes, it probably pays for both to wait until 69 or 70 to collect. If they're in poor health, they may both want to collect at 62.
[pic]
+++++++++++++++++++
11-02-07
DP3 has filed a claim for dis-regarded benefits, now DAL has filed its objection. Showdown will be Nov 14th.
DAL's memorandum:
DAL's objection:
++++++++++++++++
After attending the DALRC Road Meeting in Cincinnati on Oct 25th, I'm reporting that there are minor changes to the over 65 medical programs. The changes are the increase cost in premiums and the increase of covered benefit's. Make sure you look at and read all items in your benefit package.
You all should have received it by now.
I do not have all the information on the under 65 program as their is six retirement groups. I think the coverage is about the same, but there is an increase in cost coverage and higher premium cost's. Your enrollment package will come from Delta, so make sure you get it and when you do read and study.
There is one request that I would like to make. That all Delta retirees join the DALRC if you have not done so. If it was not for the DALRC committee, under the leadership of Cathy Cone, we would not have what we have today. The DALRC is working for all Delta retirees. Your membership dues of $50.00 goes for the cost of the operation, lawyer's and etc. The DALRC committee members are all volunteer's and no monies are given to them.
We have over 15,000 Delta retirees in the DALRC medical program. We need to keep adding to this number to help keep the cost in line with what we have or at a minimum increase.
I would like to finish by using the last paragraph from their last newsletter.
We are proud of the accomplishments of DALRC to date and we realize that they would not have been possible without your support, in money, membership and your willingness to stand united in protecting what we have earned. We appreciate very much your support and look forward to continuing to represent your interest in the years ahead.
Contact a retiree that you know and advise them about the DALRC.
To join go to or call 1-877-DALRC65 for more information.
Thank you.
Robert E. Nelson
President-Windy City Chapter
_________________________________________________
OTHER AIRLINE: (AMR, UAL, CAL, LUV, NWA, USAir)
Active pilots how far behind? Thanks Marc:
DAL 767-300 Captain pay in Jan 1985 was 157.76.
Adjusted for inflation this is 311.73 (as of Sep
2007). Current 767 Captain pay (Jan 1, 2007) is 157.62
and is 97.8% lower than adjusted Jan 1985 rates
_________________________________________________
Human interest:
Career Oppty KAL: (if you want to apply I can forward you the attachments)
Dear B767 Captains,
Korean Air is still looking for B777 Captains and currently considering B757/B767 Captains who would be willing to fund their own B777 type rating if successful at a screening!
Our pilots on contract with Korean Air enjoy a stable roster, good quality hotel accommodation and excellent commuting options.
KAK have announced the next screening: 10-14 December 2007
Attached please find the details of the Korean Air contract. if you are interested in this position and available to attend the above screening if selected (remembering to allow extra days for travel), please send the following by 10 November 2007:
1. Completed application form (attached)
2. CV/resume with photo (template attached for reference)
3. Scanned copy of your passport.
Send your documents as soon as possible so you don’t miss out on this great opportunity!
Apologies for those who have received this email in error, this is the result of a database mail out.
Note: If you wish to unsubscribe to our mailing list please advise by return email with the word “UNSUBSCRIBE” in the email subject line.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Kind regards
Kim Bell, Recruitment Consultant
| | |
| | |
| |
| | |Level 1, 33 Bath Street |Tel: +64 9 302 0080 |
| | |PO Box 37-434, Parnell |DDI: +64 9 374 0768 |
| | |Auckland 1001, New Zealand |Fax: +64 9 302 0078 |
| | | |Mob: + 64 21 0248 5349 |
| | | |Skype: kim.bell.ral |
| | | |Email: |
| | | |kim.bell@ |
[pic]
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential to the intended recipient at the email address to which it has been addressed. The email may not be disclosed or used by any other than the addressee, nor may it be copied in any way. If you are not the intended recipient please contact the sender as soon as possible and delete any copies of this message. Please note that although this email has been checked, we cannot accept any responsibility for any transmitted viruses. It is therefore your responsibility to virus scan attachments (if any).
_________________________________________________
Misc. Emails Contributors:
10-29-07
Mark, wanna read something interesting??-go to google and thpe in ERISA 4047, and tell me what you think? R
Thanks R, This is VERY interesting but will share some info on it and then allow interested parties to rally. RSP'ers share your thoughts on this.
Part 4047 - Restoration of terminating and terminated plans:
DAL Retiree's Letter:
UAL Retired Site and 4047 issues:
__________________________________________________________
TRAVEL Section:
Pilots Must Consider a new special!
Short term good deal with $449 signup fee WAIVED!
Are you a "Ready...Set...Pack" traveler?
Then click for travel from cruises to
resorts. You'll find prices as low as anywhere on the net.
Re-Newed Web site- Faster and Better!
[pic]
Flights | Cars | Hotels | Cruises | Shore excursions | Vacations | Golf | Flowers | Tickets | Concerts/Games
Want to get "PAID" to travel? Click here. YTB Business opportunity is a quality, fun endeavor, with insider travel perks!
FREE Lunch?
Yep, I will buy you lunch if you attend a session on the schedule
below to find out more about YTB, Your Travel Biz. If you have interest in joining call me
at (888) 331 0259 and I will guide you through sign up with all the "do's and don'ts".
YTB info sessions that are free to attend:
_______________________________________________________________
HUMOR/SOBERING Section: (Disclaimer: These are shared links. I cannot pass along attachments or images but hot links work well. All of the the links I pass along have been openned but none have been certified clean from problems. With a good anti-virus program you should be safe on all).
Thanks Rik:
The Lone Ranger and Tonto went camping in the desert. After they got their tent all
set up, both men fell sound asleep.
Some hours later, Tonto wakes the Lone
Ranger and says, "Kemo Sabe, look towards sky, what you see?
The Lone Ranger replies, "I see millions of stars."
"What that tell you?" asked Tonto.
The Lone Ranger ponders for a minute then says, "Astronomically
speaking, it tells me there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions
of planets. Astrologically, it tells me that Saturn is in Leo. Time wise, it
appears to be approximately a quarter past three in the morning. Theologically,
the Lord is all-powerful and we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically,
it seems we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. What's it tell you, Tonto?"
"You dumber than buffalo turd
Someone stole the tent.
+++++++++++++++
"Modern Man" by George Carlin -- Funny!
_________________________________________________
That all for this RSP issue! Until next time.
Tailwinds Always,
Mark Sztanyo
859-916-0259
marksztanyo@
"Airspeed, altitude, or brains; you always need at least two."
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