Dear DSRA Member,

What a year 2009 was! Who can forget February 5 and FedEx? What a team! 1,600 objections, 3,500 members of a 3 week old association represented in court February 24! A limited 1114 committee February 26, $8.75 million for a VEBA set-up, hardship program and subsidies. The First VEBA in the US qualified for the HCTC. An integrated HC and HCTC program effective 9-1-09 saving retirees $1000's of dollars per year. $20M of severance dollars saved for summer retirees, Congressional support for our cause, positive and supportive hearings and a seemingly supportive judge in Michigan telling the PBGC to not act and come back in January with better answers. WOW, from thousands of retired salaried people volunteering donations, time and talents and a few key vendors (Marsh, Cone, Stahl Cowan, Miller-Chevalier, Farella Braun + Martel) and key Government leaders (Ryan, Turner, Lee, Andrews, Price, Kline, Harkin, Enzi, Brown) - Thank You and "God bless us, one and all" (as tiny Tim would say).

We want to wish everyone a safe and happy, prosperous New Year

What's coming?

January Pension Checks

Bottom line,

1.      checks will be going out December 30

2.      electronic deposits will go out 1/4/10

3.      no deductions except federal unless people waived it (view your PBGC pension check online now)

• Go to PBGC.gov
• Click My PBA Login
• Sign on using your login ID and password
• Delphi ID Case number is 20637000
• Click payment history

Regarding any reductions

1.      the first wave of "changes" would be over 62's with no supplements in February's check, basically those with no adjustments

2.      the second with changes in March check's

3.      both 1 and 2 WE Hope and pray will be delayed and prevented with our legal and political actions that are still in progress.

VEBA

1.      The VEBA board will be checking year end results and recovering if we don't hit our BCBS target of 3700 (looks like we'll be 100-150 short) 

2.      Life insurance in case New Delphi cancels

3.      Other benefits (ECC, dependent insurance, etc.) are still being pursued and will be new coverage's through our VEBA

4.      June, July 2010 enrollment for remaining 2010 - 2011 policy year

Political and legal - the fight to top up our pensions continues to  build positive momentum

1.      Congressional and Senate follow-up and hopefully a "fix" then legislation changes to prevent

2.      Legal actions against the PBGC, GM and the Treasury

3.      Continued support from all members communicating to their government leaders, donating funds, time and talents to keep the fight alive

We have stunned many with our persistence and professionalism. What a team! Let's keep it up. 

Happy New Year!

Jim Frost

DSRA Interim Vice-Chair