Thread regarding AT&T layoffs

Dead or alive you are still their most valuable asset to write off

"They want to recalculate more often to draw down the excess as soon as possible after all the deaths and lump payoffs."

Right. And the overall increase in stock prices (excluding T, of course) has probably increased the value of the pension fund's investments, which might be creating an opportunity for them to skim off a little or at least reduce contributions. An act of desperation. Kind of like looking for spare change behind the couch cushions,

I wish they would offer pension buyout and give an option to take the current lump sum value. No more pension obligation on there part and I get way better growth on the money until I’m ready to retire either from AT&T if that works out or my next gig.

They have to contribute to the pension fund to cover pension obligations for those already collecting and for those that are still working and eligible for a pension in some form. It is complicated and factors in ages, survivors and annuity or lump payouts. The pension fund is huge and they can't get at it unless they can prove there is excess. Excess is when the eligibles and/or survivors getting an annuity d-e. Or those that lump are paid off and they are done. They want to recalculate more often to draw down the excess as soon as possible after all the deaths and lump payoffs. So they probably were liking covid and lump sum payoffs to work the numbers to show they don't need to keep so much cash set aside. If that doesn't tick you off, look up dead peasant insurance....