My phone was free when I was working but now that I am retired from T my phone benefit is $5 a month . However , my 911 fee is .81, state cost recovery fee is .04, federal universal service fee is 1.47, carrier cost recovery fee [long distance ] is 2.24, texas universal service .10, municipal right of way fee is 1.56, cost assessment charge is .18 , state and local charges .14, state and local [ non-regulated & toll charges .57 ...............total taxes $7.11 + $5 phone benefit =$12.11
27 replies (most recent on top)
You’re wrong. The ‘younger generation’ places value on many things other than time off. They want lucrative monetary compensation packages, opportunities for advancement, and frequently awareness that they are contributing to a business who supports key human initiatives. They want to work hard, but also want time left to have meaningful personal lives.
Company pensions, healthcare subsidies and phone concessions mean nothing to them. They know the financial responsibility of preparing for retirement is a personal obligation because this is the work world they’ve entered—not one where free land lines were promised to retirees for the rest of their lives at retirement. But don’t suggest they have less goals and ambitions than previous generations because you would be wrong, again.
Sounds like a race to the bottom when it come to employer offered benefits. Guess who wins in the end, the employer! Meanwhile T needs to honor the benefits to retirees that built this once great company. After all, they provided a great benefits package at one time for good reason. The younger generation could care less about having a defined retirement plan, life insurance, concession, etc. The only thing they hold near and dear is time off!
And this is one reason why companies are offering less and smaller retirement ‘perks’. Companies don’t ‘owe’ any of us anything once we leave their employment except those benefits mandated by law. Check with an attorney on your complaints that you are ‘owed phone concessions’ because ‘they promised’ it back 1986…..
Companies make changes to things like healthcare plans, educational perks regularly. Why do you think your phone concession perk is any different? Grow up, man.
I wonder what randy is paying for a phone now that he is retired .
The original post is absolutely correct, people worked for what was promised, they fulfilled their obligation and now, no matter how small some consider it, the obligation should be honored..
Those that are saying "get over it" or "what's the big deal" are probably those that think they should not have to pay their rent or their car payment, etc. After all, what's the big deal, that company has plenty of people already paying them.
Those posters resemble our employees that do not think they need to learn the business, they are just too good with their certificate to actually learn anything... It's the way of the new society I guess.
Where do you draw the line? Stankey keeps taking away retiree benefits right and left. These were earned benefits that he has no right to eliminate. He needn't worry, his a-s will be well cared for in retirement, as will his kids, grandkids, great grandkids, etc. Stankey is worthless as CEO, has had failure after failure, with no accountability. Time for all retirees to stand up to this as----e bully.
UVG Guy.
He's talking about a benefit that is owed him. Once he dies - it's gone, but while alive he's entitled to it.
And for your information, T never offered free cell svc to anyone that I'm aware of but they did offer free land line service after like 20 years of service because they realized the importance of reaching employees that knew something. I can't tell you how many thousands of midnight telephone calls that I received and on weekends because there were customer service issues that could not wait. And as an added carrot they offered a free LL with all of the vertical services for life.
Currently LL service is $45 per month and figuring that he lives 35 years in retirement, that is
$18,900. A good chunk of change.
Now as far as your pension, health care or any benefit that your entitled to - I hope they keep their word and that you receive it. But, if you were that stupid to hire on to a company and not ask or go to work with the understanding that your not going to receive it, well, then, tuff po-p!
Hey most of us would gladly accept a pension were it still available….but who complains about a $12 phone bill when you’re getting a pension and other lucrative benefits. Maybe you can find some old ‘benefits’ info where they promised retirees from 1965 when they got free telephones when they retired. Where’s your phone?!
Keep this stuff in perspective, man.
Ok BOOMER
P-o p-o it all you want, no one likes an Indian giver. Who cares if the younger employees place no value in any benefit other than time off. How many of these geniouses will save enough to offset what a defined pension benefit plan would have provided them. If Social Security runs dry, heaven help them. Hopefully their parents will leave them a fortune.
What kind of outfit is T running here folks . A former employee says their phone bill was $0 while working but when they retired and you add up all the fees and $5 phone benefit..............it's $12.11
Get rid of Lily, she is costing T a fortune. She brings no value to T, time to replace her with a new twinky.
OP is rigjt. Stankey is an Indian giver.
Seriously?!? Can you believe this….A phone concession outrage….! I’ll bet you lost it when they asked you to receive that phone bill electronically.
Come back when you have something real to complain about….like when they make you pay out of pocket for your healthcare premiums by taking those medical subsidies.
"Gramps here is talking about landline phone service."
LOL I completely missed it was for landline. The %age of residential people that need landlines is virtually zero.
"The new hires at T probably don't even get a phone benefit when they retire"
The chances of a new hire today retiring from T 20-30 years down the road are slim to none, so that is moot.
"Seriously came on here to complain about paying $12/month for cell phone service???? "
Gramps here is talking about landline phone service.
Wireless discount for retirees is 30% and you can do better than that as a regular customer almost anywhere else...and significantly better with the various MVNO's such as Consumer Cellular, Mint, Xfinity Mobile, etc.
Retirement =. The realization of your true value to the company
@aoq+1bvohkWE - Agree with you 100%. People come on here to complain about nonsense with their poor me attitude. Instead of finding a solution they come here to complain and play the victim. They think some people leaving because they no longer get a discount that ATT gives a cr-p about.
To the OP about $12/month phone service - If you can find cheaper service elsewhere leave its that simple. If you feel slighted then why would you even want to give this company any money.
@frn+1bvohkWE No that is not what I am saying at all. You completely miss the point.
A person's word is their bond??? Have you ever bothered to read the T&S for your employment, phone service, TV or any other service you have?
If you purchase a service and its for ABC and you no longer get ABC you have to change, its that simple. The change includes calling the company to continue getting what you are paying for, cancelling that service all together or go to a competitor which is what you are doing. So I don't understand what exactly is the problem. If ATT continues to do that then they will no longer be around that is how competition works.
I never said any of it is right as a matter of fact I agree with you but complaining on here is not fixing your problem.
Now to this point you make - "Well. NO it's not right. That's the issue. It's not about change with the times,or any other lame excuse. It's all about honesty, integrity. If you figure that there
are thousands of cheated and angry retirees referring thousands of multi year
services to the competition, then unless your just plain d-mb - you realize that
that equates to 100's of millions of dollars in lost revenue."
What I stated is not a lame excuse, what you are doing calling me d-mb or labeling my response to you lame is what is lame. You have zero concept of how to make money. Its not just about revenue its about profit margin. Let me slow it down so you actually get it....Ready.... If ATT sells you a product for $12.11/month but it costs them $25/month to provide it to you then they lose $13/month. That translates to lower stock price, less capital available to invest in assets including people. Then that forces investors to sell further driving the stock price down. And so on and so on.
Do yourself a favor and get a clue. The only benefit offering retirees or anyone else discounts is goodwill and if ATT doesn't value it then they don't care. Get it now. That is what I mean by change with the times.
To the Complainer(s)….That nonsense about ‘word being your bond’. Your ‘character’ or lack of, speaks volumes. Only small individuals scratch and pe-k at insignificant slights with such righteousness indignation. But, your cup runneth over. Complaints about tv shows you don’t get, steering others to the competition because ‘they owe’ you.
Sad, dude, just sad.
Poster that stated he hired on for Salary and Benefits is correct. When someone doesn't get what he earned then he is being shortchanged. I don't read him for the attitude. I read him as being shortchanged and sounds like he accepted the fact. He was shown disloyalty and is returning the favor and I don't blame him. Go for value, price and honesty.
AT&T is missing out a lot more revenue by cheating their retirees and the buying public.
If I worked here, I'd be playing the worlds largest violin.
To the poster that says So What, or Change with the Times, or Who Cares?
A person's word is his bond and promises made should be promises kept.
The same works for companies. Are you guys saying that when someone signs
up for 10mb of data and gets 3mb he's not being cheated? Are ya'll saying
that when I sign up for TV service and don't get the shows that are included in
the package - so what? Are you saying that when I sign a contract for a service
at $45 and the bill is $105 that it's ok? Are you saying that when your pay and
benefits are defined and your shortchanged - that's normal?
Well. NO it's not right. That's the issue. It's not about change with the times,
or any other lame excuse. It's all about honesty, integrity. If you figure that there
are thousands of cheated and angry retirees referring thousands of multi year
services to the competition, then unless your just plain d-mb - you realize that
that equates to 100's of millions of dollars in lost revenue.
I doing my part. Use OOMA LL, Spectrum Internet, Mint Mobile and Sling TV and
I recommend because it's a value, great service, and honesty.
Questions?
But you receive a healthcare subsidy and a pension…But this phone concession renege is just the straw that broke the camel’s back. I’m playing the world’s tiniest violin for you.
Seriously came on here to complain about paying $12/month for cell phone service???? Which part about a company pays you for your time/service and in return you owe them nothing and nor do they to you?
I am not disagreeing with you but times have changed and therefore so must you.
To the other poster who uses the competition....so what? Do you think ATT actually cares? Why would the company want you as a customer if they lose money? I mean would you pay more money on your mortgage if today's rates are higher than your current rate?
Yes, Yep, Bravo.
Well said and sadly. True.
The new hires at T probably don't even get a phone benefit when they retire .