Thread regarding AT&T layoffs

Your retiree health benefits might not be as secure as you think

Your retiree health benefits might not be as secure as you think
Published: July 17, 2023 at 10:50 a.m. ET
By Alessandra MalitoFollow
comments1
‘Employers have no legal obligation to maintain these benefits’

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/your-retiree-health-benefits-might-not-be-as-secure-as-you-think-c8408188

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| 1516 views | | 6 replies (last July 25, 2023) | Reply
Post ID: @OP+1nFAzvlg

6 replies (most recent on top)

AT&T has gone from "Ma Bell" to "Evil Step-mother". CYA, cash out with a lump sum if you can, sell or short the stock and don't enroll in the BS Medicare Advantage Plan.

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Post ID: @7iqk+1nFAzvlg

I will skip the T's Medicare Advantage plan, stay on traditional Medicare, $8 dr-g plan, and a Plan G supplement. Yes, it will cost more up front per month, but I can go anywhere in the country for a doctor, zero copays. I cannot see a world where ATT will not slowly raise the Advantage rates or deductibles or both to the point other plans are superior, and eventually pull the plan. Besides, they want extra for Dental/Vision/Eye where so many other Advantage plans include it.

For what its worth, I also anticipated ATT messing with the pension and took lump sum well before it was privatized, and dumped all the stock years ago. Getting out from under ATT's thumb is the way to go.

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Post ID: @fsk+1nFAzvlg

They still could be sued because they dangled these post-retirement benefits as an inducement for an employee to pursue long term employment with the company.

I think that is why they came back with this Medicare Advantage, because if they pulled the rug completely out, there is nothing to lose pursuing a class action suit.

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Post ID: @fgb+1nFAzvlg

The retiree insurance pays nothing anyway.

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Post ID: @cga+1nFAzvlg

They are also not mandated to provide generous severance. The company that my husband worked for moved off shore and he got about 2 weeks severance! Six months is pretty good. I bet that will be the next benefit to go!!

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Post ID: @dol+1nFAzvlg

Exactly.
Managers do not have health/medical benefits for those that retire after Dec 2022 anyway.

Bargained/Occupational retirees, CWA union does not “bargain” at contract negotiation time for retiree benefits, so those are not guaranteed and could go away at anytime, those are not contractual.

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Post ID: @psc+1nFAzvlg

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