With FCFS there is no down-grading for retirees.
What you have in life you keep for life.
You are no lesser a person when you retire so why should you be downgraded?
Retirees get 4 SA1 passes per year which allows a traveler to fly at the top of the list for 4 one way flights. I use the SA1 on return flights from Europe and it has always worked for me apart from getting stuck in Athens due to weight restrictions that also affected paying passengers.
Either plan would be fine for me as long as there are no fees apart from taxes on international flights. What does AA charge for non rev travel to Europe and how much is it for first class?. US is free for coach and $100.00 for first class plus the taxes.