I don't think the lump sum will figure in at all, since you can still get one for the amount earned prior to the latest TA. I think you still have to wait to age 60 to get it. The only thing it will effect is the ability to accrue over 50% benefits, but they are also grandfathered for amounts earned prior to the TA. For those that don't know, the pilots can take a "lump sum" in lieu of payments. Basically, instead of the company buying an annuity with your retirement funds to pay you monthly, they just give it to you to invest. This has bitten many pilots in the past, since pilots (and doctors, I hear) are notoriously bad investors.