Retirees

[acfconnect]

Got my kit for HCTC from the IRS. Have to get in touch with BC/BS for qualified state plan. Then send back info to IRS. Still waiting for kit from PBGC. Too much time wasted, waiting on phone to talk to "real people". Why am I not getting that warm fuzzy feeling yet? This waiting and wondering is keeping me from planning future budget matters. I'm sure others out there are in same position. Pension was dumped Jan 10th. Government seems to run like this airline. Everything takes sooooo long. I thought computers would make things go faster. Anybody else frustrated out there?

 

[drifterreno]

I'm sitting here---3am eastern time--waiting to see if my direct deposit from federal government goes in as promised. Have you gotten your March 1 check yet???

 

[Retired1]

The HCTC is the government. We are waiting for the Cobra information from the company. Nothing can be done with HCTc until we get that. The PBGC has already taken over the pensions and HCTC knows that.

 

[RedOne]

PBGC forms can be downloaded from computer. Go to WWW.PBGC.GOV.,..click on forms under I think Application for Benefits. The form I needed (assume it would be the same for you) is Application form 700. You will need your personal case number. If you do not have this call PBGC at 1-800-400-7242. I found them to be very helpful. You will probably have to call them anyway once you download the form to get the plan name (again assume your plan name would be the same as mine was: US Airways Certain Employees. I faxed mine to them 2-15-05, they sent me a letter that it had been received but that payment might not be on time....but that if it wasn't, backpayment would be sent. I recerived notice yesterday 2-28-05 that deposit is being made today 3-1 into my bank account and the amount! Surprised and impressed with PBGC....not impressed with contact with benefits. They were shall we say....a little less helpful.
Very evasive.
..........
Have not talked to folk at HCTC in the past week. They too were very helpful. You can call them and they will add you to their computer system, but they can't do anything until they get info from PBGC/U. Their number 1-866-628-4282. Can call them every week or so to see if info has been received. On my "to do" list for today.
.
Hope this helps some. I have spent HOURS on the phone for the past month or so working on this stuff. It is very frustrating. The above is about all I know, but if you have questions that I didn't address....send me a PM and IF I can, I'll tell you what I have found out.
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Luck to all. Hang in there an BE PERSISTANT!

 

[RedOne]

Just talked to HCTC. 1. They will receive info from PBGC (but had not receved mine). They usually get info 1 or 2 times a month. So-o-o-o it may be a while.
2. Have to be enrolled in COBRA before can get HCTC. I have NOT received packet from COBRA as of today. Lady at HCTC said she had *heard* they were being mailed this week. She said to make copies of all COBRA docs filled out (front and back of forms) to 1. keep for our personal record and 2. to send to HCTC.
.........................................
I have no idea how we are to pay for insururance. Hope we are not "dropped" during this transition time. Oh well, guess another call to Benefits is in order. Anybody have the phone number for COBRA ?

 

[28yrsnojob]

how old do you have to be to start collecting this terminated penison

 

[acfconnect]

how old do you have to be to start collecting this terminated penison

[post="251761"][/post]​

 

[acfconnect]

how old do you have to be to start collecting this terminated penison

[post="251761"][/post]​

 

[BoeingBoy]

As far as I know, there is no age limit per se on collecting pension benefits from the PBGC. Age can certainly affect the size of the benefit, however.

As an aside, the PBGC is searching for people still owed money from formerly terminated pensions - EAL, TWA, Braniff, etc. You can go to the PBGC website and search by your name. It's the "Pension Search" option - choose "By Name".

Jim

 

[acfconnect]

As far as I know, there is no age limit per se on collecting pension benefits from the PBGC. Age can certainly affect the size of the benefit, however.

As an aside, the PBGC is searching for people still owed money from formerly terminated pensions - EAL, TWA, Braniff, etc. You can go to the PBGC website and search by your name. It's the "Pension Search" option - choose "By Name".

Jim

[post="251810"][/post]​

 

[usairways_vote_NO]

[post="251812"][/post]​

Acfconnect cat got your tongue?

 

[dinosaur]

how old do you have to be to start collecting this terminated penison

[post="251761"][/post]​

55 for CS

 

[umech]

how old do you have to be to start collecting this terminated penison

[post="251761"][/post]​

50 for mechs.

 

[BoeingBoy]

Don't confuse the minimum age at which you could have taken early retirement under the pension plan before it was terminated with a minimum age you can get a PBGC benefit now that it has been terminated.

Like I said earlier, as far as I know you can start getting a benefit at any time (as long as you're separated from US), but the younger you start the lower the benefit (with some possible exceptions too complicated to go into).

Jim

 

[Fatherknowsbest]

Jim, could be I owe you a steak dinner or maybe several. I was thinking that I would have to wait a number of years before I could collect - if the penalty isn't too high for starting early. You may have helped quite a few of your co-workers and former co-workers. Thank you big time for the info!

Father