Originally Posted by
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Why are the pilots who still have the full defined benefit plan staying beyond age 60?
Is it a medical coverage problem?
Their pay rates as a senior captain might be pretty good but by giving up the retirement benefits they could be receiving, they are essentially working for a fraction of that pay rate.
Is it really worth the few dollars a month extra to work full time?
Help me understand the reasoning. I think if it were me, I'd be out fishing instead of working.
First, very few have a "full" defined benefit plan. Most were frozen at substantially less than anticipated. Despite Mr. Obama's claims, private health insurance is very expensive. One of the reasons I took the last early retirement package was that the company put close to $50K in a HSA for me to pay for health insurance until I turn 65. There is much more to the decision to retire than just a paycheck.