I am very concerned about losing the option of retiring at age 60 without an "early retirement penalty"....it is definitely one of the "unintended consequences" in the age 60 debate that could weaken everyone at FEDEX, or other carriers who are still have an A fund.
There are methods though that could protect both those who were hired "very young" from having to work well in excess of 25 yrs to get a full retirement, and at the same time allow those who were hired "late in life" to work beyond age 60 and increase their benefits.
One such formula would be full retirement benefits (i.e. "no early retirement penalty) for those who's "age" + "years worked at FDX" = 80
This would yield the following requirements:
Hired at 30 - work until 55....55 + 25 = 80
Hired at 32 - work until 56....56 + 24 = 80
Hired at 34 - work until 57....57 + 23 = 80
Hired at 36 - work until 58....58 + 22 = 80
Hired at 38 - work until 59....59 + 21 = 80
Hired at 40 - work until 60....60 + 20 = 80
Hired at 42 - work until 61....61 + 19 = 80
Hired at 44 - work until 62....62 + 18 = 80
Hired at 46 - work until 63....63 + 17 = 80
Hired at 48 - work until 64....64 + 16 = 80
Hired at 50 - work until 65....65 + 15 = 80
To protect the lucky few who get hired under age 30, you could institue a "side rule" stating anyone working for 30 yrs would get full benefits regardless of their age.
There's always middle ground out there --- just gotta put our brains together and find it!
