Originally Posted by
TED74
My gut tells me that at least half of the pilots who opt out with the intention of getting better returns through their own investments instead let those funds dissolve into everyday life expenditures. Costco runs, boat gas money, kids college money, vacation, etc. There’s nothing inherently wrong with those investments in one’s current life vs future life, but since I’ve met a few humans I’m confident they won’t all follow through every year through retirement. And of those who do keep the money invested into retirement, some percentage will make choices that underperform the MBCBP (particularly having paid ALPA dues first).
I'd venture to guess that many of the pilots who end up with a lot of excess are getting there because they're loading up their 401a. Most people who do that, are doing so for specific reasons. The ones that actually take the time to opt out, will probably take action. I think many of the people your referencing are more likely to say they're going to opt out, but not actually do so.
Originally Posted by
TED74
If 25% was the number DALPA told us we needed to replace the “stolen pension”, rising only to 18% leaves a shortfall made worse for those who won’t commit the full 18% to actual retirement. Of course some will make 401k contributions and far exceed 25% even while opting out of MBCBP. Naturally it’s a free country and I wish newbies could also make their own decision, but there’s a certain population for whom the MBCBP will be a forced-saving vehicle they may ultimately not regret.
Most current DAL pilots don't view the "stolen" pension as the benchmark for what their retirement should be, which is why it's odd that so many will be forced into something that was derived out of the desire to get back to the pension replacement.