Yes, retirement age and early retirement are defined contractually now. But when the law changes, in spite of the majority opposing how it will impact their life, all must contractually abide by it (see cabotage, cockpit security, etc). This retirement age disparity is an industry-wide issue. The way airline managements have dealt with industry-wide issues in the past is not to re-negotiate deals. They lobby to re-write the law! That's specifically why we need to beat them to the punch here and get this redefined on our terms, before the law changes.

I propose we strive for a reduced penalty, to 1% per year, for going early. I would still like the option of going at 58...that would be 25 years for me. What do they get in return...retirement age redefined to age 65, which is where I believe this will end up anyway.

I have a text document showing what this would look like, but I don't see an option for attachments, here.