FJ, during my 8 years and without exact numbers, I'm pretty sure I can count the number of pilots at fedex that have gone prior to the maximum retirement age on both hands. Just hasn't happened that often and we haven't seen it much since the age rule change.

History question: how did age 60 become "retirement age" in ALPA contracts?
Answer: it was the maximum age, established federally in the late 1950s.

Another history question: how did age 55 and "3% per year" become parts of our contract, as they relate to early retirement?

MD11FR8Dog, No I don't know of any...The thing that differs most among other industries' pensions with early retirement options is penalty.

But our industry is still left with this unique disparity that I believe will be resolved soon: either contractually negotiated or legislatively corrected. Companies have real incentive to move this early retirement age forward, as they have to pay more in pension benefits when guys go early. That makes them have to fund the pension fund at higher levels currently.

So this is where, I believe, we have opportunity right now. We negotiate the penalty for going early.

If we don't act soon, all it takes is one "omni omni" by a judge (possibly in an arbitration case at Alaska Airlines) stating that all pension language remains the same, just move the numbers 5 years later and now legal precedent is set. Then it will be an uphill battle keeping our status quo and will cost equivalent dollars at the negotiating table for us. If anyone wants the option of retiring prior to 60, or you want go prior to 65 without taking a 3% per year hit, the time to negotiate this is now. I believe 2 years from now will be too late.