Should a new hire join DPMA? I know this post will be lonely today with the SWA merger news but maybe that's a good thing. Opinions could be strong here too.
The reps pitched this repeatedly as a "no-brainer." I think I understood the ROE. What wasn't much addressed was the fund's financial situation or plans to deal with the age 65 retirement even though that's old news. I might have missed it - which is why I'm asking for information.

Join and don't even think twice about it, unless you really think you will never have a medical issue in your entire career.

It is definitely not worth it.

Unless you get sick.

Totally agree with superdad. The way our longterm disability plan is set up, you will want the DPMA to supplement LTD should you need it. LTD is only 50%, and DPMA will pickup the other half to bring your takehome pay up to what it was when you were active. Most companies have LTD somewhere around 70%.

The younger you are, obviously the more you will pay into this over a lifetime, so I can see where you are coming from. Think of it as insurance. You plan on never needing it, but will glad if you do. Also, there is the warm-fuzzy feeling of helping out a fellow pilot in need

As far as the nitty gritty you're looking for, maybe someone else will come up with it. Sorry the presentation was a turn off, but I haven't heard of many guys (supposedly only 2%) that decline.

Welcome aboard.

I knew I'd hear this as a response, and that makes sense. But if it's not around when I have a medical problem, then it might not make sense. I'd like social security too, but I'm not counting on that. Respectfully to all those who are invested in the fund, and I know that's almost everyone according to DPMA, I'm looking for a reason to join it, but "just do it" isn't really that compelling. What other investment decision would you make this way? Thanks.

+1 ...........

.edited previous msg

Join, join, join,join....did I mention , join????......DPMA recipient.

If you are independently wealthy.. don't join. If you live in an indestructable bubble... don't join. If you are human... You'd be an idiot not to join.

Also a DPMA recipient..

Join DPMA! It was a savior when I was going through my issues. I thought I would never need it, but I did. One just never knows when they need help in life, especially medical related problems. And it is not just the financial issues that they help you with, you get a fellow Delta pilot to be your mentor and support.