This is intended to provide guidance for pilots in the Delta Pilots Retirement Plan regarding the impact of the Fair Treatment for Experienced Pilots Act on benefits payable from PBGC. Title IV of ERISA is a complex law, and our guidance here is general in nature. There may be exceptions or factual variations that must be taken into account in individual cases.
The Act has no impact on the provisions of a pension plan that had already terminated. The normal retirement age (age 60) is determined under the provisions of your plan that were in effect on its termination date.
The Delta Pilots Retirement Plan defines your normal retirement date as the first day of the month on or after your 60th birthday. While working for Delta Air Lines, you may draw your PBGC benefits anytime after you have reached your normal retirement date. Of course, whether or not you are working for Delta Air Lines, no further benefits accrue under a terminated pension plan after its termination date.
Your benefit will be calculated under the terms of the Delta Pilots Retirement Plan, taking into account the later (i.e. post-normal retirement date) commencement date, and will be subject to guarantee limits set by federal pension law. The maximum benefit guarantee, if it affects your benefit, will be based on your age at the later commencement date.
Keep in mind, if your benefit funded by plan assets in PC-3 exceeds the benefit otherwise guaranteed by PBGC, we will pay you your funded PC-3 benefit, which is the monthly amount of your benefit determined at the date three years before the plan's termination date (or at actual retirement date, if earlier). There is no actuarial increase for PC-3 benefits commencing at a later date. The amount of the PC-3 benefit is, however, adjusted to reflect the benefit form (such as a joint-and survivor annuity) payable at the benefit commencement date.
Example:
Age and service on the date the plan ended (September 02, 2006):
53 with 20 years of service
| Retirement Age |
Estimated Benefit Payable by Plan Assets (PC3 Benefit) |
Estimated Benefit Payable by PBGC* (Greater of PC3 Benefit and Maximum Guarantee) |
|---|---|---|
| 60 | $4,025 until age 65 $3,881 after age 65 |
$4,025 until age 65 $3,881 after age 65 |
| 62 | $4,025 until age 65 $3,881 after age 65 |
$4,025 until age 65 $3,881 after age 65 |
| 65 | $3,881 | $3,972 |
|
*Assumes Social Security offset is applied at Age 65 |
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In this example, the maximum monthly benefit guaranteed by PBGC for a pilot starting to draw benefits at age 65 exceeds the monthly benefit funded by plan assets.
It depends on whether you have reached your normal retirement date. If you have reached your normal retirement date when you return to work, your benefits will not be suspended. If you have not reached your normal retirement date when you return to work, your benefits will be suspended.