Written by Jeff Nixon
Lost in all the hype of the Super Bowl was a huge victory for former players regarding long term health insurance. Last Wednesday the NFL announced the signing of an agreement with Transamerica Life Insurance Company to provide an underwritten Long Term Care Insurance Policy to retired NFL players.
In the press conference where this was first announced, Roger Goodell was asked where he stood regarding benefits for retired players. He said “I think that’s a very important part of any new agreement and that’s one where I think there is some common thinking. We have, from the start, proposed benefit improvements, particularly focused at players who left the league before 1993 when the whole new sweep of benefits that current players have began to come into place. One piece of information I can share with you, we have instituted in conjunction with Transamerica insurance company, a new long-term care program for retired players. We estimate that there will be about 2,500 players or so, retirees eligible for that between the ages of 50 and 75.
He continued by saying “The long-term care benefit is fully funded by NFL clubs. We did ask the union to participate in it as a shared program and they declined to do so. It was something we were urged to do by a number of retired player groups including NFL Alumni and we discussed the idea with the Gridiron Greats and Coach (Mike) Ditka, with Bruce Laird at Fourth and Goal and other advocacy groups for retired players. So we’re hopeful that this will be one more program that will be of some value to our retirees. The one other thing I would say, people have asked this. Even if we get past March 4 and the agreement expires, we are not going to make any changes in the level of benefits currently provided to retirees. So the pension, disability, the player care foundation, all of that will continue to operate just as it is operating today.”
Now that this issue has been addressed, it is time for the NFL and NFLPA to come to an agreement on the number one priority of retired players - providing a substantial increase in the Pension Plan for the pre-1993 players.
We don’t particullarly care how they get it done. A Rookie Wage Scale, a Legacy Fund or a combination of the two.
If this doesn’t get done before the March 4 expiration of the current CBA, both sides will start to lose money that can never be recouped.
If that happens, guess who will be forgotten in all the hype…….former players.
Send a quick email message to Roger Goodell and DeMaurce Smith asking them not to forget their previous statements regarding their commitment to assist the players that helped build the NFL.
It’s time for both of them to turn their words into deeds!
Here are their email addresses:
roger.goodell@nfl.com demaurice.smith@nflplayers.com
A step in the right direction. What exactly does the Long Term Care Policy entail?
This is a sweeping statement, ‘long -term care program”…it covers exactly what?
Presently, Wayne receives the 88 Plan. Will this program cover the same issues as the 88 Plan?
Are prescription drugs included in the program?
Is an Assisted Living community covered by this program?
When is the program available? When will we receive documentation of this new program?
Obviously, it will take care of pre-existing conditions?
Thanks,
Sharon, in behalf of Wayne, Raiders, ’60-’71.
Sent via email to DS and RG
Leaders of the NFL,
I’m sure you have heard it all, regarding the requests and demands of retired players (particularly the pre 1993ers). It is unfortunate that we’re in this place, but you can’t blame us (the retirees). Pointing fingers at each other won’t accomplish anything either. As both groups (the league and the PA) speak of a unified voice in creating a better and sustainable structure (one which includes the current and ongoing needs of retirees) and as the deadline to the March 4th expiration nears I want each of you to understand that (as a retiree and an elected officer of the NFL Alumni Association) it will not be acceptable for any agreement to be made without a significant increase in pension. It will not be acceptable for the two groups to fail to meet the deadline, lose significant income as a result, and make up for the loss by reducing or eliminating retiree benefits. The retirees of the NFL have fought for this great game before and we will gladly stand alongside the institution of football again when a reasonable lifestyle can be maintained after retirement by those who have already paid their dues. By men who have emotional and physical baggage built up as a result of the game and are denied disability which is approved by our government in less rigorous professions.
Gentlemen, I leave you with this, I have been elected to represent my fellow retirees by an open process. I have promised to each and every one of them that I will not tire before the job is done. When men of our character are backed against a wall, with bullets flying all over the place, men dying every day, I wouldn’t want to be the one that let them down. I promised them that I would be their voice. I am voicing a unified position that we will not surrender, we will not tire, and we will not resign to the status quo. We will gain strength and momentum for a growing cause with public awareness and an honorable mission to care for our own. You and every current NFL player (soon to be retired player) can certainly stand proudly behind the mission by doing the right thing. The alternative not only degrades the game, it degrades your role as leaders and each of you personally. I don’t think anyone wants to be looked at in that light. I know that when I am met by the one who has the ultimate say, I will proudly bow before him knowing I did the right thing. I know that you each want to get the best deal. What cost are you willing to pay? The lives of your fellow man await your decision.
Tom Baugh
The NFL Owners have made a move outside of the CBA and so far as I can see the NFLPA has made no mention of participating only the mention that we exist and something needs to be done with those Retired Players as if we had some kind of disease, we do-Footall Injuries -they don’t go away…..and where are the NFLPA-FP(RP) voices. We are supposed to have 30 plus active chapters and we haven’t seen or heard from them(The Presidents of the Chapters) regarding The NFLPA’s current stance on Former Players Issues. Are we packed in one big box and stored away waiting for the crumbs to fall like the 1993 CBA which created the Pre-93′ers or the recipients of the “Lie,Deny and Hope they Die” negotiating tactics of the current “RULE”
Why am I not surprised the Union did not choose to participate in the funding of this vital benefit. I heard a lot of grousing about the League last week in Dallas, but they’re the only ones putting their money on the table to help former Players.
Smith made the comment he’d reduce his salary to 68-cents if the CBA had been resolved before the Super Bowl. Even at that rate he would be overpaid.
Is the LTC policy available for retirees older than 75? Thanks!
Any details on just what the benefit covers (hospitalization, skilled nursing facilities, nursing homes, etc) and for how long? Does it kick-in after Medicare or other insurances deplete? How long would a retired player receive such benefits? What is the dollar amount per month provided for each type of facility and/or level of care?
I realize that this is new but I am going thru this with my mother right now and it is good to know as much as possible–up front. Providers fund as little as possible.
The fact that the “longe Term health Insurance” was approved for retired players sets up the Big , the retired players will have to wait for any pension increases, and the NFLPA should shoulder the larger part if there is to be an increase because the NFL had to foot the Long term Health In surance by their lonsome, but maybe not . The NFL fail to mention the cost to the retired players for the insurance, so maybe becuase of the cost of the insurance the pension increase is going to be really big, becuase I’m sure the cost of the insurance will be.
Jeff,
You guys are doing great work and it is greatly appreciated ! I know it must take a lot of time and energy to work on behalf of all retired players.
i retired in 1993 will i be able to receive insurance coverage ?
Regards,
Dave Grayson Jr
It is good news about the long term health plan being added to benefits that are now available. If the CBA is not reached soon, does that effect this new health plan? And, what does it cover for those over 75 years of age?
Does the Transamerica insurance benefits extend to all retired vested players?
Yes, being 76, I’m interested in what coverage may be offered to those of us over 75. Thank you!
Gents,
When can we expect more detailed information on this health plan? When will it go into full effect, how long is the process of enrollment going to take . If the owners are serious about taking care of their retired players that have serious medical and financial needs that can’t wait to for a new CBA, would they commit to funding the insurance for retired players? We all know the deal and our biggest adversary is time. We need programs and insurance to go active as soon as possible. The NFL would sore huge political points if the did this separate of the current CBA negotiations. That would be one less issue they would have to deal with and allow them more time to deal with the most important thing and that is for the future to the NFL to be successful and a example to the rest of the business world that we will do the right thing for our fans and protect our players!
Dave G Jr
I am almost afraid to see the details. If this looks like some of the other great retirement benefits we have been recipients of I just might puke. Don’t you think a “BIG” announcement like this should have the details of the plan spelled out??? I imagine that you will probably have to be homeless and destitue to participate.
C’mon Man!
I played seven years in the NFL 1950 -1956. I am classified as a pre 59er and will soon be 85. What is my status regarding future pension income?
I have had both knees replaced and major back surgury on my own insurance expense. I don’t expect the NFL to cover all my medical expenses, but I am concered about receiving a decent pension which is long over due. I beleive it should be paid in part from the hundreds of millions of dollars the NFL PA is sitting on.
Fred Curly Morrison