AFA US Airways MEC E-Line - "Staying Informed"

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2002 Archived - E-Lines

• Important Update on Various Benefit and Pension Matters 
• Retirement Information - Q & A Teleconferences
• Accessing The Hub
• AFA Local Numbers

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EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

Employees Retiring on or by March 1, 2005
Procedures for Requesting Pension Benefit Payments

• You must notify the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) before March 1, 2005, if you want your pension benefit payments to begin effective March 1, 2005. You must notify the PBGC even if you previously notified US Airways of your intent to retire on or by March 1, 2005.
    
• To lock in a March 1, 2005 retirement date for purposes of receiving pension benefit payments, you must submit an application to the PBGC. An application is located HERE - http://www.afausairways.org/Benefits/PBGCForm700.pdf, or you can download an application from the PBGC's website at www.pbgc.gov. Click on the button labeled "Forms" at the top of the screen. Next, go to the box in the upper right hand corner of the screen and click on "Forms to Apply for Pensions." Follow the link for PBGC Form 700. You will be asked to submit your PBGC Plan (Case) Number.
    
  • Participants of the Pension Plan for Employees of US Airways, Inc. Who Are Represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers should enter 20357000.
  • Participants of the Retirement Plan for Certain Employees of US Airways, Inc. should enter 20333200.
  • Participants of the Retirement Plan for Flight Attendants in the Service of US Airways, Inc. should enter 20357200.

  Download and print the PBGC Form 700. Complete the entire form and fax it to the PBGC at (305) 889-0235.
    

• PBGC Form 700 must be received by the PBGC before March 1, 2005, to insure that your pension benefit payments will begin effective March 1, 2005.
   
• Once the PBGC calculates the amount of your retirement benefit-which could take up to 30 days-you will be able to elect the form of benefit payment that you prefer as permitted by the PBGC.
   
• Once you elect the form of your benefit payment, the PBGC will process your application. It may take the PBGC several months to process your application and begin benefit payments. However, your first retirement check will include payment retroactive to March 1, 2005.
   
• Please note that there currently is no way to request PBGC pension payments directly on the web. You must print and complete PBGC Form 700 mentioned above.

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Retirement Information - Q & A Teleconferences

Beginning Monday, February 14, 2005, the US Airways Benefits Department will hold a series of teleconferences to answer retirement-related questions. Each call will be no longer than one hour in duration. There will be a limit of 100 participants per call, so please call early to participate. To participate, you must call in before the start time. Following introductory comments from the Benefits team, the calls will opened to questions from participants. 

The schedule is as follows:

For active employees considering March 1 Retirement - Monday, February 14: 
10:00 a.m.
3:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.

All calls after Monday, February 14, are for retirees or active employees considering March 1 retirement

Wednesday, February 16, for active or retired employees
10:00 a.m.
3:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.

Friday, February 18, for active or retired employees
10:00 a.m.
3:00 p.m.

Monday, February 21
10:00 a.m.
3:00 p.m.

Any further calls will be announced at a later date.

To participate, you can call toll free 1-888-253-4037 up to 15 minutes before the start time listed above. You will then be asked for a conference passcode. Key in the following numeric passcode: 199092. Please note that you will not be able to join the call after the start time.

Accessing The Hub:

http://thehub.usairways.com 
Logging in the first time your user name is u0(zero) and your five digit employee number. Your initial password is the first five digits of your social security number. Questions about the Hub? Please contact the EDS Help Desk at 336-744-6000 for assistance. More information can also be found HERE.

AFA Local Numbers
Council 40 PIT 724-695-3329
Council 41 DCA 703-690-6859
Council 69 BOS 781-289-8454
Council 70 PHL 215-492-0840
Council 82 LGA 315-736-3483
Council 89 CLT 704-527-0325

New Hotline Number Toll Free: 866-USA-AFA2
US AIRWAYS Benefits Information 800-872-4780

Reply to Inflight: askinflight@usairways.com

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Hotline & *E-Line* - US Airways