Posted 7/26/2006 9:52 PM ET
By Larry Weisman, USA TODAY
Retired NFL players often say the game they helped popularize ignores them when they are old and ill. How to compensate them has long been a contentious issue between them and the NFL Players Association, which bargains on behalf of its active members.
Thursday, the NFL and the NFLPA plan to announce a beefing-up of benefits for retirees and active players alike that they value at $120 million a year.
Retirees who played prior to 1982 would see a 25% hike in their pensions; those who followed get a 10% bump. The minimum increase for the older retirees would be $50 per month, which is multiplied by years of service.
"This is a recognition of what those players did to build the game. We're saying we haven't forgotten them," said Gene Upshaw, the NFLPA's executive director.
The new plan will also triple benefits for widows and surviving children of a player who dies before his retirement plan kicks in. There will also be eligibility for payment of certain medical and custodial expenses for retired players in the pension plan who suffer from dementia. They could receive up to $50,000 for home care and $88,000 for institutional care. This has been nicknamed the "88 plan" in honor of Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey, a former union president.
Upshaw said it is difficult to balance the needs and desires of current players with those of their predecessors and noted that many industries now are trying to take back pension and health care benefits they promised to retirees.
"In every labor extension we have done since 1993, we have gone back and improved the pension and benefits for the retired players," he said.
These increases will not satisfy everyone, he acknowledged.
"It's inadequate," said Bernie Parrish, 70, a defensive back with the Cleveland Browns from 1959-66 and a long-time critic of the union and the pension plan. "It's not even close to what it should be."
NFL player benefits are now worth $700 million a year and Upshaw said these new programs came from funds that could otherwise have gone into the salary cap or to benefits for current players alone.
"I think it's the right thing to do," said Don Hasselbeck, 51, a former tight end with the New England Patriots and other teams who has two sons (quarterbacks Matt and Tim) in the NFL. "We should be responsible for the guys who came before us. Gene has to educate the players that sooner or later they will be one of us (retired). There are lots of guys he knows who could use a little more retirement and health benefits.
This is a step in the right direction but it's not enough."
Current players will get a few add-ons. They'll be eligible for up to $15,000 per year for tuitition reimbursement for the first three years they are out of the game, following the 2006 season. They will also get a health reimbursement account to fund post-career medical benefits. A 12-year veteran would leave the game with $300,000 in such an account.
By Larry Weisman, USA TODAY
Retired NFL players often say the game they helped popularize ignores them when they are old and ill. How to compensate them has long been a contentious issue between them and the NFL Players Association, which bargains on behalf of its active members.
Thursday, the NFL and the NFLPA plan to announce a beefing-up of benefits for retirees and active players alike that they value at $120 million a year.
Retirees who played prior to 1982 would see a 25% hike in their pensions; those who followed get a 10% bump. The minimum increase for the older retirees would be $50 per month, which is multiplied by years of service.
"This is a recognition of what those players did to build the game. We're saying we haven't forgotten them," said Gene Upshaw, the NFLPA's executive director.
The new plan will also triple benefits for widows and surviving children of a player who dies before his retirement plan kicks in. There will also be eligibility for payment of certain medical and custodial expenses for retired players in the pension plan who suffer from dementia. They could receive up to $50,000 for home care and $88,000 for institutional care. This has been nicknamed the "88 plan" in honor of Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey, a former union president.
Upshaw said it is difficult to balance the needs and desires of current players with those of their predecessors and noted that many industries now are trying to take back pension and health care benefits they promised to retirees.
"In every labor extension we have done since 1993, we have gone back and improved the pension and benefits for the retired players," he said.
These increases will not satisfy everyone, he acknowledged.
"It's inadequate," said Bernie Parrish, 70, a defensive back with the Cleveland Browns from 1959-66 and a long-time critic of the union and the pension plan. "It's not even close to what it should be."
NFL player benefits are now worth $700 million a year and Upshaw said these new programs came from funds that could otherwise have gone into the salary cap or to benefits for current players alone.
"I think it's the right thing to do," said Don Hasselbeck, 51, a former tight end with the New England Patriots and other teams who has two sons (quarterbacks Matt and Tim) in the NFL. "We should be responsible for the guys who came before us. Gene has to educate the players that sooner or later they will be one of us (retired). There are lots of guys he knows who could use a little more retirement and health benefits.
This is a step in the right direction but it's not enough."
Current players will get a few add-ons. They'll be eligible for up to $15,000 per year for tuitition reimbursement for the first three years they are out of the game, following the 2006 season. They will also get a health reimbursement account to fund post-career medical benefits. A 12-year veteran would leave the game with $300,000 in such an account.
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