Here’s the Current Retirement/Benefits Plan

Jun 14, 2010

Last week, we received a couple of copies of the current Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle NFL Players Retirement Plan (released in April 2009) from different sources. After reviewing and comparing them, we’ve confirmed that we have an accurate copy of the plan and we’re posting it here for everyone.

We’ve uploaded the entire document on Scribd for easier access and viewing. (Click on the FULL SCREEN button to enlarge it for easier navigation – hit the ESC key to close. You can also click the DOWNLOAD button to save a PDF copy for printing and reading.)

And just as with that NFLPA 2009 LM-2, if you find any interesting items to point out, please feel free to share them with everyone in the Comments Section.

Bert Bell Pete Rozelle Plan 2009

July 8, 2011 -- Retired Players’ Lawsuit – Round 2 (0)
May 4, 2011 -- NFL Damage Control on Concussions (3)
September 9, 2010 -- Just Say No… (4)
December 14, 2011 -- Bette Schwager: I Will NOT Sign That Release! (2)
November 7, 2011 -- Want More Info on Retired Players’ “Benefits”? (10)
October 3, 2011 -- Less is Always More with NFLPA Spin (8)

Posted by RobertinSeattle | Categories: News, Robert's Post | Tagged: 2009 NFLPA LM-2, Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle NFL Players Retirement Plan, Dave Pear, Do No Evil, football, Groom Law Group, NFL, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, NFLPA, NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith, RobertinSeattle, Scribd |

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8 Responses so far | Have Your Say!

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June 14th, 2010 at 11:37 AM #

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by IRISH GIRL COLLEEN, RobertinSeattle. RobertinSeattle said: Here’s the Current Retirement/Benefits Plan: Last week, we received a couple of copies of the current Bert Bell/Pe… http://bit.ly/dr0Vdp [...]
Dave Pear
June 14th, 2010 at 1:49 PM #

Dear De Smith,

Thanks for providing us with one of those copies of the current plan.

I have a question: Was it illegal for Gene Upshaw (NFLPA Executive Director) and Harold Henderson (NFL attorney) to sign a backroom deal in the spring of 2008 that eliminated retroactive benefits for some retired players who began receiving the lowest level of disability called Football Inactive?

Why was there no transparency?

Regards,
Dave & Heidi Pear
Gregg Bingham
June 14th, 2010 at 2:17 PM #

Hey Dave -

Well… Here I go. I’m applying for the “88 Plan” benefits as after reading this, I’m obviously qualified.

Since my recent brain surgery, I’ve had about $25,000 worth of out-of-pocket expenses (such as deductibles, ambulance rides, meds, ICU care, doctors, etc. NOT paid for by my insurance company (Unicare – which IMHO sucks) and $35,950 worth of rehab (some of which happened while I was in a documented coma …and they STILL didn’t pay!) totaling approximately $61,000. So wish me luck as I file and see what the “NFL Benefits gods” will do for me. I have to say I’m leery that they might just tell me to take a hike (no pun intended!).

As some of you may know, I had a “miracle recovery” and don’t need any care whatsoever now but as per my reading of the “88 Plan,” I’m still entitled to a “one-time” claim to benefits and that $61,000 would be nice to get back.

…your thoughts please.

Gregg Bingham
1973 – 1984 Houston Oilers

P.S. – As you can see, my humor and articulation is also coming back …LOL!
Doug Gladstone
June 14th, 2010 at 3:20 PM #

Shouldn’t you guys have gotten something from the $26.25 million judgment that Ron Katz of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips won football retirees in 2009? Mr. Katz is quoted in my new book, A Bitter Cup of Coffee; How MLB & The Players Association Threw 874 Retirees A Curve. It’s the story of a group of baseball players who are also getting hosed; neither the League nor the Union want to retroactively amend the vesting requirement for them.

I just find it amazing and very sad that so many professional athletes are being taken advantage of, after having given armchair quarterbacks like myself so many hours of entertainment.

Doug Gladstone
http://www.abittercupofcoffee.com
George Visger
June 14th, 2010 at 7:28 PM #

Greg, welcome to the TBI club! (I thought I was the sole member!)

I have survived a total of 8 emergency VP Shunt brain surgeries to date (and counting), since my ’81 season with San Francisco. I was forced to sue the 49′ers for Workers’ Comp to get brain surgeries #2 and #3 paid for (occurred 4 months after we won Super Bowl XVI). You need to explore Workers’ Comp and Vocational Rehab. I used both once I won my case and they continue to cover all injury related bills, though I continue to fight like hell to remind them of that.

We need to talk regarding noggin rehab. I am the guru now and completed a degree in Biology during brain surgeries #3 thru #7.

Don’t ask Pear – he’s too beat up to be of any use anymore (Just kidding, Dave!).

For giggles read the following links on 28 years of post-NFL brain surgeries:

Sacramento News and Review Cover story
http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/content?oid=1317643

NPR: A Brain, A Life, Battered by Football
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114059228

Pension Reform and Disability!

George Visger
San Francisco 49′ers 1980 & 1981
Survivor of 8 football-related emergency brain surgeries
Benefactor of ZERO NFL benefits (Thank you, Gene Upshaw and De Smith)
Karey Hall
June 15th, 2010 at 8:38 AM #

I will pray for you guys (former and current players) and your families. I was never given an opportunity to play in the NFL but was fortunate to have two family members get in the League and my admiration for NFL players will continue to grow. I have a great feeling that De Smith will break all barriers to increase the knowledge, security, and retirement pay for you guys.

As I mentioned, I never played “on the field,” but I’m trying to get in and join the NFLPA and assist him with this quest. Please send your request and send a prayer for me to be employed with NFLPA.

Thanks.

Karey Hall
Gregg Bingham
June 15th, 2010 at 9:31 AM #

George -

You are the poster boy for TBI and you’re my hero! …one of these days we’ll get together and tell some stories. While I don’t get to NoCal much, I do come to SoCal (LA) 3 times a year.

Gregg Bingham
Gordon A. Wright
August 8th, 2010 at 12:56 PM #

Dave,

I like your blog – it’s very helpful.

Could you post the names of all the Board Members on the Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle Pension/Disability Board on your blog? I logged time in the NFL 1967, 1968, 1969 and 1970, and have also been a dues-paying member of the NFLPA.

Here are some comments I posted to a Corporate Responsibility Magazine story about Mike Ditka:

“I played 1967, 68 for the Philadelphia Eagles & 1969 & 1970 for the New York Jets. I guarded Joe Namath as an offensive guard. We were the 1969 Eastern Conference Winners. I am now 64 years old and I am totally disabled and at home every day with my wife and family. I do not want charity. All I want is to be paid for the 1968 season or receive my pension. Every time I ask for my pension or to be paid for the 1968 Season, the NFLPA lawyers write back to tell me I am not eligible for the 1968 Season because I did not play the full year. Or I was not paid so I am not eligible for the 1968 Season or my pension. They say I only played three years. In 2002, Philadelphia Eagles team doctor James Nixon sent my medical records to my mother and my wife showing I was injured and put on injured reserve for the 1968 season. My wife and mother wrote the NFLPA on my behalf and sent my medical records from the 1968 team doctor, but even the NFLPA has continued to deny me my benefits. I was recently denied again in August of 2007.”

Read the entire article from 2008 by clicking HERE.

Thanks
Gordon Wright
Philadelphia Eagles & New York Jets
1967 – 1970