First Legacy Letters Arriving
Some of you have already received your first letter from the NFL/NFLPA Benefits Office. The letter appears to be a standard letter that declares how your funds will be paid out by the Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle NFL Players Retirement Plan. (Thanks to John Griffin for getting a copy of his letter to us so quickly!)
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Attorney John Hogan was gracious enough to do a quick review:
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“I don’t see any release or anything suspicious here. Just make sure that you answer all the questions honestly and accurately.”
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We’ve uploaded a copy of the 2-page form to Scribd for easy viewing and to make it downloadable for printing. You can also click the Enlarge icon in the center of the menu at the bottom of the viewing screen to go Full Screen for easier reading (and just hit the ESC key to close):
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NFL/NFLPA Legacy Fund Benefits Letter
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Related Posts
September 23, 2011 -- Some Weekend Reading Sept 23rd (3)
July 21, 2012 -- IFV-TV: John Hogan and Dave Discuss Disability (0)
January 10, 2012 -- Second Legacy Fund Letters Arriving (2)
November 8, 2011 -- Questions on the Disability Plan… from an Expert (2)
September 24, 2011 -- And Apparently DICC Can’t Read Either… (4)
Gordon Wright
December 12th, 2011 at 3:58 pm #
In 1967 when I was a young man with a Bachelors Degree and National Football League Caliber Skills, Claude “Buddy” Young recruited young men for a Business Model Management/employment program that he created to bridge the gap between Owners of the teams, industries and NFL players: Young men with the ability to pass psychological testing and the ability to attain a college degree. The business model Claude “Buddy” Young created would have empowered the NFL player to never need to apply for early disability Retirement. The NFL player would always be self-sufficient and always have income to support himself and his family. We all know that his model was the right one but it would not allow for the blood-sucking robbers and lawyers and agents to make a living exploiting another man, his father and his mother and his wife and his children.
It is a shame that evil is persisting because there is not enough good in mankind. DeMaurice Smith is doing exactly what his predecessor did. De Smith is enriching himself. Why aren’t there any rules to prevent him from doing the same thing Upshaw did?
Gordon Wright
Philadelphia Eagles & New York Jets
1967 – 1970
John Hogan
December 14th, 2011 at 10:11 am #
I might add some advice: That guys make a copy of the completed form for themselves and then mail the original back Return Receipt Requested just so there isn’t a problem with, “It got lost in the mail.”
With what the Post Office is going through these days, there could be a high probability of that!
John Hogan
Retired Player Advocate
Disability Attorney
Burt Grossman
December 14th, 2011 at 12:07 pm #
I agree, John.
I actually faxed mine to them and then sent the original by mail.
Burt Grossman
San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles
1989 -1994
Sam Wyche
December 14th, 2011 at 3:18 pm #
I have already returned my form letter (after making a copy for my files)…
I did not ask for return receipt, but that’s a good idea!
I’m STILL trying to get accepted for the offer of Long Term Care from TransAmerica Corp. via NFLPA. I understand that 70% are getting “accepted” but everyone I’ve talked to has been rejected?!!
Sam Wyche
Cincinnati Bengals, Washington Redskins,
Detroit Lions & St. Louis Cardinals
1968 – 1977
John Hogan
December 15th, 2011 at 10:46 am #
Burt,
Please let us know when you start receiving duplicate checks! LOL!
John
Jan Addison
December 15th, 2011 at 7:38 pm #
Are any of the widows receiving any kind of notification, announcements of the agreement, letters to sign… anything?
My Husband, Tom Addison, passed away June 14, 2011, and I have received monthly checks but no other kind of communication! If it was not for a friend relaying information to me, I would not have a clue about what is happening.
Jan Addison
widow, Tom Addison
Boston Patriots
1960 – 1968
Wayne Martin
December 16th, 2011 at 12:59 am #
Will any of the Legacy Fund be added to my disability benefit?
Wayne Martin
1989 – 2000
New Orleans Saints
John Hogan
December 16th, 2011 at 6:42 am #
Wayne,
I don’t believe that the Legacy Fund is added to disability benefits. However, the new CBA (article 61, Sec. 3) provides for a raise in disability benefits effective Sept. 1,2011. (But I haven’t heard whether anyone has received the increase yet.)
Those of you (the few!!!) receiving football degenerative will be increased to $120,000; those on inactive will be raised from $40,000 to $50,000. And another increase will be given in 2016.
NOTE: These amounts are still subject to the 25% reduction where you took an early payment.
John Hogan
Sam Bowers
December 19th, 2011 at 6:01 am #
I only played 4 games with the Chicago Bears during the 1987 strike. I would like to know if I qualify for any kind of benefits at all from the NFL.
Sam Bowers
Chicago Bears
1987
Tiffany Brooks
December 19th, 2011 at 8:52 am #
This is all so overwhelming to me! My husband was drafted by the Cowboys first round many years ago and has many medical issues. We have always thought that the NFLPA and the NFLPCF have been good to us. There has never been an instance where we were denied anything that we asked for. Now that all of this collective bargaining agreement stuff has arisen, I am beginning to wonder if we were just being pacified.
Nothing makes any sense to me. Due to my husband’s concussions and mental state, I am now the ‘brains’ of this operation. My husband – as all of you other players – are considered heroes! You guys have built what America lives for! I am from a small town that lives and breathes football! It hurts me deeply to know that one day I will be in the shoes of many of the widows. My husband has become a broken shell of a man. I want to take him and hold him and say everything will be okay …I can’t promise him that. I now have to decide if I fight for what is right or if I just continue to take the good that the organization give us. I feel we are all family as wives and players. I never wish to see any of us neglected or mistreated. Please help me understand how and why this has happened!
Tiffany Brooks
wife – Kevin Brooks
Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions
1985 – 1992
Janet & Michael C. McCoy
December 23rd, 2011 at 4:00 pm #
We finally received a letter from the Plan. Michael received an increase of $833.00 per month with no explanation as to how this amount was decided. He played for 9 years and this does not add up to the amount we were told he would receive.
Can anyone explain how this amount was decided? Apparently the floor amount promised did not apply to him nor did the $104.00 per season as it turns out. I would appreciate answers if anyone has them.
Good luck to all!
Janet Brown-McCoy
for Mike McCoy
Green Bay Packers
1976 – 1983
Susan Bailey
December 24th, 2011 at 9:49 am #
I see that another widow who is receiving benefits also had a question as to the settlement and how it affects those of us already in the retirement system.
My husband Tom (Eagles) passed away in 2005 and had begun taking the pension with the widow’s benefit. I’ve not received anything information from the NFLPA and wondered if my signature was required prior to the issuance of the settlement/increase? Or will I automatically begin receiving the new amount, as I did in 2006/07?
Susan Bailey
widow Tom Bailey (1949 – 2005)
Philadelphia Eagles
1971 – 1975
Joe Schmiesing
December 26th, 2011 at 8:02 pm #
Do we as payees of the Legacy Benefit have a right to know how much Legal Lees and Administration Costs are and who is being paid these fees and costs out of the Legacy Fund?
If so, has the NFL Player’s Alumni asked for this information?
Joe Schmiesing
St. Louis Cardinals, Detroit Lions,
Baltimore Colts, New York Jets
1968 – 1975
Bill Peterson
December 27th, 2011 at 11:03 am #
My best friend, Fred Heron (Cardinals 1967- 1974), died December 28, 2010. His wife has not received any notification or information regarding the new CBA. Will she not be entitled to an increased benefit based on the widow arrangement he had on his plan? To date, she has received no increase. Will she have to go through the same dog-and-pony show that we do? I suggested she call the Plan office but does anybody have any information on this?
It seems to me the widows would have been the first to be taken care of. I also think it was a good suggestion to send along with our personal information a signed declaration stating that we are not waiving our right to challenge the manner in which this agreement came down.
Bill Peterson
Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs
1968 – 1976
John Griffin
December 31st, 2011 at 8:43 am #
Has anyone received the second letter from the Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle NFL Player Retirement Plan about the new Legacy benefit after filling out and returning their About Letter? I haven’t and what’s that letter dated December 19, 2011 that you posted? That’s just for those who are getting disability payments?
I see our fearless leader received his ONE MILLION DOLLAR BONUS!
John Griffin
LA Rams & Denver Broncos
1963 – 1967
Mike McCoy
January 2nd, 2012 at 1:43 pm #
@Susan Bailey,
Since you husband has passed, it may very well be that widows won’t get any increase as this is a new benefit. I don’t have any additional information but I would call the plan office and ask the question.
Good luck, fellow football wife!
Thanks
Janet Brown-McCoy
for Mike McCoy
Green Bay Packers
1976 – 1983
Burt Grossman
January 8th, 2012 at 7:52 pm #
Well, it’s already been a month since those first letters arrived. I faxed mine back signed that day and – par for the course – another month has now passed and no sign of that second letter.
Sure looks like Feb. 1st for the increase is out too. What a shocker!
Burt Grossman
Jim Tolbert
January 9th, 2012 at 6:56 am #
I received my second letter from the Legacy Fund three days ago dated 12/28/2011 and the amount of my benefits were wrong.
I played 11 years in the NFL and I retired in 1976. My current pension is only $160.00 per month and they calculated my life-only pension benefits to be $1,332.00. I faxed a letter to them with what I believe the right amount should be. I will also send a registered letter with a returned receipt today.
Has anyone else had the same problem?
Jim Tolbert
San Diego Chargers, Houston Oilers, St. Louis Cardinals
1966 – 1977
Joe Schmiesing
January 9th, 2012 at 1:06 pm #
I still haven’t received that second letter. What takes so long?
Joe Schmiesing
St. Louis Cardinals, Detroit Lions,
Baltimore Colts, New York Jets
1968 – 1975
Frank Youso
January 10th, 2012 at 10:35 am #
I received my Legacy backpay check and after playing nine years I was supposed to receive $4,464.00; I ended up receiving $2,848.88 and was short $1,615.12!
I also received my monthly check and it was short $403.78 for the month.
Just letting you know that we’re not getting what was promised.
Frank Youso
New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings, Oakland Raiders
1958-1966
Burt Grossman
January 10th, 2012 at 6:34 pm #
“Just letting you know that we’re not getting what was promised.”
We should have that printed on tee shirts, Frank. Doesn’t that always seem to be the case when dealing with our union, association, fraternity, club or whatever it is they’re calling themselves these days?
Burt Grossman
Burt Grossman
January 30th, 2012 at 8:28 am #
OK – And February is here.
No Legacy Benefit and two months since I sent my first letter back and still haven’t received my second…
Burt Grossman
Bob DeMarco
February 1st, 2012 at 10:01 am #
Received my Legacy payment on January 26th with the exact amount promised. They paid for 7 months. Mine was direct deposited.
Bob DeMarco
St. Louis Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, LA Rams
1961 – 1975