Coalition of Oak Ridge Retired Employees (CORRE)
Working for Fair, Equitable, and Competitive Benefits
For Former K-25, Y-12, and ORNL Employees
P. O. Box 4266
Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-4266
July 2, 2007
The Honorable Lamar Alexander FAX (202) 228-3398
455 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Alexander:
DOE N 351.1 – Decision Not to Reissue
CORRE would like to thank you and the members of your staff for the assistance given to us in the recent review of DOE N 351.1. Members of Congress were wise to convince the Secretary of Energy that he should postpone implementation of this policy until input from stakeholders and the Congress could be obtained. As a result of this review, the Department of Energy has decided not to reissue this Notice.
As CORRE has stated in meetings with your staff, the Notice would have had the effect of denying any future adjustments to existing pensions, which is in direct conflict with past practices in Oak Ridge. In addition, the Notice would have had a negative effect on the health protection of retirees by going to a “market-based medical benefit plan.” This could have the effect of lowering health care benefits to retirees at a time in their lives when this is most important. CORRE continues to support the current contractor Major Medical Medicare Supplement plan with the costs being shared with the Company on a 50-50 basis.
CORRE continues to press for an adjustment to existing pensions that would restore 75% of the buying power lost to inflation and the extension of the flat 2% reduction for those who chose the Surviving Spouse Option. CORRE also endorses a biennial review of the Pension Plan to determine when further adjustments are warranted, in keeping with past practices.
It is important to note that DOE's announcement that it will not reissue DOE N 351.1 removes only one of many hurdles faced by retirees, and your support is still essential. We appreciate the time and efforts of your staff, and we look forward to future discussions of these issues.
Sincerely,
David Reichle, CORRE President
cc: Jane Chedester
Tom Craig
Patrick Jaynes
Keith Kibbe, CORRE
Pete Lotts, CORRE
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