For Those in the Old G.B. Dealey Pension Plan

There are a couple of things worth noting for those who are vested in the pension plan. (Those who have joined the DMN in the last several years have only a 401k plan.):
1) When Belo divided earlier this year, staff members aged 55 and above who work at A.H. Belo, the newspaper company, got the benefit of being able to draw on their pension while continuing their employment. The reason for this is that the pension plan is administered by Belo Corp., a now separate company. Our brethren at WFAA, who remain part of Belo, do not share in this opportunity because they remain employed by the company that runs the pension plan. Of course, it is up to each individual to decide whether it makes sense to tap the pension fund at this point. Taking a payout prior to age 65 carries costs. You might check with an accountant if you have one. Perhaps Mr. Sunbeam can supply further information down the road.
2) As a more financially savvy colleague noted, those who stayed with the old pension plan are scheduled to receive an additional cash infusion IF they remain employed by the DMN until the end of March 2009. This contribution can amount to several thousand dollars per person. This is assuming that the company doesn't change its mind about continuing these payouts.

CORRECTION: Mr. Sunbeam has learned that in order to qualify for another infusion of cash for those vested in the old pension plan, a staffer must be employed at the DMN as of Dec. 31, 2008, not March 31, 2009.



One more thing to consider when crunching the numbers.