The NFL Retiree Change Requirements

Where will change most effectively impact the retiree population? How is change most effectively managed when the NFL Retirees do not have an authorized group to negotiate on their behalf?

My Take: Helen L. Horvath, MA, PsyD (Cand), Principal, Founder/CEO, HW Associates

I recently attended the NFL Retiree Summit in Las Vegas, NV. The purpose of the summit was to create the beginning of a grassroots movement for change. The issues surrounding the Summit and the retired players are many; yet, the bottom line is that change must take place or the retirees will be the ones to suffer the most.

The current retirement plan is underfunded in the 2007 and 2008 plan years. This does subject the plan to potential plan take over by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (http://www.pbgc.gov/) which will pay pennies to the dollar for benefits. Retired and active players should be concerned over the plan underfunding as it does affect both classes of players.

Currently, the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement is set to be renegotiated beginning in 2009. The benefits of the retirees need to be protected by One Independent Organization that has no ties to the NFLPA or NFL other than the right to use the NFL brand as the logo.

Across the United States there are at least 20 retired players groups that do not have the power and ability that one united organization, without ties to the union, would have. There are too many cooks in the "kitchen" that want to represent the players; each has a separate agenda or product that will benefit the retired players. Each organization has great ideas to benefit the players; yet, there is no true independent representative of the NFL Retired Players groups. It is time to bring each retiree group under one "roof" so that active players who are going to retire will have representation at the table and the current retired population will finally have representation that has a vested interest in THEIR benefits and fiscal sustainability.

How can this be done? The first step is to check personal agendas at any door that you open pertaining to the retiree benefits issue. This is about everyone who is in the game or has retired from the game. If you are not retired from the game you will be or you will potentially leave the game with a disability. Either way you will be affected at some level - so will your team mates.

The second step is to bring the 20+ Retiree Groups together to create one organization and an agenda that has set goals created along with a timeline of completion. Timelines can be adjusted based upon what needs to be accomplished. This agenda is the smaller picture of what was created at the Retiree Summit on May 31, 2009. Remember that there is power in numbers and group cohesion is not easily attained when the kitchen is jam packed with cooks.

It is at this time that the change process can begin along with the lobbying for the change. Players, active and retired, need to unite to change how the NFLPA and NFL handles active and retiree player benefits. It is not enough that Congress has threatened a $6B a year industry with forced reform if change does not take place. Active and retired players need to unite to create the legal vehicle that demands change and allows the retired, and future retired, players a seat at the bargaining table. Even with the recent award by the courts; retired players need to remain active to protect their benefits current and future. They need a voice that is united and looks out for their interests.

For the full debate relating to change management visit us at http://www.hwassociates.us/. Our site will be up and operational June 26, 2009.