S.R.A. News

Volume 16 · Issue 1 SNET Retirees Association, Inc spring 2013 SRA WINS AGAINST AT&T!!! SEC RULES IN OUR FAVOR The Security and Exchange Statement immediately after ours. It Committee (SEC) has ruled that the is based on some of the inaccurate SRA’s shareholder proposal regarding By JoAnn Alix-Gagain arguments made to the SEC by AT&T limits on Executive Severance when they challenged our proposal. Packages should and will be allowed President, SRA As of this writing we have yet to hear to be voted upon by all shareholders if the AT&T statement in the Proxy of AT&T stock at next month’s would receive at least $34 million in will be adjusted. Annual Meeting. Most shareholders severance if he leaves after a change This year’s battle with the vote by returning the proxy card in control, resigns for “good reason”, Company has gone down to the wire included in the Proxy Statement or even if he retirees. Maybe the again. The Company apparently sees mailed to all stockholders in mid- Board should think about not trying our proposal on Golden Goodbye March. to omit reasonable shareholder severance agreements’ as such We submitted our proposal in proposals and save the money spent a threat to senior executives that early November as required by trying to eliminate shareholders they are fighting it down to the the Board of Directors which has voices. deadline to print and mail the Proxy the opportunity to review, discuss, We did concur with the SEC’s Statement to all shareholders with challenge or allow it. AT&T chose to suggestion to change the wording ample time for voting and returning challenge it to the SEC. The proposal in the proposal as to make clear it proxies to be counted at the Annual would require Golden Parachute would apply only to future current Meeting on April 26, 2013. severance agreements that have executive compensation contracts, It has been a long road for the SRA a value exceeding three times an so that there would be no violation and our co-sponsor Jane Banefield executive’s base salary plus bonus of any state laws. Yet even after we of Legacy AT&T. We know that this must be approved by shareholders. made that offer to address their is a great proposal based on what AT&T appealed to the SEC to have concerns, the Company filed two our retirees have told us as well as it omitted as it was “too vague” in more briefs with the SEC insisting gaining the support of other retiree their words and they felt it “violated that SRA proposal must be excluded. organizations. several Federal and State laws.” The It is obvious that the Company and We hope that you will vote IN SEC rejected their claims. the Board of Directors are most FAVOR of our proposal which is AT&T spent huge sums of money interested in defending the post- stated below as it will appear in the on attorney’s fees to fight your employment windfalls of senior Proxy materials. Please encourage Association’s proposal- which is executives. But in the end the SEC family, friends and neighbors to also their right to do. However, someone said to AT&T essentially: move on, vote for this worthwhile change to needs to explain to me how capping you lost…….. AT&T’s Executive Severance deals. payments a senior executive We also had an opportunity to receives for LEAVING the company submit to the SEC and the company is not good for the company nor our displeasure once the SEC ruled See the the shareholders. For example, regarding the Company’s opposition Official Proposal according to last year’s Proxy statement to the proposal that Statement CEO Randall Stephenson will also be printed in the Proxy on Page 4 Page 2 S.R.A. News Death Benefit Provisions Canceled For Some Management Retirees Elimination of the Death eligible dependent at the time S.R.A. News Benefit (One year of base of your passing. You are not This is the official publication salary) for SNET managers eligible for this money if you do for SNET Retirees Association, was communicated in a not have an eligible dependent. Inc. members. It contains timely SMM released in December You cannot name a beneficiary news and feature items of 1999 titled Special Edition for this money if eligible for the interest to all SNET retirees and Benefit Bulletin. This Benefit provision. You may not eligible is produced quarterly. S.R.A. is a Bulletin addressed the merge if you were rehired after the nonprofit organization. Readers of the SNET Management merger of plans or if you took a are encouraged to send or phone news tips. Pension Plan with the SBC lump sum. Pension Plan - Nonbargained If you are a union retiree the www.snetretirees.org program effective Jan 1, 2000. Death Benefit is still in place When SBC moved the SNET if you are eligible under the Management Pension assets to provisions of your departure the SBC plan the death benefit from the company and have an was stopped for those managers eligible dependent and did not who had yet to meet the take the lump sum payment for Modified Rule of 75. If you had your pension. met the Rule of 75 or had 30 Call Fidelity to learn of your years of service continue to be eligibility for this provision at Executive Board eligible for this if you have an 1-800-416-2363. President JoAnn Alix-Gagain Vice President Gail Majewski SAVE THE DATE!!! Founding Treasurer Bob Archambault Tresurer Claudia Zarella Membership Jen Floridia Larry Miller THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2013 Harry Green 10 AM to 3 PM Frank Pagerino Advertising ANNUAL SRA MEETING & PICNIC Judy Kleist AT HOLIDAY HILL RSVP Forms will be mailed in August S.R.A. News Page 3

Tidbits from S.R.A. Response Team the November The S.R.A. Response Team is active and ready to assist our Elections of 2012 members with problems relative to Health Benefits and Pension President Obama raised over $715 items. million and spent over $683 million Before placing a telephone call to a member of the Response on his reelection campaign. His challenger Mitt Romney raised over Team, for assistance, be sure you have contcted the AT&T Benefits $446 million and spent over $433 Cetner. million. The S.R.A. Response Team Members ready to assist you are: AT&T ranked #10 in the country for JoAnn Alix-Gagain 203-758-2409 ([email protected]) dollars spent on lobbying in 2012 according to the report issued by Judy Kleist 203-237-0303 www.opensecrets.org. The amount Gail Majewski 860-442-8296 you ask??? Answer: $17,430,000 Frank Pagerino 203-929-7487 plus… Yes, over 17 million dollars. The company also ranks 5th in the Special Interest Sector giving more to Republicans than Democrats. Supplemental Life There are over 85 lobbyists representing AT&T according to the same report for 2012. Several of Insurance Deductions whom are past congressmen. Will Be Suspended AT&T ranks #31 with contributions of over $6 million to campaigns Supplemental Life Insurance cost of supplemental coverage across the country. Deductions Will Be Suspended employees are purchasing Special Interest Groups are broken (“contribution holiday”) for a during the holiday months. into “sectors”, one of which is period of time for some retirees. All retired employees who Communications and Electronics. This would apply to all were purchasing supplemental This sector alone gave $199,194,493 management retirees and coverage as of December of which 45% was given to bargained retirees of Legacy 1, 2011 will be eligible for Republicans and 27.3% given AT&T, , BellSouth, the contribution holiday. to Democrats. The Labor sector SNET, and Southwest who This date was deemed by the gave $177,457,909 of which they were purchasing supplemental plan fiduciaries as the most distributed 34.2% to Dems and 3.4 life insurance coverage as of appropriate “as of” date for this % to Republicans. (Not a typo.) December 1, 2011. exercise. The first month of the The Special Interest Groups also A surplus of employee holiday will be March, 2013. have member associations which contributions that accumulated Retirees have recently received companies may also belong to and in the various life insurance an SMM announcing the holiday contribute to as well. One of which plans several years ago is being and then will receive a postcard is the National Cable and Telecom returned to employees by fully prior to when their holiday will Association. It would not be a far subsidizing their supplemental end. In the case of BellSouth reach to assume AT&T is a member life insurance contributions until retirees, their notice of the start of this organization. This association the surplus funds have been of the holiday also is the notice ranked 14th in the Special depleted. The number of months of the end of the holiday since Interest Group and gave more to that the contribution holiday will they will be affected for only Republicans than Democrats. be in effect will vary depending one month. All information above was obtained on the employee group, the No action is needed by retirees on www.opensecrets.org and is amount of surplus associated for inclusion, if eligible for the available to anyone to use and with that group, and the total contribution holiday. reprint. Page 4 S.R.A. News Shareholder Ratification of Executive Severance Packages The SNET Retirees Association, Inc. (SRA), policy requiring shareholder approval of “golden P.O. Box 615, Southington, CT, 06489, and parachutes” and other severance arrangements that Jane Banfield, President, AT&T Concerned exceed three times an executive’s base salary plus Employees and Retirees (ACER),125 Mahogany bonus. Run, Williamsburg, VA, 23188, hereby submit the According to the 2012 Proxy (page 69), if CEO following shareholder resolution for inclusion in Randall Stephenson is terminated without cause the Company’s proxy statement for the 2013 Annual after a change in control, or resigns for “good Meeting: reason,” he could receive an estimated $34.1 million, more than five times his 2011 base salary RESOLVED: The shareholders of AT&T urge our plus target bonus. Board of Directors to seek shareholder approval of Similarly, senior executives Rafael de la Vega and any senior executive officer’s future severance or John Stankey could have received an estimated termination payments with an estimated total value $18.2 and $18.4 million, respectively, more than exceeding 2.99 times the sum of the executive’s seven times their base salary plus target bonus as of base salary plus target short-term bonus. the end of 2011 (2012 proxy, page 69). “Severance or termination payments” include any These estimated payouts to Stephenson, de la Vega cash, equity or other compensation that is paid out and Stankey are in addition to qualified pension and or vests due to a senior executive’s termination for non-qualified pension and deferred compensation any reason. Payments include those provided under plans, which pay millions more. employment agreements, severance plans, change- Although AT&T’s Change in Control Severance in-control clauses in long-term equity or other Plan limits the lump sum cash payout to 2.99 times compensation plans, and agreements renewing, base salary plus target bonus, the proxy reveals that modifying or extending any such agreement or plan. change-in-control termination payments include “Total value” of these payments includes: lump- millions more from the accelerated vesting of long- sum payments; payments offsetting tax liabilities; term equity. perquisites or benefits that are not vested under a Most of these additional payouts result from plan generally available to management employees; the accelerated vesting of Performance Shares post-employment consulting fees or office expense; and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). This practice and equity awards as to which the executive’s effectively waives the performance conditions that vesting is accelerated, or a performance condition justify AT&T’s annual grants of “performance-based” waived, due to termination. long-term equity awards to senior executives, in our The Board shall retain the option to seek view. shareholder approval after material terms are agreed For example, in the event of termination due to upon and shall revise compensation agreements to death or disability, Stephenson would have received comply with a shareholder vote only in a manner nearly $28.5 million in unvested performance shares that does not breach pre-existing contracts or and restricted stock, which pays out at 100% of otherwise violate the company’s legal obligations. target (page 64). We believe that AT&T’s policy on shareholder SUPPORTING STATEMENT ratification of executive severance should include We believe that requiring shareholder ratification the full cost of termination payments. of “golden parachute” severance packages with Please VOTE FOR this proposal. a total cost exceeding 2.99 times an executive’s base salary plus target bonus will provide valuable feedback, encourage restraint, and strengthen the Please note that the cost of this letter is being hand of the Board’s compensation committee. borne entirely by the SNET Retirees Association. Unlike many large companies, including peers This newsletter is not a solicitation. Do not return Verizon and CenturyLink, our Company has no proxy cards to the Association. S.R.A. News Page 5

port st. lucie - feb 6 SRA Members

SRA Member...... Guest Gather in Florida JoAnn Alix Gagain The SRA held the annual meetings in Florida at three Paul Amore...... Dorothy Amore different locations based upon where the majority of Tony Anastasio...... Anne Anastasio Bob Archambault...... Marilyn Archambault the membership lives. Ed Bagley, Jr...... Doris Bagley We have seen a down turn in the attendance at the Sally Bronson...... Albert Burdge East coast meeting and at the Bonita Springs meeting Gladys Brown...... William Brown on the West coast. The Venice meeting continues to be Bill Cronan...... Myrna Cronan the largest. Christine Downey...... Gerard Downey We are sharing the names of the attendees and their Charles Ericson...... Jean Ericson guests along with pictures from the Venice meeting. James Gleason Roy Haney...... Ann Haney Ed Isaacs...... Pat Isaacs Dwight Johnson...... Penny Johnson Venice - march 7 William Kelly Tim Moriarty Joyce Szczoczarz SRA Member...... Guest Charles Waldo...... Linda Waldo JoAnn Alix-Gagain Jeff Beaver...... Pat Beaver Donald Bragg...... Barb Bragg Norris Buchter...... Beverly Evans Sharon Celotto...... Michael Celotto bonita springs - feb 19 Eleanor Crowell...... Henry Crowell John De Angelis Carol Depgen...... Frank Depgen SRA Member...... Guest George Ducharme...... Pattie Ducharme JoAnn Alix Gagain Walter Ehman Charles Allard...... Susan Allard Jeremiah Fallon...... Anne Fallon Lawrence Beck ...... Elaine Beck George Hartmann Joe Burke Ginny Hofford Francis Coyle...... Mary Lou Coyle Nils Lindroth...... Barbara Lindroth James Cyr...... Pauline Cyr Tony Longo...... Betty Longo Beverly Duggan...... Rolf Mezger Jack Lozinski...... Jan Lozinski Laurel Garon...... Frank Garon Herbert Luce...... Isabelle Luce Vicky Joray Don Lucian...... Mo Lucian George Lyon Dale Matthews...... Vivian Matthews John McCarthy...... Roberta McCarthy Betty Young Bonjean Francis Mullins...... Carol Mullins Bob Bonjean John Mulvey Louis Marinelli Ann Spardone Jim McNulty...... Marilyn McNulty Joann Votto...... Sal Votto Fred Mitchell...... Nancy Mitchell Ellen Warzecha David Moore Ted Warzecha Maureen O'Connor Cynthia O'Donnell...... Bill O'Donnell Bill O'Keefe...... Margaret O'Keefe Edward Phelan...... Betty Phelan Clifford Powers...... Vera Powers Herb Roessler...... Audrey Roessler Leroy Russell, Jr...... Diane Russell www.snetretirees.org Donald Topazio...... Carol Arnemann Bill Warjenski...... Linda Warjenski and join us on Facebook, too! Genevieve Welch...... Gene Kapusta Page 6 S.R.A. News

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1. George and Pattie Ducharme 4. Isabelle Luce, Linda Warjenski, Bill Warjenski and Herbert Luce 2. Gene Kapusta and Genevieve Welch 5. Donald and Barb Bragg 3. Maureen O'Connor 6. Jack and Jan Lozinski S.R.A. News Page 7

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7. Don Lucien and Sharon Celleto 10. Dale and Vivian Matthews 8. Marilyn and Jim McNulty 11. SRA President JoAnn Alix-Gagain and Norris Buchter 9. Herb and Audrey Roessler 12. Anne and Jeremiah Fallon Page 8 S.R.A. News Names for the History Books I was looking through some of the also read in this newsletter local materials that we all receive from the service is being looked at as a AT&T of today and I thought “how By JoAnn Alix-Gagain “burden” for some companies in many companies were there before President, SRA the highly completive world of the new AT&T came about?” I then communications. thought will my grandchildren ever So let me share with you the know about a little independent company names ( 70 + ) that we company call SNET (for short) or will my cousins’ have identified as once having employees on their children in Texas know what SWB meant, or for that own, but are now all under the Texas company that matter anywhere where there was “a local service assumed the name of AT&T once they took that over, telephone company”. too. We also acknowledge that there may be more Will they even care, probably not? As you will than those listed below.

• AIT Mobile Services, Inc. • BellSouth Adv&Pub • • Ameritech Adv Data Services Corporation • Pacific Bell Telephone Co. • Ameritech Comm, • BellSouth Billing Inc. • Pacific Telesis Legal Group Inc. Delaware • BellSouth Corporation • PRC • Ameritech New Media, LLC • BellSouth Telecom, Inc. • QL • Ameritech Publishing • BellSouth Mobility (Cellular) • SBMS Resources, LLC • Ameritech Services, Inc. • BellSouth Services • SecurityLink from Ameritech • AT&T Teleholdings, Inc. • BellSouth Telecom, Inc. • SNET Advanced Services, Inc. • AT&T Advanced Solutions • Berry Network, Inc. • SNE Diversified Group,Inc. • AT&T Asset Management Inc • BS Business Systems Inc • SNET Information Svcs. Inc. • AT&T Corp. (Also referred • BS Tech Group Inc • SNET Mobility to as Legacy T) • CE • SNET Mobility Resources, LLC • AT&T DataComm • Cingular Wireless • South Central Bell • AT&T GLBL NW SVCS, LLC Emp Svcs, LLC • Southern Bell • AT&T Global Svcs • CNG • Southern New • AT&T GOVT SOLS INC. • Telephone Co. England Tel. Co. • AT&T Internet Services • Telephone • Southern New • AT&T Labs, Inc. Co., Inc. England Tel Corp • AT&T Mgt Services, L.P. • JD • Southwestern Bell Telecomm. • AT&T OPS, Inc. • JK • Stevens Graphics, Inc. • AT&T PUERTO RICO INC • L M Berry and Company • SW Bell Wireless Res, LLC • AT&T SOLUTIONS INC. • LEGACY AT&T • SWB Messaging • AT&T Svcs, Inc. • LEGACY B DEFAULT Services, Inc. • AT&T TECH SVS CMP INC • LEGACY BellSouth • SWB Telephone, L.P. • AT&T Telecom • Bell Telephone Co. • SWB Yellow Pages, Inc. • AT&T Teleholdings, Inc. • Nevada Bell Telephone Co. • The Telephone Co. • AT&T Ventures, Inc. • Pac Telesis Group • , Inc. S.R.A. News Page 9

Michele Macauda, Retiree After a very successful career at SNET and then at AT&T Michele Macauda retired this past December. Michele was honored by many active employees and retirees of the company who gathered at the Aqua Turf in January. SRA Executive Board member Harry Green welcomed Michele into the SRA at the event.

SRA member Sam McKnight with Kevin Wetmore.

SRA members Hedy Bastian and Dick Aitro. SRA Board Member Harry Green and Michele Macauda.

AT&T CEO’s 2012 Compensation Valued at $22.2 Million From Thomas Gryta, DJN; Fox Business ~ Mar 11, 2013 $9.9 million. The rise was driven by an increase in AT&T Inc.’s (T) Chairman and Chief Executive pension value and deferred compensation. Randall Stephenson’s total compensation rose 1% In 2011, Mr. Stephenson saw his total in 2012 to $22.2 million, about in line with the compensation drop by 19% from $27.3 million, telecom giant’s revenue growth over the period. partly because his incentive payout fell by more than Mr. Stephenson’s base salary was unchanged at $2 million related to the implosion of the company’s $1.55 million. A slight drop in the value of stock attempt to buy Deutsche Telekom AG’s (DTE. and option awards and a smaller increase in pension XE DTEGY) T-Mobile for $39 billion. In the same value and deferred compensation were offset by a period, Mr. da le Vega’s compensation fell 9%. rise in non-equity incentive plan compensation. AT&T was successful in adding 1.4 million Ralph de la Vega, chief executive of AT&T’s contract subscribers--the most profitable kind--to its wireless business, saw the value of his 2012 wireless business in 2012, bringing its total to 70.5 compensation jump 20% to $11.9 million from million. Page 10 S.R.A. News

Retiree’s Response to Pension Increase Non Response

A retiree wrote a letter to the AT&T Chairman inquiring about a pension increase. He felt he was “dismissed” in the response he received from the “AT&T Advocacy Oversight”. We have his permission to use his letters. We applaud his effort to write to learn why not pension increases, and we encourage you all to do the same. S.R.A. News Page 11 AT&T Pension Committee The AT&T Board of Directors is made up of many Committees of which Board members are appointed to. They are paid additional fees for these Committee appointments. In case you might like to send a letter to those who oversee the AT&T Pension Plan, we thought we would share the Pension Committee information which is publicly available on AT&T’s corporate web site. Although the below “Charter” does not specifically state that the Committee has the ability to increase retiree pension or authorize a COLA for retirees receiving a pension, it certainly is not a far reach to know that they approve/reject the item. I am sure that the Executive Committee also makes a recommendation as well.

Finance/Pension Committee of the in carrying out its duties. Board of Directors of AT&T Inc. The Committee shall review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter annually and recommend any proposed changes to the Corporate Governance and Nominating Members Committee. The Committee shall annually evaluate the John B. McCoy, Chairman Committee's own performance and share such evaluation Reuben V. Anderson with the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. Lynn M. Martin Laura D'Andrea Tyson Finance/Pension Matters Charter Financial Status of the Company. The Committee shall have the authority to (a) periodically review the financial Purpose status of the Company (b) consult with the officers of the The Finance/Pension Committee (the "Committee") is Company and the Board in regard to significant matters appointed by the Board of Directors of AT&T Inc. to assist involving the finances of the Company, including among the Board in its oversight of the Company's finances, the other things the impact of the financial performance of the payment by the Company of dividends, and the Company's pension plan trusts on the Company (c) review financial investment policies. References in this Charter to "AT&T" or policy and procedures and develop recommendations in the "Company" shall be to AT&T Inc. and its consolidated regard thereto (d) approve guidelines for the investment of subsidiaries unless the context requires otherwise. the Corporation's cash reserves (e) approve guidelines for issuing debt and raising capital (f) make recommendations Committee Membership to the Board and management regarding the declaration At the first meeting of the Board following each Annual of dividends and dividend policy and (g) review results of Meeting of Stockholders, the Board, after receiving the rating agencies actions. recommendations of the Corporate Governance and Financing Activities. The Committee shall, as it deems Nominating Committee, shall appoint the members of appropriate, recommend for approval by the Board the (a) the Committee and shall determine the Chairperson of amount and record date of dividends, (b) the Company's the Committee, each to serve at the pleasure of the Board. annual budget, (c) Registration Statements to be filed with Committee members shall not have a fixed term. the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with Company securities issuances, and (d) Company's business plan. Procedures Pension Matters. In consultation with management, the The Committee shall meet as often as it determines. The Committee shall oversee regulatory compliance with respect Committee may request any officer or employee of the to the financing and funding of pension plans maintained Company to attend a meeting of the Committee or to meet by the Company; however, the Committee shall have no with any consultant to the Committee. After the Committee authority control over any plan assets nor responsibility meets or otherwise takes action, it shall, as soon as for the administration of the plans. The Committee practicable, make a report of its activities at a meeting of the shall periodically receive reports from management Board. personnel charged with the responsibility for pension fund The Committee may form and delegate authority to investments for the purpose of reviewing (a) the funded subcommittees when determined by the Committee to be status of such plans and (b) management's evaluation of the necessary or appropriate. performance of the fund managers for the plans, including their comparative returns and asset allocations and other Committee Authority and Responsibilities measures, in fulfilling the Committee's responsibility to The Committee shall have the authority, to the extent it ensure the plans are adequately funded. deems necessary or appropriate, to conduct investigations Other. The Committee shall make such other reports and to retain consultants in connection with its and recommendations to the Board of Directors from responsibilities. The Committee may authorize and direct time to time as the Committee may deem appropriate. the payment of compensation by the Company to any such The Committee shall be responsible for any other matters consultant and the payment of ordinary administrative expressly delegated to the Committee by the Board from expenses of the Committee that are necessary or appropriate time to time. Page 12 S.R.A. News News items of interest

»» No contract yet between AT&T and the includes spectrum in the 700 MHz, 850 CWA/CUTW Local 1298. Union employees MHz and 1900 MHz bands and is largely have been working without a contract for complementary to AT&T’s existing network. a very long time with no resolution in site. ATNI currently operates a retail CDMA Loss of jobs continues in CT. If there is 3000 network for its subscribers in these areas. folks still employed in both management and AT&T expects that as it upgrades the union jobs that would be about it. network, ATNI customers and existing AT&T customers who roam in these areas »» “AT&T invested more than $30 million in its will enjoy an enhanced mobile Internet Wyoming wireless and wireline networks experience. AT&T expects integration costs from 2010 through 2012, with a focus on for network conversion from CDMA will not expanding 4G LTE mobile Internet coverage result in significant dilution to EPS or impact and enhancing the overall performance of its to cash flow. The transaction is subject to networks. AT&T has made nearly 40 wireless network upgrades in six key categories in review by the Federal Communications Wyoming during 2012, including activating Commission and the Department of Justice new cell sites, adding capacity, upgrading and to other customary closing conditions cell sites to provide fast 4G LTE mobile and is expected to close in the second half of Internet speeds, deploying high-capacity 2013.” (AT&T Press Release) Ethernet connections to cell sites, and »» “AT&T said on Friday (Oct. 19, 2012) it will adding or upgrading Distributed Antenna contribute a stake in its wireless business Systems, which boost wireless coverage and to the company’s pension plan worth $9.5 capacity in buildings and at major venues billion in an effort to secure the fund, like convention halls or sports arenas.”This according to a U.S. Securities and Exchange information was from a press release by Commission filing. AT&T issued on March 6th, 2013. Interesting AT&T filed for approval for the proposal that the 2013 AT&T Annual Shareholder with the U.S. Department of Labor on Meeting will be in Cheyenne, Wyoming at Thursday. It said the move would not the end of April. significantly affect company earnings. »» AT&T “today announced that it has signed an AT&T’s pension plan was underfunded by agreement with Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc. about $10.2 billion at the end of 2011, a (ATNI) to acquire the company’s U.S. retail company spokeswoman said.”We’re making wireless operations, operated under the Alltel this contribution, which is many times above brand, for $780 million in cash. Under terms our estimated required funding for 2013, at a of the agreement, AT&T will acquire wireless time when many companies have eliminated properties, including licenses, network their pensions,” the spokeswoman said. assets, retail stores and approximately The proposal comes after rival Verizon 585,000 subscribers. Communications Inc said on Wednesday ATNI operates under the Alltel name that it will transfer $7.5 billion in pension in the U.S., and its network covers obligations to insurer Prudential, removing a approximately 4.6 million people in quarter of its long-term employee retirement primarily rural areas across six states — burden with a single upfront payment.” Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, North Carolina, (Reuters) Ohio and South Carolina. The acquisition SRA Notes: This is yet to be approved by S.R.A. News Page 13 News items of interest

the Dept. of Labor as of this writing. This is a unions” is a naïve approach.) first for any Pension Plan and it needs to go Verizon managers, who will retain before the DOL because unions negotiate pension benefits they have already earned, pensions for their members. Also, remember will also be eligible to continue to grow into that the current government administration their early retirement pensions. They will is under fire for some recent appointments receive an 18-month enhancement to the made without conducting hearings on value of their pension and retiree medical appointees. So no decision is a good thing benefits. In addition, Verizon will increase right now because it could be overturned if the company match for the managers’ the folks making the decision are incorrectly 401(k), both for current managers and for appointed...Additionally, a large portion MCI managers who join Verizon after the of one stock into any plan or investment close of the planned merger. vehicle may not be all that great if it is not diversified enough. Does this investment »» On the other hand, Verizon will no longer “stake” of AT&T’s wireless business pay a provide additional service credits toward dividend or pay part of the profits to the the company’s subsidy of retiree medical pension plan? Sure would like that answer. benefits. Management employees who Companies who are making moves of this do not have 15 years of service (after the kind as well as moving pension assets to 18-month enhancement is factored in) will insurance companies as GM has done and not be eligible for a company subsidy for now Verizon is called “de- risking”. In other those benefits. The company expects to save words moving the liabilities off the balance $3 billion over the next 10 years.” (From sheets. How did AT&T value the stake of CFO.com) the wireline business since it is not a traded company? And is it a standard formula for all »» Verizon Communications Inc. “Pension- subsidiaries? Important questions that need plan beneficiaries lost a bid to block the to be monitored and asked certainly by the company’s transfer of $7.5 billion in plan DOL and by CWA and IBEW officials before obligations to Prudential Insurance Co. of jumping in and supporting this move. America. »» Verizon Communications Inc. “is the »» U.S. District Judge Sidney A. Fitzwater in latest old-line company to phase out its Dallas today denied a request by two retirees traditional pension plan. The telecom giant who worked for a Verizon predecessor to announced that beginning July 1, it will issue an order stopping the deal, saying no longer offer its defined-benefit plan to they failed to show a “substantial likelihood management employees. The new policy of success on the merits” of their case. affects about 50,000 individuals, according The transaction, under which the retired to The New York Times. Benefits of unionized managers’ plan would be converted to an workers will not be affected by this latest annuity, would strip them and about 41,000 announcement, though the Times suggested other beneficiaries of the protections of that the cutback for managers may herald federal law and cause irreparable harm, they Verizon’s stance toward labor in the next said in lawsuit filed Nov. 27.” The attorney round of contact talks. (Senior editor Marie for the retirees is considering an appeal. Leone wonders, though, whether “blame the (Bloomberg News) Page 14 S.R.A. News

SRA Supports AARP’s Opposing AT&T Proposed Legislation Changes to STOP Offering Basic Land Lines Service and Get Out of Regulatory Arena

The SRA is supporting AARP Connecticut to get the word out telephone companies, and implement procedures to deliberately to CT voters regarding AT&T’s submission to the CT. Legislative transition the nation’s telephone system from its legacy systems Committee of Energy and Technology. This is the second year to one Internet-protocol based, as requested by AT&T. Clearly, in a row that AT&T has brought forward this legislation. AARP a national solution, requested by the proponent of this proposed thinks that the Bills will come out of the committee for the full state legislation, will be preferable to 50 states each enacting their legislature to vote upon. own piecemeal versions of a transition plan”. The Energy & Technology Committee is currently considering legislation, H.B. 6402 and H.B. 6401, which would deregulate The SRA urges you to go to the AARP CT web site to contact landline telephone service provided by AT&T and prevent your elected officials in CT. via the web to oppose both HB 6402 regulation of other forms of phone service provided by cable and HB 6401. Or send your own letter opposing these bills. companies. Neither bill is good for retirees or the consumer of CT. as we have already seen across the country when a company drops or sells House Bill 6402: off its land lines. Retirees go with the deal. The pension liability, • In H.B. 6402 AT&T could stop offering land line phone healthcare coverage, life insurances, concessions, discount plans services that consist of simple basic service and one etc… everything could be lost in the longer term. additional service, such as caller ID, call waiting, voice mail AT&T is not discussing that aspect with your CT. legislators. You and long distance. There would be only a 30 day notice and along with the SRA must be proactive along with other groups to no public hearing to protest. be sure our voices are heard. • Services like caller ID and voicemail are critical tools to AT&T has secured support of these Bills from local elected prevent seniors from telemarketer fraud. officials, Better Business Bureaus, VNA, and many other groups. • At least 28% of Connecticut customers maintain a land Don’t let them do this now. line and this phone deregulation legislation would also Tell Governor Malloy and Legislators: “Don’t Hang Up on allow AT&T to increase the price of basic telephone service Connecticut’s Seniors!” and cause service quality to deteriorate, making land lines Send a letter to your elected officials to oppose these unaffordable, unreliable and unusable. deregulation bills which put vital consumer protections at risk • AT&T claims federal law prevents them from dropping basic - tell Governor Malloy and your legislators, “Don’t hang up on land line phone service that has no add-on service, but they Connecticut’s seniors!” are actively lobbying the federal government to allow them to drop basic service. SAMPLE Messages • Not everyone can access or afford the alternatives to landline phone service. Cell phone coverage is spotty in Don’t hang up on Connecticut’s Seniors oppose HB 6402 & 6401 rural areas of Connecticut and 911 is not as reliable. Cable Dear [Decision Maker], company phone service is only available with expensive If H.B. 6402 passes AT&T could stop offering land line phone cable television and internet bundles. services that consist of simple basic service and 1 additional service, such as caller ID with only a 30 day notice and no public House Bill 6401: hearing. Services like caller ID are a critical tool to prevent seniors • AARP understands that the telephone market is in transition from telemarketer fraud. At least 28% of Connecticut customers from traditional telephone service to digital service and maintain a land line and this phone deregulation legislation certainly does not oppose modernization. would also allow AT&T to increase the price of basic telephone • At a time when the demand for digital services is on the service and cause service quality to deteriorate, making land lines rise, the passage of H.B. 6401, which eliminates regulatory unaffordable, unreliable and unusable. oversight of these services, is a very risky proposition for Name consumers. Address • Why should Connecticut give up regulatory oversight over digital phone services while the transition to those services OR is still evolving? Dear ______AT&T claims deregulation would allow them to invest in As stated by the St. Of CT. Office of Consumer Council in their Connecticut’s telecommunications infrastructure. However, under testimony to the Committee: H.B. 6402 AT&T would no longer have to provide the state with “Thus, this bill is premature in light of AT&T’s Petition filed an annual audit of its landline telephone business. This audit is with the FCC just last November, outlining their plans to clear the very tool that allows regulators to compare how much money away the regulatory underbrush” governing the company’s older AT&T is investing in maintaining the Connecticut infrastructure as landline and DSL networks. 1 AT&T asked the FCC to oversee tests compared to how much goes to their corporate headquarters in of how traditional landline infrastructure can be replaced with Texas. newer technologies, such as Internet-based landline service and I understand that the telephone market is in transition from high-speed wireless networks, letting customers leave for other traditional telephone service to digital service, which is what providers such as cable companies, so that the incumbents can makes H.B. 6401 an equally great danger if it passes. H.B. 6401 focus their resources on wireless and broadband services. The FCC would eliminate state regulatory oversight of digital phone services has accepted AT&T’s idea for testing a transition process and that provided through cable companies at exactly the time demand is docket is proceeding apace in Washington, D.C. increasing and consumer protections are the most critical. The state’s General Assembly would best serve the state’s Thank you, consumers by allowing that FCC proceeding to thoroughly examine Name the issues presented by this bill, authored by the state’s two Address S.R.A. News Page 15

In Memory Of...

Deaths of retirees as reported to AT&T or the SRA.

NAME City/State of Residence Date of Passing NAME City/State of Residence Date of Passing

ALIX,LOIS M SOUTHINGTON CT...... Jul 11, 2012 LINGDELL,CLAUDIA B PORT CHARLOTTE FL...... Sep 30, 2012 ALLEN,ISABEL WILTON CT...... Sep 4, 2012 LITWINCZYK,MARY C WALLINGFORD CT...... Oct 30, 2012 ANDREW, GERALDINE F BRANFORD CT...... Aug 12, 2012 MACLAUGHLIN,CHARLES E BRANFORD CT...... Dec 27, 2009 BARBARO,ANGELINA C NORTH HAVEN CT...... Sep 25, 2012 MALONEY,RITA G GUILFORD CT...... Dec 12, 2012 BATES,RALPH G ALLENTOWN PA...... Nov 15, 2012 MARCHANT,EARL F MIDDLETOWN CT...... Sep 27, 2012 BAZAR,THOMAS D MADISON CT...... Sep 16, 2012 MARKSTEIN,JENNIFER M WINTER GARDEN FL...... Nov 6, 2012 BEHM,GERALD MIDDLETOWN CT...... Dec 18, 2012 MATTHEWS,CARL MONROE CT...... Aug 21, 2012 BENZ,GEORGE W ORANGE CT...... Dec 22, 2012 MCCUE,MICHAEL J LA CEIBA 31101...... Dec 2, 2012 BERADUCE,ROSE A EASTON MA...... Dec 22, 2012 MCGOWAN JR,WILLIAM E SOUTHINGTON CT...... Apr 9, 2012 BODIE,LUCY V WALLINGFORD CT...... Dec 15, 2012 MCLEOD,CURTIS WINDSOR CT...... Oct 28, 2012 BOWER,MARY M BRANFORD CT...... Nov 4, 2012 MENDITTO,HELEN L NEWINGTON CT...... Jan 2, 2013 BROWN, KATHLEEN M WEST HARTFORD CT...... Aug 9, 2012 MILLER JR,,WILFRED E MOULTONBORO NH...... Oct 26, 2012 BROWN,SHARON E RICHMOND VA...... Nov 28, 2012 MILLER,ROBERT YARMOUTHPORT MA...... Apr 19, 2012 BULL,CHARLES H ACTON MA...... Jan 1, 2013 MILLS,CAROLYN ST PETERSBURG FL...... Nov 4, 2012 BUTLER,VIRGINIA H WALLINGFORD CT...... Oct 25, 2012 MISHLER,ELIZABETH N BRANFORD CT...... Nov 11, 2012 BUXTON, THOMAS PLANTSVILLE CT...... Jun 2, 2012 MOORE,PAMALA C ORANGE CT...... Nov 23, 2012 CALLAHAN,DAVID S SOUTHBURY CT...... Oct 18, 2012 MORAN,CHARLES I MONROE CT...... Jan 16, 2013 CARLSON, RUTH T ROSELAND FL...... Sep 2, 2012 MOROZUK,ELAINE S BRISTOL CT...... Nov 12, 2012 CAROFANO, HAZEL m SAN PEDRO CA...... Sep 22, 2012 MORRIS,ALBERTA K BLOOMFIELD CT...... Jan 13, 2013 CARUSO,JOHN F NEW HAVEN CT...... Nov 12, 2012 MORSE,HUGH HAMDEN CT...... Jul 15, 2012 CESAREK,MARIA A ANSONIA CT...... Oct 29, 2012 MULLIGAN JR,WALTER B CLAREMONT NC...... Jan 12, 2013 CIRILLO,PAUL D WATERBURY CT...... Aug 22, 2012 MYERS,RICHARD J BRANFORD CT...... Nov 14, 2012 CIRULLO,SAMUEL J ROCKY HILL CT...... Aug 25, 1995 NEWMAN,CLOVER B WETHERSFIELD CT...... Aug 22, 2012 CLARK,JEANNE S. WAREHOUSE PT CT...... Dec 30, 2012 NIEDBALSKI,EUGENE J WATERFORD CT...... Oct 2, 2012 CLEAVER,ROBERT WEST HARTFORD CT...... Sep 8, 2012 NORRIS,JOHN F SARASOTA FL...... Oct 23, 2012 CONROY,FRANCES A BRADENTON FL...... Dec 22, 2012 PANEK,HELEN M EAST HARTLAND CT...... Nov 2, 2012 COTE,HELEN C HOLYOKE MA...... Dec 9, 2012 PASINSKI,EDWARD F MERIDEN CT...... Oct 8, 2012 COTTER,CHRISTOPHER M NORTH BRANFORD CT...... Dec 24, 2012 PERRY,ANNE EAST HARTFORD CT...... Oct 5, 2012 CREASER,ANNE P BRANFORD CT...... Oct 30, 2012 PERRY,MARIE B SHELTON CT...... Sep 29, 2012 DAILEY,LOUISE G VERNON ROCKVILLE CT...... Oct 4, 2012 PFENNINGER,BARBARA L WEST HAVEN CT...... Sep 26, 2012 DEVYLDER,LILLIAN C STAMFORD CT...... Dec 29, 2012 POLLARD,KAREN D SEYMOUR CT...... Jan 14, 2013 DODGE,HERMAN S HENNIKER NH...... Jan 28, 2013 POPPEL,NATALIE K MERIDEN CT...... Sep 2, 2012 DOMBROWSKI,VICTORIA B STAMFORD CT...... Jan 3, 2013 RATLIFF,MARILYN W MATTHEWS NC...... Aug 7, 2012 DONOVAN,JEAN G VOLUNTOWN CT...... Oct 22, 2012 RATTI,ARLINE P EAST HARTFORD CT...... Feb 21, 2012 DUBE,BARBARA P CHESHIRE CT...... Jan 13, 2013 RILEY,DOROTHY H BRISTOL CT...... Oct 16, 2012 EDWARDS,FRANK F EASTON CT...... Jul 5, 2012 RIVA,EMILY T CANAAN CT...... Nov 15, 2012 ESPITEE,RICHARD A NEW MILFORD CT...... Oct 2, 2012 ROBERTS,ANELLA D FAIRFAX VA...... Jan 17, 2013 FRATTURO,ANGELA C GREENVILLE SC...... Aug 10, 2012 ROBERTS,DOROTHY J LEBANON CT...... Nov 12, 2012 FREEMAN,GLADYS M COLUMBIA CT...... Jan 19, 2013 ROSA,VITA N WATERBURY CT...... Jan 2, 2013 GEIGER,MELISSA A ANDOVER CT...... Sep 20, 2012 ROSSI,RALPH J WATERBURY CT...... Nov 13, 2012 GENTILE,HELEN WALLINGFORD CT...... Oct 1, 2012 RYAN JR,JAMES J ENGLEWOOD FL...... Nov 15, 2012 GIBBS,BERNARD HOBE SOUND FL...... Nov 13, 2012 SABIS,CHARLES OAKVILLE CT...... Nov 1, 2011 GIESING,MICHAEL J GROTON CT...... Aug 22, 2012 SAMSON,EUGENE L ASHFORD CT...... Jun 20, 2012 GOEWEY,BETTY J PROSPECT CT...... Nov 3, 2012 SAVAGE JR,WILLIAM J SALEM SC...... Nov 9, 2012 GRAHAM,KATHLEEN W EXTON PA...... Sep 14, 2012 SCHOENFELD,WALTER C EAST HARTFORD CT...... Dec 16, 2012 GRANDJEAN,EDWARD WOODBRIDGE CT...... Nov 4, 2012 SHEA,ETHEL NAUGATUCK CT...... Nov 16, 2012 GREIG,ERNEST W CHARLOTTE VT...... Mar 9, 2010 SIMON JR,PHILIP H OAKVILLE CT...... Sep 10, 2012 GUARINO,CARMEL WEST HAVEN CT...... Sep 10, 2012 SIMONDS,EDWARD ST PETERSBURG FL...... Aug 24, 2012 GUZMAN,RAMONA WATERBURY CT...... Feb 24, 2012 SMITH,ALICE BRIDGEPORT CT...... Jun 13, 2012 HACKETT,JOSEPH F SOUTHBURY CT...... Dec 16, 2012 SQUINOBAL,GEORGE F HUNTINGTON CT...... Dec 15, 2012 HAGGERTY,HELEN PLANT CITY FL...... Oct 14, 2012 STRONSKI JR,JOSEPH P UNCASVILLE CT...... Oct 22, 2012 HALLQUIST,CHARLES HILTON HEAD ISLAND SC...... Nov 7, 2012 SULLIVAN,ROBERT J TRUMBULL CT...... Dec 24, 2012 HARRICK,ANTHONY W EAST NORWALK CT...... Oct 21, 2012 TARGO,EMILY N ELLINGTON CT...... Nov 15, 2012 HOEY,MARGARET GLASGOW E DUNBARTDN...... Jan 17, 2013 THOMAS,JOYCE B LITCHFIELD CT...... Sep 23, 2012 HOPKINS,WALLISTEIN MIDDLETOWN CT...... Sep 22, 2012 TOMASKO,MARY S MANCHESTER CT...... Oct 26, 2012 HUTCHINSON,SEVERIN R EAST HADDAM CT...... Nov 12, 2012 TRICKETT,NELIA B NORTH HAVEN CT...... Jan 3, 2013 IACCARINO,FRANK P WALLINGFORD CT...... Nov 12, 2012 UNDERWOOD,STEPHEN NEWPORT RI...... Sep 24, 2012 IANNITTI,DANTE E HAMDEN CT...... Jul 8, 2012 URBANSKI,HENRY CANTON CT...... Nov 9, 2012 JOHNSON,EILEEN B MADISON CT...... Jan 23, 2013 VAILLANCOURT,ANNA K. LAS VEGAS NV...... Dec 12, 2010 JONES,CARRIE L IVANHOE NC...... Dec 22, 2012 VALENTI,NICHOLAS G NEW BRITAIN CT...... Sep 28, 2012 KEATING,ANNA S CHESHIRE CT...... Jan 19, 2013 VIVARI,VIRGINIA MASON MI...... Oct 15, 2012 KEEHN,PATRICK K HERNDON VA...... Oct 31, 2011 VOEGTLI,HELEN A MADISON CT...... Dec 11, 2012 KEENEY,JUNE M GROTON CT...... Dec 6, 2012 VOLLANO,VIOLA B HAMDEN CT...... Nov 3, 2012 KENNEDY,CHARLES E MARATHON FL...... Dec 17, 2012 VON STEIN,JEANNE M NEWPORT NC...... Sep 23, 2012 KIERNAN,DORIS M BRANFORD CT...... Sep 13, 2012 WASHINGTON,CATHERINE NEW HAVEN CT...... Oct 26, 2012 KISH,WILLIAM B BAREFOOT BAY FL...... Dec 4, 2012 WALKER,KEVIN P NEW HAVEN CT...... Jul 13, 2012 KNAPP,PETER W MADISON CT...... Dec 17, 2012 WELLS,CAROL C GOODYEAR AZ...... Oct 28, 2012 KOZLOWSKY,BARBARA J STRATFORD CT...... Sep 15, 2012 WELLS,JACKQULINE E MERIDEN CT...... Aug 15, 2012 LAMB,RICHARD H ROCK HILL SC...... Jan 17, 2013 WILBUR,EVELYN A KITTERY ME...... Jan 20, 2013 LASTOMIRSKY,WILLIAM A STRATFORD CT...... Nov 19, 2012 WIZOREK,THERESA M KENSINGTON CT...... Jan 23, 2013 LAU,MARIA J NORTH BRANFORD CT...... Oct 12, 2012 WORRALL,CHARLOTTE INVERNESS FL...... Nov 7, 2012 LEPKOWSKI,JOHN H HIGGANUM CT...... Sep 14, 2012 ZABOROSKY,RAYMOND A WOLCOTT CT...... Nov 10, 2012 S.R.A News Non Profit Org. P.O. Box 615 U.S. Postage Southington, CT 06489 PAID Permit #249 Bridgeport, CT 06601

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