Newsletter of AUSWR —Representing Retirees of U S WEST, and their predecessor companies

2010 Issue 2 www.uswestretiree.org www.qwestretiree.org

Retirees Concerned About Merger Expected for April 2011

Qwest + CenturyLink = ????

Qwest Communications and regulatory and shareholder ap- NEWS CenturyLink announced on April 22, proval. (Century Tel was renamed FROM 2010, that their Boards of Directors CenturyLink on May 20, 2010 at their approved an agreement allowing annual shareholders’ meeting in CenturyLink to acquire Qwest in a Monroe, Louisiana, at the Century QWEST tax-free, stock-for-stock transaction. Link headquarters). Qwest shareholders will receive ♦Qwest 0.1664 CenturyLink shares per Quick comparison of 2008:

Qwest share. The entire acquisition Service Center Century Qwest includes $10.6 billion in stock and Price-to-sales 1.68 changes 0.75 the assumption of $11.8 billion in Return on Equity 7.3 0 benefits Qwest debt making the deal a total Operating Margin 45.8 35.3 management value of $22.4 billion. CenturyLink Profit Margin 11.30% 4.10% shareholders will own 50.5% of the Sales $6.14 bil $12.1 bil to Hewitt — merged company, and Qwest share- Profits $0.70 bil $0.49 bil What You holders will own 49.5%. The merger Assets $22.32 bil $19.4 bil will result in estimated combined Employees 20,200 30,138

Must Do: operating and capital revenues of Source: Forbes.com —see page 7 $625 million annually. Each com- More stories on Qwest-CenturyLink: pany said they will continue their ♦Qwest individual dividend programs until CenturyLink CEO Glen Post….pg 4 Qwest Golden Parachutes….…pg 4 merger letter the deal closes. The transaction which is targeted to close in April, Qwest Merger Letter ……….….pg 9 —see page 9 2011, is subject to federal and state “To preserve and protect the pension and benefits Retiree Guardian — 2010 Issuethat 2 June we earned.” 1— AUSWRColorado—Wyoming—New Mission Mexico Edition

AUSWR President’s Message

With the news of the merger slack off, turn our backs or even take a breather in

between Qwest and Cen- fighting for our benefits.” turyLink and all the unknowns Curtis Kennedy and I met with Qwest execu- that go with this event, these are tives, Rich Baer and Felicity O’Herron, on May

challenging times for all retirees. 19th and expressed many of our concerns about Most of us feel overwhelmed on the merger and the potential impacts on retirees. a daily basis with health care “Retirees deserve stability,” was our message.

reform, pension protections dur- We requested a meeting with the leadership of Mimi Hull ing tough economic times, and CenturyLink and will follow-up until that hap- AUSWR President the failures of the Congress and pens. In response to our meeting, Qwest is provid- the courts to protect our previ- ing information on Qwest Service Center changes ously earned benefits. and the merger starting on page 7. It is now that Utah member Jerry Dean says it So, Jerry, we are taking your advice. We will best when he wrote recently: not slack off, nor turn our backs, and certainly not “With the reduction of our life insurance and take a breather… we plan to continue the fight loss of the death benefit, along with the financial with your support and the support of all of those climate, the feeling of our retiree group may be retirees who count on us each day. “What’s the use?" It is timely that we try to prevent this attitude… emphasis should be that we cannot Mimi Hull

2010 AUSWR Officers President Mimi Hull (Colorado) Treasurer Roger Sanger (Arizona) Secretary Eve Mary Verde (Utah) Litigation Attorney Curtis L Kennedy Retiree Guardian Regional Editor: Kitty Kennedy 2010 and State Leaders: Arizona President Kitty Kennedy 520-883-8272 Email: [email protected] Colo/Wyo President Hazel Floyd 303-455-1535 Email: [email protected] New Mexico President Irene Chavira 505 352-6666 Email: [email protected] IA/MN/NE/ND/SD Chair Mary Ann Neuman 763-535-3865 Email: [email protected] Ore/Wash President Judy Stenberg 425-746-5248 Email: [email protected] UT/ID/MT Chair Donnetta Mitchell 801-269-9997 Email: [email protected] Retiree Guardian — 2010 Issue 2 June 2 Colorado—Wyoming—New Mexico Edition Thanks, again to Curtis. Health insurance coverage for all pre-1991 retirees —known as those covered by the Phelps case —will continue after the Qwest –CenturyLink merger. Curtis L. Ken- nedy, AUSWR Litigation Attorney, negotiated the Phelps case and included continued health care coverage should a merger or acquisition occur. The Agreement and Plan of Merger is available at: http://www.faqs.org/sec-filings/100422/Qwest- Communications-International-Inc_8-K/a10-8566_3ex2d1.htm. Curtis L. Kennedy AUSWR Litigation Attorney Thank you, Curtis!

In This Issue Page 4 CenturyLink CEO Glen Post is introduced Qwest Executives Expect Big Payout rewards for Merger Page 5 Attention 1989-90 retirees known as the “5+5” retiree! With the elimination effective March 1, 2010, of the Pensioner Death Benefit that was equal to the last’s year’s salary for all retirees, legal action is being considered. We have determined that “5+5” retirees have the strongest arguments against Qwest. If you have a spouse or dependent child and you counted on this money, Qwest took it just like they took your Group Life In- surance down to $10,000. Read how to participate in a proposed lawsuit against Qwest to restore the Pensioner Death Benefit. Responses from eligible “5+5” retirees will deter- mine if AUSWR proceeds with any legal action. This is not a Class Action, you must declare yourself as an individual plaintiff if you want to be considered in the lawsuit. Page 6 Joe Nacchio complains to judge about his “suffering.” Page 7-8 Message from Qwest: Pay special attention if you have any of your benefits deducted from your banking accounts because there will be changes. Take careful note of the benefits management changes starting in July because Qwest is changing the adminis- trator of benefit plans to a new company, Hewitt. Page 9-10 Letter from Qwest about the merger courtesy of Qwest H.R. Director Gerard Smith. Page 11-13 We begin a series of health care articles authored by Barbara Wilcox of the AUSWR Colorado/Wyoming team. Page 14 Who pays your medical care when you have an accident seems to keep coming to us as a question over and over. We try to put it to rest with this answer. Page 15 Qwest Shareholders’ meeting in May this year heard from NWB Chair Mary Ann Neuman on her proposal known as “Say on Pay” that appealed to the Qwest Board of Directors to tie salaries and bonuses to performance. Here you can read what Mary Ann told the Qwest Board of Directors and the Shareholders.

Retiree Guardian — 2010 Issue 2 June 3 Colorado—Wyoming—New Mexico Edition

CenturyLink CEO Glen Post

Glen F. Post III, 57, was neered the purchase of Embarq Cor- “born and bred in Arkansas” and poration from Sprint for $5.8 billion. now makes his base in Monroe, Some analysts say the Qwest deal Louisiana, the headquarters of makes sense because it turns Qwest CenturyLink, where he has over to a scandal-free company with a served as CEO for the last 18 good management team that has been years. Post has been with the successfully operating a rural phone company for 34 years during business. Forbes reports Post’s CEO which he became an industry total compensation is estimated for leader in extending broadband networks into rural areas. 2010 as $6.56 million and his last 5- Under his leadership, Cen- Glen Post III, year total was $39.02 million. Of inter- turyLink has expanded to 10 CEO and President of CenturyLink est to shareholders and retirees is his times its original size through a Forbes “performance for pay” rating series of acquisitions. The largest—until the announced which ranks him #165 in pay and #189 in performance Qwest merger—was November 2008 when he engi- among its top 500 executives.

To view the presentation on the Qwest-CenturyLink merger, go to Qwest website: http://investor.qwest.com/index.php. Qwest Golden Parachutes

The Denver Post reported million-dollar payouts Qwest executives could claim if they leave the com- pany within two years of a takeover, according to the most recent proxy. Qwest will update these figures in the proxy that shareholders receive to vote on the merger. Given the appreciation in Qwest’s stock price, actual payments should be higher than those listed.

Options Restricted Executive Title Salary Bonus * stock Total Performance shares Edward Mueller Chairman, CEO $3,588,000 $7,176,000 $13,957,847 $24,721,847 Richard Baer General Counsel $2,070,000 $3,105,00 $3,718,339 $8,893,339 Joseph Euteneuer $1,973,400 $2,960,100 $5,676,715 $10,610,215 Teresa Taylor ** Chief Operating Officer $1,980,000 $2,970,000 $6,634,493 $11,584,493 C. Daniel Yost EVP of Mass Markets Group $1,500,000 $1,500,000 $2,664,353 $5,664,353 Executives also receive $11,330 in COBRA health coverage for 18 months. * Pro‐rated bonuses not included. ** Taylor also entitled to up to $3.75 million to cover potential excise taxes. Source: Qwest Communications International Retiree Guardian — 2010 Issue 2 June 4 Colorado—Wyoming—New Mexico Edition Are You a “5+5” Retiree With a Monthly Pension?

AUSWR Retirees Consider Action Against paid" depending upon the company's future wishes. Qwest Over Pensioner Death Benefit Loss 2. Reasonable and Detrimental Reliance. That he or she by Kitty Kennedy, took the monthly annuity retirement choice for the “5+5”, Retiree Guardian Regional Editor instead of choosing to receive the lump sum option, and he or she planned on the full payment of the Pensioner Another earned benefit was eliminated by Qwest ef- Death Benefit to his or her surviving spouse in his or her fective March 1, 2010. Retirees with qualified beneficiaries estate planning. —usually a spouse or dependent child—who took the 3. Extraordinary Circumstances. That he or she took the pension annuity planned on the Sickness Death Benefit or early retirement offer instead of continuing with his or her "Pensioner Death Benefit" to support their survivors. In long career with a U S WEST company, and he or she general, it was equal to your last year’s salary. Now Qwest made a decision not to buy other or additional life insur- has eliminated the Pensioner Death Benefit for those who ance due to the promised Pensioner Death Benefit. retired before 2004. (Previously, Qwest eliminated the 4. There Were Ambiguous Plan Provisions. That the so- benefit for all other retirees.) The Pensioner Death Benefit called 'reservation of rights clause' (ROR) set forth in both loss follows Qwest’s reduction of the Group Life Insurance the SPD and the Master Plan documents for the pension to $10,000. These earned benefit losses come to retirees at plans (e.g., the ROR in existence between January 1, 1984 an age when purchasing replacement life insurance is too and December 29, 1994) is worded in such a manner that costly for most. reasonable persons differ as to its meaning, and the court Retirees Seek Legal Advice must view the language from the point of view of a rea- Retirees turned to Curtis Kennedy, AUSWR Litiga- sonable long term U S WEST worker contemplating retire- tion Attorney, for advice on legal action to recover the ment. Pensioner Death Benefit loss. Curtis is a leading national 5. Oral Representations Were Made That Served to Inter- expert on ERISA law —the federal law which governs pret the Ambiguous Plan Provision. That before deciding pensions. After review of recent court rulings, Curtis pro- to accept the “5+5” early retirement offer, he or she viewed vides the following advice to all who have lost the Pen- the video tape presentation (which video was widely dis- sioner Death Benefit. First, the planned case might not tributed throughout every U S WEST work place) in which ever become a class action lawsuit which means each eli- U S WEST H.R. Executive Director Charlie Kamen ex- gible plaintiff must be prepared to be individually plained the ROR and gave a rather harmless and incom- named in the case. Next, Curtis advises that the most plete explanation about it. [Please review the excerpt of qualified retirees to be named as plaintiffs are those per- the video which is posted at AUSWR's website: http:// sons who took the 1989-1990 early retirement offer known www.uswestretiree.org/ROR%20Excerpt%20From% as the “5+5” and opted to receive the monthly annuity. 20Video.mpg.] Finally, Curtis advises that each plaintiff must be able to Therefore, any person who thinks he or she is suitable allege and prove in a Complaint to be filed in a federal to be a plaintiff in a planned lawsuit against Qwest and court the following five factors: wants to challenge the elimination of the Pensioner Death 1. Material Misrepresentation. That the pension plan Benefit must be able to sign a sworn affidavit that sets Summary Plan Description (SPD) that U S WEST issued to forth the above listed factors with respect to his or her de- active employees (e.g., July 1989 edition) only represented cision to accept the “5+5” early retirement offer. that the pension plan could be terminated, and there was a If you believe that you are suitable and willing to be a material omission in the SPD since there was no disclosure potential plaintiff in a case, you should email Curti- that the Pension Death Benefit could be either reduced or [email protected] and request Curtis send you the eliminated from the plan absent a complete plan termina- affidavit. tion. The SPD misrepresented that the Pensioner Death If you need help or have questions, please contact Benefit "will be paid." It did not say the benefit "might be your State Leader (see list at bottom of page 2).

Retiree Guardian — 2010 Issue 2 June 5 Colorado—Wyoming—New Mexico Edition Sought End to Three-Week Prison Road Trip

Joe Nacchio Claims “Suffering”

Bloomberg News and the ever, he ended up making the trip Associated Press reported in the to Denver escorted by federal mar- last days of May that former shals, and when he appeared in Qwest CEO Joseph Nacchio court May 4, he told Federal Judge traveled from a Pennsylvania Marcia Krieger that in addition to prison in April to a Denver his complaints, any further trips to court hearing May 4, 2010 seek- Denver would force him to miss ing a reduction in his six-year visits from his family, including sentence for insider trading— his ill, 92-year-old mother, his ser- and now he tells a Denver vices as a Catholic Eucharistic min- judge that he is “suffering.” ister in prison, and Sunday ser- Joe Nacchio appears in Nacchio, a 60-year-old fed- Denver Federal Court May 4, 2010 vices teacher that don’t happen eral prison inmate, claims he Denver Post drawing when he’s not there. [Note the fed- endured eight days in solitary eral judge did agree that future confinement, a three-week road trip to prisons in the trips will be unnecessary]. Midwest and upstate New York and a visit to a de- EDITOR’S COMMENTARY tention facility in Brooklyn where he’s been denied Well, Joe, welcome to our retiree world where privi- his medication, cannot receive visitors and hasn’t lege and special allowances were never granted under been told when he’s leaving according to his law- your stay as following that merger of yer’s filing. Qwest. Shareholders went bust. Employees and retirees Nacchio tried to avoid leaving his minimum- lost jobs, careers, hundreds of thousands of dollars in 401 security prison camp in Minersville, Pennsylvania, in (k) plans—but most of all many retirees are now experi- the first place. Then, when the judge said he had to encing destroyed years of planned retirement because they be in court in person, Nacchio offered to arrange pri- counted on their earned benefits. Your “suffering” is an vate transportation because a U.S. Marshals Service inconvenience—and does not equate to the losses truly escort couldn’t be coordinated fast enough. How- suffered by employees and retirees. RETIREE GUARDIAN EDITORIAL STAFF

AUSWR and Arizona Editor, Kitty Kennedy OR/WA Editor: Gary White Phone: 520-883-8227 Mobile: 520-444-6617 Phone: 253-952-4612 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

CO/WY and NM Editor, Carol Wilson IA/MN/NE/ND/SD Editor: Jerry Miller Phone: 303-985-8279 Phone: 763-424-3524 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] UT/ID/MT Editor, Susan Johnson www.uswestretiree.org or Phone: 801-963-6220 www.qwestretiree.org Email: [email protected] Copyright – Fair Use - Fair Use Notice The Retiree Guardian occasionally reprints copyrighted material, the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We make such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of issues to our members. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is available without profit. For more information go to: http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html

Retiree Guardian — 2010 Issue 2 June 6 Colorado—Wyoming—New Mexico Edition How to Prepare for Benefits Management Change Effective August 2 Qwest Changes Benefits’ Management

Critical Announcement! Critical Announcement!

Starting August 2, Qwest will be made from the designated main the same at https:// transition to Hewitt Associ- bank account on file. (However, qwestbenefits.ingplans.com. ates, LLC (Hewitt) for health the timing of those deductions will and life benefits administra- change. See the “What’s Chang- What’s changing: tion. ing” section for details.) If the Re- Starting August 2, all health tiree wishes to stop EFT, ING or and life insurance information will CONEXIS must be contacted prior For Qwest Retirees including be found at www.qwesthealth to July 1, 2010. If EFT is stopped andlife.com. retirees on COBRA and sur- prior to July 1, 2010, the August This new, improved Web site viving spouses (“Retiree”), it premium will not be deducted via will be the resource for designat- is important to understand EFT. Instead, a paper bill will be ing beneficiaries, reviewing cover- what is and is not changing sent to the Retiree in mid-August age and getting the latest news with the transition, and what for August and September premi- about Qwest health and life bene- Retirees need to do to pre- ums. Retirees can restart EFT de- fits pare. ductions with Hewitt at anytime after August 2, 2010 by changing For Retirees Using EFT What’s not changing: the payment method at the new web site. (Electronic Funds Transfer) 2010 health care benefits cov- Beneficiary(ies) designations As a result of the transition, erage will remain the same. Cov- for life insurance benefits will not the EFT will not be applied in Au- erage will not change due to the change. However while previously gust for August health and life transition. designated beneficiaries will still benefits. Instead, the retiree’s The amount paid for coverage apply, prior beneficiary data may bank account will be debited on and how it is paid will remain the not be viewable on the new Web September 1 for August and Sep- same unless a change is made by site. It is advised that retirees re- tember benefits. This will not re- the Retiree prior to transition. view and update beneficiary infor- sult in a disruption of benefits. For Retirees making payment mation, if necessary, after August Starting in October, the deductions through pension paycheck deduc- 2. Note that beneficiaries can be will occur on a monthly basis as tions, the same amount will be de- added or changed at anytime on they do now. Benefit coverage and ducted. the new site. the amount paid for it will not For payment by electronic Retirees will still be able to change. funds transfer (EFT), no action is call the Qwest Service Center at The timing of when EFT de- required. However, a Retiree who 1 800-729-7526 to get questions ductions occur will change as a pays for benefits through EFT about health and life benefits an- result of the transition. Currently, needs to understand the following: swered and to make benefit- EFT deductions occur between Banking information will be related transactions. Hewitt Asso- the 1st and the 5th day of each transferred from either ING or ciates will be answering calls be- month for the current month’s cov- CONEXIS (the current administra- ginning August 2, 2010. erage. In the future, deductions tors) to Hewitt Associates, LLC The Qwest Benefits Web site, will occur on the 1st business day (Qwest’s new administrator). If no where QSIP 401(k) investments (if of each month. action is taken prior to July 1, applicable) are managed, will re- 2010, deductions will continue to (Continued on page 8)

Retiree Guardian — 2010 Issue 2 June 7 Colorado—Wyoming—New Mexico Edition (Continued from page 7) their final payment to ING and dis- www.qwesthealthandlife.com For Retirees Who Are Direct card all ING coupons dated after including changes to beneficiary Billed July 31. Retirees should not make information. For Retirees at CON- Retirees who use coupons for a coupon payment after July 2010. EXIS making changes prior to July payment with ING, or receive Any amounts that have been pre- 27, the Retiree should contact monthly billing from Conexis, and paid to ING or CONEXIS will ap- CONEXIS by calling 1 877-521- make payments by check or money pear as a credit in the August and 8155. They can also visit the CON- order should receive a paper bill for September billing. EXIS Web site at https:// both August and September premi- mybenefits.conexis.com. ums with payment due on Septem- What Retirees will need to do Changes to beneficiary infor- ber 1 for both months. This will In preparation for the transition to mation prior to July 27 should be not result in a disruption to the new site, the current ING site made through Prudential at https:// benefits. will be unavailable for transac- giselfservice.prudential.com. If Starting in September, the Re- tions between July 28 and Au- you have questions, call Prudential tiree will be billed on a monthly ba- gust 1. However, the Qwest Ser- at 1 800-778-3827. sis, receiving a new bill each vice Center will still be available to This fall, information will be month. Payments will continue to answer questions during this time sent to Retirees regarding Annual be due on the first of the month. and perform emergency coverage Enrollment for 2011 benefits. Retir- Where the Retiree sends the pay- updates. Before July 27, changes ees should make sure their ad- ment will change. The new address should be made at the Qwest dress is current by either information will be on the bill re- Benefits Web site-https:// updating their address on ceived in August. qwestbenefits.ingplans.com. www.qwesthealthandlife.com or Retirees who have received Beginning August 2, changes will by calling the Qwest Service coupons for payment from ING be made at the new Qwest Center at 1 800-729-7526 on or should use the July coupon for Health and Life Web site - after Aug. 2, 2010.

Retiree Advocates Here To Help YOU!

If you have questions about your benefits, contact the Qwest Service Center….1-800-729-7526 Select Option 2 for retirees, then select the appropriate options on the menu. If you put your question or claim in writing, send to the: Qwest Service Center, 950—17th St., Box 46, Denver, CO 80202 The address for the Qwest Benefit Office is: Qwest Benefits, 1801 California St. 45th floor, Denver, CO 80202

State Name Phone Email AZ, CO, NE, WY Jim Heinze 303‐442‐1831 [email protected] ID, MT Shirley Moss 208‐342‐3449 [email protected] If you are unable to IA, SD Vikki Farrand 605‐332‐3670 [email protected] resolve your ques- MN Barb Hermanson 763‐757‐4985 [email protected] tion after contact NM Cassie Kelley 505‐298‐8666 [email protected] ND Arnie Pauls 701‐451‐0771 [email protected] with the Qwest OR Jim Heynes 503‐628‐0555 [email protected] Service Center, Dick Johnson and 801‐963‐6220 [email protected] UT contact your state Byron Lemmon 801‐295‐4653 [email protected] Retiree Advocate WA Shirley Jones 206‐368‐8686 [email protected] State Codes: Arizona=AZ, Colorado=CO, Idaho=ID, Iowa=IA, Minnesota=MN, Montana=MT, Nebraska=NE, North Dakota=ND, Oregon=OR, South Dakota=SD, Utah=UT, Washington=WA, Wyoming=WY

Retiree Guardian — 2010 Issue 2 June 8 Colorado—Wyoming—New Mexico Edition Qwest Provides Answers on Merger Qwest Communications July 2010 – Retiree Payment Insert

Letter from QWEST: The information in this letter is to update you on the pending merger between Qwest and CenturyLink and to provide general benefit information. This information may not apply to you depending on your status as a service pension eligible retiree, a deferred vested pension recipient, a surviving annuitant, or other beneficiary. No Action is Required!

[Ed. Note: We express our appreciation for the following letter provided courtesy of Gerard Smith, Qwest Human Resources Director, in advance of sending it to all retirees during July]. Qwest and transaction is compelling for our and significant free cash flow gen- CenturyLink Merger shareholders, who will receive a eration will support its ability to premium for their shares (based take advantage of opportunities Qwest and CenturyLink an- on the closing price on the day that may arise, while continuing to nounced intentions to merge to before the announcement), an invest the business, reduce debt create a dynamic new national increase of approximately 50 per- over time and return substantial communications company offering cent in the annual dividend, and capital to shareholders. the opportunity to participate in a compelling choice for consumer, The deal is expected to close in the upside potential of the new government, business and whole- the first half of 2011. sale customers nationwide. company through their ownership of CenturyLink stock. Pension Plan: Neither Qwest Qwest’s agreement to merge with nor CenturyLink can modify the Employee Impact: Because CenturyLink recognizes that the Pension Plan to reduce or elimi- the combination of CenturyLink combined company will become nate any pension benefits that and Qwest will make us stronger an even stronger competitor as a have already been earned. national player with substantially financially and competitively, the increased scale and scope. resulting company will create op- Retirees who are currently receiv- portunities for employees of both ing a monthly annuity will continue Customer Benefit: The new companies. to receive that amount for their company will have the national The transaction is expected to lifetime. breadth and local depth to provide generate synergies, including re- a compelling array of broadband duction of corporate overhead, Some retirees elected an annuity products and services, including elimination of duplicate functions to continue for their spouses after high-speed Internet, video enter- and other operational efficiencies, the retirees’ death. The merger tainment, data hosting and man- but the combination also creates will not affect that. Surviving aged services, as well as fiber-to- new opportunities for employees. spouses will receive the amount the-cell tower connectivity and CenturyLink is interested in the under the terms of the retiree’s other high-bandwidth services. election for the spouse’s lifetime. experience, talent and exceptional service that Qwest employees Business Benefit: Qwest’s in- The Pension Plan has its own assets bring to the table. dustry-leading national fiber-optic held in a trust and separate from any corporate assets. In the event the network and data centers com- Strengthen the Business: Plan’s assets are no longer sufficient bined with CenturyLink’s national The new company will have a to pay for pension benefits, Qwest or core network will continue to de- more diverse mix of offerings and its successor would have a legal obli- liver strategic and customized so- will be able to effectively reach gation to contribute to the Pension lutions to business, government more customers with more solu- Plan trust. and wholesale customers. tions. We believe the combined company’s sound capital structure (Continued on page 10) Shareholder Return: This

Retiree Guardian — 2010 Issue 2 June 9 Colorado—Wyoming—New Mexico Edition (Continued from page 9) tion later this year about online 80202, Attention: Shareowner Rela- Certain pension benefits are in- access to your pension payment tions or by calling 1-800-567-7296, sured by a federal government information and the ability to: or from CenturyLink, upon written agency called the Pension Benefit ♦ Change or update your ad- request to CenturyLink, 100 Century- Guaranty Corporation (PBGC). If dress Tel Drive, Monroe, Louisiana, 71203, a company is unable to provide Attention: Corporate Secretary. required funding for its pension ♦ Change your withholding for State and Federal taxes Qwest, CenturyLink and certain of plan, and can prove that either in their respective directors and execu- court or to the PBGC, the agency ♦ Change your financial institu- tive officers may be deemed to be takes over the plan. As trustee, it tion or banking information participants in the solicitation of pays plan benefits, up to the legal ♦ View payment details proxies from stockholders in connec- limits, using plan assets and tion with the proposed transaction PBGC guarantee funds. The This new service provides faster under the rules of the SEC. Informa- PBGC pays pension benefits up updates to your information and tion about the directors and executive to certain maximum limits. The results in cost savings to the Plan. officers of Qwest may be found in its maximum guaranteed benefit is Hopefully the information above 2009 Annual Report on Form 10−K $4,500 per month, or $54,000 per addresses concerns and ques- filed with the SEC on February 16, year, payable in the form of a sin- tions you have had. If you have 2010, and in its definitive proxy gle life annuity, for a 65 year old other questions, please contact statement relating to its 2010 Annual person in a plan that terminates in the Qwest Service Center at 1- Meeting of Stockholders filed with 2010. The maximum benefit may 800-729-7526. the SEC on March 17, 2010. Informa- be reduced for an individual who tion about the directors and executive is younger than age 65 or in- Important Information for Inves- officers of CenturyLink may be creased for an individual who is found in its 2009 Annual Report on over age 65. The maximum bene- tors and Stockholders In connection with the proposed Form 10−K filed with the SEC on fit will also be reduced when a March 1, 2010, and definitive proxy benefit is provided to a survivor of transaction, CenturyLink, Inc. (“CenturyLink”) will file with the statement relating to its 2010 Annual a plan participant. Meeting of Shareholders filed with SEC a registration statement on Form Health care: The impact of S-4 that will include a joint proxy the SEC on April 7, 2010. These Health Care Reform on retiree statement of CenturyLink and Qwest documents can be obtained free of benefits is still being assessed. Communications International Inc. charge from the sources indicated (“Qwest”) that also constitute a pro- above. Retiree health care is guaranteed spectus of CenturyLink, and will be for pre-1991 retirees and retirees Additional information regarding the sent to the stockholders of Qwest. who accepted the 1992 Enhanced interests of these participants will Investors and security holders are Retirement Offer. Nothing about also be included in the joint proxy urged to read the joint proxy state- our agreement with CenturyLink statement/prospectus regarding the ment/prospectus and any other rele- changes that. Of course, health proposed transaction when it be- vant documents filed with the SEC care benefits for post-1990 retir- comes available. when they become available, because ees could change in the future for they will contain important informa- This communication does not consti- a variety of reasons including as a tion about Qwest, CenturyLink and tute an offer to sell or the solicitation result of Health Care Reform. of an offer to sell or the solicitation of the proposed transaction. The joint Telephone concession: At proxy statement/prospectus and other an offer to buy any securities, nor present, no changes to the retiree documents relating to the proposed will there be any sale of securities in telephone concession are transaction (when they are available) any jurisdiction in which such offer, planned. The Company is mindful can be obtained free of charge from solicitation or sale would be unlawful of its commitment to certain out- the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. prior to registration or qualification of-region retirees to provide reim- under the securities laws of any such bursement for IntraLata and Inter- These documents (when they are jurisdiction. No offer of securities Lata long distance. available) can also be obtained free of will be made except by means of a charge from Qwest upon written re- prospectus meeting the requirements We will update you on any quest to Qwest Communications In- of Section 10 of the Securities Act of changes that may affect your ternational Inc., 1801 California 1933, as amended. benefits. You will receive informa- Street, 51st floor, Denver, Colorado

Retiree Guardian — 2010 Issue 2 June 10 Colorado—Wyoming—New Mexico Edition Health Care &

Qwest Retirees

With this edition of the Retiree Guardian, we begin a series of articles about health care and Qwest retirees. Often our members direct their questions to our Retiree Advocates or state organization leaders. Now we plan to share many of those questions and answers with you. On the following pages, we start our series. We begin with the following articles which explain many of the changes in the federal legisla- tion, The Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act of 2010, known to most of us as health care reform. These and future changes will affect all seniors including those already retired. Barbara Wilcox with the AUSWR Colorado/Wyoming organization is our “reporter” who will lead this series of articles. If you have questions you would like to see answered in the Retiree Guard- ian, please direct them to Barbara at her email: [email protected]. Or contact your state editor from the list found on page 6.

Retiree Guardian — 2010 Issue 2 June 11 Colorado—Wyoming—New Mexico Edition

Medicare or Not, Health Care Changes

By Barbara Wilcox, AUSWR CO/WY Q. How do I know which kind of Medicare I’m on? I just chose from the options Qwest gave me at open In this space, I will try to address some of the questions I’ve enrollment. been hearing about health care reform. Rather than trying to A. If you were with an HMO (Health Maintenance Or- give a complete picture of The Patient Protection and Affordable ganization), you most likely enrolled in that HMO’s Medi- Health Care Act of 2010, my intent here is to describe probable care Advantage plan when you became eligible for Medi- impacts to us Qwest retirees. Email your questions for future care. Qwest offers different HMOs in different geographi- articles to me at: [email protected] cal locations. They include Group Health Options, Love- Q. What changes might the new law make in the lace Health Plan, HealthNet of Arizona, and the Kaiser health care benefits Qwest provides to retirees? Permanente plans. If you are not in one of these HMOs, A. The new law makes no changes in what Qwest is re- you have traditional Medicare. quired to provide to retirees. Pre-1991 retirees are still Traditional Medicare Changes protected from changes in their health care benefits by the Q. I’m on traditional Medicare. Will I have changes? settlement of the Phelps lawsuit. Qwest is still at liberty to A. YES. There are several enhancements being made to make any changes it wants to the health care benefits it traditional Medicare. A number of preventive services, provides to post-1990 retirees. such as annual physicals, mammograms, colonoscopies, Q. But, I thought the new law required large em- will be covered free of charge, beginning 1/1/2011. There ployers to either cover the people who work for them will be new programs to provide coordination of care if or pay a penalty. you are hospitalized or have a chronic condition. Reim- A. YES, that’s true for employees. But, the new law bursements to primary care doctors and general surgeons makes NO requirement that employers cover retirees. will be increased by 10% for five years, so there should be

more of these doctors for you to choose from. You Are Not on Medicare Yet? Q. I’m a retiree, but I’m not yet 65, so I’m not eligi- Medicare Advantage Plan Changes ble for Medicare. Qwest is providing my health care. Q. I’ve heard that Medicare Advantage plans will go Is there anything in the new law that benefits me? away, or will get more expensive. Is this true? A. YES. There is a temporary reinsurance program for A. NO & MAYBE...The Medicare Advantage program is retirees age 55-64. The Federal Government will begin not going away. Up until now, these plans have enjoyed a subsidizing the costs of the health care claims filed under larger subsidy from the Federal government than tradi- your Qwest-provided health insurance by paying 80% of tional Medicare, and that will be phased down to equal costs between $15,000 and $90,000. This subsidy is sup- the subsidy to traditional Medicare. The private compa- posed to reduce your costs, and it will also reduce nies that offer Medicare Advantage may make changes as Qwest’s costs. Because of the cost reduction, this is a sig- a result. For example, they may take away some of the nificant incentive for Qwest to continue to provide your perks they’ve offered in the past, such as health club health insurance. Once the new Health Insurance Ex- memberships. They may also charge higher premiums or changes are operating, in 2014, this subsidy ends, and re- co-pays, but that is nothing new. These plans are required tirees in your situation will be able to purchase insurance to offer benefits at least as good as traditional Medicare. on the Exchange if they choose to do so. Tricare for Veterans You Are On Medicare? Q. I am a veteran and am on Tricare. Will there be Q. I’m on Medicare. Will the new law make changes any changes for me? for me? A. NO. Defense Secretary Gates has issued a statement A YES. It depends on whether you are on traditional saying that Tricare meets all of the requirements of the Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan exactly what new health care law. changes you may experience.

Retiree Guardian — 2010 Issue 2 June 12 Colorado—Wyoming—New Mexico Edition Follow the Money in Health Care Changes by Barbara Wilcox, AUSWR CO/WY loss of the tax benefit on the subsidy in its first quar- ter financial results which indicates that they will The financing of the Patient Protection and Afford- continue to provide the Medicare prescription drug able Health Care Act of 2010 is complex. I will try to coverage. Qwest and other employers will still get cover things that may impact us Qwest retirees. the 28% subsidy, but it will no longer be tax-free. Email your questions for future articles to me at : Still the subsidy is a good incentive for Qwest to keep the prescription drug coverage. None of us can [email protected] predict what Qwest will do. But, it seems unlikely Q. Is it true that money is being taken from that this tax change would cause Qwest to drop our Medicare to pay for covering the uninsured? prescription drug coverage A. The new law contains a provision requiring Q. I’ve heard that “Cadillac” health plans are that any savings in Medicare go to reduce patient going to be taxed. Will that apply to the health costs, improve Medicare benefits, protect patients’ insurance we retirees get from Qwest? access to providers (doctors) and extend solvency of A. It will not apply to those of us who are on Medi- the Medicare Trust Fund. In 2011-2013, money is be- care, because Qwest only supplements our Medicare ing taken from the Medicare Advantage programs coverage. For those not yet on Medicare in 2018, until the Federal subsidies of that program are when the tax on high value plans begins, it will de- matched to subsidies of traditional Medicare. This pend on what the Qwest insurance premium level is money, along with other Medicare savings, will be (retiree plus Qwest cost, not including dental insur- used to enhance basic Medicare benefits and extend ance). The threshold for persons over 55 will be the life of Medicare. $11,850 annually for single coverage and $30,950 for Overall, the solvency of the Medicare Trust a family. At this time, it does not look like the insur- Fund will be extended by nearly a decade, according ance Qwest provides retirees will be expensive to the Congressional Budget Office. But, since some enough to be taxed. of the money won’t be needed until later years, it Q. Are there any other new taxes that are will be “loaned” via special Treasury bills to pay for likely to hit retirees? non-Medicare expenses, such as coverage for the un- A. That depends on your individual circumstances insured. and income levels. For individuals with adjusted Q. Large companies, such as AT&T, Deere & gross income over $200,000 or $250,000 for couples, a Co., and Verizon, announced in March that 3.8% Medicare tax will be assessed on investment they may cut prescription drug coverage for income. For those at this income level who are still Medicare-eligible retirees because their federal working, there also will be an additional 0.9% pay- subsidy from the Medicare Part D program roll tax. These taxes begin in 2013. will no longer be tax-free. Will this tax change Q. What are the changes in the way deduc- affect the prescription drug benefits of Qwest tions can be taken for health care expenses? retirees? A. In 2013, the threshold for itemized deductions of A. Since the Medicare D prescription drug program out-of-pocket medical expenses will increase from was started in 2006, employers have been given a 7.5% of adjusted gross income to 10%. For those 65 28% tax-free subsidy to encourage them to provide and older, this increase is postponed until 2017. prescription drug coverage to their Medicare-eligible You can email your health care questions to employees and retirees. Qwest reported the future Barbara at: [email protected].

Retiree Guardian — 2010 Issue 2 June 13 Colorado—Wyoming—New Mexico Edition “Does Healthcare or Medicare Pay For Injuries in An Accident?”

For questions on this article, contact Kitty Kennedy, ment is expected from your auto insurance or Retiree Guardian regional editor. (see page 6). directly from the person who caused the acci- dent. However, if you file a personal injury case The quick answer is, “Yes,” --however, and receive a monetary settlement, any settle- many accidents involve personal injuries, and so ment that you recover may be subject to a lien this quick answer must be followed with a by your medical insurance company or Medi- broader explanation. Your medical insurance, care. including United Healthcare and Medicare, generally pays “Federal law governs Federal law governs for medical care resulting from Medicare. When you as Medicare. When you as a an accident that causes you in- plaintiff receive a personal jury. a plaintiff receive a per- injury settlement, you must use a part of that set- What you also should know sonal injury settlement, is that private insurers and state tlement to pay back medi- and federal governments in- you must use a part of cal expenses paid by Medi- cluding the administration of care. Many plaintiffs are that settlement to pay Medicare contain “subrogation not aware of their obliga- rights.” This means that your back medical expenses tions under Medicare. medical insurance company in- Usually the burden is cluding Medicare has the right paid by Medicare.” taken on by the claimant’s to recover accident-related ex- penses paid for your medical attorney to verify whether care from any legal settlement that you might or not Medicare has placed a lien. Personal obtain resulting from the accident. injury attorneys spend considerable time For example, in the case of an auto accident resolving these liens, so that they can avoid your medical care is generally paid for by your personal liability on the part of themselves medical insurance or Medicare. Then reimburse- and their clients.

For more information about the new health reform law, the following sources are recommended: • Kaiser Family Foundation: http://healthreform.kff.org/ • AARP: http://www.aarp.org/ • Alliance for Retired Americans: http://www.retiredamericans.org/ht/d/Home/pid/178 • National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare: http://www.ncpssm.org/ • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: http://www.healthreform.gov/ • Speaker of the House: http://www.speaker.gov/newsroom/legislation?id=0361 • The White House: http://www.whitehouse.gov/

Retiree Guardian — 2010 Issue 2 June 14 Colorado—Wyoming—New Mexico Edition

Qwest Shareholders Hear “Say on Pay”

ary plus target bonus despite the fact that the sharehold- Statement of Mary Ann Neuman: 2010 Qwest Annual ers last year supposedly adopted an executive sever- Meeting-May 12, 2010 ance policy that claimed to limit Golden Parachutes to 3 Members of the Board, Senior Management and times base salary + bonus. But like so many of our Com- fellow shareholders my name is Mary Ann Neuman. I pany’s executive compensation policies, Qwest’s am a retiree of Qwest, a member of the Association of Golden Parachute policy has a huge loophole: It doesn’t U S WEST Retirees and the proponent of Proposal #5, count the immediate vesting and payout of unearned which asks the Board to give the owners of our Com- stock options, restricted stock and so-called Perform- pany a “Say on Pay” for senior executives. ance Shares. For Mueller alone, this unearned gift is worth $14 million. The proposal states -- RESOLVED: The sharehold- ers request an opportunity, at each annual “Even on smaller items, the Board’s rubber stamp meeting, to cast a Shareholder Advisory on executive excess is evident in the fine print Vote on whether or not to ratify the com- of the proxy. For example, after less than three pensation package for the CEO and other years at Qwest, Mueller had already accumu- senior executive officers as disclosed in the lated $243,000 in defined pension benefits. But Proxy Statement. hold on, we can’t expect our senior executives to be satisfied with a pension based on the I believe Proposal #5 should be same formula given to rank-and-file employ- adopted because the owners of the com- ees. Instead, when he terminates after the pany should be able to express their ap- Mary Ann Neuman, merger, his lump sum pension payout will be proval or disapproval of the compensation AUSWR NWB Chair bumped up by another 35%. Indeed The Board package for top executives, just as share- is such a door mat to senior executives that no holders do at more than 15 major American corpora- explanation is even offered for this arbitrary “pension tions. One of the companies Qwest uses as a peer com- bonus.” pany for Executive Compensation is Verizon. Verizon has adopted “Say on Pay” – so I again suggest that just At the same time the Board is giving the CEO an as Qwest aspires to Verizon’s compensation levels, it almost $25 million Platinum Parachute and a 35% Pen- should also adopt its better governance practices as sion Bonus who’s been around for 3 years you might ask what Qwest is giving the retired men and women well. who spent decades – not just 3 years - loyally building Of course, the sad reality is that it’s probably now this company. This is what they got. Effective March 1, too late for shareholders to exert any meaningful disci- the Board gave 27,000 Company retirees the shaft. pline on Qwest’s runaway pay – for the simple reason Qwest announced the cancellation of the Pensioner that our top executives are literally about to take the Death Benefit, which has been an earned and promised money and run. When CEO Ed Mueller joined Qwest retirement benefit for decades. Although It pulls the rug less than 3 years ago, the stock price was $9 per share – out from under surviving spouses and other depend- today it is about $ 5.16 per share. Qwest is so beaten ents, it saves the Company $220 million – almost down that to survive it’s being sold off to CenturyLink enough to pay for all the Golden Goodbye Gifts for the – and for very little if any premium. How will our top entire posse of Senior Executives who have collectively management be held accountable for this mediocrity? run this Company virtually into the ground. We can Well, for starters, Ed Mueller will receive a $24.7 only hope that the new Board at CenturyLink will care million severance package, His severance package plus a bit more about nurturing and rewarding employee the packages of Rich Baer, Teresa Taylor, Joseph Eu- morale and loyalty. teneur and Dan Yost totals over $60 million. For each (Continued on page 16) officer, this amounts to more than 6 times his base sal-

Retiree Guardian — 2010 Issue 2 June 15 Colorado—Wyoming—New Mexico Edition (Continued from page 15) for remaining employed here – and even that tenure However tragic Qwest’s history of abusive pay requirement is waived after a change in control. practices – from Trujillo’s $200 million Parachute, to Although it’s positive that the percentage of Per- Nacchio’s felonies, to Notebaert’s phantom pension – formance Shares increased this year from 25% to this “Say on Pay” issue is larger than just one crumbling 55%, that 55% is just a smoke and mirrors trick since old RBOC. Pending Federal legislation to require com- Qwest’s so-called “Performance Shares” are cleverly panies to give all US share owners a “Say on Pay” is not designed to pay out up to 100% of target – millions just a phenomena of the current economic crisis and the and millions of dollars of our money – even when ruinous risk-taking and self-dealing on Wall Street; it is Qwest’s Total Shareholder Return is negative! a reaction to executive pay that has climbed to more 3. Qwest senior executives receive far more generous than 350 times the average worker’s salary. As a Sena- pension benefits than rank-and-file managers and tor, President Obama sponsored legislation to require employees. Not only do they receive a 3% company public companies like Qwest to give their owners a “Say match on as much as 85% of both salary and bonus on Pay” – legislation that passed the U.S. House in 2007 paid into their Executive Deferred Savings Plan – and which President Obama would surely sign today. but when they leave, their pension plan balance is Greater scrutiny and accountability are particularly automatically increased by 35%. The good news is needed at Qwest, since I believe our Company’s history that this is actually a little less abusive than the 30 of low bar for performance-based pay, its golden para- years of extra pension service credits – worth $11 chutes, lavish executive pensions, and tax-free perks all million – that the Board gave to for- stand out as unjustifiably costly. mer CEO Dick Notebaert. As Dick RESOLVED: A study by the highly- walked out the door with his pockets respected Corporate Library, a The shareholders request an op- stuffed with millions, retirees remem- governance research firm, se- portunity, at each annual meet- bered vividly his statement that rank lected Qwest as one of 12 “Pay ing, to cast a Shareholder Advi- and file retirees would NEVER see a for Failure” companies with the sory Vote on whether or not to pension increase. very worst combination of high ratify the compensation package Shareholders should know that this pay and poor performance for the CEO and other senior ex- is the third and – if the merger goes among large U.S. public compa- ecutive officers. through – the final time that the “Say nies. on Pay” proposal will be voted on Some of Qwest’s “Pay for Fail- here at Qwest. Apple shareholders ure” practices include: approved “Say on Pay” last year, as did Verizon share- 1. Qwest’s senior executive compensation is bench- holders the year before. It’s on the ballot at more than 50 marked based on a small number of peer companies major companies and gaining momentum and approval (only 9) that are either far larger, more complex and as more and more investors view it as good corporate more profitable – such as Verizon and AT&T – or governance. which are not peer companies at all, but are widely Let’s finally vote this year to implement a nonbind- known for over-paying top executives – such as Mo- ing “Say on Pay” proposal at Qwest, stop the spiraling torola. Last year Proxy Governance Inc., a leading compensation awards, limit the perks and recognize as governance consultant to institutional investors, many in our nation do, that this has got to stop. Obvi- cited that “the average three-year compensation ously with all the corporate excesses and greed splashed paid to Qwest’s CEO is 80% above the median paid across the evening news night after night, it’s not a good to CEOs at peer companies.” PR move to continue to road block accountability efforts 2. Defying marketplace trends, the so-called Perform- like “Say on Pay”. While we are still Qwest, I would sin- ance Shares awarded to Senior Management condi- cerely like to see the Company I worked for and retired tioned on above-average returns make up 55% of from take the higher road and adopt a common-sense Qwest’s long-term equity compensation. The rest -- accountability measure like this that would make me 45% -- is paid in Restricted Stock, which has no per- proud again.

formance requirement at all. It is simply a windfall Thank you for your attention. Mary Ann Neuman

Retiree Guardian — 2010 Issue 2 June 16 Colorado—Wyoming—New Mexico Edition

The Telecommunications' History Group, Inc. And Museum

By Don Warsavage, AUSWR CO/WY crank handles waiting for you to try them out. Two doves

sit on a pair of copper wires connecting the phones and Do you remember your Grandma’s telephone num- you recall the phrase, “hello central?” You begin to feel a ber back in the 1930’s? The folks down at the Telecommu- sense of pride, that we, and those who went before us, nications History Group can find it for you. They’ll get her built and serviced the best telephone system in the world. old phone number and throw in the address too. They Jody Georgeson, Executive Director of The Telecom- have the phone directories from the cities and towns we munications History Group, said, “It was an era as much served through the years. They’re in the responsible for the expansion and success archives. of this country as the railroads. And the So, what else is in the archives? equipment built was virtually indestructi- Everything—well almost everything. ble.” There are legal documents, historical Jody has 15 dedicated volunteers in Den- documents, newspaper articles, records ver and 20 more in Seattle. They’ve pre- of subsidiary companies, all the Bell served our legacy well. System Practices and that’s just scratch- Remember the Norman Rockwell paint- ing the surface. Remember the old com- ing of, The Lineman? You can get your very pany magazine? The MST&T Monitor? Jody Georgeson, own 17” x 22” poster of that painting from They’ve got them. In fact, for purposes Executive Director THG’s gift shop. There are many other ex- of this article they dug out a Christmas, next to a replica of Golden Boy cellent posters you will want to look at. 1939 issue. It’s the one in which the The Gift Shop also includes unique re- company announced plans for a perma- frigerator magnets of tiny magneto wall phones, THG nent historical museum to be placed in the Denver head- shopping bags, and books about telecommunications. quarters building at 931 14th Street. Among the book titles available are: The Deal of the Cen- That museum, the archives, as well as the museum in tury: the Breakup of the Bell System, and, From Muttering Ma- Seattle are the responsibilities of the Telecommunications chines to Laser Beams, a book by Herb Hackenberg, Foun- History Group, Inc. der of The Telecommunications Group. The museum in Seattle called, The Jody started as a mail clerk Museum of Communications, is proba- at US West, to pay the rent while she bly the best communications museum in looked for a “real job.” But, fortu- the country. You can use your computer nately for us, she stayed on and ad- to take a virtual trip through the exhib- vanced through the ranks, retiring its. There, you will find the history of from the position as Strategic Plan- The Bell System, all types of telephones, ner for Business Research in 1999. PBX’s, test boards, operator information Jody loves history and she always desks, and phone booths all expertly dreamed of being a librarian, so, us- displayed. ing the education credits feature of Denver’s museum is on the 14th her retirement package, she got her floor. It is truly a jewel. It is not possible Telephone operator model in the mu- Library of Science Degree from the to list all the excellent exhibits here. Suf- seum at 931 14th Street, Denver University of Denver. Herb Hacken- fice it to say, that when you are there, berg hired her as a part-time Secre- you feel you should lower your voice in respect. You will tary and she returned to college to acquire an emphasis on have stepped into a quiet, elegant display of our history as Archiving before taking the Executive Director position “telephone people.” A model telephone operator sits at when Herb retired. her switchboard ready to answer a light. Two working magneto phones in their solid oak cases are on the wall; (Continued on page 18)

Retiree Guardian — 2010 Issue 2 June 17 Colorado—Wyoming—New Mexico Edition (Continued from page 17) Or, as Jody says, “Come on down if you were a manager, Jody loves giving tours, “because that’s when the sto- an executive, or a “mail clerk.” You were part of a shining ries come out. Everyone has a phone story. The telephone legacy and its all here. was such a big part of all our lives.” Jody also reports that Jody would welcome your interest in becoming a in discussions with the Board member or a volunteer. of Directors, the question is Tours of the museum in often asked, “how do we get Denver are available by ap- people interested in this?” pointment. Come in a group Well if you are a retiree or by yourself. Call 303-296- the answer is “just take a 1221. The Museum of Com- look.” This place is all about munications (Seattle) hours you and what you’ve accom- are Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. plished. If, in your career, to 2:00 p.m. and also by ap- pointment. Call 206-345-6305. you were ever up on a pole in There is no charge, but dona- a winter storm break restor- tions are gratefully accepted. ing service, and the climber Volunteers L to R: Ken Pratt, The archives are open for straps were cutting the circu- Jody Georgeson, Executive Director, scholarly or personal re- lation in your feet, come on Marty Donovan, Secretary, Renee Lang, Jerry Wild, Ron Swanson, Jack Bol, Dale Norblom. search and THG folks are down to 931 14th Street. They available for educational have your gaffs, your safety programs and presentations. belt, and your tools all in mint condition on display. If you The website is: www.telcomhistory.org/index.shtml or sim- were an all night operator on the switchboard, you knew ply Google The Telecommunications History Group Inc. the emergency calls were going to come, (no such thing as There you’ll find out much more about their services as well “911” back then) but you handled them. Come on down. as virtual tours and links to other museums. Your switchboard and operator’s chair are front and center. Gone But Not Forgotten

NEW MEXICO DEATHS Hoffman, Don Davis, Agnes Marie Palmer, Dorothy R Meyers Anderson, Royce B. Juhl, Tom C. Ditmer, John G Schmick , Lucille Eubanks, Levon "Buzz" Meadors, Steve Fagan, Sally Smith, Clarence R. "Dick" Fuller, Ralph L. Miles, Dean M. Fliethmann, Carl A. Smith, Rosa Lee Gonzales, Ramona Murphy, Ira George, Nettie L "Davey" Spencer , Ernest "Wally" Greenleaf, Joe Pringle, Robert J Grant, Lolita Teske, Meredith Elaine Iverson, Phillip D. Wray, Ronald T. Hodges, Betty Joe Thomas, George James, Buford M. Horan, John T. "Jack" Watford , Duane V COLORADO DEATHS Johnson, Raymond Hutcheson, Dorris White, Harold V Bader, Anne Mares, Maria Margie Jackson, Betty Lou Zarbock, Marv Bailey, Diana Lynn Massey, Charles Walter Karr, Donald Zarlengo, Dorthy Ann Bailey, John McBee, Orval Kattnig, Paul Barry, Earl WYOMING DEATHS McDonald, Jack T Kersey, Robert Bickel, George L. Anderson, Ted Mohoric, Frank Edward Kinkel, James A. Bliss, Patricia Jean "Patti" Blackburn, Helen I. Prince, Ellen Knief, Curt R. Bruce, James Desch, William Casper Proffitt, Mary Kathleen Krill, Gene Brunner, Ray Hammontree, Harol "Scotty" Samaniego, Gilbert Matheny, Edward Burkepile, Ross Edward Hughes, Ruth Darlene Wood, Ira Bell Medina, Carlos Martin Byers, Jerry May, Leonard Miller, Arline OTHER DEATHS Campbell, Ed McCoy, Milton Morris, Terry W Adams, Frocene Campbell, Merial Putnam, Mary Ellen Norton, Stanley O. Benson, Robert Claybrook, Ella Ryan, Joyce Overton, Charles "Chuck" Deem, Helen Shiner Cosgrove , Dorothy Scheurman, Opal L. Page, James Melvin Gonzales, Maximiliano Victor Cowan, John L. Stanczyk, Marian Pagel, Joseph A.

Retiree Guardian — 2010 Issue 2 June 18 Colorado—Wyoming—New Mexico Edition MEMBERSHIP FORM

TELEPHONE RETIREES ASSOCIATION—NEW MEXICO

CHECK ONE: New Member (___) Annual Renewal (___) Info Change (___)

______Last Name First Name Phone Number

______Address or PO Box No. City, State Zip

______E-mail Address (for News and Updates) Company Retired From Retirement MO/DAY/YEAR

I am willing to help in the following areas: Board (___) Communications (___) Media contact (___)

Area Rep (outside of Albuquerque) (__) Other ______

Annual Dues: $______Additional Donation: $______($24/yr effective January 1, 2007) (Additional amount to cover critical activities)

Make check payable and send Telephone Retirees Assoc—NM Completed Form to: P O BOX 31022 Albuquerque, NM 87190-1022

Membership in Telephone Retirees Association — New Mexico

Your annual membership expires on the date shown on the address label of the Retiree Guardian newsletter. If your membership expires within the next few months, please renew as soon as possible. Also, please consider making an additional donation at any time The cost of protecting against the reduction of promised benefits is high, but the risk is higher.

Effective January 1, 2007, annual dues are $24 per member. If this amount constitutes a hardship for you, please feel free to pay what you can afford and make a notation on the form. A great deal of progress has been made since our or- ganization was formed in 1995, but a lot more remains to be done. Many benefits are currently at risk and must be pro- tected through various activities—including the filing of costly legal suits.

Changes in your mailing address, phone number, or email address should be recorded on the Membership Form and sent to the address at the bottom of the form. It is costly, and wasteful, to mail the Guardian in incorrect or obsolete addresses.

If you know of any prospective members who have not yet joined the Association, please provide them with a copy of the Membership Form. It is important to grow our member base in order to effectively continue our efforts to pre- serve the retirement benefits promised us.

This Association is authorized as a nonprofit tax-exempt organization under Section 501 (a) of the IRS Code. How- ever, dues and donations are not deductible on your tax return.

Retiree Guardian — 2010 Issue 2 June 19 Colorado—Wyoming—New Mexico Edition Association of US WEST Retirees Colorado/Wyoming/New Mexico P.O. Box 27027 Denver, CO 80227

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

—Change Your Home Address? —Or Phone Number? —Or Email Address? PLEASE CHECK THE MAIL LABEL

AND LET US KNOW YOUR CHANGES You can help us save $$$ in return postage, if we have your new address, phone no & email address. Contact Marlene Tricoli 505 821-7109, [email protected] Or send a note to: TRA-NM PO Box 31022 Albuquerque, NM87190 Visit your websites: uswestretiree.org or qwestretiree.org Board and Officers of NM Telephone Retirees Association Q2 2010

NEW MEXICO Retiree Advocate & Director 505 298-3155 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Cassie Kelley - 505 298-8666 Lori Parenti

[email protected] 505 298-8218 President: Irene Chavira - 505 352-6666 Kathy Rodgers [email protected] DIRECTORS 575 744-5738 [email protected] Vice-President Ida Bender Rosalie Yost - 505 344-4828 505 299-6214 Dorothy Wilson [email protected] [email protected] 505 262-0567 Secretary Dotty Dahl Gene Whitlock Volunteer Needed 505 268-7639 505 299-3229 [email protected] Treasurer Betty Lamberti

Marian Peace - 505 299-3991 505 256-0242 [email protected] Dan Lyon Legislative Advocate Data Manager & Director 505-897-6430 Mack Haley - 575 522-2716 Marlene Tricoli -- 505 821-7109 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Betty Monroe-Martinez

Retiree Guardian — 2010 Issue 2 June 20 Colorado—Wyoming—New Mexico Edition