From the Office of Utah Congressman Jim Matheson

MATHESON NEWS
Second Congressional District

For Further Information
Alyson Heyrend: (801) 455-5593 (cell)
www.house.gov/matheson

March 01, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Matheson Urges Support for Airline Pensions

Washington DC-Cong. Jim Matheson is urging colleagues to support language in final pension reform legislation that provides relief for airlines and hope for employees worried about the security of their retirement.

Last year, the House and the Senate passed different versions of legislation to overhaul pension law.  Matheson voted for HR 2830-the Pension Protection Act-which requires companies to meet 100% of their pension plan's funding target.  The bill passed by the Senate-S 1783-- includes language allowing airlines additional time to meet their pension obligations.  In the case of Delta Airlines-struggling to emerge from bankruptcy-- it would allow the company a more manageable funding period to shore up its pension fund.

House and Senate negotiators are preparing for meetings on the legislation in order to work out the differences.  Matheson says he will work to build bipartisan support in the House to support the Senate's airline provision.

"We believe that the Senate language provides a critical tool for carriers in the financially-troubled airline industry to try to preserve their employees' pension plans," Matheson's letter says. 

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Alyson Heyrend
Communications Director
240 East Morris Ave. #235
South Salt Lake, UT 84115
(801) 486-1236 (phone)
(801) 455-5593 (cell)
(801) 486-1417 (fax)