1 00:00:03,240 --> 00:00:07,680 Speaker 1: Welcome to the NFL Legends Podcast, an NFL podcast for 2 00:00:07,840 --> 00:00:12,840 Speaker 1: the players, by the players. Here is your host, four 3 00:00:12,880 --> 00:00:23,720 Speaker 1: team year NFL veteran and Hall of Famer Anius Williams. Legends. 4 00:00:23,720 --> 00:00:26,600 Speaker 1: This has been so exciting. We're doing a part two 5 00:00:26,680 --> 00:00:29,080 Speaker 1: because we want to make sure we cover some additional 6 00:00:29,120 --> 00:00:33,360 Speaker 1: information and we're first starting out with pensions. The Linda 7 00:00:33,680 --> 00:00:36,520 Speaker 1: talked to us about pensions. Thank you and yes, happy 8 00:00:36,560 --> 00:00:39,080 Speaker 1: to and maybe we just sort of saved the best 9 00:00:39,120 --> 00:00:41,600 Speaker 1: for last year. This is one of the highlights of 10 00:00:41,640 --> 00:00:45,120 Speaker 1: the Collective Bargaining Agreement and it's really an expression of 11 00:00:45,159 --> 00:00:47,519 Speaker 1: the NFL's thank you to the past legends who have 12 00:00:47,560 --> 00:00:51,960 Speaker 1: built this game. Under the eleven the previous collective Bargaining Agreement, 13 00:00:51,960 --> 00:00:55,160 Speaker 1: players received different amounts as a pension credit based on 14 00:00:55,200 --> 00:00:57,360 Speaker 1: the year that they played, and as you may recall, 15 00:00:57,440 --> 00:01:00,880 Speaker 1: the Legacy Fund was introduced to the players to enhance 16 00:01:00,920 --> 00:01:05,560 Speaker 1: their pension. Now in twenty we have pension parody for 17 00:01:05,640 --> 00:01:10,400 Speaker 1: players who have credited seasons prior to twenty twelve who 18 00:01:10,400 --> 00:01:14,120 Speaker 1: wards it eligible. Well, we've expanded the pool of eligible players. 19 00:01:14,160 --> 00:01:16,120 Speaker 1: So the pool of players eligible from this passion has 20 00:01:16,120 --> 00:01:20,200 Speaker 1: been expanded to include three credited season players who played 21 00:01:20,240 --> 00:01:23,080 Speaker 1: at a time when four credited seasons was needed to vest. 22 00:01:23,640 --> 00:01:26,840 Speaker 1: So those are pre players and they will be receiving 23 00:01:26,840 --> 00:01:29,119 Speaker 1: a pension for the rest of their life their first time, 24 00:01:29,480 --> 00:01:31,480 Speaker 1: and that's about seven hundred players who are going to 25 00:01:31,560 --> 00:01:36,280 Speaker 1: be receiving that all pension eligible players with seasons prior 26 00:01:36,319 --> 00:01:38,600 Speaker 1: to the twelve season. As I said, we'll receive a 27 00:01:38,680 --> 00:01:42,520 Speaker 1: total of five hundred and fifty dollars per credited seasons. 28 00:01:43,200 --> 00:01:46,280 Speaker 1: That is inclusive of their pension credits, their special credits, 29 00:01:46,280 --> 00:01:48,880 Speaker 1: and legacy credits, so it's additive, so their whole credit 30 00:01:48,960 --> 00:01:52,640 Speaker 1: is five hundred and fifty dollars. Now, pension calculations can 31 00:01:52,640 --> 00:01:55,640 Speaker 1: be complicated and they've taken many factors, but as a 32 00:01:55,680 --> 00:01:57,640 Speaker 1: general matter, the way it would work is that if 33 00:01:57,680 --> 00:02:01,960 Speaker 1: you had ten credited seasons prior to and you took 34 00:02:02,000 --> 00:02:05,320 Speaker 1: your pension at fifty five, electing a lifetime annuity, you'd 35 00:02:05,320 --> 00:02:08,720 Speaker 1: receive fifty five a month or about sixty six thousand 36 00:02:08,760 --> 00:02:11,600 Speaker 1: dollars a year for the rest of your life. In addition, 37 00:02:11,600 --> 00:02:15,919 Speaker 1: they will be further increases to six hundred dollars if 38 00:02:15,960 --> 00:02:20,799 Speaker 1: revenue increases uh at at four percent or more or 39 00:02:20,880 --> 00:02:23,919 Speaker 1: it could revenue is it's not increased to that level 40 00:02:24,000 --> 00:02:26,400 Speaker 1: but less than four percent. There will still be an 41 00:02:26,440 --> 00:02:29,079 Speaker 1: increase in pension, only will be five seventy five rather 42 00:02:29,120 --> 00:02:32,359 Speaker 1: than the six hundred dollars. And then for all post 43 00:02:32,480 --> 00:02:35,359 Speaker 1: twelve credit seasons, the pension is going to be increased 44 00:02:35,360 --> 00:02:38,720 Speaker 1: by ten percent. So all of these added in is 45 00:02:38,720 --> 00:02:43,040 Speaker 1: about a two billion dollar commitment by the NFL, additive 46 00:02:43,080 --> 00:02:45,840 Speaker 1: to what they were paying before in pension. It affects 47 00:02:45,880 --> 00:02:50,960 Speaker 1: approximately eleven thousand, five hundred players and many receiving over 48 00:02:51,000 --> 00:02:54,240 Speaker 1: a fifty percent increase in what their pensions were. It 49 00:02:54,360 --> 00:02:56,240 Speaker 1: may take several months, and that's why I want to 50 00:02:56,240 --> 00:02:59,720 Speaker 1: caution everybody to actually see these increases because processing eleven 51 00:02:59,720 --> 00:03:03,400 Speaker 1: thousand and five hundred increases can be time consuming. But 52 00:03:03,639 --> 00:03:07,880 Speaker 1: they will nonetheless be effective as of April. So players 53 00:03:07,880 --> 00:03:10,280 Speaker 1: who are currently in a pay status and receiving their 54 00:03:10,320 --> 00:03:15,040 Speaker 1: pensions will see their increases somewhere after. We're assuming July 55 00:03:15,080 --> 00:03:17,640 Speaker 1: at the earliest, maybe a month or two later, but 56 00:03:17,720 --> 00:03:21,079 Speaker 1: they will be made whole by receiving a retroactive check 57 00:03:21,400 --> 00:03:23,440 Speaker 1: on a lump sum amount that would bring them whole 58 00:03:23,480 --> 00:03:28,800 Speaker 1: as of April. For the widows, we also wanted to 59 00:03:28,800 --> 00:03:31,520 Speaker 1: take and take note of their needs as well, and 60 00:03:31,600 --> 00:03:34,960 Speaker 1: so if widows of legends whose husbands had already elected 61 00:03:35,000 --> 00:03:38,200 Speaker 1: to receive their pension and indicated that their spouse should 62 00:03:38,240 --> 00:03:40,240 Speaker 1: receive it after they die, much in the way that 63 00:03:40,320 --> 00:03:43,640 Speaker 1: Jacob was talking about beneficiaries, they will also see an 64 00:03:43,680 --> 00:03:47,520 Speaker 1: increase based on what they're their their their legend husband 65 00:03:47,560 --> 00:03:51,680 Speaker 1: would have would have received, and another significant increases in 66 00:03:51,720 --> 00:03:55,640 Speaker 1: the surviving widows and children benefit. This benefit is for 67 00:03:55,760 --> 00:03:59,640 Speaker 1: legends who die prior to electing a pension, so if 68 00:03:59,680 --> 00:04:02,680 Speaker 1: they die before they start taking their pension um, they 69 00:04:02,720 --> 00:04:06,440 Speaker 1: will also receive this benefit. And in twenty eleven, widows 70 00:04:06,440 --> 00:04:09,520 Speaker 1: and children received either six thousand or nine thousand dollars 71 00:04:09,520 --> 00:04:11,760 Speaker 1: for a forty eight month period of time. If the 72 00:04:11,760 --> 00:04:14,880 Speaker 1: player had had passed away before two, it would have 73 00:04:14,920 --> 00:04:17,359 Speaker 1: been six thousand. Um, I'm sorry, I had kind of seasons. 74 00:04:17,360 --> 00:04:19,360 Speaker 1: Before nineteen eighty two would have been six thousand, or 75 00:04:19,360 --> 00:04:22,480 Speaker 1: and after be nine thousand. And after the forty eight 76 00:04:22,480 --> 00:04:26,039 Speaker 1: months laps, the widow would receive forty dred dollars a 77 00:04:26,080 --> 00:04:28,839 Speaker 1: month for life or until she remarried, or a child 78 00:04:28,920 --> 00:04:30,800 Speaker 1: or children would receive a total of forty four d 79 00:04:30,920 --> 00:04:34,480 Speaker 1: allars a month until they aged out. Now under the CBA, 80 00:04:35,680 --> 00:04:39,480 Speaker 1: that forty eight month period has been extended to sixty months. 81 00:04:39,480 --> 00:04:41,919 Speaker 1: So now when from four years to five years, the 82 00:04:41,960 --> 00:04:45,280 Speaker 1: amount now increases to thirteen thousand dollars a month for 83 00:04:45,520 --> 00:04:48,799 Speaker 1: that sixty month period of time, and the amount after 84 00:04:48,839 --> 00:04:52,880 Speaker 1: the sixty months laps increases to six thousand dollars. And 85 00:04:52,920 --> 00:04:55,039 Speaker 1: if a legend has no spouse or children at death, 86 00:04:55,120 --> 00:04:57,800 Speaker 1: we've extended the beneficiary as much to the way that 87 00:04:58,200 --> 00:05:00,919 Speaker 1: Jacob previously described. So now out it's not just the 88 00:05:00,920 --> 00:05:04,480 Speaker 1: widow and children, but it can include adult children, parents 89 00:05:04,920 --> 00:05:08,360 Speaker 1: as well as siblings and they would receive that benefit 90 00:05:08,440 --> 00:05:11,160 Speaker 1: for sixty months at the higher level. So those are 91 00:05:11,200 --> 00:05:13,360 Speaker 1: all the good news high points of what's happening in 92 00:05:13,400 --> 00:05:19,400 Speaker 1: the world of pension for under b A. That's my clap. 93 00:05:19,400 --> 00:05:23,760 Speaker 1: And if you hear a Belinda, great job, We're we're 94 00:05:23,800 --> 00:05:27,039 Speaker 1: applauding with you. We're very excited. And Jacob, what don't 95 00:05:27,040 --> 00:05:29,719 Speaker 1: you tell us about the full one key? Yeah, So 96 00:05:29,760 --> 00:05:33,600 Speaker 1: we also have some enhancements to to our other retirement benefits. 97 00:05:34,240 --> 00:05:35,800 Speaker 1: Um we'll start with the four oh one K and 98 00:05:35,839 --> 00:05:39,800 Speaker 1: the annuity. While these contributions were made to your accounts 99 00:05:40,440 --> 00:05:43,520 Speaker 1: by your clubs when you were an active player. It's 100 00:05:43,600 --> 00:05:46,480 Speaker 1: very important to check your profile and NFL Player Benefits 101 00:05:46,520 --> 00:05:49,120 Speaker 1: dot Com so you can see what your most recent 102 00:05:49,160 --> 00:05:52,200 Speaker 1: account balances are in the four oh one K in 103 00:05:52,279 --> 00:05:56,080 Speaker 1: the annuity program, the Player Benefits dot Com will also 104 00:05:56,520 --> 00:05:58,680 Speaker 1: show you a unique tool where you could see, well, 105 00:05:58,680 --> 00:06:00,520 Speaker 1: what happens if I pull my or oh one K 106 00:06:01,080 --> 00:06:05,320 Speaker 1: at age forty five versus fifty fifty five versus sixty five. 107 00:06:05,680 --> 00:06:08,000 Speaker 1: Same for the annuity program. You can see how much 108 00:06:08,000 --> 00:06:09,880 Speaker 1: you have in your accounts. You can make sure you 109 00:06:09,920 --> 00:06:13,480 Speaker 1: have your beneficiaries designated, and you could see what happens 110 00:06:13,480 --> 00:06:16,680 Speaker 1: when I pull my annuity at age forty five, fifty 111 00:06:16,800 --> 00:06:19,719 Speaker 1: fifty five, sixty. I get a lot of guys that 112 00:06:19,760 --> 00:06:21,920 Speaker 1: asked me the question, well when can I actually pull 113 00:06:22,000 --> 00:06:24,479 Speaker 1: my four oh one K, And the answer is, you 114 00:06:24,480 --> 00:06:27,240 Speaker 1: can pull your four oh one K before the age 115 00:06:27,320 --> 00:06:31,599 Speaker 1: of fifty nine and a half. However, if you do so, 116 00:06:31,720 --> 00:06:34,120 Speaker 1: the I R S is going to take a ten 117 00:06:34,200 --> 00:06:37,720 Speaker 1: percent cut of your four oh one K right off 118 00:06:37,720 --> 00:06:40,599 Speaker 1: the top. So I highly encourage guys if you can 119 00:06:40,920 --> 00:06:42,760 Speaker 1: wait until you reach the age of fifty nine and 120 00:06:42,760 --> 00:06:45,200 Speaker 1: a half or later to pull that four oh one K, 121 00:06:45,600 --> 00:06:47,520 Speaker 1: so the I R S doesn't take the ten percent 122 00:06:47,680 --> 00:06:50,719 Speaker 1: right off the top. We also get the question is 123 00:06:50,760 --> 00:06:53,039 Speaker 1: when can I pull my annuity money? Is that the 124 00:06:53,040 --> 00:06:55,159 Speaker 1: same as the four oh one K and the answer 125 00:06:55,200 --> 00:06:58,040 Speaker 1: to that is no. The annuity program has different rules. 126 00:06:58,720 --> 00:07:00,880 Speaker 1: If you have been out of the game, meaning you 127 00:07:00,920 --> 00:07:04,240 Speaker 1: have not been under contract for at least five years 128 00:07:04,920 --> 00:07:07,520 Speaker 1: and you are at least the age of thirty five, 129 00:07:08,200 --> 00:07:13,280 Speaker 1: you can withdraw your entire annuity some with no penalty 130 00:07:13,640 --> 00:07:18,480 Speaker 1: applicable to you. Another retirement benefit that guys oftentimes ask 131 00:07:18,760 --> 00:07:22,160 Speaker 1: is when will I receive my severance pay? The severance 132 00:07:22,200 --> 00:07:25,800 Speaker 1: pay is the money that you will receive one year 133 00:07:26,080 --> 00:07:29,440 Speaker 1: after your last date under contract. While the four one 134 00:07:29,520 --> 00:07:31,920 Speaker 1: K and annuity you actually have to log into Player 135 00:07:31,960 --> 00:07:36,480 Speaker 1: Benefits dot Com to request a withdrawal, the severance pay 136 00:07:36,640 --> 00:07:39,840 Speaker 1: is an automatic payout, So one year after your last 137 00:07:39,920 --> 00:07:43,560 Speaker 1: date under contract, you're going to receive a lump sum 138 00:07:43,720 --> 00:07:46,240 Speaker 1: check in the mail and it will be sent to 139 00:07:46,280 --> 00:07:49,040 Speaker 1: the address that you have on file with the NFL 140 00:07:49,040 --> 00:07:51,640 Speaker 1: Player Benefits office. This is the address that you have 141 00:07:51,720 --> 00:07:55,600 Speaker 1: on NFL Player Benefits dot Com with your lump sum payment. 142 00:07:56,400 --> 00:07:59,120 Speaker 1: Thank you, Jacob be Linda, could you tell us a 143 00:07:59,160 --> 00:08:02,360 Speaker 1: little more about some other disability benefits. Sure, and he 144 00:08:02,480 --> 00:08:05,760 Speaker 1: is happy too. So just by way of background, there 145 00:08:05,760 --> 00:08:09,760 Speaker 1: are currently three different disability benefits available to legends and 146 00:08:09,800 --> 00:08:13,520 Speaker 1: these are very general descriptions. But line of duty, which 147 00:08:13,560 --> 00:08:16,760 Speaker 1: is for legends who have partial disabilities that are permanent 148 00:08:16,800 --> 00:08:20,080 Speaker 1: and as a direct result of NFL activity. Then there's 149 00:08:20,120 --> 00:08:24,240 Speaker 1: also the neurocognitive Disability benefit, and that's for legends who 150 00:08:24,240 --> 00:08:28,560 Speaker 1: have mild or moderate neurocognitive impairments either one or more 151 00:08:28,600 --> 00:08:31,680 Speaker 1: areas of the functioning the brain. So if your memories impacted, 152 00:08:31,800 --> 00:08:34,160 Speaker 1: your speed processing is impacted, those are the type of 153 00:08:34,200 --> 00:08:36,440 Speaker 1: things they look to test to see how with the 154 00:08:36,480 --> 00:08:38,840 Speaker 1: capacity and then the health of the brain is and 155 00:08:38,880 --> 00:08:41,800 Speaker 1: that would fall under the neurocognitive disability benefit. You do 156 00:08:41,880 --> 00:08:44,800 Speaker 1: not need NFL causation in order to be eligible for 157 00:08:44,840 --> 00:08:49,280 Speaker 1: the neurocognitive disability And then finally there's total impermanent disability 158 00:08:49,360 --> 00:08:52,600 Speaker 1: and generally it is an income replacement for legends who 159 00:08:52,640 --> 00:08:56,080 Speaker 1: are unable to be employed in any capacity, regardless if 160 00:08:56,080 --> 00:08:59,280 Speaker 1: it was caused by the NFL activity or not. So 161 00:08:59,400 --> 00:09:01,559 Speaker 1: let's start with the line of duty or l o D. 162 00:09:02,480 --> 00:09:05,640 Speaker 1: Under c b A, players didn't need to be vested, 163 00:09:05,679 --> 00:09:08,280 Speaker 1: and that hasn't changed. But there was a point system 164 00:09:08,400 --> 00:09:13,240 Speaker 1: that provides very specific points for very specific impairments. Under 165 00:09:13,280 --> 00:09:16,920 Speaker 1: the twenty eleven agreement, players needed ten points in order 166 00:09:16,920 --> 00:09:21,440 Speaker 1: to qualify. Under the c b A, we have reduced 167 00:09:21,440 --> 00:09:24,880 Speaker 1: the number of points required to qualify from ten to nine, 168 00:09:25,120 --> 00:09:28,080 Speaker 1: so more players will be eligible based on the reduction 169 00:09:28,080 --> 00:09:32,160 Speaker 1: of that one point. In addition, under the agreement, under 170 00:09:32,200 --> 00:09:35,080 Speaker 1: line of duty, players could apply with non orthopedic the 171 00:09:35,120 --> 00:09:39,320 Speaker 1: brain related impairments headaches or psychiatric disorders that had to 172 00:09:39,360 --> 00:09:44,600 Speaker 1: show NFL causation. But we have eliminated that and we're 173 00:09:44,640 --> 00:09:47,840 Speaker 1: just really limiting it to mostly orthopedic injuries under line 174 00:09:47,840 --> 00:09:51,400 Speaker 1: of duty because we're going to then pick up um 175 00:09:51,800 --> 00:09:55,200 Speaker 1: pick that that that grew up in the neurocognitive disability benefit, 176 00:09:55,240 --> 00:09:59,640 Speaker 1: which I will discuss um right now. So the neurocognitive 177 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:04,319 Speaker 1: plity benefit, as I briefly described, started in Agreement UM 178 00:10:04,400 --> 00:10:07,520 Speaker 1: and in order to qualify at that time. Under the agreement, 179 00:10:07,559 --> 00:10:09,640 Speaker 1: you had to be under the age of fifty five, 180 00:10:10,600 --> 00:10:14,880 Speaker 1: have a season in or later, and you had to 181 00:10:14,920 --> 00:10:20,120 Speaker 1: be vested. So let's fast forward to under the b 182 00:10:20,240 --> 00:10:23,280 Speaker 1: a we have removed all those limitations so that players 183 00:10:23,320 --> 00:10:25,520 Speaker 1: no longer have to be under fifty five, have a 184 00:10:25,559 --> 00:10:29,800 Speaker 1: season in later, or be vested to apply. It has 185 00:10:29,840 --> 00:10:33,360 Speaker 1: opened up the eligibility for neurocognitive parents too, many more players, 186 00:10:33,679 --> 00:10:36,160 Speaker 1: and unlike as I said before with line of duty, 187 00:10:36,200 --> 00:10:39,079 Speaker 1: you do not need to show a NFL activity caused 188 00:10:39,080 --> 00:10:43,599 Speaker 1: your impairment. In addition, it has also increased the disability 189 00:10:43,600 --> 00:10:49,119 Speaker 1: amounts under both the mild and moderate classifications for NEUROCOG disability. 190 00:10:49,440 --> 00:10:53,040 Speaker 1: So beginning with a five increase in two thousand twenty two, 191 00:10:53,240 --> 00:10:56,640 Speaker 1: and you'll see increases of five dollars every two years. 192 00:10:58,040 --> 00:11:01,599 Speaker 1: The final UH disability benefit I'll discuss is total and 193 00:11:01,679 --> 00:11:04,800 Speaker 1: permanent disabilities, and this benefit is for the LEGIOND who's 194 00:11:04,840 --> 00:11:08,240 Speaker 1: unemployable in any capacity. As I have mentioned earlier, there 195 00:11:08,240 --> 00:11:12,040 Speaker 1: are several noteworthy changes under c b a UM and 196 00:11:12,120 --> 00:11:16,080 Speaker 1: its background. Just so, there are four categories or classifications 197 00:11:16,120 --> 00:11:19,680 Speaker 1: within TMP that a player can qualify. So one is 198 00:11:19,800 --> 00:11:23,160 Speaker 1: active football and that's for players who become TMP as 199 00:11:23,160 --> 00:11:26,560 Speaker 1: a result of NFL activity while they were an active player, 200 00:11:26,600 --> 00:11:30,360 Speaker 1: And that's the most generous benefit UH. There's active non 201 00:11:30,360 --> 00:11:33,559 Speaker 1: football for players who become totally im permanently disabled as 202 00:11:33,559 --> 00:11:37,840 Speaker 1: a result of non football activity while they are active players. 203 00:11:38,440 --> 00:11:41,240 Speaker 1: Um enacted A is for players who are determined to 204 00:11:41,280 --> 00:11:44,480 Speaker 1: be totally impermanently disabled within fifteen years of living game, 205 00:11:44,960 --> 00:11:47,800 Speaker 1: and then t mp UH and then inactive B for 206 00:11:47,840 --> 00:11:50,680 Speaker 1: players who are determined to be TMP after fifteen years 207 00:11:50,679 --> 00:11:54,319 Speaker 1: of leaving the game. So the first the first change 208 00:11:54,320 --> 00:11:58,000 Speaker 1: which I will talk about is the evaluation process under 209 00:11:58,040 --> 00:12:02,400 Speaker 1: the eleven agreement based on the impairments of legend listed. 210 00:12:02,520 --> 00:12:05,160 Speaker 1: He would be seen by a variety of specialists. So 211 00:12:05,200 --> 00:12:09,480 Speaker 1: if he complained about back pain or or lack of 212 00:12:09,559 --> 00:12:12,280 Speaker 1: range of motion, an orthopedist would see him. If he 213 00:12:12,320 --> 00:12:15,840 Speaker 1: complained about headaches, a neurologist would see him. If he 214 00:12:15,880 --> 00:12:19,000 Speaker 1: complained about memory issues or any other cognitive issues, he'd 215 00:12:19,000 --> 00:12:22,079 Speaker 1: be seen by a neuropsychology psychiatrist, and then if he 216 00:12:22,120 --> 00:12:25,079 Speaker 1: complained about mental health issues, he'd be seen by a psychiatrist. 217 00:12:25,559 --> 00:12:29,360 Speaker 1: So under the old system, each physician would make a 218 00:12:29,400 --> 00:12:33,160 Speaker 1: determination of whether their specialty, and only within their specialty 219 00:12:33,360 --> 00:12:35,840 Speaker 1: was the player unable to work. So an orthopedic could 220 00:12:35,880 --> 00:12:39,520 Speaker 1: only look at the physical orthopedic pieces the neurologists only 221 00:12:39,559 --> 00:12:43,200 Speaker 1: for those areas, psychiatrists only mental health, and based on 222 00:12:43,679 --> 00:12:46,640 Speaker 1: their limited area, they would make a determination within that 223 00:12:46,720 --> 00:12:48,760 Speaker 1: area of whether or not a player was totally im 224 00:12:48,760 --> 00:12:52,719 Speaker 1: permanently disabled. Under the new cb A, we're trying to 225 00:12:52,760 --> 00:12:56,240 Speaker 1: implement a new evaluation process and we're calling it the 226 00:12:56,320 --> 00:13:00,440 Speaker 1: whole person evaluation process. It's no longer will end vidual 227 00:13:00,559 --> 00:13:03,800 Speaker 1: specialists make a determination in their area, but we will 228 00:13:03,800 --> 00:13:07,480 Speaker 1: be taking into account the aggregate of the whole person's functioning. 229 00:13:08,160 --> 00:13:11,120 Speaker 1: How will this system be implemented well. The new system 230 00:13:11,160 --> 00:13:12,840 Speaker 1: is going to be designed over the course of the 231 00:13:12,880 --> 00:13:15,920 Speaker 1: next couple of years and implemented for testing purposes only 232 00:13:16,200 --> 00:13:21,760 Speaker 1: by April one, twenty three. Starting April three and through 233 00:13:21,960 --> 00:13:25,880 Speaker 1: April one, four, legends will be evaluated both under the 234 00:13:25,880 --> 00:13:29,319 Speaker 1: old system and the whole person system to test if 235 00:13:29,360 --> 00:13:32,600 Speaker 1: the new system is accurately identifying the players who should 236 00:13:32,640 --> 00:13:37,440 Speaker 1: be eligible, and then on April the whole person system 237 00:13:37,480 --> 00:13:39,880 Speaker 1: will replace the old system and will be the zole 238 00:13:39,960 --> 00:13:45,080 Speaker 1: basis for determining total and permanent eligibility. Also, beginning on 239 00:13:45,120 --> 00:13:49,160 Speaker 1: April four, will be the elimination of Social Security disability 240 00:13:49,160 --> 00:13:53,240 Speaker 1: as an automatic basis for eligibility in the past under 241 00:13:53,240 --> 00:13:57,160 Speaker 1: the agreements and prior um A player who received a 242 00:13:57,200 --> 00:14:00,760 Speaker 1: Social Security disability award which the admit that and on 243 00:14:00,800 --> 00:14:05,160 Speaker 1: that basis they can be eligible for Total Impermanent Disability UM. 244 00:14:05,200 --> 00:14:07,680 Speaker 1: That is going to be eliminated as of April one, 245 00:14:08,559 --> 00:14:12,559 Speaker 1: four and with the whole New Person system being implemented UH, 246 00:14:12,880 --> 00:14:15,000 Speaker 1: the hope is that the NFL neutrals will be making 247 00:14:15,000 --> 00:14:19,360 Speaker 1: determinations sort of on a similar basis. Another change under 248 00:14:20,120 --> 00:14:23,680 Speaker 1: c b A is the Social Security offset. So beginning 249 00:14:23,840 --> 00:14:28,640 Speaker 1: January one, players who are receiving the inactive A. By 250 00:14:28,720 --> 00:14:31,320 Speaker 1: giving you the four classifications, this would only impact those 251 00:14:31,360 --> 00:14:34,760 Speaker 1: who are receiving inactive A, who are inactivate and who 252 00:14:34,840 --> 00:14:38,320 Speaker 1: also are receiving Social Security disability, They'll have the amount 253 00:14:38,400 --> 00:14:41,920 Speaker 1: of their Social Security check offset from their monthly total 254 00:14:41,960 --> 00:14:45,240 Speaker 1: impermanent payment. This would be exclusive of amount of money 255 00:14:45,240 --> 00:14:50,000 Speaker 1: they pay forth for their government issued insurance Medicare. Typically 256 00:14:50,000 --> 00:14:51,920 Speaker 1: there's an amount of a couple of hundred dollars that 257 00:14:51,960 --> 00:14:54,840 Speaker 1: will come out of a Social Security check that will 258 00:14:54,880 --> 00:14:58,120 Speaker 1: be paying for the premiums for for Medicare that will 259 00:14:58,120 --> 00:15:01,800 Speaker 1: not be offset UM. This offset is going to apply 260 00:15:01,960 --> 00:15:04,880 Speaker 1: though whether they become eligible for total impermanent Social Security, 261 00:15:04,920 --> 00:15:08,720 Speaker 1: or obtain Social Security after they became totally im permanently eligible, 262 00:15:09,760 --> 00:15:12,400 Speaker 1: and that pretty much covers the changes that are going 263 00:15:12,440 --> 00:15:15,920 Speaker 1: to take place in the world of disability. UM. We 264 00:15:16,040 --> 00:15:19,120 Speaker 1: also have, although not considered a disability plan, you do know, 265 00:15:19,160 --> 00:15:22,160 Speaker 1: there's something called the A D eight plan, and the 266 00:15:22,280 --> 00:15:25,880 Speaker 1: NFL's A D eight plan is a health reimbursement plan 267 00:15:26,000 --> 00:15:30,880 Speaker 1: for legends that have dementia, Parkinson's or a LS. Legends 268 00:15:30,880 --> 00:15:34,320 Speaker 1: are reimbursed for their qualifying medical expenses that are related 269 00:15:34,360 --> 00:15:36,720 Speaker 1: to that impairment, and they can range from at home 270 00:15:36,800 --> 00:15:41,400 Speaker 1: nursing care provided by a nonrelative medical equipment, and can 271 00:15:41,480 --> 00:15:43,520 Speaker 1: pay as well for institutional care if they're in an 272 00:15:43,520 --> 00:15:47,480 Speaker 1: assisted living facility. Under the b A there have been 273 00:15:47,520 --> 00:15:52,240 Speaker 1: significant increases in the annual maximums. So in twenty eleven, 274 00:15:52,320 --> 00:15:56,200 Speaker 1: the annual maximum reimbursement for in home care was a 275 00:15:56,320 --> 00:16:00,000 Speaker 1: hundred and eighteen thousand dollars. An institutional care under the 276 00:16:00,040 --> 00:16:04,080 Speaker 1: old agreement was a hundred and thirty thousand dollars. Effective April, 277 00:16:05,240 --> 00:16:08,600 Speaker 1: the annual maxims will increase and so in home care 278 00:16:08,640 --> 00:16:12,280 Speaker 1: will now be a hundred and forty thousan dollars annually, 279 00:16:12,560 --> 00:16:15,200 Speaker 1: and the institutional care has increased from that one thirty 280 00:16:15,280 --> 00:16:20,400 Speaker 1: under agreement to one six under c b A. There 281 00:16:20,440 --> 00:16:24,120 Speaker 1: will also be increases on April, where in home care 282 00:16:24,120 --> 00:16:27,160 Speaker 1: will be increased again two hundred sixty five thousand and 283 00:16:27,280 --> 00:16:30,760 Speaker 1: institutional care will be a hundred thousand. So we really 284 00:16:30,800 --> 00:16:34,280 Speaker 1: try to address again helping those players who may be 285 00:16:34,360 --> 00:16:38,200 Speaker 1: suffering from dementia, a l S or Parkinson's and providing 286 00:16:38,240 --> 00:16:40,200 Speaker 1: them with some safety nets so they can get their 287 00:16:40,200 --> 00:16:45,440 Speaker 1: expenses reimbursed. Blended us outstanding. Thank you and Trace. I 288 00:16:45,480 --> 00:16:47,320 Speaker 1: want to go back to you. Would you share a 289 00:16:47,320 --> 00:16:51,120 Speaker 1: little more about the beneficiaries. Well, I actually would like 290 00:16:51,200 --> 00:16:54,080 Speaker 1: to throw this to Jacob. So, Jacob, you said something 291 00:16:54,120 --> 00:16:58,880 Speaker 1: while you were talking before about beneficiaries, and what I've 292 00:16:58,920 --> 00:17:03,480 Speaker 1: experienced a is that legends don't actually go in and 293 00:17:03,600 --> 00:17:08,720 Speaker 1: change their beneficiaries um when things change. So I would 294 00:17:08,760 --> 00:17:11,760 Speaker 1: love it if you can explain why they need to 295 00:17:11,800 --> 00:17:16,000 Speaker 1: do that and what could potentially happen, because we've actually 296 00:17:16,200 --> 00:17:19,919 Speaker 1: seen some of this happen practically, and we want to 297 00:17:19,920 --> 00:17:23,119 Speaker 1: make sure that the legend is covered and also that 298 00:17:23,160 --> 00:17:25,119 Speaker 1: he's taking care of his family the way that he 299 00:17:25,200 --> 00:17:28,639 Speaker 1: wants to in the future. Yeah. Absolutely, It's an incredibly 300 00:17:28,680 --> 00:17:33,440 Speaker 1: important point um and one that's every legend should should 301 00:17:33,480 --> 00:17:35,800 Speaker 1: make sure they take care of. I'll start first with 302 00:17:35,880 --> 00:17:38,639 Speaker 1: explaining what a beneficiary is, because oftentimes a lot of 303 00:17:38,640 --> 00:17:40,600 Speaker 1: guys here the word, but they don't really know what 304 00:17:40,680 --> 00:17:43,320 Speaker 1: a beneficiary is or the function that it serves. A 305 00:17:43,320 --> 00:17:49,240 Speaker 1: beneficiary is a person or persons or your a state 306 00:17:49,359 --> 00:17:53,160 Speaker 1: or trust that will collect the money in your benefit 307 00:17:53,160 --> 00:17:57,520 Speaker 1: accounts in the event that you pass away. So if 308 00:17:57,560 --> 00:17:59,760 Speaker 1: you pass away, you'll want to make sure that you 309 00:17:59,840 --> 00:18:03,280 Speaker 1: have somebody listed that is going to collect that money. 310 00:18:03,359 --> 00:18:05,960 Speaker 1: So it's imperative that you take the time to think 311 00:18:06,000 --> 00:18:09,960 Speaker 1: about who that person or persons will be. You can 312 00:18:10,040 --> 00:18:14,760 Speaker 1: update your beneficiaries on NFL player benefits dot com. It's 313 00:18:14,800 --> 00:18:17,280 Speaker 1: a very simple process in which you log into your 314 00:18:17,320 --> 00:18:21,199 Speaker 1: personal profile, you click on the respective benefit plan. So 315 00:18:21,280 --> 00:18:23,399 Speaker 1: let's say it's four oh one K. You'll click on 316 00:18:23,440 --> 00:18:25,920 Speaker 1: the four oh one K tab and then you'll click 317 00:18:25,960 --> 00:18:29,879 Speaker 1: on the next sub tab that says beneficiaries. From there, 318 00:18:30,000 --> 00:18:33,640 Speaker 1: you can add a beneficiary online. You'll just need their name, 319 00:18:33,960 --> 00:18:38,440 Speaker 1: their date of birth, as well as contact information. However, 320 00:18:39,200 --> 00:18:42,800 Speaker 1: if you do not list a beneficiary, which is Tracy mentioned. 321 00:18:42,800 --> 00:18:47,040 Speaker 1: We oftentimes see you will be subject to the default rule. 322 00:18:47,680 --> 00:18:52,800 Speaker 1: And the default rule means your beneficiary will be your spouse. 323 00:18:53,800 --> 00:18:56,520 Speaker 1: If you do not have a spouse, it will be 324 00:18:56,560 --> 00:19:00,359 Speaker 1: your children. If you don't have any children, will be 325 00:19:00,760 --> 00:19:04,760 Speaker 1: your parents. If you don't have any parents, it will 326 00:19:04,800 --> 00:19:08,240 Speaker 1: be your siblings. So again, if you do not list 327 00:19:08,240 --> 00:19:10,960 Speaker 1: a beneficiary, you're going to be subject to the default rule, 328 00:19:11,359 --> 00:19:13,840 Speaker 1: and some of that money may go to an individual 329 00:19:13,920 --> 00:19:17,040 Speaker 1: that you may not necessarily want to see that money. 330 00:19:17,080 --> 00:19:19,800 Speaker 1: So it's imperative that you do list the beneficiary or 331 00:19:19,840 --> 00:19:22,320 Speaker 1: beneficiaries to be the person that you would like to 332 00:19:22,320 --> 00:19:24,639 Speaker 1: see receive that money in the event that you do 333 00:19:24,760 --> 00:19:28,880 Speaker 1: pass away. Thank you, Jacob, and again frequently ask questions. 334 00:19:29,320 --> 00:19:32,000 Speaker 1: The players, the legends can go to our NFL Players 335 00:19:32,040 --> 00:19:35,480 Speaker 1: Benefits site. Is that correct? Yeah? NFL Player Benefits dot 336 00:19:35,520 --> 00:19:38,320 Speaker 1: Com is your one stop shop for everything player benefits. 337 00:19:38,359 --> 00:19:40,560 Speaker 1: I know there are some guys listening that may not 338 00:19:40,720 --> 00:19:44,520 Speaker 1: necessarily want to visit the website online, so we also 339 00:19:44,560 --> 00:19:46,560 Speaker 1: have a phone number that i'd encourage you to call. 340 00:19:47,080 --> 00:19:49,720 Speaker 1: The phone number to the NFL Player Benefits office that 341 00:19:49,800 --> 00:19:56,600 Speaker 1: administers the website is eight zero zero six. Three eight 342 00:19:57,640 --> 00:20:02,359 Speaker 1: three one eight six. So again, if you don't necessarily 343 00:20:02,400 --> 00:20:04,359 Speaker 1: use a computer and you rather talk to a person 344 00:20:04,400 --> 00:20:07,920 Speaker 1: over the phone, you can call eight zero zero six 345 00:20:08,080 --> 00:20:12,280 Speaker 1: three eight three one eight six. We also, as a 346 00:20:12,320 --> 00:20:15,399 Speaker 1: needs mentioned have to frequently asked questions. That is listed 347 00:20:15,440 --> 00:20:17,919 Speaker 1: on NFL player benefits dot com and is listed on 348 00:20:18,000 --> 00:20:21,240 Speaker 1: the NFL player Portal. The NFL Player Portal has a 349 00:20:21,560 --> 00:20:23,679 Speaker 1: has a link that will send you directly to NFL 350 00:20:23,720 --> 00:20:26,960 Speaker 1: player Benefits dot com. So regardless of which website you 351 00:20:27,000 --> 00:20:30,120 Speaker 1: go to, you will definitely receive your collectively bargained player 352 00:20:30,160 --> 00:20:33,439 Speaker 1: benefits information. You guys, this has been fantastic. If I 353 00:20:33,440 --> 00:20:39,320 Speaker 1: can graciously speak on behalf of every legend. First of all, Tracy, Jacob, Belinda, 354 00:20:39,760 --> 00:20:41,960 Speaker 1: thank you for the work that you guys do and 355 00:20:42,040 --> 00:20:45,880 Speaker 1: serve in the legends and even the current players as well. 356 00:20:46,800 --> 00:20:51,040 Speaker 1: Shout out to the owners, the league office, the players 357 00:20:51,080 --> 00:20:55,320 Speaker 1: Association and the players to get this deal done to 358 00:20:55,440 --> 00:20:59,520 Speaker 1: benefit particularly our pre ninety three guys. This has been 359 00:20:59,600 --> 00:21:04,520 Speaker 1: out standing. This information is life changing. It brings a 360 00:21:04,600 --> 00:21:09,160 Speaker 1: comfort level to know um the guys are being thought 361 00:21:09,200 --> 00:21:12,520 Speaker 1: about in their needs and their desires. Maybe this is 362 00:21:12,520 --> 00:21:16,800 Speaker 1: not the perfect solution, but certainly has increased in a 363 00:21:16,920 --> 00:21:20,080 Speaker 1: number of guys that I've spoken with a thoroughly a 364 00:21:20,160 --> 00:21:23,000 Speaker 1: number of Legends that I've spoken with a thoroughly. World. Please, 365 00:21:23,640 --> 00:21:26,280 Speaker 1: here's the final question I'll ask each of you, guys, 366 00:21:26,280 --> 00:21:28,640 Speaker 1: and you can say that's as simply as you as 367 00:21:28,680 --> 00:21:31,520 Speaker 1: it comes to you. My dad makes a statement, he says, 368 00:21:31,640 --> 00:21:34,879 Speaker 1: son is not what people don't know that hurt them, 369 00:21:35,119 --> 00:21:38,520 Speaker 1: is what they do know that's not true. Is there 370 00:21:38,560 --> 00:21:44,680 Speaker 1: any statement, Belinda, Jacob or Tracy that maybe Legends no, 371 00:21:45,160 --> 00:21:48,320 Speaker 1: but may not be true that comes to mind right now? 372 00:21:48,760 --> 00:21:52,000 Speaker 1: I would say, just when we started the Legends community 373 00:21:52,000 --> 00:21:54,480 Speaker 1: and in the ass you know this, I got a 374 00:21:54,520 --> 00:21:59,679 Speaker 1: lot of nobody cares about the Legends, you know, the 375 00:21:59,720 --> 00:22:03,760 Speaker 1: guy who played the game before or an afterthought. And 376 00:22:03,800 --> 00:22:07,040 Speaker 1: I think anybody who has worked with us, including you 377 00:22:07,119 --> 00:22:11,880 Speaker 1: and thes knows that the Legends community and everyone working 378 00:22:12,080 --> 00:22:16,760 Speaker 1: in um my department, working for the Legends Community, working 379 00:22:17,000 --> 00:22:20,359 Speaker 1: with the Player Care Foundation, working in Management Council, we 380 00:22:20,440 --> 00:22:24,199 Speaker 1: are here to serve the player. Our role is to 381 00:22:24,280 --> 00:22:27,879 Speaker 1: build a community of care around the player and to 382 00:22:28,040 --> 00:22:31,280 Speaker 1: make sure that they have a voice and that there's 383 00:22:31,320 --> 00:22:34,520 Speaker 1: somebody listening. On the other ends. Of the phone. So 384 00:22:34,760 --> 00:22:37,639 Speaker 1: I would say to me, that is something that that 385 00:22:37,720 --> 00:22:41,080 Speaker 1: guys think they know, but what's really true is we 386 00:22:41,160 --> 00:22:46,280 Speaker 1: are built to be here specifically for players. Thank you, Tracy. 387 00:22:46,400 --> 00:22:49,879 Speaker 1: Any commons BLND Jacob No, I think I I echo 388 00:22:49,960 --> 00:22:53,000 Speaker 1: everything that Tracy has said. UM. I think that there 389 00:22:53,080 --> 00:22:57,480 Speaker 1: was a lot of misinformation or confusion UM that started 390 00:22:57,680 --> 00:23:00,199 Speaker 1: and because of that, we saw that need and and 391 00:23:00,280 --> 00:23:03,760 Speaker 1: platforms like Traces, Legends and her communication efforts have been 392 00:23:03,800 --> 00:23:07,280 Speaker 1: outstanding in in educating everybody as to what's available and 393 00:23:07,400 --> 00:23:10,560 Speaker 1: pointing them in the right direction. You know. Simultaneously or 394 00:23:10,600 --> 00:23:14,320 Speaker 1: concurrently with that, the NFL Benefits department, and that would 395 00:23:14,320 --> 00:23:17,640 Speaker 1: be Jacob and I and our colleague Glissa Greco Um 396 00:23:17,880 --> 00:23:21,159 Speaker 1: are working very hard to be transparent and communicate in 397 00:23:21,160 --> 00:23:24,320 Speaker 1: a way that probably wasn't done as well before. Our 398 00:23:24,359 --> 00:23:27,040 Speaker 1: goal is to make sure that players understand all of 399 00:23:27,119 --> 00:23:29,560 Speaker 1: it's available to them, that they are able to access 400 00:23:29,560 --> 00:23:33,760 Speaker 1: it as easily as possible. UM, and we have an ongoing, 401 00:23:33,800 --> 00:23:37,959 Speaker 1: I think, very respectful relationship with the p A that 402 00:23:38,000 --> 00:23:40,679 Speaker 1: allows us to be able to work together collaboratively to 403 00:23:40,720 --> 00:23:43,520 Speaker 1: make sure we get this done. Yeah. Absolutely. The only 404 00:23:43,560 --> 00:23:46,440 Speaker 1: other thing I would add is that we hear from 405 00:23:46,480 --> 00:23:50,400 Speaker 1: guys that the language is often you know, written by lawyers. 406 00:23:50,440 --> 00:23:54,640 Speaker 1: It's difficult to understand. And we have really really done 407 00:23:54,640 --> 00:23:58,240 Speaker 1: our best in conjunction with the NFL Players Association, with 408 00:23:58,320 --> 00:24:01,200 Speaker 1: the Player Benefits Office, with the Ledge this community to 409 00:24:01,560 --> 00:24:05,199 Speaker 1: simplify the player benefits plans and make them easy for 410 00:24:05,240 --> 00:24:08,919 Speaker 1: you the legend to understand, for you to figure out 411 00:24:09,040 --> 00:24:13,520 Speaker 1: what your options are for withdrawals or for applications. And 412 00:24:13,560 --> 00:24:15,520 Speaker 1: we're going to continue and getting better at doing this, 413 00:24:15,600 --> 00:24:18,520 Speaker 1: and it's something that it's very important to the NFL 414 00:24:18,600 --> 00:24:21,480 Speaker 1: as well as the NFL p A. Thank you, Tracy, 415 00:24:21,640 --> 00:24:23,840 Speaker 1: thank you, Blenda, thank you Jacob. The one thing I 416 00:24:23,840 --> 00:24:27,280 Speaker 1: can say to any Legends as listening, being initially invited 417 00:24:27,320 --> 00:24:31,360 Speaker 1: in to the Legends community by Troy Vincent and then 418 00:24:31,480 --> 00:24:35,480 Speaker 1: working alongside with Tracy, there's one word I would want 419 00:24:35,520 --> 00:24:38,160 Speaker 1: to bring in all of the ears that are listening 420 00:24:38,240 --> 00:24:41,720 Speaker 1: that are Legends from my perspective and being involved even 421 00:24:41,760 --> 00:24:46,200 Speaker 1: today in the Legends community, and that is the word sincerity. 422 00:24:46,720 --> 00:24:51,680 Speaker 1: I'll say it again, sincerity. All the benefits of fantastic, 423 00:24:52,160 --> 00:24:56,879 Speaker 1: but I can attest to your team of people, Tracy, 424 00:24:57,000 --> 00:25:00,399 Speaker 1: to what you do. Belenda what you do, Jacob. It 425 00:25:00,560 --> 00:25:07,520 Speaker 1: is the sincerity to serve the players. That why significant others, children, grandchildren, 426 00:25:07,600 --> 00:25:11,200 Speaker 1: all the beneficiaries because of the work that you guys do. 427 00:25:11,440 --> 00:25:15,720 Speaker 1: Thank you so much. This has been outstanding. Thanks for 428 00:25:15,840 --> 00:25:19,760 Speaker 1: joining us and thanks for listening in. The best is 429 00:25:19,840 --> 00:25:30,919 Speaker 1: yet to come. This has been the NFL Legends podcast. 430 00:25:31,359 --> 00:25:34,880 Speaker 1: To provide feedback or request a topic for discussion, email 431 00:25:34,960 --> 00:25:47,320 Speaker 1: us at NFL Legends at NFL dot com.