Unlike many companies, American has remained committed to preserving its employees’ defined benefit pension plans. Since the beginning of 2002, the company has contributed more than $2 billion to these plans, underscoring its commitment to employees and standing in stark contrast to U.S. network airline competitors that have terminated or frozen their employee pension plans in bankruptcy court. Even as the company faced record fuel prices and was challenged by steep losses throughout 2008, American met its minimum funding requirement of $78 million for the year.
The company understands the critical importance of protecting and funding employees’ pensions as
part of their total compensation package and funds defined benefit plans for four employee groups:
American's consistent and conservative approach to investing, as well as its relentless focus on its
pension commitment, has allowed it to maintain defined benefit pension plans for roughly 130,600
participants when other companies have frozen or eliminated this benefit.
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
AA | CO | DL | UA | US | NW | B6 | WN | FL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pilots | YES | FROZEN | TERMINATED 2006 | TERMINATED 2005 | TERMINATED 2003 | FROZEN 2006 | NO | NO | NO |
| Flight Attendants | YES | YES | FROZEN 2005 | TERMINATED 2005 | TERMINATED 2005 | FROZEN 2006 | NO | NO | NO |
| M&E | YES | YES | FROZEN 2005 | TERMINATED 2005 | TERMINATED 2005 | FROZEN 2006 | NO | NO | NO |
| Agents & Reps | YES | YES | FROZEN 2005 | TERMINATED 2005 | TERMINATED 2005 | FROZEN 2006 | NO | NO | NO |
Key Defined Benefit Pension Plan Facts
American vs. Other Airlines