On Oct. 8, employees received a letter from James Brickey informing them that the A-B pension is below 80% funded. Legal restrictions on retirement payout options kicked in October 1.

I truly feel sorry for those still there. It’s such a different company now. Yes, it will run more efficiently. But it is no longer a fun place to work.

It was only a matter of time before the InBev lawyers figured out a way to change the pension payout. InBev sucks on every level, and now they will attempt - and probably be successful - at stealing from the pension fund. I’m sure stealing from pension funds is good business for Brito and the former AB people who are there sucking up to him. For all of you former AB lawyers left there who are helping him steal from the pension, shame on you. You suck just like Brito and Brickey. Find another job.

I really expected them to file bankruptcy and then just close the pension account. At least for now there’s a little money left. I feel for anyone that didn’t choose the lump sum — if you’re on a monthly payment, I hope you have a backup plan.

GD Brazilians.

As bad as the pension situation is, the word is there’s a whole other reason for this particular departure. Got any good contacts in HR?

My understanding is that InBev has continued to steadily thin the ranks and is not required to give Warn Act pay or other enhanced severance benefits to those departing a few at a time. I wish I could grab my lump sum now. There will be no pension fund left if and when I reach retirement age.

This makes two pensions I have earned but likely won’t receive. The other is from Local 655, whose pension fund can’t meet its monthly obligations. The Feds will be stepping in to take over many pension fund obligations in the near future and retirees will get only a small fraction of what they were once promised, not enough to live on. My prediction is that retirement will become a rare luxury that only a few can afford. The majority of Americans going forward will have to work well into their 70’s which should keep unemployment numbers nice and high.

First of all, I like soccer and malt liquor. Now that I have that out of the way I would like to say that this story is about more than just people leaving A-B, the story is the quality of the people. First it was Ponturo and Lachky and such but now it is the second wave who were supposed to replace them in the names of Schoen and McHugh. And there are others. What we are going to have is a terrible employee base with awful leadership. That is the story and it is unfortunate. Back to the match.

Doesn’t anyone research before they post their silly comments? The PPA (Pension Protection Act) which is regulated by the Federal Gov’t is why the lump sum is not available to these people at this time. They regulate all pensions, and A-B is not the only company this has happend to. ‘The Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA), signed into law on August 17, 2006, is the most sweeping pension legislation in over 30 years and includes a number of significant tax incentives to enhance and protect retirement savings for millions of Americans.’ http://www.irs.gov/retirement/article/0,,id=165131,00.html

Do some research people…. it is in place to protect pensions… and did anyone think the economy might play a role in the percentage of funds?

I hate to see people being bashed on here, it’s business, we are living in a global world. Lets all grow up and accept the facts. Can’t we all just get along?

Lager Heads. 8/20/2009… “Anheuser-Busch InBev’s compensation for its 13-member executive board jumped 92 percent in the first half of the year as the world’s largest brewer resumed bonus payments, Bloomberg is reporting, citing Trends, a Belgian business magazine. Total compensation for the executive board of the Belgian company, led by CEO Carlos Brito increased to $73 million in the first half from $38 million a year earlier.”

Executives get a 92% bonus for the 1st 6 months of the year. And hard working American employees who’ve spent decades pursuing a good retirement now have an under 80% funded pension plan.

Perhaps that’s why ‘everyone can’t all just get along’.

To rumorhater.

Who cares what you think? And, no, it’s not just business. Had InBev not taken over AB, its pension fund would have been just fine. AB would not have had the mass exodus of employees who were lucky enough to get out in time to take the lump sum that they earned. Now the rest of us saps who are just a few years away from collecting will have to hope and pray that InBev will make good on the monthly annuities that we’ll be stuck with. I can’t wait to get whatever money I can out of InBev’s control, because if they CAN figure out a way to not pay it, they will do it. Please don’t tell me about a Pension Protection Act. Someone will find away around it so they can fleece the pension and put the money into somebody else’s pocket. Just like my former salary is now part of the bonuses of the executives who are still there, and the new board members. Give me a break.