Can You Afford to Retire?

retirement stories

THE LEGACY OF LTV STEEL'S BANKRUPTCY

the Kurkilos

"There Will Be Time and Money Enough for Me and You Later"
FRONTLINE producer Rick Young remembers a departed LTV steelworker whose retirement benefits were slashed after the company went into Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

ltv steel scene

HIGH LOW

VIDEO REPORT
LTV's Bankruptcy - A Bellwether Case
Web-exclusive video about LTV Steel, one of the first large corporations to use Chapter 11 bankruptcy to abandon retiree pensions and benefits.

TWO VERY DIFFERENT OUTCOMES

thibeau

Gil Thibeau - He'd Done Better Than Most
But now, recently retired, he estimates he's lost a third of his 401(k) in the economic meltdown. He says it could have been worse, if he hadn't shifted some savings into CDs. Now working as a substitute teacher, he's optimistic about getting his money back: "I'm a risk taker, going to ride it out." Read this 2006 profile about how he managed his retirement savings.

crabb

Winson Crabb - A Case of "Yield Disparity?"
He and his wife have already gone through their 401(k), and both have returned to work to supplement his $400-a-month pension. He faithfully contributed to his 401(k) but wasn't the best manager. Read this 2006 profile about the Crabb family's retirement fortunes.

STORIES FROM UNITED AIRLINES' BANKRUPTCY

gilinger

Robin Gilinger - Falling into the New Reality
Despite a slashed pension and salary and longer hours, this flight attendant still hopes to spend her career with United Airline.

oneill

Pat O'Neill - "You Can't Treat People the Way People Are Being Treated"
Three years into his "retirement," he's driving a truck, five days a week, to pay for health care and other basic expenses.

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posted may 16, 2006

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