dannyboy,
You just described me: When I was part-time, I did not want to give up the $6 per week to the Thrift Plan. I waited until I had been driving for several years. I was smart enough not to take the money and run when the Thrift Plan was converted; and I do have a tidy sum in my UPS stock IRA--approaching 6 figures. However, it could be so much more...When I was in my 30s, I was wise enough to get in the 401K as soon as UPS offered it--but I did not pay attention to the details--didn't have to, when any dummy could make double digit returns in the stock market year after year...Now I am in my late 40s, and I am paying attention--I guess better late than never!
I believe I ran across a statement you made a while back, stating that you were surprised how different things are across the country. I agree--especially regarding the pension. I thought everyone had 30 and out w/$3000 per month...
BTW--did I read somewhere that you were checking the status of your part-time years? I sent a request form that I received from HR, to Atlanta last summer. I just recently received a copy of a letter that Atlanta sent to Central States. It says that I have 4 years, 7 months of service credit, or 55 service credits. The letter is requesting my service detail from Central States, so I can be notified of my elegibility in the UPS pension plan. I was puzzled at first, as to why they would be contacting Central States; since the letter also states that I qualify for a UPS pension benefit at the age of 65. I just recently learned that there is supposed to be a reciprocal agreement with UPS and Central States, that would allow a driver's part-time years to count toward the 30 and out benefit. I assume that this would be the purpose of the letter--Do you know this to be true? That would put me over 30 years total; but I guess that it is a moot point now, since I could not afford to pay $1000 a month for inusurance. (In case nobody noticed, the insurance increases were effective on Nov 18th--in case anyone thought about getting out before the 1st of the year.)
In any case, I say to the young drivers and part-timers: Get involved and pay atttention now. Maybe you can avoid some of the mistakes that I made. Also, I don't expect any grand changes to be made; but if the UPS and the union know that we are paying attention, and are united, I tend to believe that they would both sit up and take notice...