[Date], 2003

The Honorable [_________]
United States [Senate/House of Representatives]
Washington, DC [_____-____]

Re: Sanders-Harkin Hybrid Pension Language (Transportation/Treasury Appropriations Bill)

Dear [Senator/Representative ____________]:

I am writing today with an urgent request for your help in ensuring that amendment language that would do severe harm to hybrid pension plans not be included in the conference agreement to the Transportation/Treasury appropriations bill (H.R. 2989).

[Provide background information on company, organization, and/or individual writing the letter, including possibly specifics on hybrid plan sponsorship or participation and the effect on the organization/individual of the Sanders-Harkin amendments.]

The amendments in question were originally offered by Representative Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA). The amendments are overly broad and would effectively block the Treasury Department from issuing much-needed rules on how the law applies to all defined benefit pension plans, including hybrid plans. If these rules are not issued, the resulting uncertainty will exacerbate the serious trend away from sponsorship of employer-funded defined benefit plans. This is not a result that Congress should be encouraging. If anything, Congress should be communicating a clear, positive message to employers who voluntarily provide hybrid plans that the plan design is valid.

Hybrid pension plans are good for employees and represent the only viable defined benefit plan design for many workplaces. The risk of investment is still borne by employers in a hybrid plan and these plans offer life-streams of income to the participants. Hybrid plan sponsors also pay premiums to help support the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. Hybrid pensions have been the one bright spot in our troubled defined benefit system. Moreover, there is no legitimacy for this type of pension issue to be addressed in an appropriations bill.

Please help in the effort to remove the counter-productive Sanders-Harkin language from the Transportation/Treasury appropriations bill. Time is of the essence. If this language is not removed, hybrid plans may disappear in large numbers - and possibly altogether - from the pension landscape.

Thank you in advance for your help. If you or your staff would like to reach me, please call [contact info].

Sincerely,

[Name]