Why I Got Involved, and You Should To

By: Laura Whitlock

After having the great honor to have served as the International Executive Director of the Pioneers, I recognize that there is so much work to be done for our retirees. There are so many concerns facing older Americans and I feel personally driven to work towards a solution.

The Association of BellTel Retirees is a vital organization in the modern fight to protect retiree pensions, benefits, and much more. And there is no other comparable group better suited to take action.

Many people might not realize how a group like the Pioneers connects to a retiree advocacy group like BellTel, but the two organizations are natural partners in helping people and bringing about positive change and impact.

BellTel’s quarter-century-plus history of success is just one of the many things that draws people to it. Add to that, the dogged determination of the retiree volunteers in this group, which has led to incredible results, achieved with such frequency and repetition.

The following illustrates our capacity and why we must engage and support BellTel’s mission. The Association has helped propel key legislation that is important to retirees—easily exemplified by its early advocacy in Washington D.C. for the Secure Act 2.0 and the most recent push for the passage of New York’s 9/11 Notice Act.

What other retiree advocacy group could boast that they took a case to protect its members all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court? Can you name any similar group with that same level of impact?

Let’s not forget the decades of work on changing corporate policies as shareholder advocates within Verizon. Just this year the Association achieved its astounding 13^th corporate bylaw change at Verizon.

This immense success on the corporate governance level, is a constant reminder to company leaders and directors that the Association of BellTel Retirees is keeping a watchful eye on them.

BellTel is the only one among its peer groups out there fighting and winning for its fellow retirees at such a high performative level. The proof is in the results.

As I discovered in working with the Pioneers, telephone company employees and their loyal retirees are like a family. As the old commercials used to say, we truly are all connected, and connecting people is the goal to which we have dedicated our entire careers.

While it is my honor to now join the Board of Directors of the Association, I likewise encourage you to join, volunteer, and make a generous contribution. The future of our retirees hangs in the balance.

Maintaining social groups from our working years are important, but we also need to stay activated in fighting for the protection of retirees’ rights in retirement. I urge you to take a closer look at this organization who is fighting the good fight on YOUR behalf.

Laura Whitlock joined the Association’s Board of Directors in 2023 and previously served as International Executive Director of the Pioneers.