Just like to add my two cents worth, I started in 56, retired in 86. I
cannot remember how many managers talked about the free medical for
life, and to not pay any attention to the disclaimers in the books as
that would never happen. I know it was not in writing, we did not know
then everything had to be in writing. As for COLA's, they were never
promised, just implied. I can remember speakers from high places in
IBM making fun of the shoe company in Endicott because their retires
had never had a COLA, implying IBM would never treat their retirees
that way. Again as you say it was not in writing. So much for the
history lesson, now we just have to do the best that we can, and move
on.