Traverse City Record-Eagle

Grand Traverse County

Related Photos

  • Douglas Tesner

    Duane D?Arcy
September 28, 2009

Auto retirees say goodbye to security

TRAVERSE CITY -- The golden days of retirement are tarnished for thousands of retirees from the U.S. auto industry, including scores of residents across northern Michigan.

Recent bankruptcies by General Motors Corp., Chrysler and other auto-related companies resulted in deep cuts to health plans, life insurance and other benefits for retirees. Years of retirement planning were erased as automakers were cut loose from their obligations through bankruptcy court. While the companies emerged as "leaner" operations, tens of thousands of loyal, longtime employees and their families are left scrambling to replace benefits they believed were secure for life.

"It's very difficult to realize a company you gave your life to doesn't care," said Duane D'Arcy, a retired General Motors supervisor who lives south of Traverse City. "The good feelings I had for GM all those years started to sour real quick."

D'Arcy and other local and state retirees talk about the challenges they face in the continued downsizing of Michigan's auto industry in Sunday's Business section »

-- By Bill O'Brien

Text Only