More than 15 years after their pensions were terminated, former Delphi salaried retirees are still fighting to get their benefits back.
In 2009, the Delphi Plant pension plan for salaried retirees was terminated. Now, a renewed effort in Congress is giving retirees hope that their benefits could be restored.
At a recent rally, Ohio’s U.S. Senator Jon Husted promised to pursue pension restoration through a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act.
Bruce Gump, with the Delphi Salaried Retirees Association, says he believes Husted is making progress on their behalf despite the amendment being attached to an unrelated bill.
“In this case, Senator Husted has really gone to town for us. He has really put amendments into the right bills. He has pushed hard for it,” Gump said.
Renewed hope for Delphi salaried retirees
Husted stated that the legislation to restore the pensions is in the works but has stalled in Congress. He also says President Donald Trump has promised to sign the bill if it passes.
“The president himself stood up on the stage and said, ‘We’re going to get you your benefits back’,” Gump said.
But this is not the first time Trump has pledged to help the retirees.
In 2020, Trump said he would direct his cabinet to find a solution for thousands of Delphi salaried retirees who lost their pensions. However, he left office without a resolution.
Now, with the issue back on the table, Gump says he is more confident that the retirees’ concerns are reaching the right people and that Trump will follow through this time around.
“All we’re asking for is fair and equitable treatment from our government. So that’s why we fight,” Gump said. “Am I confident? More confident now? Yeah, I think I probably am, because I think that the story has begun to resonate in the right places.”
Trump’s latest promise to Delphi retirees comes as he makes other financial promises on the midterm campaign trail. During his October 12 rally in Youngstown, Trump pledged to pay Ohioans $5,000 each if GOP candidates win majorities in both parts of Congress.
U.S. Senator Jon Husted (R-OH) appears at a midterm rally with President Donald Trump in Youngstown. October 12, 2026.