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Delphi Packard Automotive Systems, previous Packard Electric, was a division of General Motors. Many still await the pension promised to them after the 2009 General Motors bankruptcy.
Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10) and Rep. Dave Joyce (OH-10), along with several other representatives including Rep. Mike Rulli, reintroduced the Susan Muffley Act of 2025, looking to restore pensions to over 20,000 Delphi salaried retirees.
The goal of the Susan Muffley Act of 2025, named after the late wife of a Delphi retiree, aims to receive a lump sum payment to cover the pension benefits of Delphi retirees, including a 6% interest to account for the delay.
“Honestly, we have no choice but to stay optimistic. It’s been a very difficult road,” said Delphi salaried retiree Bruce Gump.
The bipartisan battle to reinstate this legislation has continued for 16 years.
Delphi Packard Automotive Systems, previous Packard Electric, was a division of General Motors.
“The reality is, our pension plan was terminated because of the government involvement,” Gump told 21 News on Thursday. “Not just because of it’s current funding at the bottom of the recession. This is what the auto team in 2009 with authority that flowed directly from the president wanted to have happen.”
Howland’s Bruce Gump has been fighting this battle for years. He said those impacted have faced a string of repercussions.
“I have people call me to inform me of home foreclosures, their families breaking up, suicides, and personal bankruptcies,” Gump said. “I had a widow call me a few weeks ago in tears because she had to cut back to two meals a day.”
Guy Coviello, CEO & President, Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber said, “The Mahoning Valley is home to many of the thousands of Delphi salaried retirees whose pensions were unfairly ripped away from them. Restoring their pensions through the Susan Muffley Act, first off, is the right thing to do and long overdue. In fact, terminating the pensions was wrong when it happened. Secondly, the payments would be a tremendous financial boost for the families who have gone without them for more than 15 years, as well as pumping millions of dollars into our region’s economy.”
“We hope the group of bipartisan lawmakers, that includes U.S. Congressmen Dave Joyce and Mike Rulli, is recognized by the rest of Congress and swift action is taken to correct the wrong and restore the retirement benefits,” Coviello added.
In February of 2023, the bill was re-introduced but never moved forward.
During the most recent re-introduction of the bill, the following individuals sponsored the legislation:
- Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10)
- Dave Joyce (OH-14)
- Representative Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)
- Representative Claudia Tenney (NY-24)
- Representative Gwen Moore (WI-04)
- Daniel Webster (FL-11)
- Adam Smith (WA-09)
- Michael Rulli (OH-06)
- Austin Scott (GA-08)
- Jim Baird (IN-04)
- Jack Bergman (MI-01)
- Shri Thanedar (MI-13)
- Troy Balderson (OH-12)
- Brian Steil (WI-01)
- Mark Pocan (WI-02)
- Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08)
- Victoria Spartz (IN-05)
Gump believes the Trump administration, along with the increased sponsorships from politicans could finally push them past the finish line. President Trump was attempting to restore the plan towards the end of his first term in office. Vice President Vance was a co-sponsor of the bill in 2023.
“We’re hopeful that if the administration will speak up, then the opponents will listen and find a way for the bill to move forward,” Gump said. “This is not a partisan issue. This is simply an issue of right and wrong.”
Gump added he would be glad to participate in a hearing on the bill. He is even able to pitch options to make the agreement less expensive.