Delbert C. Getman - Page 4




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          1996, which, in addition to announcing completion of the merger,            
          stated:                                                                     

               West's past success and our future growth, as the legal                
               publishing headquarters for Thomson, is a reflection of the            
               tremendous effort of the entire West community.  As                    
               announced in February, the Board of Directors approved the             
               special payout of $1,000 for each year of service, with a              
               minimum of $5,000 and a maximum of $25,000 per eligible                
               employee/retiree.  The special payment, subject to                     
               applicable tax withholding and any other deductions required           
               by law, will be distributed on June 24, 1996, in recognition           
               of the contributions of the more than 6,000 full-time                  
               employees and retirees.                                                
               It is our understanding that under current Social Security             
               law, your Social Security earnings should not be negatively            
               affected.  However, you must report the payment to Social              
               Security as a "Special Payment" that is the result of your             
               prior years of West service.  A letter detailing the                   
               information you will need to provide to Social Security will           
               be sent to you with the special payment check.                         

          Shortly thereafter, petitioner received a payment of $25,000 from           
          the Company.  The accompanying cover letter stated, in part, that           
          the "special payment" was subject to "applicable tax withholding            
          and any other deductions required by law" and advised that, if              
          the recipient was a retiree and was receiving Social Security               
          benefits, the Social Security Administration should be notified             
          that the $25,000 payment was attributable to years of service               
          prior to 1996 to avoid any diminution of such retiree's Social              
          Security benefits due to income "earned" in 1996.  Petitioner               
          notified the Social Security Administration.                                







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