The Hidden Benefit of Mine Closures for Coal Miners A recent development has left some union covered coal miners with a potential surprise: early retirement benefits that can start their pension years before they thought possible.
This unexpected advantage stems from the United Mine Workers of America 1974 Pension Plan, which offers financial security and allows workers to delay claiming Social Security until later.
The situation may seem bleak for those who have spent over two decades in union covered jobs only to see their mine close permanently before reaching 55.