DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ON YOUR CONCESSION SERVICE?

By Clyde Just

Recently, I have received several calls regarding Telephone Concession service.  I have pursued finding more information on this subject and I have finally found some answers. You can find the document entitled “Mass Markets Employee Concession Policy” at this link – https://www.lumenbenefits.com/pdf/002116.pdf. You will find this CenturyLink document reads just like one of our old Administrative Practices from our time in the “Ma Bell” era.

Here are a few comments that I would like to point out to you as you read the policy.

1 – The second paragraph on page 1 of the CTL policy docuument is extremely important. “Telephone Concessions and Employee Discounts on select products and services are available to CenturyLink employees and retirees under the CenturyLink Employee Concession Program, subject to the following”. The rest of the CTL document explains the details of the policy.

2 – If you still live in your home the day you retired your concession service most likely is exactly the same today as when you retired. In other words your account has been “grandfathered”.

3 – This document was revised effective on 10/5/23. Previously there were two documents. One for craft and one for management.

4 – On page 1 you will see a section titled Telephone Concessions. You will notice that they are only available in Legacy Qwest (L-Q) markets. Since all of us are classified as being retired in the Lumen data base, the chart does not apply to us. It only applies to new retirees.

5 – If you are moving to an apartment complex you may find that CenturyLink does not have service to that complex. You need to verify with the Manager of the complex to see if CenturyLink cables have been installed. If not, you will not be able to have concession service at that complex.

6 – In the Products and Services section, you will note that if you move to a new address “Retirees will be required to comply with the current CenturyLink Employee Concession Program in effect”. In other words, your “grandfathered” service will no longer be true. However, you can still have concession service for one landline and Intralata long distance phone calls.

7 – Please remember that concession is not a guaranteed benefit and it can be altered by CenturyLink.

8 – On the top of page 2 you are given the number 800-244-1111 to contact CenturyLink. Please be aware that this number most likely will be answered by a contracted person who lives in places such as the Philippines, India, Guatemala, etc. If you call this number, I would recommend that you tell them you want to speak to a person who is knowledgeable about retiree concession service. A second option is to call 800-659-3279. The representatives who answer this number are most likely a CenturyLink employee who lives in the USA. If you use this number ask the representative who answers your call if they are knowledgeable about concession service. If they are not just ask them to transfer you to a representative that has that knowledge. I have tried this several times and it always worked.

Finally, a third option for you is to call Business Solvers at 800-729-7526. Please see their voice response menu at https://ctlretirees.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Lumen-Health-and-Life_.pdf, then follow the directions for “Phone Concession”.