This week the NFLPA and the NFL are announcing another new benefit for retired players designed to help pensioners 65 and older supplement their Medicare benefits. The plan offers $100 per month to be applied toward Medicare supplements from a plan sponsored by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). As with all other benefits for NFL retirees, the cost of the new supplement will be paid out of the amount set aside for benefits in the salary cap for active players. It therefore represents another example of active players' willingness to help retired players by foregoing salary cap dollars which would otherwise be their own. A letter recently sent to retirees explains how to apply for the benefit and urges eligible pensioners to act quickly to meet the December 31, 2008 deadline for obtaining it. The idea for the plan came out of a recent survey of vested retired players, which listed assistance with the cost of Medicare supplements as one of the highest priorities of the group.