Internet Users Raise Over $1.2 Million for 88-Year-Old Veteran Ed Bambas

Internet users have successfully raised over $1.2 million for Ed Bambas, an 88-year-old U.S. Army veteran, enabling him to retire after his pension was eliminated following the 2009 General Motors bankruptcy. Bambas, who had been working 40 hours a week to sustain himself, saw his story gain widespread attention through social media. The crowdfunding effort, initiated by influencer Sam Weidenhofer, surpassed its initial goals, offering Bambas the prospect of a secure retirement.

Bambas retired from General Motors in 1999, anticipating a stable pension. However, when GM's former subsidiary, Delphi Corporation, declared bankruptcy in 2009, approximately 20,000 salaried employees, including Bambas, lost their pensions and retirement benefits. This financial setback was compounded by personal tragedy, as Bambas recounted to Weidenhofer: > "The thing that hurt me the most was when my wife was really sick. And when they took the pension, they also took the healthcare coverage and all but $10,000 of my life insurance." He was forced to sell his home and property to manage the financial strain.

After his wife's passing in 2018, Bambas returned to work, stating to local news outlet WXYZ, > "I'm fortunate God gave me enough body to be strong enough to stand there for eight, eight-and-a-half hours a day." His plight came to light when influencer Sam Weidenhofer, after hearing about Bambas from a follower, traveled to Michigan to meet him. Weidenhofer shared Bambas's story on TikTok, which quickly went viral, prompting a massive outpouring of support.

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) assumed responsibility for Delphi's pension plans in 2009, but benefits were capped, and salaried retirees did not receive the "top-up" agreements that unionized workers secured from GM. This disparity left many, like Bambas, facing significant financial hardship. The successful GoFundMe campaign highlights a community-driven response to a systemic issue, providing a direct solution for Bambas where institutional safety nets fell short. The funds will now allow the veteran to enjoy the retirement he had long anticipated.