When the 49ers , along with eight other NFL teams, decided to opt out of league-run pension plans for coaches and employees, it occasioned a reaction from the president of the NFL Coaches Association Executive Committee.
Fellow named Jimmy Raye, currently offensive coordinator of the 49ers . In more than three decades as an assistant coach, Raye has been with 10 teams, some for only a single season.
Raye said his fellow coaches are concerned about retaining "portability and vestment" in their pensions, because 30 percent of the league's coaches change jobs every year. In 2008, the figure was 42 percent.
"The NFL Coaches Association respectfully urges the NFL owners to address our pension concerns so that coaches can continue to do their jobs without anxiety toward the future," Raye said in a statement.
Teams were given the option to opt out of league-run pension plans at the NFL owners meeting in March. Nine teams have done so: San Francisco, Arizona, Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, Buffalo, Atlanta, New England and Jacksonville.
The issue has created unease among assistant coaches concerned that if their teams opt out of existing pension plans, they will lose benefits earned through years of service. Colts offensive line coach and former 49ers player Howard Mudd, 67, plans to retire and offensive coordinator Tom Moore, 70, might follow him.
"It is important to know that 49ers employees will not lose any benefits already earned," team spokesman Bob Lange told The Chronicle. "All benefits earned under the defined-benefit pension plan will be funded and paid. The 49ers recently decided to switch from a defined-benefit pension plan to a defined-contribution pension plan."
Lange said discussions with staff members about the pension changes have begun and will continue in the weeks to come.
"In the current economic climate, businesses all over the country are evaluating their pension plans," Lange said. "The 49ers and other teams in the NFL are taking the same measures."
BRIEFLY: The club announced the formation of the Eddie DeBartolo Sr. 49ers Hall of Fame, to be displayed at Candlestick Park. The inaugural class includes 16 players who are either in the Pro Football Hall of Fame or who have had their jersey numbers retired. The 49ers will honor these players in a ceremony at their Oct. 11 game against Atlanta. ... Undrafted free-agent quarterback Kirby Freeman of Baylor was waived. ... The 49ers will hold a session of organized team activities OTAs, Monday through May 21.
