Opinion ID: 1998251
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The VTI Payment

Text: The appellants, Gow and his wife, are residents of Pennsylvania. Gow worked for E.I. duPont de Nemours & Company (DuPont) from 1948 until November 30, 1982. From March 1, 1948, until May 1, 1949 and July 1, 1979, through November 30, 1982, Gow worked in Delaware. From May 1, 1949, through June 30, 1979, Gow worked outside of Delaware. The Gows resided outside of Delaware throughout this entire period of employment. DuPont initiated the VTI program in an effort to help deal with the permanent elimination of jobs designated as excess by site management. (Appendix I). The VTI program was not coupled with a threat of involuntary terminations or layoffs. The VTI program offered certain employees the option to retire early and commence receiving retirement benefits. In addition, those who elected to enter the VTI program would receive a VTI payment, which was the equivalent of the amount of one week's pay at the time of election, multiplied by the total number of years the recipient was employed by DuPont. The VTI payment could be received in installments or one lump sum, at the election of the recipient. Sometime between September 15 and October 15, 1982, Gow elected to accept the VTI plan. Gow continued to work for DuPont until he retired on November 30, 1982. In January, 1983, Gow received a lump sum VTI payment in the amount of $45,549.00.