Families of Delphi salaried retirees are staying hopeful as there's now another push to restore pensions to the more than 5,000 Ohioans affected.

An act that failed to pass last year, creating even more false hope for retirees. 21 News caught up with one widow of a Delphi retiree who continues to stay positive.

"As the years rolled by, it really wasn't talked about until a few months ago when I heard from a friend," explained Charlotte Smith, a widow of a Delphi salaried retiree who resides in Hubbard. 

Delphi salaried retirees across the country were holding their breath last year when the Susan Muffley Act passed through the House, a momentous legislation that would have restored pensions for the Delphi salaried retirees.

"I would maybe hope another year wouldn't go by because it's been 12 or 13 years already," Smith added. 

The Act failed to pass through the Senate which was yet another blow to families waiting for their pensions after the 2009 GM bankruptcy.

"It's been a long road and we're glad to be moving forward in such a good bipartisan manner," said Bruce Gump, Chairman of the Delphi Salaried Retirees Committee. "Hopefully we're getting closer to ending this 14-year-long nightmare."

Charlotte Smith's husband passed away just a few years after he retired from Delphi. 21 News' Chris Cerenelli talked to her last summer when the House passed this legislation.

The 78-year-old is still working full time but still hopeful she'll see her late husband's pension.

"I think a lot of us wanted to get excited," Smith explained. "I know I did. But I can't imagine why they wouldn't feel for the retirees."

"These people have suffered incredible losses," said Dan Kildee, U.S. Representative for Michican (D-8). "It's made a devastating impact on their lives and some of that impact will never be reversed. But, we still have to work for justice."

Smith is still only receiving a portion of that pension from PPGC but she is staying positive and maintaining hope.

"I'm hopeful for 2023. I would love it and so would 19,000 other people," she concluded. 

The Susan Muffley Act has 2 years to be passed through the House, Senate, and eventually signed by President Joe Biden.