What's a VIP member?

I try to search that but it gave me or no results or too many or erratic results. So I created a new thread for it. If there's an answer to this question in other thread. Mods, close it and remove it, sorry in advance.
So What's a VIP member? the thingy under the names of some guys.

VIP members were mods in the past. Now they are normal users. ;-)

If I'm not wrong, ex-mods or ex-admins get the VIP status. ^^
I believe in general it's a "title" for people who did something important for the forum and that currently are neither moderators nor administrators. The VIP status should also give you some privilegies (like a bigger PM inbox ^^), but that's all I know about it. ^^;

EDIT: ops, gokunaruto didn't see your answer.

VIP-members are AF's old staff who retired. Lemme search for the official post :-k