Last year I was just missing the 25000 miles by a short 850 miles for silver.
I wrote to the klm helpdesk asking for give me a silver card because I just very close to the 25ooo miles and I'm flying again KLM what I did in january 2004, but they dont gave me the silver card saying the rules reqiures the 25000 and they cannot change the rules.
also With SILVER you dont have anymore access to the lounges.