Retirees' Corner
Bill Bowers, Chairman
Retirees’ Corner
Bill Bowers, Chairman
HEALTH CARE COVERAGE: The International Union is still trying to put together a group package for both Dental and Vision coverage, but as of this article nothing is completed. If the UAW can put together a group package you will be notified as to what it covers and the costs.
You have received discounted offers from both Optiview and Delta Dental. Those offers are from those companies but not with UAW involvement.
VEBA: The VEBA Health Care Coverage is coming swiftly. At a meeting with the UAW and GM, we learned some additional information about what to expect and when.
Remember, as of January 1, 2010, two (2) things will happen:
1. GM will no longer be responsible for health care coverage
2. Health care coverage will be determined by the financial health of the VEBA and the eleven (11) member trustee panel.
VEBA UPDATES AS OF AUGUST 24, 2009:
A. VEBA General Information
· New Name “UAW Retiree Medical Trust”
· Effective Date: January 1, 2010
· Tax Exempt
· To provide secure and continual coverage. Funding strength will determine coverage available
· VEBA will have two divisions:
A. Operations Staff
B. Investment Staff
· Eleven (11) Trustees to Administer VEBA
A. Bob Naftaly, Chairperson
B. Five (5) UAW Trustees will be President Gettelfinger, Vice Presidents Bob King, General Holiefield, Cal Rapson and Jim Settles
· Hewitt and Associates will handle GM and Chrysler
A. Hewitt currently handles Chrysler
B. Affiliated Computer Service (ACS) handles Ford’s VEBA
B. Eligibility Rules
· No change on eligibility
· Establish a Call Center (Retiree Health Care Connect) by January 1, 2010 open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST
· Call Center to be in Charlotte, NC. Service returned to America from India. All service will be done in America.
· No PIN number needed for calls
· Will need to know last four (4) digits of your SS#, date of birth, zip code
· No HIPPA requirements. Anyone can call to help our retirees. A few situations may still require Power of Attorney.
· Internet Services will be established by May 1, 2010 to handle the following:
1. Enrollment
2. Dependents
3. Address Changes
4. Payment info (monthly contribution)
5. Routine inquiries
C. Retiree will stay with their current carrier
· HMO offerings will be made on May 1, 2010 by geographic area where available
· New ID cards will be sent to retirees in early December
· Current carrier will be maintained
· No documentation will be needed to add dependents
· VEBA Administration will have separate dependent audit
· COBRA will be offered for dependents removed
· All disabled children enrolled will be reviewed
D. Payment Information
· Plan Payments can be made through your pension programs
· Those who do not have payroll deduction will be invoiced in January 2010 for January and February
· We encourage you to sign up for pension deduction. If you miss a payment for any reason, your coverage will be dropped.
· All active members considering retirement must enroll 90 days prior to retirement to avoid loss of coverage.
E. Summation of VEBA
· Notices will be sent to all retirees in early November to introduce you to the VEBA
· New ID cards (same carrier as your currently have) will be sent in early December
· Summary Plan Description (SPD) will be sent to retirees in December 2009
· Plan starts January 1, 2010 (Call Center will be open Saturday, January 2 and Sunday, January 3, 2010 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to handle questions and enrollments)
· Internet Services to start May 1, 2010
RE: UAW GM and Delphi Legal Services Plan Coverage:
As you may be aware, UAW members eligible for the Legal Services Plan must pay imputed income.
Previously, in certain situations some participants had an increased tax liability. For example, if both spouses worked at either GM or Delphi, or have coverage as a retiree and surviving spouse from either company, the participants may be charged two imputed income amounts.
To avoid this increased liability and if the above-stated circumstances exist, one eligible participant of the Plan may now declare coverage for both eligible parties for tax purposes. This will result in both parties enjoying the same level of legal service coverage and only one member being charged with imputed income.
To provide notice of dual coverage or to delete or reinstate coverage, the member must call (800) 521-7818, ext 517 and indicate they are calling regarding dual Plan coverage. Eligible participants’ names, social security numbers, locations of employment and local union numbers should be available at the time of the call.
· Notice of dual coverage from the tax paying party must be received no later than Friday, September 25, 2009 and will become effective November 2, 2009.
NEXT MEETING: Our next regular monthly meeting will be Monday, October 5, 2009, 11:00 a.m. at the Metroplex in Liberty. See You There.
DFopeiu1794
09/02/2009