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Chapter Meeting
Date: Tuesday, March 9, 12 Noon
Where: Fellowship Hall
Trinity UM Church
Corner of E. Main & Mulberry Streets
Luncheon Cost: $10.00
Program: Presentation by State Highway Trooper/
canine handler, Terry Mikesh, and her dog, Marco. Terry joined the patrol in 1993 and became a canine handler in 1997. Terry will speak to us about her experiences working with Marco, and she will demonstrate some of Marco’s amazing talents.
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**Call one of the following to make a reservation. Please do not call the church office.
Kathryn Hirsch 774-2700
Jody Cutright 774-1224
Kindly pay the Treasurer for lunch if you make a reservation but do not attend.
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RCRTA Officers for 2010
President – Joyce Atwood
Vice-President – Vicki Anthony
Secretary – Elizabeth Stanford
Treasurer – Theresa Herrnstein
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Minutes of November 11 Luncheon Meeting
Vice President Chuck Wallace welcomed members and guests to the last meeting of the year. Chuck led the Pledge of Allegiance and Richard Davison gave the invocation.
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How is Medicare Advantage Different From Medicare Part D? (posted 10/15/09)
Medicare Advantage provides medical coverage, while Medicare Part D provides prescription drug coverage. Sometimes Medicare Advantage plans are bundled with prescription programs. For STRS Ohio’s Aetna Medicare Plan (PPO), however, prescription drug coverage will continue to be provided separately through Express Scripts—at the same coverage levels offered through the Medical Mutual Basic and Plus plans.
Why did the Retirement Board Approve a Medicare Advantage Plan for 2010? (posted 10/15/09)
Over the past year, STRS Ohio, together with the other Ohio retirement systems, conducted an extensive review process looking at all market options. As a result of this process, the board approved offering the Aetna Medicare Plan (PPO), which provides improved coverage and lower costs to our Medicare enrollees and STRS Ohio.
Letter to Subcommittee on Social Security
(Submitted by Public Employee Retirees, Inc.; Fire Retirees of Ohio; ORTA; and School Employee Retirees of Ohio )
The Public Retirees of Ohio, represented by the following associations are asking for your support and passage of H.R. 235 (Social Security Fairness Act of 2009). We are the Public Employee Retirees of Ohio, the Police and fire Retirees of Ohio, the Ohio Retired Teachers Association, and the School Employee Retirees of Ohio, Inc. We represent a total of well over 1.5 million current and future benefit recipients.
We understand the original intent of these provisions were to adjust military pensions. Unfortunately, federal and state employees were unintentionally incorporated because of the language. We support efforts to repeal these laws, or at least phase them in only after a monthly income threshold; however, not at the expense of mandatory Social Security coverage for new public employees. Those who protect, educate, and serve are being denied their full Social Security benefits solely because they chose to serve the public. This is why we consider the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) to be very unfair
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Following the luncheon that was served by the Ladies Circle of the Trinity Church, a special Veterans Day ceremony was held to honor veterans of the various branches of the armed services.
The program was presented by Dennis Ray. Dennis discussed his book, The Stakes are High, God’s Wisdom for Our Public Schools. Dennis is a retired math teacher who feels that the lessons of the Bible have great meaning for school children of today.
The business meeting was conducted by President Don Gatchell. Dan Cryder moved to accept the secretary’s report, and Richard Davisson seconded the motion. The motion was approved. Theresa Herrnstein presented the annual summary, and it was approved.
The election of officers for 2010 was held. Elected were President, Joyce Atwood; Vice President, Vicki Anthony; Secretary, Elizabeth Stanford; and Treasurer, Theresa Herrnstein.
Jennifer Beech was announced as the recipient of the 2009 scholarship.
Membership chairperson Francis Jenkins reminded members to give her names of potential new members and members who are ill or deceased.
Lyn Allen, Community Participation chairperson, reminded members to continue to support “Bring a Book, Buy a Book.” The money goes to the Scholarship Fund.
The next meeting will be in March 2010. Be sure and check the accuracy of your name, address, and membership information on your mailing label. Contact Theresa Herrnstein to make corrections.
Door prizes were won by Faye Coe, Judy Hoops, and Barbara Wheaton.
Respectfully submitted, Libby Stanford, Secretary
laws. Many retirees have found out that they would not be entitled to receive their full benefits at the time of retiring. Many retirees are suffering because of their lost Social Security benefits. These benefits are by no means a"windfall" for our retirees; they simply mean the difference between poverty and self sufficiency. Our members are only asking for the benefits that have accrued, based on their contributions.
Projected Life of the Health Care Fund Increases Slightly, but Long-Term Changes Still Needed
A positive return on fund assets, as well as the addition of a Medicare Advantage program and other plan changes, helped to slightly lengthen the solvency period for the Health Care Stabilization Fund as of January 1, 2010. The results of the annual actuarial valuation of the fund show that the projected life of the STRS Ohio Health Care Program now extends through 2021. This reflects an increase of three years from the 2009 valuation.
Costs for the STRS Ohio Health Care Program are paid out of the Health Care Stabilization Fund. Currently, monies for the fund come from premiums charged to STRS Ohio retirees and their dependents who are enrolled in the program, one percent of payroll from employer contributions, Medicare Part D subsidies and investment earnings on these funds. Though the balance in the fund stood at almost
$3 billion on January 1, 2010, next year the fund principal will be tapped to cover the shortfall in paying health care costs. Reliance on the principal rapidly depletes the health care fund, leaving only the one percent employer contribution, enrollee premiums, and Medicare Part D subsidy to sustain the fund. Without significant changes in premiums, program eligibility, or plan design, the program cannot survive in the long term. In the coming months, STRS Ohio staff will present options for the health care program for the board's consideration.
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Be sure and give Francis Jenkins the names of potential new members, and give her the names of members who are ill.
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Be sure and check the accuracy of your name, address, and membership information on your mailing label. Contact Theresa Herrnstein to make corrections.
Hallsville |
