ncrgea strategic planning initiative to examine … initiative to examine outreach and value-added...

Association

North Carolina

Retired Governmental Employees’

IN THIS ISSUENCRGEA Strategic Plan-ning Initiative to Examine Outreach and Value-added Benefi ts 1

Membership Survey 2

Remembering Former NCGREA Board Member Roger Cotten 3

NCRGEA Holiday Schedule 3

TSERS/LGERS Board of Trustees Meets to Hear Actuarial Reports on Retirement Funds 4MEMBER SURVEY 5

Compare and Choose Medicare Plans through December 7 9

Regional Retiree Chapter News: 10• Butner Chapter to Meet on January 13th• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Retirees’ Assn. Meets December 16th

NCRGEA Offi ce Depot Purchasing Program 11

Retiree Pay Dates 12

November-December 2014Volume 30

Number 6

NCRGEA Strategic Planning Initiative to Examine Outreach and Value Added Benefi ts The Association began its strategic planning process in September. The mission statement of the Strategic Plan-ning Committee is: The Strategic Planning Committee will advance the core mission of the Association by developing a 2-3 year plan that will increase the Associa-tion’s membership, add value to the membership and broaden the recogni-tion of the NCRGEA statewide. The Strategic Planning Committee, as a

whole, may address additional germane topics proposed by committee members. Two subcommittee have been estab-lished which will focus their efforts on outreach and member benefi ts. The Outreach Subcommittee is devel-oping strategies to expand our membership to strengthen our voice in protecting retiree pensions and advocating for retiree benefi ts. The Benefi ts Subcommittee is look-ing at additional benefi ts the Association could offer that will be value added for our members. The Strategic Planning Committee will present its fi nal report to the Board of Di-rectors at its June, 2015 meeting.

Happy Holidays from your NCRGEA Staff

and Board of Directors

2 - Living Power November-December 2014

Living Power is published to provide current information for NCRGEA’s membership. Newsletters are printed bimonthly and mailed to all members of NCRGEA. Your comments are welcome.

EditorRichard Rogers

Managing EditorDonna K. Riggs

For address changes, suggestions or comments, please contact:NCRGEAPost Offi ce Box 10561Raleigh, NC 27605-0561

919.834.46521.800.356.1190www.ncrgea.com

To receive Living Power newsletter electronically, please send an email to [email protected] and include your full name and the city where you live.

2014 Membership Survey The Strategic Planning Committee wants your input. Please complete the survey online or attached in this newsletter starting on Page 5. We want your input on type of benefi ts you would like the Association to provide as well as your feedback on your inter-est in having NCRGEA connect with you more often and closer to home through the development of local chapters or by more frequent district activities. Help us serve you better by complet-ing the survey and mailing it to NCR-GEA by December 31, 2015. The results will be used by our Strategic Planning Committee and Board of Directors to move our Association forward. You can also go online to complete the survey at www.ncrgea.com. If you have any questions, please con-tact the NCRGEA offi ce 1-800-356-1190 or in the Raleigh local dial area 919-834-4652.

We’re a little late arriving this month! We held seven (7) district meetings across western North Carolina in October for more than 1,500 of your fellow retirees and guests.

Because of our meetings and the development of a member survey (you will fi nd in this issue), we are late going to press. We appreciate your patience waiting for this issue of Living Power. We’ll be back on our regular print schedule for our January-February 2015 issue.

PARDON US!

Get Newsletters and Legislative Reports by Email At, NCRGEA, we are always looking for ways to save your membership dues dollars. You can get your Living Power newsletter emailed to you? You can sign up to receive email com-munications from NCRGEA: your Living Power newsletter and your weekly Legis-lative Reports (when the General Assem-bly is in session.) To sign up, go to our website: www.ncrgea.com and click on the sign up page.

Keep Your Contact Information Current Keep your mailing address current with the NC Retirement System. If you have moved in the last year, please be sure your contacted the Retirement System and it has your current mailing address. The address on fi le will be used for your health insurance open enrollment and mailing you 1099-R. Call the Retirement System 1-877-733-4191 or checking your ORBIT account online.

Living Power - 3November-December 2014

Former NCRGEA Board Member, Roger C. Cotten, age 69, of Greensboro, passed away on Monday October 27. He was born August 3, 1945 in Dunn NC to the late Cranford and Ann Cotten. He graduated from Page High School and attended East Carolina University and Guilford College and also served in the National Guard. Roger was a mem-ber of Trinity Church and a member of Elks Lodge 602. Roger was devoted to public service. He began his career in 1969 as Guilford County Assistant Tax Supervisor, in 1975 he became Rocking-ham County Tax Director and in 1978 he became Guilford County Tax Director. In January of 1997, Roger was appointed by the Guilford County Board of Commis-sioners to the position of County Man-ager and retired on February 28, 2003. He was active as both a member and chairman of numerous NC Association Assessing Offi cers committees during his tenure as the Guilford County Tax Ad-ministrator and received several awards for his service.

Remembering Former NCRGEA Board Member Roger Cotten After retiring, Roger worked with D.H. Griffi n Wrecking Company, served on the Board of Trustees of Evergreens and the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Retired Governmental Employ-ees’ Association, and a member of the City of Greensboro Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. He is survived by his wife Dottie, children Craig Cotten of Greensboro and his wife Abby Cotten, Abby Steelham-mer of Lake Norman and her husband John Steelhammer, and Hank Greeson of High Point and his wife Debbie Greeson, brothers Tom Cotten and Phillip Cotten both of Greensboro, and grandchildren Maddox Cotten, Bryce Cotten, and Gra-cie Steelhammer. Memorials may be sent to Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro at 2500 Summit Ave. Greensboro NC, 27405, the SPCA of the Triad at 3163 Hines Chapel Rd, Greensboro, NC 27405, or Trinity Church at 5200 W. Friendly Ave. Greens-boro NC, 27410.

NCRGEA Holiday ScheduleA reminder that the NC RGEA offi ce will be closed for the following holidays:

Thanksgiving - November 27-28, 2014Christmas & New Year’s Holidays - December 24, 2014 - January 2, 2015

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - January 19, 2015

We wish you the very best this holiday season and for 2015 to be a wonderful year. Thank you for letting us to serve you!


Don’t forget your FLU SHOT!

TSERS/LGERS Board of Trustees Hear Actuarial Reports on Retirement Funds On October 23, 2014, the Teacher and State Employees Retirement System (TSERS) Board of Trustees and the Lo-cal Government Employees Retirement System (LGERS) Board of Trustee heard actuarial reports for calendar year 2013. Actuarial reports provide an overview of the retirement system to assess the overall health of the pension funds. The reports include analysis of the pension funs, investments, contributions and future li-abilities. These reports provide the back-ground by which the Board of Trustees will consider COLA increase for the Local Government retirees and Firefi ghter and Rescue Squad retirees. The consultants reported that the retire-ment fund is healthy and is well funded with the TSERS/LGERS retirement funds market value returns at 12.21% for calen-dar year 2013. The market value reported is almost 5% above the projected returns of 7.25%. This is an important point for the LGERS because these additional re-turns mean that there is an opportunity for a COLA increase. It is important to note the TSERS COLA increases come from the General Assembly, while LGERS and Fire and Rescue Squad COLA increases are granted by the LGERS Board of Trustees. The ac-tuarial reports heard and approved by the

LGERS Board of Trustees is the fi rst step in the process in their consideration of pro-viding a COLA for LGERS. The next step in the process will come January 15, 2015 when the Board of Trustees meet again to consider staff recommendations related to the retirement system. With the retirement fund outperforming the actuarial projec-tions for 2013 a COLA for LGERS and Firefi ghters and Rescue Squad retirees is a good possibility. Several factors should weigh in the favor of the retirees. It has been seven years since a COLA of any signifi cance has been awarded and the retirement fund continues to make above projected gains in 2014. At the October meeting of the LGERS Board of Trustees, the Association urged the LGERS Board of Trustees to seriously consider a COLA retirees. The Association will continue to work with the retirement system staff on this matter and will advocate strongly for a COLA for LGERS. If the Board of Trust-ees does approve a COLA it will take effect on July 1, 2015. If you would like to view the materials presented at the October 23, 2014 meeting you can visit the https://www.nctreasurer.com/ret/Pages/TSERS-and-LGERS-Board.aspx. You may also make comments to the LGERS Board of Directors by email at [email protected].

Living Power - 5

Association

North Carolina

Retired Governmental Employees’

November-December 2014

The North Carolina Retired Governmental Employees’ Association (NCRGEA) currently provides the following member benefi ts.

• Bi-Monthly Newsletter • Accidental Death & Dismemberment Benefi t ($10,000 max.)• Hear PO Discount Program• Vision Discount Program • Offi ce Depot Discount Program• Advocacy in the General Assembly and in the Retirement System• District Meetings

NCRGEA also offers optional Group Vision and Dental Insurance at an additional cost to subscribers.

NCRGEA is considering additional benefi ts that could improve your quality of life and add value to your membership.

Please review the descriptions of several products being considered by NCRGEA, and in Question 1, rate your preferences.

A. Medical Alert Service Medical alert systems summon help by signaling a base station connected to a home phone line that would alert a call-center operator. Today’s systems also allow for two-way communication with call centers that can evaluate the situation and contact the necessary individuals based on need. Some systems also offer motion-sensitive pendants that can detect a fall and place a call for help. These services cost approximately $25 - $50 per month.

MEMBER SURVEY


B. Identity Theft ProtectionIdentity theft protection services can help you monitor your accounts for fraudulent activity. These services can track your credit reports and send a notifi cation about recent activity, such as a credit inquiry or the opening of a new account. Many services can remove your name from mailing lists or pre-screened offers of credit cards and insurance. In addition, some companies offer services to help you rebuild your identity if stolen. These services normally cost between $10 and $15 per month for an individual and $25 - $50 per month for family coverage.

C. Pre-Paid Legal PlanHaving access to prepaid legal services is similar to having an attorney on retainer. When a legal issue arises, there is no need to search for and try to evaluate attorneys. Plan members simply call the provider’s client service center and give a brief description of their issue. The customer service representative may ask few questions to accurately determine the nature of the issue so they can connect the member to the appropriate attorney. These plans are meant to cover common legal issues such as Wills, Trust, Civil Issues, Real Estate Law, Family and Personal Legal Issues, etc. These plans cost approximately $15 - $30 per month.

D. Pet InsurancePet health insurance offers far-reaching coverage for illnesses, prescribed medications, hospitalization, accidents and more. These plans range in price from $10 - $50 per month based on the type of animal, size of animal and level of coverage. Some plans also offer wellness benefi ts for an additional premium to cover annual exams, vaccinations, dental cleanings and other preventive services.

E. Whole Life Insurance – Final Expense Final expense life insurance to pay for the cost of a funeral, burial, and other related expenses that are considered to be one’s “fi nal expenses.” This coverage is often referred to as “burial insurance” or “funeral insurance.” The face amount is not typically high, with proceeds usually ranging between $5,000 and $20,000 per policy.


1. Please rate the importance to you of the member benefi ts from 1 to 5 (with 1 as the product you would be MOST interested in purchasing and 5 the least. Most Least 1 2 3 4 5

Medical Alert Service Q Q Q Q Q

Identity Theft Protection Q Q Q Q Q

Pre-Paid Legal Plan Q Q Q Q Q

Pet Insurance Q Q Q Q Q

Whole Life – Final Expense Insurance Q Q Q Q Q

• If available, would you be interested in being able to coverchildren and/or grandchildren? Q Yes Q No

• If available, would you be interested in a rider to providelong-term care? Q Yes Q No

2. Would you support and participate in a local chapterof the NCRGEA in your area? Q Yes Q No

3. What informational workshops would you be likely to attend? Q Estate planning Q Travel/day or weekend trip opportunities Q Nutrition/exercise Q Caregiver Q Wills, trust, power-of-attorney, etc Q Fraud, identity theft

4. How likely would you be to recommend NCRGEA membership to another retiree? Q Very likely Q Somewhat likely Q Unlikely

5. Please check the box that refl ects your current age. Q Up to 59 Q 60 to 69 Q 70 to 79 Q 80 to 89 Q 90 +

Please complete the survey and mail to NCRGEA, Post Offi ce Box 10561, Raleigh, NC 27605 by December 31, 2014.

Thank you for your continued support of NCRGEA!

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Compare and Choose Medicare Plans from Oct. 15- Dec. 7 Your health needs change from year to year, and the benefi ts and costs of your health plan may change each year, too. That’s why it’s important to evaluate your Medicare choices every year. The Annual Election Period is the one time of year when all people with Medicare can change their Medicare health plan and prescription drug coverage for 2015. Take advantage of the Annual Election Period, and you may be able to save mone y, improve your coverage or both. The Annual Election Period starts on Oct.15—and lasts seven full weeks—to give you enough time to review and make changes to your Medicare coverage. You will need to make your fi nal selection for next year’s Medicare coverage by Dec. 7 to ensure that your coverage can begin without interruption on Jan.1. “It’s worth it to take the time to review and compare your Medicare options, but you don’t have to do it alone,” said North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin. “Remember that representatives from SHIIP, the Seniors’ Health Insur-ance Information Program, are available to help over the phone or in-person in all 100 counties in North Carolina.” SHIIP is a division of the North Caroli-na Department of Insurance and that offers free, unbiased information about Medi-care, Medicare prescription drug coverage,

Medicare Advantage, long-term care insur-ance and other health insurance issues. In addition to helping Medicare benefi ciaries compare and enroll in plans during the Annual Election Period, SHIIP counselors can help people fi nd out if they are eligible for Medicare cost savings programs. Here are some of the ways to review and compare plans available for 2015:Get one-on-one help from SHIIP, the Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program, by calling 1-855-408-1212, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also request in-person assistance in your home county.Visit www.medicare.gov/fi nd-a-plan to compare your current coverage with all of the options that are available in your area, and enroll in a new plan if you decide to make a change.Review the Medicare & You handbook. It was mailed to people with Medicare in September. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) 24-hours a day, seven days a week, to fi nd out more about your coverage options. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.For more information about SHIIP and the Medicare Annual Election Period, call 1-855-408-1212 or visit www.ncshiip.com.


Charlotte-Mecklenburg Retirees’ Association Meets December 16 The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Govern-mental Retirees’ Association (CMGRA) will meet on Tuesday, December 16th at 9:30 a.m. at Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church at 101 Sugar Creek Rd. in W. Charlotte (corner of West Sugar Creek Road and N. Tryon Street). On December 16, we will have a buf-fet lunch for $8 per person and a White Elephant Gift Exchange. (Each participant brings one wrapped gift, a new item that is $10 or less.) CMGRA offers a variety of programs, meetings, and events of interest to retirees. These include:• Updates from City and County Human Resources Departments and the North Carolina Retired Governmental Employ-ees’ Association.• Speakers and seminars on topics perti-nent to retirees• Support of a variety of local charities• Lunch at all meetings• Door prizes and raffl e items, and• Social gatherings outside meetings. If you live in the Charlotte-Mecklen-burg area, join in the fun of an upcoming meeting! For more information upcom-ing meetings and membership rates, call Margaret Setzer (704) 846-8287 or Kay Dumas (704) 814-4567.

The Butner Chapter of the North Carolina Retired Governmental Employ-ees’ Association will hold a semi-annual meeting on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at the Murdoch Chapel in Butner. This meeting is open to all local government (city/county) retirees and state government retirees and teachers in Durham, Franklin, Granville, Nash, Orange, Person, Vance and Warren counties. Our program will be about Medicare Fraud: Think You Can’t Be a Victim? presented by Stephanie Bias, Senior Medi-care Patrol Coordinator with the Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP). You and your retiree friends will want to hear her presentation to learn how to protect your Medicare number and ben-efi ts from fraud. She will show you how easily it can be for others to abuse YOUR Medicare benefi ts! She will also explain how phone calls and mail you receive – plus advertisements on TV can be used to take advantage (and defraud you) of your Medicare benefi ts. Meeting announcement and registration forms will be mailed in mid-December. For more information contact the NCR-GEA offi ce 919-834-4652.

Regional Retiree Chapter News

Butner Chapter to Meet January 13th at Murdoch Chapel

PO Box 10561Raleigh, North Carolina 27605-0561

NON-PROFITORG

US POSTAGEPAID

RALEIGH, NCPERMIT #2223

ELECTRONIC SERVICE REQUESTED

IM PORTANT PHONE NUMBERSNCRGEA .................................................................... 1-800-356-1190 In Raleigh Area ........................................................ 919-834-4652MetLife Dental ........................................................... 1-800-942-0854

Superior Vision ......................................................... 1-800-507-3800

NC Retirement Systems ........................................... 1-877-733-4191 In Raleigh Area ...................................................... 919-733-4191

CIGNA (Medicare Administrator) ............................. 1-800-633-4227

Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program ... 1-855-408-1212 In Raleigh Area ...................................................... 919-807-6900

NC State Health Plan ................................................ 1-919-881-2300

Blue Cross/Blue Shield ............................................ 1-888-234-2416

Express Scripts (SHP Rx Drug Administrator) ..... 1-877-680-4882

Humana ..................................................................... 1-800-944-9442

United Healthcare .................................................... 1-866-747-1014

Social Security Administration .............................. 1-800-772-1213

State Employees’ Credit Union ............................... 1-888-732-8562

Local Government Federal Credit Union ............... 1-800-344-4846

NC Total Retirement Plans ...................................... 1-866-627-5267

2014-15 Retiree Pay DatesDate Retirement Payment is Issued (Date payment is direct deposited or date a check is mailed).

2014 Pay DatesNovember 25 December 19

2015 Pay DatesJanuary 23 July 24February 25 August 25March 25 September 25April 24 October 23May 22 November 25June 25 December 18

If you have any questions about your retirement check, call the NC Retirement Systems at 1-877-733-4191 or 919-733-4191 in Raleigh area.

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