TEAMSTERS LOCAL 237 RETIREE DIVISION NEW RETIREE ORIENTATION

TEAMSTERS LOCAL 237 RETIREE DIVISION NEW RETIREE ORIENTATION “RETIRED FROM WORK, NOT FROM THE UNION”

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR RETIREMENT! Retirement can be a very exciting time as well as a stressful transition. However, as a Teamster Local 237 member, you “Retired from Work, Not from the Union” The Retiree Division is here to support and guide you on your retirement journey. We are located on the 8 th floor of the union headquarters, and have friendly, knowledgeable staff to answer questions, provide social work services, share community resources, coordinate educational seminars, recreational activities and so much more!

RETIREE DIVISION The Retiree Division is located on the 8 th floor at 216 West 14 th Street, 10011 Telephone: 212 -807 -0555 Email: retirees 2@local 237. org Retiree Division Staff Susan Milisits Co-Director Julie Kobi Co-Director Edith Johnston Assistant Director Luz Nieves Carty Assistant to the Director Shavon Banks Secretary Noelia Quinones Assistant Secretary

As a city employee, you have retired with health insurance from the Office of Labor Relation’s NYC Health Benefits Program. For health insurance you must complete a health benefits application signed by you and your employer. A copy of your health benefits application and retirement receipt or confirmation from your pension system needs to be submitted to the Office of Labor relations via email at nycretireeshbp@emblemhealth. com If you and/or your dependents are Medicare eligible, a copy of your Medicare cards with Parts A & B must also be submitted.

Let’s talk about Medicare. . You are eligible for Medicare Part B if: 1. You turn 65 years old 2. You have been disabled and 3. You received Social Security Disability for 24 months • If you’re receiving Social Security when you turn 65 years old, the Social Security Administration will send you a Medicare card 3 months before your birthday. • If you’re not receiving Social Security, you will need to apply for Medicare Part B three months before your 65 th birthday. • If you’re receiving Social Security Disability, you will be eligible for Medicare Part B about 24 months from your first payment. You must accept your Medicare Part B…. UNLESS… You’re still working, or you’re covered by a working spouse’s health insurance.

Once you become eligible for Medicare a copy of your card needs to be submitted to Union welfare fund via mail or email to welfareinfo@local 237. org and to the Office of Labor Relations via email to nycretireeshbp@emblemhealth. com Spouse/Domestic Partner are also eligible for Medicare reimbursement. The city will reimburse you for your Medicare part B premium. For information about Medicare Part B Reimbursement- Watch Video https: //www 1. nyc. gov/site/olr/healthvideos/healthvideomedicarepartbreimbursement. page Please Note: If you waive medical coverage you will not be eligible for Medicare Part B reimbursement. (Please note many offices are still closed due to the pandemic)

If you’re close to Medicare eligibility, please contact the Teamsters Local 237 Retiree Division to review how your health insurance may be affected. For example: If you’re currently in Emblem HIP, once your Medicare Part B takes affect, it will convert to HIP VIP Premier with RX. You no longer will receive your drug coverage from the Union’s AETNA Prescription plan. HIP VIP will provide unlimited drug coverage. This drug coverage or PART D from HIP VIP will cost you a monthly premium from your pension. If you are in Emblem GHI, you then will be converted into the GHI Senior Care. Medicare will be your primary insurance And GHI /Blue Cross Blue Shield will be your supplemental plans. ONLY with the GHI Senior Care plan will you continue to use the union’s AETNA Prescription plan. Once your Medicare Part B becomes effective, the unions AETNA Prescription plan is your PART D and increases to $20, 500 per year/family. There is no need to enroll in any outside plans. There is no premium out of your pension to have GHI Senior Care. Don’t hesitate to consult with the staff of the Retiree Division to discuss these changes further!

Important Contact Information for the Health Benefits Program Due to the closure of the office, if you mailed or faxed forms or correspondence March 11, 2020 or after, we cannot access or process that form. Please resubmit your documents as follows: 1) Inquiries and questions can be emailed to healthbenefits@olr. nyc. gov 2) Forms/documents can be sent via email to NYCRetirees. HBP@emblemhealth. com Please do NOT include your Social Security number, include your Employee ID or pension number only. 3) For questions regarding the PICA prescription drug benefit program please call 1 -800 -467 -2006. Visit the office of labor relation for the most updated information https: //www 1. nyc. gov/site/olr/index. page

LET'S LOOK AT YOUR LOCAL 237 WELFARE BENEFITS: • DENTAL; ANNUAL CAP/YEAR OF $1250 FOR EACH MEMBER AND ELIGIBLE FAMILY MEMBERS. • EYEGLASSES AND EXAM; ONCE/2 YEARS FOR EACH MEMBER AND ELIGIBLE FAMILY MEMBERS. • HEARING AID; $1000 ONCE IN 5 YEARS, (EFFECTIVE 1/1/2015) • DEATH BENEFIT; $2500 MEMBER ONLY. PRESCRIPTION DRUGS; CAP DEPENDS ON AGE AND/OR DISABILITY AND YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN.

Let's Look at your Local 237 Retirees Legal Services Plan Free legal representation in specific legal matters • Absolutely no attorney fees • After paying a $150 deductible, $500 available for your litigation Expenses For RETIREES only, there is a reimbursement schedule for paid attorney fees incurred when you live outside of our covered area

Covered Legal Matters: Family Law: custody, visitation, orders of protections, child protective services proceedings, and private adoptions and some child support matters • Matrimonial Actions • Housing Court Tenant representation in non-payment and holdover proceedings • Civil Court Consumer actions and name changes • Foreclosure Actions • Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Filings • Real Estate: purchase, sale and refinance of coop, condo, one or two family homes • Wills, Powers of Attorney and Health Care Proxies

To enroll as a Teamsters Local 237 Retiree: You must complete a Retiree Enrollment Form and submit it with a copy of the Health Benefit Application and the receipt from NYCERS/ BERS to the Welfare Fund. Submissions can be made via email welfareinfo@local 237. org Click the links in this New Retiree Orientation section to download detailed presentations from the Local 237 Welfare Fund and Legal Services Plan.

Now that you’re retired, what will you do with all free this time. You’re embarking onto an amazing journey. Remember to be gentle with yourself. Decorate a notebook with pictures of things that make you happy. Write down goals and develop a bucket list. Use the notebook as a journal and write down your feelings about your new journey. Its your safe place. If you’re having trouble transitioning and want to talk, the retiree division has social workers on staff available to assist you at 212 -807 -0555.

Being Retired can caused mixed emotions. This is very normal during this time in your life. These are the major principles for creating a fulfilling retirement. Have a major life purpose. Be open to learning new things. Accept that money will buy style and comfort, but it won’t buy you happiness. Learn how to enjoy solitude. Find a retirement job that you can work at temporarily as a fun job. Maintain old friendships and create new friends. Indulge in regular exercise so that you will be physically fit and able to enjoy your retirement activities. Read books! Go to the LIBRARY! Travel a lot virtually! You. Tube has wonderful videos on travel.

Congratulations again and welcome to a new journey in your life. Remember, the Retiree Division is here to support, guide and educate you. Questions? Need to talk ? Call us at (212) 807 -0555 email: retirees 2@local 237. org