Retiree News

Retirees cram information into April meeting

By Marybeth Foley and Lotty Blumenthal

At 10:30 a.m. sharp, Chair Jackie Mooney called the meeting to order and welcomed the retirees in the executive room of the Chicago Teachers Union in room 400 of the Merchandise Mart.

Dates to remember were “Lobby Day” on April 30; May 14th for the next meeting; and June 11th for the Retiree luncheon. May 14th will be about benefits for members not covered in this meeting through the American Federation of Teachers, Illinois Federation of Teachers and CTU. The luncheon on June 11 will be in the Wolf-Point Ballroom of the Holiday Inn Mart Plaza with reduced parking costs.

Chair Mooney introduced Michael Nehf, Executive Director of the Pension Board and Retirement Fund of Chicago. His topic was an “update” on the pension news. He explained the timeline of what happened over the last two months. This included the March 4 meeting of the Pension Fund with many in attendance in the audience.

The controversial “Pro-plan” floated and then withdrawn by CEO Arne Duncan was not adopted and won’t be, Nehf said. The March 25 pink newsletter was mailed to retirees and school after several drafts. He said it was “a cross-mail” after the problem was being resolved. Other groups sent their interpretation of events, which were not accurate. Contrary to what one faction within the CTU reported, no bills were pending about the problem with the pension.

The information announced at the April CTU House of Delegates meeting was also questionable. There are to be no mergers of the state and Chicago funds, either, Nehf told the retirees. After much discussion between CTU leaders with the Governor, the $65 million that had been left out of the Governor’s budget “erroneously” was to be put back. Lobbyists had letters sent to all. Arne Duncan and President Lynch jointly signed a letter sent to all members trying to stop some of the confusion.

Retiree Gerald Adler, who had passed out a copy of the letter he’d sent to Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, asked at the mike: “Where was Mayor Daley in all this correspondence?” He, apparently, was not involved.

Retiree Donald Alderman asked if no action should be taken by retirees at this time. Nehf told him that people are still encouraged to send letters to legislators and leadership since the money is still not back in the budget. James Alexander, CTU Financial Officer, said it was “a tempest in a teapot!”

After the pension questions were finished, Blyth and Associates (312-986-9500) returned to finish some of what was covered in depth at the last retiree meeting. They explained why estate planning was important, what types of “Estate & Asset Transfers” were possible (including types of trusts and power of attorneys for both property and health). They discussed five tax issues important to retirees, four basic responsibilities of attorneys for you, protecting one’s family in cases of special health needs, spendthrift provisions, costs, and six ways to avoid common mistakes. There was a brief question period. How one should choose an executor was discussed. Sheets were filled out for comments or appointments.

Then Robert Dunked and Terry Bryan spoke about changes in our CTU retirees’ dental plan through First Commonwealth. According to the speakers, this is cheaper and has better coverage for all local plans both in the HMO plan (where you use dentists from their lists). This is different from its PPO plan (where you can use any dentist). The changes were small. The national AFT plan was not discussed. More info can be found at www. firstcommonwealth. net, part of the Guardian network. Open enrollment is April 1 each year. There is no waiting period in the HMO plan, but there a waiting period in the PPO plan if you are not in it at this time. Payments are quarterly or annually.

Retiree travel was on the agenda as usual. Chair Mooney announced 11 trips available between July 7th and November 16th with a wide range of destinations, with casual alliteration, “from Branson to Belgium or Budapest.” For more info call Dorothy at 708 448 6936 (or www.brightsidetravel.com).

Finally, Sara Loftus, the CTU’s director of member services, took the floor. Retirees are to get a discount on sales of CTU emblemed Coolers, Polo Shirts, or Denim shirts (buttoned up front like jacket). sizes S to XXXL. Call Sara at the CTU (312-329-9100). The retiree newsletter has also been mailed.