Update July 29, 2010
Benefits Information
4 Unit Benefits
Report
The OP&F Pension fund has rebounded to 10.6 Billion on July 27th 2010.
The plan to hold hearings around the state in regards to the 30 Year Funding legislation have been scrapped by the legislature.
The OP&F Trustees approved all of the committee charters and schedules for the next 12 months.
“Any settlement from AIG is a long way off” according to the OP&F Executive Director.
The Disability Committee heard 16 new cases and sent 12 to the full board for approval. Two were postponed and 2 were denied. Two Death Fund Benefits were approved. Notices were mailed to other interested parties regarding changing to a 60 day time frame from the current 90 day. This is the acceptance time period and actual retirement times.
The Health Care Committee activity is as follows:
The current rates used to determine the poverty level for the 30% health care premium discount will be retrained for 2011 unless new numbers are issued by the feds and the board changes the rates. There were 684 members receiving the discount for medical coverage and 647 for prescription coverage in 2010. The cost for this program was $368,640.
The new premium amounts for non AARP eligible members, pre 65 members and prescriptions were received by the board. See chart at bottom of report. Post 65 AARP eligible members rates are set in Oct. by the states.
A presentation was heard from UHC/AARP about the new Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA), plan specifics were discussed and some of the problems our members encountered were addressed. They will no longer do telephone enrollment.
1. The
Hospice Benefit is added as a core benefit.
2. Any
changes in plans or new enrollees now go into the “modernized plan”.
3. No
reduction of Benefits.
4. 30
day ability to change back to standard plan.
5. Tobacco
use question and tobacco users will pay a higher premium; pre-existing
conditions do not apply for enrollment.
6. New
premium structure may lower premiums of some members.
Indexing of Health Care cost for different classes of retirees was briefly discussed and will be discussed in the future. (I.e.; age at retirement and time in fund.”
UHC is preparing for the larger than normal number of initial DROP retirees in January 2011.
Comments:
We must continue to look out for our members who may qualify for the health care premium discount especially our survivors who only receive our survivor benefit and Social Security. The fund and UHC have done an outstanding effort to reach out to these members and we on the ground must do our part.
Although the changes in the AARP plan are new it surprises me that the call numbers and members enrolling are as small as presented, it can lower premiums for some members and maintain the same coverage with the Hospice coverage added.
_________________________________________________________________________________
This is still on the web so if when we finally receive a Bill in the Ohio Legislature we can compare the wording. February 25, 2010
30 YEAR FUNDING INFORMATION
The
OP&F Board spent over five hours at the September 29ths board meeting, in
sometimes spirited discussion, on the 30 Year Funding Plan to be submitted to
the Ohio retirement Study Council on September 9, 2009. If the legislature does not act on the portions requiring
legislative action the OP&F Board will not act on the portions that only require board
action. The portion regarding DROP interest rate changes was passed on
Monday in a separate motion by the board and would have been in effect January
1, 2010. The board subsequently rescinded the motion and included the interest
rate reduction as part of the 30 Year Funding Plan.
The final 30 Year Funding Plan
contains the following:
Motion:
Mr
Heller moved, seconded by Mr. Baker, that the Board adopt the 2009 30 Year
Funding Plan to be submitted to the Ohio Retirement Study Council (“ORSC”) in
the form presented to the Board by its actuary on August 25, 2009. The 30 Year
Funding Plan will be submitted as a package to the ORSC, and the Board will
only enact the discretionary elements of the Plan if all the statutory
changes contained in the Plan are enacted into law by the Ohio General
Assembly. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
·
A)
Increase Active Member Contribution rate from 10% to 12% (in .5% increments
from 2010 to 2013) and Police Employer Contribution rate from 19.5% to 24% (in
increments of .5% in 2010 and 2% in years 2011 &2012)
·
B) Normal Service Retirement Age of 52 for New
Hires effective January 1, 2011.
·
C)
Delay the commencement of Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) until age 55 for all
members except Beneficiaries effective January 1, 2010.
·
D-1) Additional 1% employer
contributions for both Police and Fire beginning January 1, 2013 to make fully
phased in contribution equal to 25.00%.
·
D-2) Beginning January 1, 2010, reallocate
1.5% of the 6.75% employer contribution rate allocated to health care back
towards the pension unfunded accrued li
·
D-3) Reduce DROP interest credit from 5%
to 3% effective January 1, 2010.
·
D-4) Redefine Average Annual Salary to
mean the highest average annual salary for a member during any 5 years of
contributions (currently 3 years) effective January 1, 2010 for members with
less than 15 years of service upon effective date.
·
D-5) Change minimum no penalty DROP
period to 5 years for new DROP participants.
·
D-6) Tie health care premium subsidy to
years of service for new retirees (health care indexing), reducing employer
contribution allocation to health care to 4.80%.
________________________________________________________________________________
Electronic Transfer of
Benefits
Over the last year there has been
an occasional question about the electronic transfer of our pension benefit and
the posting of the benefits in our individual banking institutions and or
credit unions. We questioned the policy used by the Ohio police and Fire
Pension Fund about posting the transfers on the first business day after the
weekend or holiday. We asked for the posting to be changed to the last
business day before the weekend or holiday and the OP&F Board supported
the OP&F’s current policy. It is recommended that if paying any bills etc
by electronic transfer always make the transfer date after the 3rd
of the month. Some institutions allow the use of the funds before posting them,
which is the individual policy of that institution.
Posted August 1, 2009
________________________________________________________________________
UP DATE POSTED JUNE 10TH.
THIS IS THE LETTER PUT
OUT FROM THE PENSION FUND ABOUT THE FEDERAL WITHOLDING.
2010
HEALTH CARE PREMIUM CHARTS
Non-Medicare
Eligible Non-AARP Eligible
Premium Rates Premium
Rates
|
PRE 7/86 |
2009 |
2010 |
CHANGE |
2009 |
2010 |
CHANGE |
|
|
BEN REC |
$158.74 |
$158.74 |
0 |
$51.44 |
$51.44 |
0 |
|
|
SPOUSE |
$210.17 |
$210.17 |
0 |
$86.73 |
$86.73 |
0 |
|
|
CHILD |
$109.85 |
$109.85 |
0 |
$86.73 |
$86.73 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
POST 7/86 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BEN REC |
$158.74 |
$158.74 |
0 |
$51.44 |
$51.44 |
0 |
|
|
SPOUSE |
$315.25 |
$315.25 |
0 |
$130.10 |
$130.10 |
0 |
|
|
CHILD |
$164.77 |
$164.77 |
0 |
$130.10 |
$130.10 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prescription
Premium Rates
|
PRE 7/86 |
2009 |
2010 |
CHANGE |
|
BEN REC |
$62.95 |
$62.95 |
0 |
|
SPOUSE |
$118.61 |
$118.61 |
0 |
|
CHILD |
$35.25 |
$35.25 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
POST 7/86 |
|
|
|
|
BEN REC |
$62.95 |
$62.95 |
0 |
|
SPOUSE |
$177.91 |
$177.91 |
0 |
|
CHILD |
$52.88 |
$52.88 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dental Plan Vision Plan
|
|
2009 |
2010 |
|
|
Vision Rates |
|
Benefit Recipient |
$24.95 |
$27.07 |
|
|
$5.48 |
|
Benefit Recipient & Spouse |
$47.06 |
$51.06 |
|
|
$10.29 |
|
Benefit Recipient , Spouse & child |
$81.93 |
$88.89 |
|
|
$15.63 |
2010Health Care Discount Guidelines
|
Size of Family Unit |
HHS Poverty Income |
OP&F
Discount Income Level |
|
1 |
$21,660 |
|
|
2 |
$29,140 |
|
|
3 |
$36,620 |
|
|
4 |
$44,100 |
BENEFIT RECIPIENT 2010 AARP RATES
PLAN L ONLY
Because of AARPs discounts and your
aging dates it is impossible to post an accurate premium chart for everyone.
You must call AARP for your rates.
OHIO RESIDENT LESS THAN 3 YEARS SINCE MEDICARE EFECTIVE DATE
2010 NEW ENROLLEE RATES
|
|
PREMIUM |
OP&F SUBSIDY 75% |
YOU PAY |
PRESCRIPTION PREMIUM |
TOTAL |
|
PLAN L |
$83.65 |
$62.74 |
$20.91 |
$ 62.95 |
$83.86 |
|
PLAN B |
$108.67 |
$62.74 |
$45.93 |
$ 62.95 |
$108.88 |
|
PLAN F |
$135.27 |
$62.74 |
$72.53 |
$ 62.95 |
$135.48 |
OHIO RESIDENT MORE THAN 3 YEARS BUT LESS THAN 6 SINCE MEDICARE EFECTIVE DATE
|
|
PREMIUM |
OP&F SUBSIDY 75% |
YOU PAY |
PRESCRIPTION PREMIUM |
TOTAL |
|
PLAN L |
$119.50 |
$89.62 |
$29.88 |
$62.95 |
$92.83 |
|
PLAN B |
|
$89.62 |
|
$62.95 |
|
|
PLAN F |
|
$89.62 |
|
$62.95 |
|
OHIO RESIDENT MORE THAN 6YEARS SINCE MEDICARE EFECTIVE DATE
|
|
PREMIUM |
OP&F SUBSIDY 75% |
YOU PAY |
PRESCRIPTION PREMIUM |
TOTAL |
|
PLAN L |
$131.45 |
$98.59 |
$32.86 |
$62.95 |
$95.81 |
|
PLAN B |
|
$98.59 |
|
$62.95 |
|
|
PLAN F |
|
$98.59 |
|
$62.95 |
|
SPOUSE AARP RATES
OHIO RESIDENT LESS
THAN 3 YEARS SINCE MEDICARE EFECTIVE DATE RETIRED
ON OR BEFORE
|
|
PREMIUM |
OP&F SUBSIDY 50% |
YOU PAY |
PRESCRIPTION PREMIUM |
TOTAL |
|
PLAN L |
$83.65 |
$41.82 |
$41.83 |
$118.61 |
$160.43 |
|
PLAN B |
|
$41.82 |
|
$118.61 |
|
|
PLAN F |
|
$41.82 |
|
$118.61 |
|
OHIO RESIDENT LESS
THAN 3 YEARS SINCE MEDICARE EFECTIVE DATE RETIRED
AFTER
|
|
PREMIUM |
OP&F SUBSIDY 25% |
YOU PAY |
PRESCRIPTION PREMIUM |
TOTAL |
|
|
PLAN L |
$83.65 |
$20.91 |
$62.74 |
$177.91 |
$240.65 |
|
|
PLAN B |
|
$20.91 |
|
$177.91 |
|
|
|
PLAN F |
|
$20.91 |
|
$177.91 |
|
|
OHIO RESIDENT MORE
THAN 3 YEARS BUT LESS THAN 6 SINCE MEDICARE EFECTIVE DATE RETIRED ON OR
BEFORE
|
|
PREMIUM |
OP&F SUBSIDY 50% |
YOU PAY |
PRESCRIPTION PREMIUM |
TOTAL |
|
PLAN L |
$119.50 |
$59.75 |
$59.75 |
$118.61 |
$178.36 |
|
PLAN B |
|
$59.75 |
|
$118.61 |
|
|
PLAN F |
|
$59.75 |
|
$118.61 |
|
OHIO RESIDENT MORE
THAN 3 YEARS BUT LESS THAN 6 SINCE MEDICARE EFECTIVE DATE RETIRED AFTER
|
|
PREMIUM |
OP&F SUBSIDY 25% |
YOU PAY |
PRESCRIPTION PREMIUM |
TOTAL |
|
PLAN L |
$119.50 |
$29.88 |
$89.62 |
$177.91 |
$267.53 |
|
PLAN B |
|
|
$177.91 |
|
|
|
PLAN F |
|
|
$177.91 |
|
OHIO RESIDENT MORE
THAN 6 YEARS SINCE MEDICARE EFECTIVE DATE RETIRED
ON OR BEFORE
|
|
PREMIUM |
OP&F SUBSIDY 50% |
YOU PAY |
PRESCRIPTION PREMIUM |
TOTAL |
|
PLAN L |
$131.45 |
$65.72 |
$65.73 |
$118.61 |
$184.33 |
|
PLAN B |
|
$65.72 |
|
$118.61 |
|
|
PLAN F |
|
$65.72 |
|
$118.61 |
|
OHIO RESIDENT MORE
THAN 6 YEARS SINCE MEDICARE EFECTIVE DATE RETIRED
AFTER
|
|
PREMIUM |
OP&F SUBSIDY 25% |
YOU PAY |
PRESCRIPTION PREMIUM |
TOTAL |
|
PLAN L |
$131.45 |
$32.86 |
$98.59 |
$177.91 |
$276.50 |
|
PLAN B |
|
$32.86 |
|
$177.91 |
|
|
PLAN F |
|
$32.86 |
|
$177.91 |
|
BENEFIT RECIPIANT LESS THAN 3 YEARS
OHIO RESIDENT MEDICARE EFECTIVE DATE AFTER JANUARY 1, 2010
|
|
PREMIUM |
OP&F SUBSIDY 75% |
YOU PAY |
PRESCRIPTION PREMIUM |
TOTAL |
|
PLAN L |
$83.65 |
$62.74 |
$20.91 |
$62.95 |
$83.86 |
|
PLAN B |
|
$62.74 |
|
$62.95 |
|
|
PLAN F |
|
$62.74 |
|
$62.95 |
|
SPOUSE RETIRED PRIOR TO
OHIO RESIDENT MEDICARE EFECTIVE DATE AFTER JANUARY 1, 2010
|
|
PREMIUM |
OP&F SUBSIDY 50% |
YOU PAY |
PRESCRIPTION PREMIUM |
TOTAL |
|
PLAN L |
$83.65 |
$41.82 |
$41.82 |
$118.61 |
$160.43 |
|
PLAN B |
|
$41.82 |
|
|
|
|
PLAN F |
|
$41.82 |
|
|
|
SPOUSE RETIRED AFTER
OHIO RESIDENT MEDICARE EFECTIVE DATE AFTER JANUARY 1, 2010
|
|
PREMIUM |
OP&F SUBSIDY 25% |
YOU PAY |
PRESCRIPTION PREMIUM |
TOTAL |
|
PLAN L |
$83.65 |
$20.91 |
$62.74 |
$177.91 |
$240.65 |
|
PLAN B |
|
$20.91 |
|
$177.91 |
|
|
PLAN F |
|
$20.91 |
|
$177.91 |
|
These are unofficial calculations and should be cross
checked before making a final decision and there may be additional discounts
available.
10-17-09
FOR YOR INFORMATION
My name is Lauren Hasha and I am a
cancer information coordinator for Mesothelioma Web (
http://www.mesotheliomaweb.org ). I recently came across the Central Ohio
Retired Firefighters website and wanted to thank you for making this
information available. I thought you might be interested in providing
additional information to your site visitors.
Firefighters are at risk of
asbestos exposure because of its frequent use in older structures and its
ability to linger in the air even after a fire has been extinguished. Our site,
Mesothelioma Web ( http://www.mesotheliomaweb.org ), has been one of the most
comprehensive sites on asbestos and mesothelioma for over ten years, providing
information and support to those who have been exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma
Web has achieved HON (Health On the Net) code approval; HON is a non-profit
organization whose mission is to guide people to accurate medical information
and expertise online and thereby to contribute to improved health care through
patient empowerment and better informed health professionals.
The most informative page to link
to would be the page answering many of the standard questions on mesothelioma:
http://www.mesotheliomaweb.org/mesothelioma.htm. I can be reached at lauren@mesojournal.com.
There is also a page designed especially for firefighters:
http://www.mesotheliomaweb.org/firesection1.htm
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Ø Click Insurance for Health, Vision and Dental phone numbers and web sites.
Ø Columbus retirees wanting information on the Nationwide Insurance can call Local 67 at 614-488-8900
Ø For assistance on how to report a member’s or spouse’s death to OP&F,
Click Reporting
deaths to OP&F.
Ø Ask your physician for samples when a new drug is prescribed. This will give you time to mail in your prescriptions. If you can’t get samples ask for two prescriptions if you need this drug immediately. Take one to the local pharmacy to get started and mail in the other.
Ø Notify OP&F at least 3 months before you
turn 65 and apply for Medicare so that no premiums reimbursed to you from
OP&F are missed.
Ø The
Pension Fund must have a copy of your Medicare card for you to receive your
reimbursement. The fund also sends members a letter with information about
procedures and dates.
Ø The Benefits Committee would like to remind any member
who retired on a disability to make sure your spouse understands how and why
you retired. If you die from your
disability your survivor may be entitled to greater benefits. This has to be applied for, the fund doesn’t
automatically send out the application for these benefits.
Ø OP&F is now accepting photocopies of your marriage
certificate to put in your file at the fund.
This will help speed up benefits for survivors. The Host Committee
strongly recommends that members send in your copies. Mail your photocopies to the pension board at
140 East Town St., Columbus, OH 43215-5164, Attn: Gina Pleasant.
The information below is given to survivors by the Host Committee to
help them when a retiree dies.
Please fill out the Pickle Jar List to help your survivors. If you need a copy of the Pickle Jar contact one of the Hosts listed.
4 Unit
Host Program Members
BERNIE NANCE CHAIRMAN
JEANNE NANCE __________1-740-927-7115 ______EMAIL
CHARLIE BURKHART ______ 1-740-964-3506_____EMAIL
FRANK HENDERSON_______ 1-614-885-0192_____EMAIL
BILL HANF_________________1-614-836-2833_____EMAIL
TOM
CHRIST_______________1-614-279-6996______EMAIL
RICH
NIEMANN____________1-614-491-5875_____EMAIL
GARY SINIFF_______1-614-771-5785________EMAIL
4 UNIT BENEFITS COMMITTEE
SURVIVORS INFORMATION AND RECOMENDATIONS
1.NOTIFY THE OHIO POLICE AND FIRE PENSION FUND---1-800-860-9599
THE PENSION FUND WILL SEND A SURVIVORS PACKET. THEY WILL REQUIRE A DEATH CERTIFICATE, MARRIAGE CERTIFCATE, AND IF THERE ARE OTHER DEPENDENTS, PROOF OF DEPENDANCY WILL BE REQUIRED. THE PENSION SYSTEM ALSO WILL SEND OUT A HOST MEMBER (IF THE FAMILY REQUESTS) TO HELP FILL OUT THE PAPERWORK NEEDED BY THE PENSION SYSTEM.
2. NOTIFY THE SOCIAL SECURITY OFFFICE---------------------------1-800-772-1213.
THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM WILL PAY A $255.00 BURIAL BENEFIT IF THERE IS A SURVIVING SPOUSE OR DEPENDENT.
3. NOTIFY THE RETIREES FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE RETIREE MAY STILL BE INTITLED TO BENEFITS. ALSO IN THE EVENT AN HONOR GUARD OR PALLBEARERS ARE REQUESTED.
4. NOTIFY THE RETIREES LOCAL UNION. SOME BENEFITS MAY BE AVAILABLE TO THE RETIREE’S SURVIVORS. (EXAMPLE-LIFE INSURANCE)
5. IF THE RETIREE WAS A VETERAN NOTIFY THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION AT 1-800-827-1000. YOU WILL NEED THE RETIREES HONORABLE DISCHARGE OR A DD-214.
6. NOTIFY THE CREDIT UNION, BANKS, INSURANCE COMPANIES, DEFERED COMP. FUND AND ANY OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.
7. NOTIFY YOUR ATTORNEY.
THE BENEFITS COMMITTEE RECOMENDS THE NOTIFICATIONS BE MADE IN THE ORDER THE SURVIVORS DEEM NECESSARY, AND IF DEEMED NECESSARY. WE HOPE THAT THE RETIREE TOOK TIME TO FILL OUT THE “PICKLE JAR LIST” OR A LIST OF LOCATIONS AND CONTENTS OF IMPORTANT INFORMATION. YOU WILL NEED CERTIFIED COPIES OF THE DEATH CERTIFICATE FOR ALL THE SYSTEMS, OR COMPANIES THAT MAY PAY BENEFITS EXCEPT OP&F.
ALSO COPIES OF YOUR MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE AND BIRTH CERTIFICATES IF THERE ARE DEPENDANT CHILDREN MAY BE REQUIRED.
SURVIVING SPOUSES WHO ARE ON MEDICARE MUST OBTIAN THEIR OWN MEDICARE CARD IF THEY DO NOT HAVE ONE.
THE POLICE AND FIRE PENSION FUND WILL PAY A $1000.00 LUMP SUM PAYMENT. THE SURVIVING SPOUSE WILL ALSO RECEIVE $710.60 PER MONTH, PLUS THE SURVIVING SPOUSE WILL RECEIVE A YEARLY COST OF LIVING INCREASE EVERY JULY 1st OF $16.50 PER MONTH. SURVIVING CHILDREN WILL RECEIVE $193.80 PER MONTH WITH A YEARLY COST OF LIVING RAISE OF $4.50 PER MONTH EACH JULY 1st
IF DEATH WAS FROM A LINE OF DUTY INJURY OR DISEASE MORE BENEFITS MAY BE DUE TO THE SURVIVIORS. IT IS THE SURVIVIORS RESPONSABILITY TO APPLY FOR THESE BENEFITS.
IF A RETIREE WAS COLLECTING WORKMANS COMPENSATION THERE MAY BE WORKMANCOMPENSATION BENEFITS DUE SURVIVIORS.
THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION WILL SUPPLY A GRAVE MARKER FOR VETERANS IF THERE IS NO OTHER GRAVE MARKER. THE RETIREES SERVICE BRANCH WILL ALSO SEND TWO ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE PEOPLE FOR THE FLAG FOLDING AND PRESENTATION
COLUMBUS RETIREES
BENEVOLENT SYSTEM…CONTACT MARK DEVINE HOME 1-614-846-8370
WORK 1-614-299-6585
CARD SYSTEM…CONTACT JOE PISHITELLI HOME 1-614-864-3332
RETIREES CARRYING NATIONWIDE INSURANCE CONTACT;
LOCAL 67 1-614-481-8900