Reminders and Items of Importance
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To: |
All HHHTA and Paraprofessional Members |
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From: |
Mel A. Stern, president |
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Date: |
11/6/2009 |
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Subject: |
Reminders and Items of Importance |
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1) As you have probably heard by now, all new public service employees in New York state - except NYSUT members enrolled in either the Teacher Retirement System or Employee Retirement System, are now in a new retirement tier (tier 5). Although NYSUT is strongly opposing this for our new members, I feel it is extremely advisable that any of you not currently a member of either the TRS or ERS should join NOW to lock in your membership in tier 4, rather than risk -- at a later date -- being in tier 5 which will obviously have less benefits and possible severe penalties for retiring before age 62.
2) If you have a flexible spending account with AFLAC, make sure you're submitting your receipts and paperwork for reimbursement. Last year several of our members lost money -- and that should NOT happen! Remember the absolute last day to submit receipts is 90 days into the new year -- this is IRS law.
3) All members with Empire Health Insurance with dependents -- are required to respond to the recently sent Empire Verification letter. The absolute deadline is November 25th -- if you don't respond by then, with proof of dependents eligibility, your dependent(s) will be dropped from your health insurance! Acceptable proof includes: marriage license, birth certificate, 2008 federal tax return (just page 1) - white out your financial information and only use the last 4 digits of your Social Security number. Questions about dependent eligibility or paperwork call BUDCO at 888-358-2198.
If you have any other questions, call me at the Teachers' Association at 499-4240. |
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