winter 2006 Special Issue

9 Essential Facts About UFT Retiree Benefits

1

Basic health benefits remain the same for retirees as for in-service members. As a retiree receiving a pension, you are entitled to a basic health plan — the same as when you were working.

Not only are you covered, but your dependents are, too. A spouse or domestic partner receives every benefit to which the retiree is entitled. Any unmarried dependent child under 19 — or up to age 23 if he or she is a full-time student — and handicapped child in your immediate family also is eligible for continued coverage.

As a retiree, you have the same right to change health plans as do in-service members. Just fill out an ERB form during an open enrollment period, which is usually held every other year (in even years).

2

Choose "yes" for the optional benefit rider in order to continue receiving prescription-drug benefits. When you retire, it is your optional rider that provides your drug benefit. Regardless of which health insurance carrier you use — GHI, HIP or any other provider — you will receive prescription-drug coverage under the optional rider. It supplements the basic health plan offered to retirees, whether they are eligible for Medicare or not. For Medicare-eligible retirees, the optional rider is creditable coverage as a Medicare Part D plan and it provides such necessities as prescription-drug coverage and extended hospital coverage.

For calendar year 2006, the UFT Welfare Fund will increase the maximum reimbursement for retirees to $660, from $600, toward the annual cost of the optional rider. This is a 10 percent increase.