Many NYSUT member benefits can save you money and make life easier

Sep 22, 2005 2:10 PM

UFT members sometimes forget that by belonging to the New York City teachers union they are also members of a huge statewide teachers union, New York State United Teachers. Membership in NYSUT brings with it many benefits, not the least of which is a whole array of special programs and services.

These include various types of insurance, financial counseling, legal services, many discounts and other programs.

Most of these may be purchased via payroll or pension deductions, which not only eliminates the writing of checks, keeping track of due dates and other bookkeeping chores, but often also means extra discounts through reduced premiums, the elimination of service fees and additional coverage provided at no cost.

Complete details are available on NYSUT’s member benefits Web site, www.memberbenefits.nysut.org, or by calling the Member Benefits office at 1-800-626-8101, but here is a brief look at some of the most popular programs and services.

Insurance benefits

NYSUT offers the following policies:

Term Life Insurance — If you or your spouse or domestic partner are under age 65, you both are eligible to apply for coverage up to $1 million at premiums specially negotiated for NYSUT members. There is an accelerated death benefit of up to 60 percent of the life insurance available for those who are terminally ill.

Senior Term Life Insurance — This plan offers members and their spouses or domestic partners between the ages of 65 and 84 who are not already enrolled in NYSUT’s Term Life Insurance Plan the opportunity to apply for up to $30,000 in coverage, depending on age. The plan provides decreasing term insurance to age 85.

Term Life Coordination Plan — The “WrapPlan” offers members a way to plan for the continuing need for life insurance coverage, while taking advantage of the term life insurance they already have. This program allows you to purchase life insurance that increases as your term insurance decreases or terminates. Premiums may be set at a level to produce as much or as little accumulation cash value at age 95 as you wish. Members must be age 65 or under to apply.

Personal Property and Liability Insurance Plans —NYSUT lets members apply for the best plans for their specific needs, whatever property may be involved, domicile, automobile, boat or other personal property and liability. You may be eligible for a variety of discounts, depending on where you live. Personal property and liability (umbrella) insurance policies include:

• Automobile insurance
• Boatowners insurance
• Homeowners/Renters insurance
• Personal Excess Liability (Umbrella) insurance
• Others, including mobile home, recreational vehicle, snowmobile, motorcycle, fire and landlord's rental dwelling.

Disability insurance — You can insure your most valuable asset — your income — with this plan. It provides tax-free benefits to help you meet your living expenses if a covered illness or injury prevents you from working. Coverages range up to $5000 per month, depending on your salary. A short-term policy offering benefits for up to one year and a long-term policy offering benefits up to age 65 are available. Members under age 64 who work 20 hours a week or more may apply. There is a second plan for associate members, retirees, spouses or domestic partners of members and agency fee payers who work 30 hours or more, are younger than 64 and work in an insurable occupation.

Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance — This insurance covers any type of accident, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It covers accidents at home or away, travel on any public or private conveyance, and provides 100 percent of the coverage amount in the event of accidental death and reduced benefits for dismemberment or paralysis. Benefit levels of $25,000, $50,000 and $100,000 are available as are individual and family plans.

Catastrophe Major Medical Insurance — This plan supplements your basic hospitalization and medical insurance, including Medicare. After a deductible has been met, the plan pays 100 percent of eligible expenses not covered by other insurance for up to five years or up to $2 million, whichever comes first. There are also some nursing home, home health care and private duty nursing benefits. Members must be 79 or younger to apply. Coverage can be added for spouse, parents, parent-in-law and dependent children.

Long-Term Care Insurance — This flexible plan allows members to select the terms and daily benefit amount that best meets their needs. Services provided include care planning and coverage for home health care, adult day care, homemaker services, licensed assisted living facilities, nursing home care, hospice care at home or in a licensed hospice facility and respite care. Spouses or domestic partners, parents, parents-in-law, grandparents and grandparents-in-law are eligible to apply.

Financial benefits

Financial Counseling Program — For an annual fee, this program provides participants with telephone access to independent financial experts who can help them make investment decisions. If you join the program, you can select financial analyses customized to your individual circumstances covering such areas as retirement funding, education funding, insurance needs and more. You will receive a financial planning newsletter six times a year. You have the option of requesting an in-person financial planning consultation at an additional fee.

Preferred Savings Plus — This plan offers members some of the highest interest rates currently available on Certificates of Deposit, money market and savings accounts. Account information is available 24/7 by phone, Internet, mail or ATM. Accounts are insured by FDIC for up to $100,000 per depositor. Home financing programs are also available.

Legal services

NYSUT Legal Service Plan — For a very modest annual fee, this plan offers legal help for personal matters, including free telephone advice and free simple wills. For matters that require more than advice over the phone members will be referred to participating attorneys in their area who have agreed to charge reduced fees. The plan includes two free hour-long office consultations per year and various other services. Optional riders for business protection and Elder Law services can also be purchased.

NYSUT Retiree Legal Service Plan — Retired members can choose between the regular Legal service plan described above or a less expensive one designed for retirees. This plan includes a half-hour free office consultation per year and a free simple power of attorney. The other benefits and available optional riders are the same in both plans.

Discounts

Simply Certificates — You can get gift certificates that are accepted by hundreds of restaurants, spas, resorts, golf clubs and ski areas. If you purchase them through the link at the Web site or toll-free number given above, you will receive a 10 percent discount.

Working Advantage — This program offers discounted tickets for movies, video rentals, theme parks, Broadway shows, on-line shopping, sports events and more. Access the program via the Web site or toll-free number given above.

Lifeline Personal Response and Support Services —Members concerned about elderly relatives who live at home can receive a discount on this easy-to-use personal response service.

Car Rental Discounts — Alamo, Avis and Hertz provide discounted passenger car rental rates to NYSUT members. Use these discount numbers: Alamo: #213855 and Rate Code BY; Avis: #A441200; Hertz: CDP #85352. Check with the NYSUT member Benefits office for promotional discount coupons. (Note: The UFT also has car rental discounts for other companies; check the Just For Fun section in each issue.)

Six Flags Discounts — These are available for participating parks during the spring and summer.

The Buyer’s Edge — This buying service offers the best deals on major appliances, furniture, luggage automobiles and more.

Heat USA — By using group buying power, this program provides substantial discounts on heating oil. Participants receive a free lifetime 24-hour service contract with carefully screened full-service local suppliers. First-year membership fee is $25; second year is free. The program includes free annual cleaning and tune-up along with automatic delivery. But the program is currently only available in some areas of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

Other services

Consumer guides — A series of pamphlets provide candid, objective information about various types of insurance, legal services and tax-deferred savings which can help members make more informed purchasing decisions.

Consumer Credit counseling Service — Toll-free credit management advice is available to members seven days a week. If in-depth counseling is needed, arrangements will be made with a counselor in your area. As a HUD-certified counseling agency, housing counseling and education are available. Counseling for credit management and housing is provided free. A debt-repayment plan, offered on a sliding scale monthly administration fee, allows financially distressed members to repay creditors over time without additional loans or the stress of personal bankruptcy.