The Voice

Thinking about retirement and how you’ll spend your “golden years” is the easiest part of the journey. The hardest part is figuring out what you need to know before reaching this milestone.

These guidelines are intended to help you make the transition. It is important that you consult with your retirement system (ERS, TRS, ORP), financial advisor or other personal consultant and campus health benefits administrator (HBA) to understand your campus’ procedures before your decision is made.

Once you’ve picked a retirement date, consider doing the following:

• Contact and notify your retirement system (Employees’ Retirement System or Teachers’ Retirement System) at least 30 days but no more than 90 days prior to your retirement date. The Optional Retirement Program (TIAA-CREF, ING, Metropolitan or AIG/ VALIC) requires notification by the 15th of the month prior to month of retirement;

The NYSUT Member Benefits Corporation recently endorsed two new discount travel programs: TripMark.travel, an all-inclusive travel program that provides online and offline (travel agents) services; and discounts through Wyndham hotels.

With TripMark.travel, members can plan vacations, flights, cruises and much more while taking advantage of great deals. Members can book flights, hotels, vacation packages and cruises online for personal and business travel needs. An easy interface and advanced encryption technology keep members’ information safe and secure. Members’ information will never be shared or sold to any third parties.

Agents are also available anytime to provide personal assistance.

Wyndham Hotel Group has 11 hotel brands, and Endless Vacation Rentals by Wyndham Worldwide offers resort condos, villas, homes and cottages worldwide.

With the Wyndham Hotel Group, bargaining unit members can enjoy discounted rates at nearly 7,000 participating hotels.

It is difficult enough to be diagnosed with an illness, but not knowing where to turn can be devastating. For members who participate in the Empire Plan, access is available to some of the best medical facilities in the world.

The Empire Plan currently offers Centers of Excellence for cancer, transplants and infertility services.

Cancer Program—Members must call The Empire Plan toll free at 1-877-7-NYSHIP (1-877-769-7447) and choose United Healthcare or call the Cancer Resources Center toll free at 1-866-936-6002 and register to participate.

Paid-in-full benefits are available for cancer services at a designated Center of Excellence when arranged through United Healthcare. You will also receive nurse consultations and assistance in locating cancer centers.

If a member doesn’t want to use a Center of Excellence, benefits will be provided in accordance with The Empire Plan hospital and/or medical/surgical program coverage.

This Center of Excellence program is available to all Empire Plan enrollees, even if Medicare or another health insurance plan is primary.

Bargaining unit members are able to enjoy special savings through the NYSUT Member Benefits Corporation-endorsed Preferred Savings PlusSM and Home Loans program, provided by MetLife Bank.

Preferred interest rates await members when they open a money market account, high-yield savings account or certificate of deposit. These savings options provide a convenient way to grow funds to buy a home, finance a vacation, save for retirement, or any other purpose.

Deposit accounts at MetLife Bank are FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per ownership category. Account holders have access to a free identity theft resolution service should they become victims of identity theft.

An optional automated savings program allows for regular transfers from a checking account at another bank into a MetLife Bank money market or savings account.

Account access is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by phone and online. High-yield savings and money market accounts are accessible at atoms worldwide.

While most people have their annual physical and semi-annual trip to the dentist on their calendars, many overlook an annual eye exam as part of their preventive health routine. Yet an annual eye exam is just as important—even if you think your vision is fine.

The American Optometric Association recommends that adults between the ages of 18 and 60 have their eyes examined at least every two years, and people over the age of 60 take an annual trip to their eye care professional. It’s essential to make a complete eye examination part of a total health care routine, whether or not vision correction is needed. Many diseases that may be easy to miss in their early stages are evident with a thorough eye examination.

The NYSUT Member Benefits Corporation Board of Directors is pleased to announce the endorsement of two new discount plans, the Motivano SmartSavings Online Discount Marketplace and National Car Rentals.

The Motivano Discount Marketplace offers best-rate travel deals and unique, creative gifts for special occasions at specially negotiated prices. From discount theater and amusement park tickets, to deals at The Sports Authority, Costco and more, the marketplace is a great way to stretch members’ hard-earned income.

Bargaining unit members and their family members can shop from well-known vendors in categories such as apparel; beauty and fragrance; computers and electronics; flowers and gifts; health and wellness; and travel and leisure. Sales and discounts are offered for name-brand clothing, computers, flowers, jewelry, books, movies, dining and much more.

Sample merchants include 1-800-Flowers, HP, Walt Disney World, Hotels.com, Ice.com and many more.

“Problems come in many forms. So does the help NYSUT provides.”

That phrase sums up NYSUT Social Services, a confidential and comprehensive referral and resource information program for in-service and retired UUP bargaining unit members and their families.

“In keeping with our mission to improve the social and professional lives of our members and their families, NYSUT has developed this program to provide expert guidance in coping with some of life’s unexpected complications,” according to NYSUT promotional literature. “You make the call; we’ll do the research to find the piece of information or the service in your community that can make the difference to you or your family. There is no charge and there is no limitation on use. There is no question or concern that is unimportant to us.”

Working with agencies and providers around the state, NYSUT Social Services can help members:

• Manage hospitalizations, planned or unexpected;

• Find support groups or mental health services to fit members’ needs;

Another year has come and gone. Some of our members are headed toward the golden years of retirement, while others are starting a new family.

In whatever direction you may be headed, there is a negotiated benefit that can assist you dealing with the stresses of work and home life.

The confidential program—offered to all active UUP members and their families—is called NYS Balance. NYS Balance makes life less complicated by researching and referring you to programs and services that best meet your needs.

NYS Balance is available 24/7.

The following is a brief overview of some of the referral services:

Education

• K-12 Public and Private Schools
• High School/Vocational Programs
• Colleges and Universities
• Financial Aid/Scholarships
• Tutoring Programs

Child Care and Parenting

• Child Care Centers
• Nanny/Au Pair Placement
• Adoption Resources
• Summer Camps
• Parenting Classes
• Support Groups

Elder Care/Adults with Disabilities

It’s that time of year again—the Option Transfer Period—when you can elect what health plan suits you and the needs of your family. This is one of the most important decisions that you will have to make over the course of this year.

Our members have the following options through the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP). You can move:

• from a NYSHIP HMO to the Empire Plan;
• from the Empire Plan to a NYSHIP HMO; or
• from one NYSHIP HMO to another NYSHIP HMO that has a NYSHIP service area where you live or work.

So, what should you think about when preparing to make this decision? Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

1) I would recommend using the Choices checklist. This is a great tool to compare Empire Plan benefits to those of an HMO. The checklist can be found at www.cs.state.ny.us. Select Employees, then State Government Employee, then NYSHIP, then Health Benefits and Option Transfer, then Choices 2009.

If you have questions, call the plan directly; telephone numbers are listed in Choices.

The NYSUT Member Benefits Corporation Board of Directors is pleased to announce their recent endorsement of a new Financial Counseling Program.

Provided by Stacey Braun Associates Inc., an independent investment advisory company, members will receive unbiased and objective advice customized for every financial situation. Stacey Braun’s planners and advisors are fee-based and prohibited from selling investment or insurance products.

The program’s annual fee is $260, reduced to $250 if paying through payroll or pension deduction.

Members who enroll are entitled to six hours of toll-free phone consultations with a Stacey Braun certified financial planner or registered investment advisor. Members can request customized written summaries and reports on a variety of financial issues. Specific 403(b) advice is also included in the program.

Other benefits include access to the Stacey Braun password-protected Web site and a 24-hour e-mail helpdesk for basic financial questions.

In-person consultations, limited to 90 minutes, can be arranged for an additional fee of $250.