A message from PEF Retirees President Steve Muscarella
Chapter 3 gets another experienced leader
The PEF Retirees has viable chapters Eileen was honored chapter meetings.
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in all regions of New York. Our goal is to at the January meeting We wish Rosemary the best as she
encourage membership participation in of Chapter 3 with a assumes the leadership of Chapter 3.
every area. plaque expressing It is essential all our chapters are
In Region 3, the Rochester area, we appreciation for her strong and mobilized. In this time of
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welcome new chapter president, service as the chapter’s ideological and economic crisis, it’s
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Rosemary Rossi-Williams and thank the president. imperative we all stand together for what
previous president, Eileen Spence, for her Rossi-Williams has a is right and just. We must all make the
efforts. distinguished record effort to scrutinize our government
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N We commend Spence for her with PEF. She was a leaders and ensure their actions benefit
leadership of the Rochester Chapter. With member of the Executive all the people.
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a lengthy union and political resume,
MUSCARELLA
Board, served on the It has long been realized the leadership
Eileen also has been a long-time member PS&T Contract in Albany has more political sway over
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of the Rochester Central Labor Council’s Committee and was a council leader of rank-and-file legislators than do their
Retiree Committee and was the recipient her division. Rosemary was a founding constituents. This is not good
of that group’s “Retiree of the Year” member of the PEF Veterans Committee, government, and we should not become
award. having served as a sergeant in the U.S. resigned to it.
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Eileen was an active supporter of Eric Marine Corps. Please join Rosemary, Eileen and all of
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Massa during his campaigns for Congress Rosemary worked at Rochester the PEF Retirees officers in demanding
and her work helped him win election in Psychiatric Center for 27 years. Her transparent government.
the 29th Congressional District in 2008. immediate goals as Chapter 3 president We need to be vigilant and proactive
In 2004, she spent three months in are to enhance chapter communication throughout the state to protect our rights
Pittsburgh “door-to-door” canvassing for through an extensive e-mail network and and benefits.
the Kerry presidential campaign. to increase membership participation at
Answeringyourretirementquestions
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BySHERRYHALBROOK younger, you can continue your dental PEF Retiree plan or find another source.
The following questions were and vision benefits for yourself and any •GHIDirectPayPlan– You may join
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submitted by members to the PEF covered dependents for up to 18 months the plan when you retire, or switch to it
Retirement Reform Committee. If you under provisions of COBRA (the federal when COBRA coverage ends. Those are
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would like to submit a retirement-related Consolidated Omnibus Budget your only opportunities to enroll. You
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question, send it to the committee at PO Reconciliation Act.) However, you must can’t let your coverage lapse and then
Box 12414, Albany, NY 12212-2414. act promptly to make this selection. decide to enroll in the GHI Direct Pay
Q: How can I enroll in a
If you are 65 or older and Plan.
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dental and vision care
enrolled in Medicare at the time The monthly rates are $37.15 for
program when I retire?
of retirement you are also yourself; $69.93 for you and your spouse;
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A:
eligible for COBRA. The COBRA or $103.68 for the family plan. GHI would
Dental and vision
dental plan offers identical bill you quarterly.
benefits are not part of the
benefits to the dental plan •PEFRetireesPlan– If you join PEF
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NYS Health Insurance
enjoyed by active members. Retirees, you can get dental and/or vision
Program, and sick-leave credits cannot be
After COBRA ends, a retiree who wants to coverage through a plan administered by
used to reduce premiums for dental and
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continue dental coverage can either start USI Affinity. You can enroll in this plan at
vision benefits. Furthermore, the NYS
the GHI direct payment plan, or join the any time. The dental plan is the GHI
Retirement System does not administer
PEF Retirees Dental/Vision Program. Preferred Dental Plan. If you enroll in it
health benefits and they are not part of
Coverage for COBRA is effective on the through PEF Retirees, you automatically
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your retirement package.
first day of the month following your receive the EyeMed discount vision
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However, you can find information on
retirement date. The current monthly program at no extra cost. Or you can
the PEF Retirees page of the PEF Web site
rates for continuing your dental coverage enroll in the vision plan separately for
about your options.
under COBRA are $28.89 for an $21.85 per year. It does not provide “free”
A PEF PS&T member’s dental and
individual and $75.72 for the family plan. eyeglasses, but it does offer discounts on
vision benefits will continue for 28 days
Vision coverage costs $3.66 per month for glasses, contacts and laser vision
after the last day of the final payroll
individuals and $9.81 for families. You correction.
period worked. You may have up to three
pay the NYS Department of Civil Service. For details on coverage provided under
options for continuing dental coverage
You should receive an enrollment form these options or for other dental and
when you retire – COBRA, a direct
and summary of benefits when you retire. vision information, go online to
payment GHI dental plan, or the PEF
If not, you may call GHI at 800-947-0101
www.pef.org and select Retirees, then
Retirees dental/vision program.
to request one. When COBRA eligibility Dental/vision, or call PEF Retirees at
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