Did you know that the U.S. Social Security Administration stopped mailing annual paper statements last year to workers under age 60? It caused a congressional stir and drew criticism from the Government Accountability Office, even though the motive was to save $70 million annually in printing and mailing. On May 1, the Social Security Administration started making statements available online. Social Security commissioner Michael Astrue says every worker who will be eligible for Social Security should check his or her statement annually to ensure the accuracy of the earnings information. The statements, Astrue says, also help with financial planning.

A&R Retirees were out in force on April 24, 2012 as they joined seniors from across the state to make their presence known.  Read more >>

The Affordable Care Act, signed into law by President Obama in 2010, seeks to make coverage more affordable and increase the number of people with health insurance. As the U.S. Supreme Court deliberates on the act, we need to build on the success of the law, not tear it down, AFT president Randi Weingarten says. "Access to affordable healthcare is an essential building block to restoring the middle class and providing economic security to all Americans," she says. "High-quality, affordable healthcare should not be a luxury for a few, but a promise to all, and the Affordable Care Act is making that promise a reality for millions of Americans."

Read more about why we need the act on AFT.org

Get the facts on healthcare reform

Effective January 1, 2012 the State of Connecticut implemented a Medicare D group prescription drug plan offered through SilverScript, a subsidiary of CVS Caremark.

Through the courtesy of  CSEA/SEIU Local 2001, you can get answers to some common questions about this program by going to our Member Benefits page.

THE A&R RETIREE COUNCIL'S SOCIAL COMMITTEE HAS SOME GREAT OUTINGS IN STORE...CHECK THEM OUT!

CLICK HERE...

Here  is some useful information for those who took the early retirement in 2009. It may be helpful to those retirees who may have moved as well as letting all of the 2009 early retirees know what to expect in the first payout. Read more>>

More than two dozen A&R Retiree Council members got a glimpse into the world of the Connecticut General Assembly as the Council’s Committee on Political Education (COPE) sponsored a training session on January 18, 2012 at the Legislative Office Building.

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SEE THE PHOTOS

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT YOUR MEMBER BENEFITS PAGE

In politics and policymaking, the facts aren't always convenient. Such is the case with public employee defined-benefit retirement plans and the policymakers who want to dismantle them.

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WE HAD A BLAST IN THE BERKSHIRES!

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Public Act 08-147 requires group health plans to provide coverage for unmarried children up to the age of 26, regardless of the child’s student or dependent status. A Comptroller's  memorandum explains how the Public Act is implemented under the State of Connecticut Employee Health Plan. The effective date of implementation was January 1, 2009.

To download the Comptroller's Memorandum on this insurance use this link. To download the agreement SEBAC signed to get pharmacy added to the coverage (only medical was required by statute) use this link.

 Please read the Memorandum and rate chart carefully and completely. The Fair Market Value of the insurance for the child who is not a dependent under §152 of the Internal Revenue Code is taxable income to the retiree, and the retiree is required to include the Fair Market Value for this benefit in their taxable income. Retirees with questions as to the tax impact of the inclusion of the Fair Market Value of health benefits for non-qualified children are advised to consult their personal tax advisor.

AFT Endorses President Obama for Re-election

Declaring that President Obama is the only candidate who will fight to preserve and expand the middle class, close the inequality gap and ensure everyone has a "fair shot" at success, the AFT announced its endorsement of President Obama and Vice President Biden for re-election on Feb. 7.

Biden spoke to the AFT executive council by telephone following the endorsement vote. (Read the endorsement resolution.) While speaking to the council, Biden reaffirmed the Obama administration's commitment to building a strong economy and a strong public school system.

"This election is a choice, not a referendum," says AFT president Randi Weingarten. "It's a choice between very different economic visions for our country, and at stake is the simple yet powerful notion that everyone deserves a fair chance to achieve the American dream."

The announcement kicks off an aggressive grass-roots effort by AFT members to engage their fellow members and their families in broad-based efforts aimed at re-electing Obama. Weingarten will travel to Colorado on Feb.8 to meet with members and kick off the AFT's election efforts in the state.

"AFT members work hard every single day to make a difference in our communities and in the lives of the people and children we serve," says Weingarten. "While we have not agreed with every decision President Obama has made, he shares our deep commitment to rebuilding the middle class and ensuring everyone has an opportunity to achieve the American dream."

Kathleen Hofmann, a music teacher in Cincinnati, is one of thousands of members committed to getting her family and co-workers engaged in this election. "I know how much elections matter to our ability to provide a quality education to our students and rebuild the middle class," Hofmann says. "I'm supporting President Obama because he is the only candidate willing to stand up for the rest of us and fight for economic fairness in our country."

The endorsement was voted on by the AFT's executive council following months of surveys, meetings, online forums and conversations with thousands of AFT members who made it clear that they support the re-election of Obama.