2015 Oct SCREA news - Sussex County Retired Educators

Sussex County Retired
Educators Association
After School Views
Volume 16 Number 2
President’s Message by Marie Kovacs
Meeting/Luncheon
Mon. Dec.7, 2015
Lafayette House
12 Noon
 Cost $ 26
 Entrée: Turkey dinner
 Deadline: Nov.30
 Program: The Quartet
from Harmony in
Motion
The SCREA is
affiliated with the
New Jersey Retirees’
Education
Association

President:
Marie Kovacs
973-9458344
First Vice Pres.
Pam Raynor
973-3838575
Second Vice Pres.
Linda Adams
973-7141646
Treasurer/Membership
973-2094129
Ann C. Lane
Secretary
Theresa Boscia
October 2015
POLITICS AND YOU: "I don't like politics." "I didn't become an
educator to get involved with political issues." "All politicians are corrupt.”. Frequently these refrains are heard from both active and retired members. However, political decisions dictated your professional life and now threaten your retirement. If legislators don't hear
from you, they certainly will hear from big business, tax reform
groups, their cronies and our governor.
Recently I had the opportunity to talk with a member who is not
afraid to jump into the political fray and be heard. She was all set to
accompany me to NJEA Headquarters for Lobby Day training. The
day would include breakfast at NJEA, a briefing on talking points, a
walk over to the State Capitol to meet with legislators and lunch.
Several days before the trip she called to cancel. It was not because
her desire for involvement diminished or that she doubted her potential influence. She had to face the fact that she was an 82 year old
with two bad knees and a recent injury. A long ride followed by the
walking and standing required made it a prohibitive plan. The spirit
was willing and the passion to take charge of her future was there .
I hope you are inspired by this colleague who is willing to fight for
you. She knows we can not stay out of politics. To quote NJEA VicePresident Marie Blistan, "We are not hopeless, because we are not
helpless". Stay calm and fight on.
973-2098731
Necrology
Nancy Clink
973-2937223
Travel:
Linda Adams
973-7141646
Editor:
Georgeanna Lewis
407-4434247
NJEA Secretary Treasurer Sean Spiller installed the new officers of
the Sussex County Retiree's Education Association: Secretary Theresa
Boscia, President Marie Kovacs, First Vice President Pam Raynor and
Second Vice President Linda Adams.
PAGE 2
AFTER SCHOOL VIEWS
V O LU M E 1 6 N U M B E R 1
Retirees to recoup prescription overpayments
Published on Friday, October 9, 2015 by NJEA
NJREA members have been handed a victory. The School Employees Health Benefits Program Design
Committee (SEHBPDC) has come to an agreement on how to recoup the overpaid retiree prescription
copayments for Plan Year 2015 as a result of the NJ Division of Pensions and Benefits’ unilateral decision to increase copayments at the beginning of the year. This victory will bring relief to tens of thousands of former public school employees.
An unfair edict
In June 2011, when P.L. 2011, Chapter 78 was signed by Gov. Christie, the School Employees Health
Benefits Program (SEHBP) and the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) Design Committees were
given the authority to develop health and prescription plans. The SEHBP and SHBP Design Committees (SEHBPDC and SHBPDC, respectively) are comprised of equal representatives from labor and the
Governor’s appointees. The law requires a majority vote (50 percent plus one) to implement any health
of prescription plan design changes, which includes prescription copayments.
Because NJREA members fall under the SEHBP, any plan design changes—including prescription copayments—are determined by the SEHBPDC. The SEHBPDC did not come to an agreement on retiree
prescription copayments for Plan Year 2015 and the NJ Division of Pensions and Benefits unilaterally
raised prescription copayments for SEHBP retirees. The labor representatives on the SHBPDC filed a
lawsuit stating the Division of Pensions and Benefits did not have the right to change benefit levels
without approval from the Design Committee. In Dec. 2014, the court issued a unanimous decision in
favor of labor’s position that the Division does not have this power under the law.
While NJEA is not a part of this lawsuit, it has applied to our retirees. As a result of the court’s decision last December, the SEHBPDC has agreed on how to reconcile the increased costs to retirees.
Recouping overpayments
The SEHBPDC needs to refund retirees approximately $5 million in overpaid copayments for
Plan Year 2015, with the final amount being determined at the end of this calendar year. In
order to refund this overpayment, retiree copayments will be lowered for Plan Year 2016. Express Scripts states that it will take approximately one year to recoup the value to members.
Changes will only affect members in certain SEHBP Retiree Health Plans. The respective copayments for members in Direct 10, Direct 15, Aetna Freedom 10, and Aetna Freedom 15
plans are on page 6. (Continued on page 6)
Resources to Stay Informed or
To Inform
Go to www.njea.org or
better yet www.njea.org/njrea
Contact Sen. Steven Oroho and
Assemblyman . Parker Space
Both have the same phone number &
address 973-827-0200
115 Demarest Road, Suite B,
Sparta, NJ 07871
[email protected] [email protected]
Contact Gov. Chris Christie
1-609-292-6000
PO Box 001, Trenton, NJ 08625
Calendar of Event
Mon. Dec. 7, 2015 SCREA Luncheon mtg
Tues. Dec. 8, 2015 Trip to Hunterdon Hills
Mon. Feb. 29,2016 SCREA Executive mtg.
Mon. March 7, 2016 Mailing meeting
Mon. April 11, 2016 SCREA Luncheon/meeting
Mon. April 25, 2016 SCREA Executive mtg.
Mon. May 2 2016. Mailing meeting
Mon. June 6, 2016 SCREA Luncheon/ meeting
All luncheons are planned for the Lafayette House at Noon. Executive and mailing meetings are at 10 AM at the SCEA office, 47 Rt. 206, Suite 2, Augusta, NJ 07822
VOLUME 16 NUMBER 2
A FT E R S C HO O L V I E WS
SCREA MEMBERSHIP
Prepared by Ann Lane, Membership Chair
For October/December 2015 meetings
Please remember that any dues paid during the
school year go toward that year’s dues (September
1 – August 31) not a year from your payment.
PAGE 3
Treasurer’s Report 2015-16 SCREA
For the October-December meetings
Prepared by Ann C. Lane, Treasurer
General Checking Account
Balance 9/30/2015
13325.06
*2015-16 Membership cards have already been
mailed out and your convention badges should be
mailed by the time you receive this newsletter.
Visions Regular (matures 10/11/15)
*If you or your friends do not receive your NJREA/
NJEA/NEA or SCREA 2015-2016 publications you
may not have paid your annual dues.
Lifetime Lakeland
14589.31
Lifetime Visions CD (matures 7/5/18)
12836.89
*Please add [email protected] to your email
contacts so that you are assured you receive the
quarterly SCREA newsletter.
*NJREA Life members that do not have unified
membership should send your $10 annual county
membership or $250 life membership to my address listed below.
*NJREA members that have membership in another county and want an additional county membership in Sussex, please send your $10 annual
membership to my address.
Visions Primary Share
2065.39
25.04
Philanthropic/Scholarship 9/30/2015
Lakeland
4435.29
Visions Draft (Checking)
2640.72
Visions (Main Shares 01)
25.03
Visions (Main Shares 02)
25.00
Visions CD (matures 4/1/16)
2658.27
*Please let any recent retirees you know that they
will probably receive their unified membership
bills as soon as NJEA realizes they are no longer
on their active lists. If they want they can call
NJEA at 609-599-4561 to pay their dues with a
credit card prior to that time frame
If you have any questions/problem
about membership or your membership status, or receiving the county
newsletter, please do not hesitate to
contact me at 973.209.4129,
[email protected], or 21 Aspen,
Hamburg NJ 07419
Necrology
By Nancy Clink
August 9, 2015 to October 18 ,2015
I am pleased to report that none of our
members have passed.
Please contact me at 973-293-7223 if you
hear of the demise of one of our members.
A PLUG FOR MEMBERSHIP
By Pam Raynor
The next time you are out and about
with fellow retired educators ask if
they are members of SCREA. Some
retirees have let their membership
lapsed, while others NEVER joined.
We need to get as many members
as possible to join the SCREA.
More members make for a
STRONGER Voice in Trenton. Yes,
dues are $89.00 annually and that
comes out to be less than $1.70 a
week. Surely for less that the price
of a cup of coffee you could sign up
and be a part of a larger voice in
support of issues dear to our hearts
and wallets.
PAGE 4
AFTER SCHOOL VIEWS
VOLUME 16 NUMBER 2
Secretary’s Minutes:
By Theresa Boscia
The September 21, 2015 meeting at the Lafayette
House was called to order with the flag salute by President Marie Kovacs at 12:07 PM. We sang “God Bless
America” led by Despena Eplamenitis who was accompanied on the piano by Suzanne Hunt. The invocation
was given by President Kovacs.
Necrology Service was led by Nancy Clink in
memory of the members lost August 2014 to August
2015: Marilyn Ammiano, June Bach, Dawn LaGreca,
Manuel Reis, Beatrice Talmadge and Helen Titus.
President Kovacs asked members attending for the
first time to stand and introduce themselves and
name their former school district. There were quite a
few new faces. Members of the Executive Board were
introduced.
Minutes of the June meeting were accepted on a motion by Linda Adams, second Nancy Clink.
Correspondence: Thank you notes were received
from the Department of Human Services, Newton for
the items donated from our annual spring food drive
and from Chris Loos for the Warren D. Cummings
Scholarship awarded to him in June.
President’s Message: President Kovacs attended
the New President’s Meeting on August 19th at the
NJEA Headquarters. President Kovacs, JoAnn
Horvath, and Georgie Lewis will attend the NJREA
Fall Luncheon/Delegate Assembly meeting in Bordentown on September 24th. Dental Health Benefits will
have a slight increase. Information will be in the
newsletter. The NJREA Convention will be held at
the Resorts Hotel and Casino on November 4th and 5th.
Travel: Linda Adams - The Norwegian Gem
Cruise was sensational. We all had a lot of
fun. Next September we are doing a bus trip to
Ocean City, MD. The flyers were on the tables.
We already have half the bus filled 25 people,
so don’t hesitate if you are interested. We still
have room for the Hunterdon Hills playhouse
for a Playhouse Christmas on Dec. 8th. The
cost is $80. Please do not wait to sign up. The
sign up sheets are here. We are working on a
day trip to Essex, Connecticut in the spring
either April or May. This would include eating
at the Griswold Inn, a museum tour and ecology boat ride. If anyone has ideas for trips they
would like to go on, keep her posted. Email is
the best way to contact her because she saves
emails and does not forget.
Government Relations: Elaine and Ralph
were unable to attend the September 1st meeting due to prior commitments. Linda Bruno
attended as NJREA North Contact and she left
a report for Ralph to give. Pac committee met.
54 candidates’ screenings held. No endorsements in our legislative district. Do contact
legislators. We need help on pension issues to
override the governor’s veto.
Membership: Ann Lane is not here today.
However, if you have not received your membership forms or paid your dues feel free to contact her.
Budget: President Kovacs asked for a motion
to accept the budget as printed in the newsletter. Motion by Linda Adams, seconded by
Ralph Smith. Approved.
Committee Reports:
Member Benefits: Lu Stanziale - no report.
1st
Website: Marie reminded us to go to
www.Screa - njea or www.njea.org. She
thanked Paul Stanziale for updating it.
VP Report: Pam Raynor: It’s the job of this office
to find speakers for our meetings. Today’s speakers
are Sean Spiller, NJEA Secretary/Treasurer and Ellie
Benz, the organizer of Earth Angels and one of the 15
Sussex County women honored in 2015 for making a
positive impact on the community.
2nd VP Report: Linda Adams reported we have 85
people enjoying our luncheon here today. Please contact her in the future if you have any issues with the
lunch menu. She’s new and trying to make food choices a bit different while staying at $26 per person. We
need to remember that this price also includes tax and
gratuity which is usually 25% more so please keep
that in mind.
Our holiday luncheon will take place on Monday, December 7th. We will be having a Holiday Turkey Dinner. At the April meeting we will have roast pork and
in June chicken.
Scholarship: Sharon Mullen, Chair, reported
that half of $120, from the 50/50 was given to
the winner who donated part of her winnings.
Sharon thanked participants for their generous
support.
Old Business: None
New Business: Please consider lobby training. Lobbying can be intimidating but you never have to go alone and you’ll receive instruction in what to do and say. Let Ralph know if
interested. They will leave from the Uniserve
office. It’s possible training may be done in
Sussex County.
(continued on pg. 6
Volume 16 Number 2
AFTER SCHOOL VIEWS.
Page 5
SCREA Travel Report
Hunterdon Hills Playhouse
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Join us at a Playhouse Christmas Show and Luncheon. Cost will be the same as last year $80 pp.
which includes bus, show and lunch. Our bus leaves Newton Park and Ride behind the Shop Rite
at 9:30 AM and returns around 5PM. Send a check made out to SCREA Trips to Linda Adams,
37 Fairview Ave., Hamburg, NJ 07419 by November 15th. Specify choice of entrée: Pot Roast,
Fried Shrimp, Roast Turkey, Lemon Pepper Cod, Baked Vegetable, or Gluten free Vegetable Kabob.
New for 2016, Ocean City, Maryland
Sept. 25– 29, 2016 -5 days and 4 nights $680 pp double, $875 Single, $670 Triple pp. Deluxe motor coach, stay at the Quality Inn Boardwalk www.qiboardwalk.com, 4 dinners at famous
Ocean City restaurants, 1 lunch at Lobster Shanty, tour Assateague Island, , tour Ward Museum
of Wildfowl Art, Ocean Downs Casino, eco-tour, etc. More info at the next luncheon or contact Linda Adams for full itinerary.
This trip is filling up quickly, please let Linda know if you are planning on attending. A deposit of
$200 will be due November 30th. .
Scholarship Committee
By Sharon Mullen
Contact: Linda Adams
(973) 827-6285
cell 973-714-1646
[email protected]
Mail checks written to
SCREA Trips to Linda Adams
37 Fairview. Ave.
Hamburg 07419
As in the past we will be collecting for our scholarship at the December meeting. If you wish to give
a check, which is tax deductible, please make it to
SCREA Philanthropic Fund. We will not have a
50-50 in lieu of this annual collection. In the past
we have given two $1000 scholarships to future
educators annually.
Donations may be made at any time using the
form below.
-----------------------------------For Donations to the SCREA Philanthropic fund (scholarship)
Name: ______________________________
Date:_________
Amount ____________________
Address:___________________________________________________________________________
(Optional) In memory________________________
(Optional) Name & Address to send acknowledgement to
Please write check to SCREA Philanthropic fund and mail it to Sharon Mullen, 5 Highland
Ave., Andover, NJ 07821
AFTER SCHOOL VIEWS
VOLUME 16 NUMBER 2
PAGE 6
Secretary Minutes (continued from pg. 4)
Announcements: Heidi Clune - The Salvation Army
bell ringing collections begin the Friday after Thanksgiving. For information call (973) 222-8091. Volunteers
are needed.
Motion to Adjourn by Heidi Clune and seconded by
JoAnn Horvath at 1 pm.
Program: President Kovacs introduced Sean Spiller
Secretary/Treasurer for NJEA and liaison to retired educators. Sean reminded everyone that retired and active members have the same concerns. We must be unified. The biggest challenge is insuring that our pensions
are funded. Monies for them could run out in 2027. We
must put pressure on candidates and endorse those who
support our pensions.
Sean Spiller shares information on
educational issues with member
Lou Molinari
The second speaker was Ellie Benz, a Sussex County
attorney, who started Earth Angels in 1999. The program reaches out to seniors in Sussex County who are
often lonely and have no families. They are remembered with gifts and holiday greeting cards. Also students in certain schools correspond regularly with the
seniors. Two or three volunteers are needed to help coordinate the program.
Sean Spiller conducted the installation of the new
SCREA officers.
Direct 15/Aetna Freedom 10/Aetna Freedom 15
2015
2016
Mail
Retail
Retail
Away
Tier
(30-Day
(30-Day
(90-Day
Supply)
Supply)
Supply)
Generic
$11
$6
$8
(Continued from page 2)
Mail
Away
(90-Day
Supply)
$3
Preferred Brand
$23
$34
$20
$30
Non-Preferred
Brand
$46
$57
$42
$52
Out-of-Pocket
Maximum
$1,533/individual
If the SEHBPDC is not able to come
to an agreement on retiree prescription copayments for Plan Year 2017,
then they will revert back to Plan
Year 2014 levels on January 1, 2017.
NJEA/NJREA will work to keep its
members informed of any additional
information.
$1,411/individual
Horizon HMO/Aetna HMO
2015
Retail
Tier
The respective copayments for
members in Horizon HMO and
Aetna HMO Legacy ($10 copay)
plans are as follows:
Generic
Preferred Brand
Non-Preferred
Brand
Out-of-Pocket
Maximum
(30-Day
Supply)
2016
Mail
Away
$7
$14
(90-Day
Supply)
$6
$21
$28
$34
$1,533/individual
Retail
(30-Day
Supply)
Mail Away
(90-Day
Supply)
$5
$13
$2
$19
$26
$31
$1,411/individual
VOLUME 16 NUMBER 2
AFTER SCHOOL VIEWS
PAGE 7
Menu
Cream of mushroom
soup
House salad
Turkey with stuffing
Potatoes & Vegetables
Rolls & Butter
Coffee or Tea
Cheesecake
The Sussex County Democratic Committee will
present Dr. Ed Selby with a lifetime achievement award for all his many years of service
Special Guest Speaker : Senator Loretta Weinberg
Sunday October 25, 2015
6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Crystal Springs—Chestnut Room
$80 per person/ includes Buffet Dinner/ Cash Bar
For more information go to
Www.sussexdems.com
Website:
Bring a new retiree
Martha Storms brought
Debra Veiga, newly retired
from Vernon Township
Our SCREA website is up and live at www.screanjea.org and as a link on the NJREA website. Your
user name is the # on your NJEA membership card and
the last 4 digits of your SS # is your password unless
you have changed it. Let Lucille or Linda Bruno know if
you want anything else published. The goal of the
SCREA Executive Committee is to keep members informed.
SUSSEX COUNTY RETIRED
EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION
47 Route 206 Suite 2
Augusta, NJ 07822
VOTE
General Elections
Tues. Nov. 3, 2015
Deadline for absentee
ballot is October 27
First Vice Presidents Report
By Pam Raynor
I hope you will join us Monday, December
7th for our holiday luncheon. We will be
entertained by a Quartet from Harmony in
Motion. They will sing seasonal tunes for
us to enjoy.
Those attending our September meeting
heard Sean Spiller, NJEA Secretary/
Treasurer inform us of what is happening
with our pensions, whose funds could be
depleted by 2027. He explained why
NJEA is not supporting candidates who
are not in SUPPORT of fixing our pension
system.
Ellie Benz, a local attorney spoke about
her two social projects one called Earth
Angels which distributes gifts to Senior
Citizens during the holidays. She was in
need of a coordinator for a pen pal letter
exchange between Senior Citizens and local elementary students.
I look forward to seeing you at our December 7th meeting.
Ellie Benz, center with members Margery
Barrett and Lois La Scala at our September 21st meeting. Ms. Benz spoke about
Earth Angels, a group that provides gifts
for senior citizens in local nursing homes
and on their own. Contact information Ellie Benz (973) 940-0707 or
[email protected].