retireeline - new Consumers Energy website

RETIREELINE
Consumers Energy Retiree News • 2015 Issue No. 1
Retirees Gather for Florida Reunion;
Hear Report on Company Progress
R
ETIREES MET FEB. 25 in Zephyrhills for the 59th
Florida reunion luncheon to chat with colleagues
and hear keynote speaker Dan Malone, senior vice
president of energy resources for Consumers Energy
Company and CMS Energy Corporation, report on
company progress.
• The health care commitment to most retirees is to
“You have a lot invested in our company and its
future,” said Malone. “Thank you for your continued
support and your help in building our company.”
• Most Medicare retirees pay no premiums for their
He brought the group up
to date about changes in
benefits and urged retirees to
contact Fidelity at
800-260-4015 or through
their website at
http://netbenefits.fidelity.com
for questions about pensions,
savings, health insurance and
to report changes in family
status or address changes.
Some things he mentioned
include:
• Starting next year,
Dan Malone, Senior Vice
maintain at least the same benefits and costs as
active employees.
• Most pre-Medicare retirees pay the same
premium contributions as active employees.
Aetna coverage; active employees pay an average
13 to 19 percent premium contributions for their
health coverage.
“Consumers Energy is one of
the few companies that is still
offering company-sponsored
health insurance to new
employees,” said Malone in
response to a question. “Many
companies have already chosen
to provide a stipend and send
employees to the health care
exchanges. While we may get
there someday, we believe there
is value in offering companysponsored programs with
current costs.”
President of Energy Resources
Medicare retirees under
Reporting on company
the age of 75 as of Dec.
performance, Malone pointed
31, 2013 will begin to pay
to 12 consecutive years of
a 5 percent cost premium contribution for their
consistent financial results acknowledged by Wall
healthcare coverage. This change was announced
Street finance professionals. Analysts remarked that
in a letter sent in June 2013 to participants.
the company produced “consistent, transparent and
predictable growth and that CMS Energy was ‘Best-in• Pre-Medicare retirees will pay approximately
Class’.”
12 percent of the cost of their coverage in
premium contributions.
Malone said 2014 was a good year overall for
the company. He pointed to the need to complete
• Costs of retiree plans are projected to rise about
legislation on energy policy for Michigan as the main
6 percent this year due to health care reform,
focus for 2015.
increased costs of administration, fees, specialty
prescription drug costs and increased utilization.
2 015 I s s u e No. 1 • RetireeLine • 1
Retirees Can Help
Michigan’s Energy Future
P
OLICYMAKERS IN LANSING are debating how
Michigan will meet its future energy needs, and retirees
can help make our company’s voice heard.
“We need your help to shape a ‘Michigan First’ energy
policy that enables Consumers Energy to keep serving
our customers with affordable, reliable and sustainable
electricity,” said Megan Cary, EBG and Grassroots manager.
In March, Gov. Rick Snyder said Michigan needs an energy
policy that is adaptable, affordable and reliable while
protecting the environment.
Consumers Energy agrees with the governor’s statements
and supports his vision, as well as these recently proposed
bills:
• House Bill 4298, introduced by Rep. Aric Nesbitt, would
return Michigan to a fully regulated electric market.
• Senate Bill 247, introduced by Sen. Ken Horn, would give
customers currently buying electricity from retail energy
marketers a one-time choice to return to their utility.
“Unfortunately, Sen. Mike Shirkey introduced a bill to
deregulate Michigan’s electric market,” said Cary. “We
oppose Senate Bill 235 because deregulation would place
the state at risk of running short of electricity to meet the
needs of its families and businesses.”
Employees for Better Government urges retirees to act
now by contacting your elected officials and urging them to
support Senate Bill 247 and House Bill 4298, and oppose
Senate Bill 235.
Visit www.EmployeesForBetterGovernment.com to send an
electronic letter to your lawmakers and to learn more about
this issue.
“This is the first round of a lengthy fight to develop a
‘Michigan First’ energy policy and we will need your help
each step of the way,” said Cary. “I want to thank retirees for
standing up for our state, our customers and our company.”
If you’d like a Consumers Energy representative to discuss
energy policy with your group, contact Megan Cary at
517-788-0594 or [email protected].
Contact Fidelity to Assure Health Benefits
If a Consumers Energy or CMS Energy
Company retiree is covered by or eligible
to be covered by the Retiree Health Care
Plan on a company-subsidized basis
and passes away, medical and/or dental
coverage for your eligible surviving family
members can be continued if they enroll
and pay the required premiums. It is
necessary to contact Fidelity to assure the
continued coverage.
Fidelity, one of the nation’s leading
employee benefit companies, handles
administration of employee and retiree
benefit plans and can be contacted at
http://netbenefits.fidelity.com or at
800-260-4015. The phone center is open
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to
midnight EST, except for New York Stock
Exchange holidays.
When calling Fidelity, you will be asked to
identify yourself with your Social Security
Number and a PIN (personal identification
number) that you will need to set up
beforehand. Information about setting up
a PIN is available on Fidelity’s website
or by calling a Fidelity customer service
associate.
A change of address or dependent status
also must be reported directly to Fidelity.
2 015 I s s u e No. 1 • RetireeLine • 2
Matching Gifts, VIP Grants Continue in 2015;
New Program Issues $250 Grants for Groups
R
ETIREES CAN, ONCE AGAIN, gain greater value for
certain donations and volunteer work performed
for nonprofit organizations.
Last year, more than 30 retirees were part of a new
program created to honor groups of five or more
retired or active employees to work as volunteers for
a nonprofit while wearing a company T-shirt. "Caring
for Community" offers a $250 grant for the nonprofit.
“There are no restrictions on the number of hours
volunteered and we provide a free company T-shirt,”
said Carolyn Bloodworth, secretary-treasurer of
Consumers Energy and CMS Energy foundations.
“Last year we awarded 129 grants honoring the
contributions of more than 1,000 volunteers,” she
said.
Speaking to retirees at this year’s Florida reunion
in Zephyrhills, Dan Malone, senior vice president of
energy resources for Consumers Energy Company
and CMS Energy Corporation, said “We could not
achieve our goals without the tremendous support
of retirees.”
Retiree participation in the Matching Gifts Program
remained strong in 2014. The Consumers Energy
Foundation awarded $36,000 to 57 different
organizations on behalf of 111 retirees. Retiree
gifts will continue to be matched at a level of 50
percent to food banks or food pantries, homeless
shelters, higher education institutions and community
foundations in Michigan. The foundation will match
minimum gifts of $25 up to a combined total of
$1,000 per donor per calendar year.
In 2014, the foundation awarded more than $51,000
in Volunteer Investment Program grants to 100
different nonprofit organizations on behalf of retirees.
Brochures for these programs are available on the
retiree section of the company website or you can
pick up a copy in the local company human resources
or public affairs office. Information is available at the
foundation at 877-501-4952 or by emailing Carolyn
Bloodworth at [email protected].
Youngdahl Decides on Move to New "Vista"
FTER ENJOYING A LONG LIFE following many
A years of work, retirees often wonder if the
time has come to make the move into a
retirement center.
“My kids were with friends one day after we
moved into Vista Grande Villa and they asked how
did they convince us to move from our home,”
recalled Russ Youngdahl, a Consumers Energy
retiree who recently celebrated his 90th birthday.
“When they told them that they didn’t have to
convince us, and that we decided on the move
ourselves, they were very surprised,” recalled
Youngdahl.
“They have everything here that we need,” he
said, referring to Vista Grande Villa.
Youngdahl was lunching with members of the
Jackson chapter of the Forerunners, being hosted
by Vista Grande Villa.
Russ and Mary Youngdahl enjoy lunch during a Jacksonians club chapter meeting
hosted by Vista Grande Villa retirement center.
2 015 I s s u e No. 1 • RetireeLine • 3
Submit Your Landmark
Article for Publication
R
ETIREELINE reports wedding anniversaries of 50 or more
years and similar lifetime landmarks. Please include
your anniversary date, when you started with Consumers,
where you worked, what you did, and when you retired.
Information and original photos can be sent to RetireeLine,
19 Hidden Ridge Trail, Jackson, MI 49203-5172 or email
[email protected].
Pick Up Your Forerunners Scholarship
Entry Forms
voted to award three $600
TBrothers
scholarships for 2015. The special $1,000 Richmond
award will be presented again this year.
HE FORERUNNERS
Pick up an application for your student at any
Forerunners office, from chapter presidents, or
online at the Consumers Energy website,
www.ConsumersEnergy.com/retiree.
“This is the 17th year for the scholarship program,”
said Rhoda Tinkham, Chair, “and it is the club’s most
popular program." Award winners and sponsors are
invited to attend the annual Forerunners reunion
luncheon. This year’s event is scheduled for Sept.
16 at the Gilmore Car Museum, 6865 Hickory Road,
Hickory Corners, MI 49060. Hickory Corners is outside
Kalamazoo.
Award recipients must be high school graduates with
a grade-point average of 2.5 or above. They also must
plan on becoming full-time students and entering the
first year of post-secondary education at an accredited
college, university or trade school. The award can
be used for tuition, books, fees and other academic
expenses. Scholarships are awarded to children,
grandchildren, stepchildren, step-grandchildren,
and other legal dependents of paid-up members of
Forerunners. A Forerunners member is eligible for only
one award in any given year.
The first eligible name drawn during the selection
process, set for late June or early July, will receive the
Richmond Brothers Scholarship. Entry forms also are
available through the club officers, listed on the last
page of RetireeLine.
The awards are sponsored by the Forerunners, the
retiree club for Consumers Energy and CMS Energy
companies.
2 015 I s s u e No. 1 • RetireeLine • 4
Forerunners Chapter News and Events
Gene Bills,
FforORERUNNERS:
president of the Forerunners
six years starting in 2000,
died Feb. 11 at the age of 80. He
was active in the club for many
years. His efforts in developing
and promoting the Forerunners
and the Jacksonians chapter
was tireless and he is missed.
The executive board, voting at
the club’s fall meeting, elected
the following to two-year terms:
Vonda Belanger, president; Sam
Lalomia, vice-president; Kathy
Gabriel, treasurer; and Nancy
Miller, secretary.
Members voted to hold this
year’s Annual Reunion on
Sept. 16 at the Gilmore Car
Museum, 6865 Hickory Road,
Hickory Corners, MI 49060, near
Kalamazoo.
LORIDA: The 60th annual
Ftentatively
Reunion and Potluck is
scheduled for Wed.,
Feb. 24, 2016.
Bill Romoser, event chair,
reminds retirees who wish to be
informed about the annual event
to contact him by writing to: Bill
Romoser, 4629 Armitage Place,
Lakeland, FL 33801. He can be
reached by phone at
863-666-8021 or by email at
[email protected].
Those requesting to be informed
about the reunion will receive
a letter of invitation prior to the
event. The 59th Florida potluck
reunion was held Feb. 25 at
Zephyrhills (story on Page 1).
ACKSONIANS: The chapter
Jpositions
elected the following to
for this year: Andy
Dotterweich, president; Tom
Heikkinen, vice president; Karen
Kurzynowski, secretary; Michael
Marcellino, treasurer; and Rhoda
Tinkham, member-at-large.
The club will hold its next
chapter meeting April 21 at the
Country Club of Jackson.
Retiree Jo Lund, right, and guests Les and Kellie Walcott, toured Lloyd and Judi Ganton’s Ye Ole Carriage Shop at the club’s March chapter meeting.
2 015 I s s u e No. 1 • RetireeLine • 5
Welcome to RETIREELINE
NOVEMBER
Bromley, Jerry W.
Neal, Mark A.
Jankoska, Ronald F.
Brown, Willie
Defrain, Donald R.
Pomaranski, James P.
Johns, Raja S.
Dennis Sr., James D.
Pries, Leslie H.
Kopytek, Carole S.
Fall, Timothy R.
Schang, James L.
Krafft, Catherine M.
Fitzmaurice, Joseph P.
Schmanske, Stan C.
LaFray, Ollie C.
Guajardo, Oscar D.
Shelton, Paula D.
Leidlein, Kelly A.
Hooper, Allan C.
VanSteenkiste, R. R.
Nauta, Thomas W.
Hulliberger, Marilyn K.
Williams, Michael G.
Neely, Diane E.
Flint
Chasnis, Retia
Freeland
Colman, Mary L.
Royal Oak
Gill Jr., Ralph H.
Grand Haven
Hain, James E.
Whitehall
Mobley, Alex G.
Flint
Van Zegeren, Timothy
Jenison
DECEMBER
Bartus, Donna M.
Michigan Center
Bosovich, Daniel J.
Wyoming
Ludington
Jackson
Kalamazoo
Vassar
Bay City
Bay City
Jackson
Dimondale
Charlotte
Onekama
Birch Run
Lapeer
Battle Creek
Southfield
Chesterfield
Greenwood Twp.
Johns, Raja S.
Canton
Landa, Santo J.
Macomb
Loge Jr., William A.
Bay City
Bay City
Canton
Shelby Twp.
Frankenmuth
Bay City
Freeland
Edmore
Phoenix, Ariz.
Prielipp, Frederick R.
JANUARY
Allan, Jon W.
East Lansing
Amaya, Gilbert V.
Morenci
Coleman, Ronnie L.
Kalamazoo
Denooyer, Robert A.
Midland
Eckert III, William G.
Muskegon
Eimer, Mary P.
Delton
Grant, Sandy G.,
Newaygo
Grauman, Alan R.
Vicksburg
Haydo, Steven A.
Jackson
Hilliard, Karl E.
Manistee
Jackson, Anita E.
Saginaw
Marion
Schoen, Douglas J.
Ludington
Smar, Michael W.
Ferndale
Sutton, Ronald W.
Essexville
Swan, Michael D.
Ferndale
Swix, Melinda
Lansing
Tepatti, Mark L.
Gladwin
Trebnik, Thomas R.
Oscoda
Venlet Jr., Brant
Wyoming
Vereeke, John H.
West Olive
Woltman, Beverly J.
Allegan
Woodcock, Daniel W.
Midland
2 015 I s s u e No. 1 • RetireeLine • 6
Deaths
Please Note: Deaths are listed alphabetically by the month in which they were
reported. The date of death appears below the name of the deceased.
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
Banfield, Donald D.
Nov. 22 – Ortonville
Bell, Donald E.
Nov. 13 – Saginaw
Bradford, Clara S.
Oct. 21 – Parma
Calkins, Charles R.
Sept. 21 – Durham, S.C.
Challenger, Edward J.
Apr. 11 – Saginaw
Cobb, Allen H.
Nov. 9 – Jackson
Gee, Allan J.
Nov. 19 – Houghton Lake
Geissler, William K.
Oct. 14 – Temperance
Hatchel, Everett A.
Nov. 19 – Pesotum, Ill.
Johnson, Leroy R.
Nov. 5 – Whitehall
Kim, Jong C.
Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.
McCloskey, Michael J.
Nov. 11 – Owosso
McDonald, John T.
Nov. 1 – Holland
Miller, Melody A.
Nov. 14 – Jackson
Olney, Clifford L.
Nov. 14 – Battle Creek
Ryder, Jack A.
Nov. 11 – Saginaw
Tavierne, Noel A.
Nov. 13 – Rives Junction
Thomas, Gerald K.
Nov. 2 – Delton
Van Slooten, James A.
Nov. 13 – Holland
Wheaton, Karl J.
Oct. 28 – Byron Center
Axtell, Charles E.
Nov. 8 – Fountain Hills, Ariz.
Bigford, Roy A.
Dec. 1 – Bradenton, Fla.
Blackmer, Joseph D.
Dec. 25 – Atlanta
Blair, Robert A.
Nov. 28 – Erie
Cummings Jr., Walter
Nov. 22 – Essexville
Faley, Edward J.
Dec. 1 – Jackson
Fox, Thomas L.
Nov. 17 – Walker
Johnson, Leroy
Nov. 14 – Whitehall
Jones, Maxine W.
Nov. 28 – Kalamazoo
Kaydos, Joseph E.
Dec. 9 – Sterling Hts.
Lange, Roy O.
Dec. 1 – Shelby Twp.
Lourim, Thomas W.
Nov. 19 – Jackson
Orzel, Thomas E.
Nov. 19 – Unionville
Otte, Kenneth H.
Dec. 1 – Hudsonville
Passmore, Gerald E.
Nov. 25 – Mio
Schuette, William
Nov. 22 – Grand Blanc
Smith, Harold J.
Dec. 19 – Westphalia
Sokoloski, Charles R.
Nov. 24 – Big Rapids
Sprygada, Chester M.
Dec. 6 – Long Lake
JANUARY 2015
Dyer, Duane A.
Jan. 11 – Richmond, Tex.
Erber, Robert G.
Jan. 10 – Roscommon
Hall, Donald L.
Dec. 18 – Muskegon
Lawler Jr., James D.
Dec. 29 – Caledonia
Litzner, Karl P.
Jan. 7 – Frankenmuth
May, Robert G.
Jan. 11 – Charlevoix
Miller, Charlie D.
Jan. 16 – Jackson
Minnie, William E.
Jan. 14 – Hudsonville
Mosley, Elwood B.
Dec. 27 – Cotter, Ariz.
Owings Jr., Edward A.
Jan 4. – Lexington
Pierce, James M.
Jan. 10 – Bay City
Robertson, Mildred A.
Dec. 30 – Jackson
Roeper, John F.
Jan. 1 – Columbiaville
Spencer, Robert B.
Dec. 23 – Jackson
Stearns, Francis K.
Dec. 17 – Gaylord
Ulrich, George R.
Jan. 10 – Hastings
Wabindato, Jacob P.
Dec. 22 – Fruitport
Wagester, Dale E.
Jan. 17 – Deckerville
Walstrum, John W.
Dec. 18 – Byron Center
Whiting, Lois I.
Dec. 22 – Whitehall
Williams, Harry C.
Dec. 30 – Beaverton
Wilson. Robert E.
Dec. 23 – Grand Rapids
Zoet, Jerry A.
Jan. 4 – Los Angeles, Calif.
2 015 I s s u e No. 1 • RetireeLine • 7
CONSUMERS ENERGY CONTACTS
RETIREE WEBSITE: ConsumersEnergy.com/retiree
THE FORERUNNERS: Phone: 517-788-1221; Fax: 517-788-1302 - 1945 Parnall Road, Room P21-504, Jackson, MI 49201
OFFICERS: Vonda Belanger, president, [email protected] ; Nancy Miller, secretary, [email protected]; Kathy
Gabriel, treasurer; Rhoda Tinkham, immediate past president & scholarship chair, [email protected].
CHAPTERS:
Adrian: Adrianites – Alan Morgenthaler
517-265-7539
Alma: Grey Power – Bob Divelbiss
989-833-2403
Arizona: Sun Runners – John Ralph 623-935-9772
Battle Creek: Kilowatt Kreekers – Margaret Skinner/Moody 269-967-2263
Flint, Lapeer: Easterners – Tom Bollman
810-444-9054
Owosso – Don Smith
989-723-2324
Florida: Bill Romoser (reunion only, winters)
863-666-8021
Grand Rapids, Hastings, Greenville:
Livewires – Frank Zimmerman
616-656-1147
Jackson: Jacksonians – Andy Dotterweich
517-740-7989
Kalamazoo: Kalamazoo Clann – Harold Stanley
269-734-7969
Lansing: Capitaliers – George Martin
517-669-1782
Livonia, Howell: Blue Flames – Sue Breckenridge
734-452-2251
Monroe County: Southeasters – Jerry Ridner
419-340-2968
Muskegon: Lakesiders – Jim Fuller
616-842-7599
Royal Oak: Metro Region Pioneers – Phyllis Leo
586-677-9235
Saginaw, Bay City, Midland, Karn/Weadock:
Wonder Watts – Len Bobick 989-893-2418
Tawas City: Northeastern Lights – Lee Lockman
989-362-7003
Traverse City: Northwesters – Chuck Hollman
231-947-8279
Fidelity: Benefits, ALL address changes:
800-260-4015
8:30 a.m. to midnight Monday through Friday, excluding
NYSE holidays – Internet: http://netbenefits.fidelity.com
Aetna: Medical 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST Monday through Friday
800-654-7248
Internet: http://aetna.com
Express Scripts Medco: Mail Order Prescriptions
800-875-3147
Internet: https://express-scripts.com
Consumers Energy Employee Service Center: 800-272-4045
Consumers Energy Liaison with Chapters:
Chuck Moyer: [email protected]
517-788-1838
RETIREELINE News:
Michael Marcellino: [email protected]
517-787-2023
Please call the appropriate chapter president if you want to be on the mailing list for club events.
2 015 I s s u e No. 1 • RetireeLine • 8