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Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for more than 72.5 million Americans will increase 2.5% in 2025, the Social Security Administration announced on Friday, October 10.  On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by about $50 per month starting in January. Over the last decade the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) increase has averaged about 2.6 percent. The…

DuPont and Dow Chemical Company announced on December 11, 2015, that their boards of directors had approved an agreement for a “merger of equals.” Naturally, this plan raised concerns about the security of retiree pensions and other benefits, and we needed a mechanism to organize and communicate with the over 100,000 retirees. Paul Kende and I then began a dialogue…

If you have an MA plan it is important to learn whether it will continue next year. Last week the NRLN emailed messages asking: Do You Know Whether Your Medicare Advantage Plan Will Continue in 2025? The reason for the question is that four Medicare Advantage Insurance companies have announced they will drop over 1 million enrollees across the nation…

Vern Larson, President, Avaya Retirees Chapter – NRLN, and his wife Rose, a former IBEW member, serve as an example for the importance of Medicare Guaranteed Issue Rights (GIRs) for Avaya and other retirees. In 2023, after several years of collective bargaining attempts by two international unions and Avaya management, approximately 12,000 Avaya retirees were notified that the parties reached…

The start of the Medicare Open Enrollment Period is coming soon (Oct. 15 – Dec. 7). It is important that you understand the basic difference between Medicare Advantage and original Medicare. This posting covers the basics of Medicare Advantage. Last week’s posting covered the basics of original Medicare. Medicare Advantage (also known as Part C) plans by private insurers provide…

Our Chapter is part of the National Retiree Legislative Network (the NRLN), which actively pursues legislative changes that will improve the retirement for its members, and for all retirees. The NRLN’s twice annual meeting was held in Washington DC on September 15 through 18, 2024. In addition to a Board Meeting, the NRLN uses this opportunity to actively pursue in…

The National Retiree Legislative Network (NRLN) recently hosted its annual Fly-In event in Washington, D.C., where  attendees met with Congressional representatives to advocate for the protection of retirees’ pensions, Social Security, and Medicare. Participants engaged directly with lawmakers, sharing stories and emphasizing the need for legislation that safeguards the financial security of retirees. NRLN’s executive staff played a key role,…

Visit Medicare.gov to Find a variety of MediGap Plans As we approach the Medicare Open Enrollment Period, Oct. 15 – Dec. 7, it is important to understand the basic differences between original Medicare, also known as fee-for-service (FSS), and Medicare Advantage. This posting covers the basics of original Medicare. Next week’s posting will cover the basics of Medicare Advantage. In-Depth…

One of the options that enrollees in traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage have during the Open Enrollment Period Oct. 15 – Dec. 7 is changing their Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. A prescription drug plan is independent from traditional Medicare while many Medicare Advantage plans include a prescription drug plan. Be sure you understand how your prescription drug plan…

Beginning in January 2025, Medicare beneficiaries with Part D can opt in for the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan (MPPP). Medicare Part D enrollees and Medicare Advantage (MA) plans enrollees with frug coverage will have the option to spread out the costs of their prescription drugs over the calendar year. This eliminates the burden on individuals with high Rx costs of…