Message from Bill Kadereit, NRLN President

Do you know…The NRLN supports closing the
funding gap through a modest payroll tax increase and making all wages subject
to the payroll tax by removing the 2025 cap of $176.10.  Social Security’s Chief Actuary calculated
that eliminating the taxable maximum would close about 70% of the shortfall and
ensure solvency until 2060?

Do you know…Medicare’s Hospital
Insurance (HI) Trust Fund (Medicare Part A) will be able to pay 100% of
scheduled benefits until 2036?

Do you know…Congress is allowing the
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) to use taxpayer dollars to subsidize
private insurance companies for Medicare Advantage (MA) plans? 

Do you know…The NRLN wants to end
pay-for-delay and other brand name drugmakers’ tactics that
obstruct generic drugs from coming to market and allow importation of safe
and less expensive drugs from Canada.

Do you know…More companies are doing
Pension Risk Transfers.  The foremost among
protections we want to become law is our statute proposal that an annuity
contract must include full reinsurance of Pension Payments?

Please join as Individual Member for 2025.

Martha Deahl
NRLN Vice President
Desert Southwest Region
AZ/NM/NV and
NRLN Arizona Chapter President

New Mexico SHIP:

www.nmaging.state.nm.us
Phone: 800-432-2080
Program Name: State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)

About: The State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or SHIP, is a national program that offers one-on-one counseling and assistance to people with Medicare and their families. Coordinators provide benefits counseling on the Medicare, Medicare prescription drug program, Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare and Veterans benefits. Information and related Senior Medicare Patrol billing questions and appeals. NM SHIP ensures that older New Mexicans receive accurate, unbiased information about health care options and other entitlements. It does not sell, endorse or recommend any specific insurance or other health plans

NRLN NM Chapter Says – Wake Up NM….

Now is the time for your Senators and Representatives to hear your voices! Let them know how you feel about their lack of action when it comes to protecting retirees’ benefits.

NRLN Report Cards on New Mexico’s Members of Congress

The following “Report Card” shows whether New Mexico members of Congress sponsored or cosponsored or voted for bills the NRLN supported in the current 115th Congress. Click here to access the Legislative Directory and then select New Mexico on the USA map to view the NM Congressional delegation webpage on the NRLN website. Then click on the tab NRLN STATE REPORT CARD (EXCEL DOWNLOAD).

Topics of Interest

From: Martha Deahl, NRLN Vice President Desert Southwest Region, AZ/NM/NV Desertsouthwestregion@NRLN.org

Subject: Change in CenturyLink Concession Service

Changes in CenturyLink Concession Service policy was updated on May 3, 2018 which affects management retirees. The policy states:

“If you are enrolled in concessions prior to May 3, 2018, you may keep your current concessions. However, if you change your services, apply for the new concession program, or move to a new address any time after May 3, 2018, you may not be able to revert to your prior concession offer.”

This change in policy does not apply to non-management retirees since they are covered by Qwest CWA and IBEW Unions Bargaining Agreements. 

Thanks, Martha

Make Your Voice Heard with Members of Congress

One of the major roles of the NRLN New Mexico Chapter is to advocate the NRLN legislative agenda for retirees to members of the New Mexico Congressional delegation.

Pension, Social Security and Medicare protection are at the top of the list of things to protect and reducing health care cost, especially the cost of prescription drugs.