August 2017 eNews
PRIM Reports Gain of 12.8%
The Pension Reserves Investment Trust (PRIT) Fund reported that it gained 12.8% in value for the one-year ending on June 30, 2017. It outperformed its benchmark by 79 basis points. PRIM invests the assets of the participants of the Massachusetts State Employees’ and State Teachers Retirement Systems, as well as the assets of county, authority, district, and municipal retirement systems that choose to participate, reported.
The PRIT Fund assets neared $67 billion as of June 30, 2017. More information on PRIM and the PRIT Fund can be found here:
How Medicare will affect your GIC Health Insurance
Many retirees wonder what to do when it’s time to enroll in Medicare. Thankfully the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) has a wealth of information for just that! Follow the links below for resources for navigating the many ins and outs of Medicare Enrollment.
If you have further questions about your health insurance coverage, please contact the GIC at:
Main Phone: (617) 727-2310
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 8747
Boston, MA 02114
Website: www.mass.gov/gic
Feedback: Online Request Contact Form
Report Cyber and Phone Fraud
If you feel that you or someone you know has been a victim of fraud, report to these links for your protection:
Report Elder Abuse
On July 1, 2017, the Executive Office of Elder Affairs centralized the Elder Protective Services abuse report intake system (elder abuse hotline) to a single phone number.
The 24/7 single phone number will simplify the process for reporting elder abuse. While the initial report intake will be centralized, all reports will continue to be referred to local Protective Services Agencies for screening, investigation, and service planning.
To report suspected elder abuse, please call the statewide 24-hour hotline:
Tel: 1-800-922-2275
Is there something you would like us to communicate in an upcoming Retiree eNews Bulletin? If so, let us know!
We look forward to hearing from you!
Happy Labor Day from the Massachusetts State Board of Retirement! Keep on the lookout for the next Retiree eNews Bulletin!
Did You Know?
Receiving paper bank statements could be costing you! Some banks charge your account when they have to mail your monthly statement. Talk to your bank about switching to online statements. (And, if needed, you can print your online statements at home).
Protecting Yourself From ID Theft
According to AARP.com, an identity is stolen once every two seconds, making it one of the most prevalent crimes in the world. Fortunately, it’s also the easiest to protect yourself from if you stay vigilant and follow a few of these tips:
- Shred any personal and sensitive documents, you never know who could get their hands on them after they have been recycled.
- Equipping your smartphone with a password is something small that can make a huge difference in your protection. Your phone knows a lot about you!
- Only share your Social Security number for tax reasons, obtaining credit, and to verify your employment.
- Identity thieves can wash off ink pen and rewrite checks, using a gel pen eliminates that risk.
Did you receive this Retiree eNews Bulletin as a forwarded e-mail from a friend? If you are a MSERS retiree and would like to receive your own monthly Retiree eNews Bulletin, send your e-mail address to us at MSRBCommunications@tre.state.ma.us
Note: Please include your full name and either your MSRB I.D. or the last four digits of your Social Security Number, and request that we add it to our distribution list.
Have you, or are you, planning to move? If so, be sure to notify the Board of your address change! Retirees who already have summer and winter addresses on file with the Board can call us to request the address update. Otherwise, you'll need to notify the Board in writing. You can download our Change of Address form here!
Contact us:
Boston Office:
Downtown Crossing
One Winter Street, 8th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
Springfield Office:
436 Dwight Street, #109A
Springfield, MA 01103
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Walk-In Counseling Hours:
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Tel: 617-367-7770
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