March 2018 eNews

2018 Benefit Verification (BVF) Process

At least every two years the Board must perform a benefit verification process to ensure that its retirees and beneficiaries remain eligible to continue receiving benefits. The last verification process was done in 2016.

As such, the 2018 Benefit Verification Forms are scheduled to be mailed to all benefit recipients by the end of April. The initial deadline to return your completed form is May 25, 2018.

Please visit our 2018 Benefit Verification website page to view all the details, including FAQs.

Note, it is very important that the Board has your current address on file if you have recently moved. To update your address information, please use the Retiree Change of Address Form.

Be sure to check the Board's website, Facebook and Twitter pages for the latest updates!

Christopher Condon's Departure

After fifteen years of serving on the State Retirement Board, Chris Condon is leaving his position.

Mr. Condon is the Director of Political Action and Legislation for SEIU Local 509, Public Sector Division, and he began his Board service in 2003.

The MSRB bids farewell to Chris and greatly appreciates everything he has done for the retirement system and our members.

GIC Annual Open Enrollment and Health Fair Schedule

The Group Insurance Commission (GIC) voted to approve the benefit designs of health plans effective July 1, 2018. The recommended benefit designs are based on the feedback received from members over the past several months, and will provide similar or more member-friendly benefit enhancements while also working to control member cost increases.

Highlights of the updated benefits approved include:

• Reducing deductibles across regional and limited network plans (Unicare Community Choice, Health New England HMO, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Primary Choice, Tufts Spirit and Fallon Direct) where possible
  
  
• Reducing some medical co-payments for specialists across all plans
  
  
• Reducing costs to access Telehealth services to $15 across all broad and limited network plans
  
  
• Removing the need for patients to obtain pre-authorization for accessing hospice care benefits

The GIC will continue to notify key stakeholders as to plan and rate proposals and will share plan and benefit information prior to the start of its Annual Open Enrollment period, which runs from Wednesday, April 4 to Wednesday, May 2.

The links below will provide you with the upcoming schedule for the health fair and the map:

GIC Health Fair Schedule 2018

GIC Health Fair Map 2018

Need a new ID or driver's license? New documents required.

On March 26, 2018, to get or renew any driver’s license, ID card, or learner’s permit, customers will need documentation showing United States citizenship or lawful presence as required by federal and state law. At that time, customers will need to choose between getting a REAL ID license or ID card, or a Standard license or ID card.

Visit mass.gov/ID for more information and a complete list of acceptable identification documents.

Is there something you would like us to communicate in an upcoming Retiree eNews Bulletin? If so, let us know!

Please e-mail your request and/or comments to MSRBCommunications@tre.state.ma.usWe look forward to hearing from you!

Did You Know?

We have recently received many inquiries and e-mails where members are adding their full Social Security Numbers to their message. We would like to you remind you that your Social Security Number is susceptible to being stolen when transferred over the Internet. It puts you at risk of identity theft and scams and is just as dangerous as putting your number on a postcard through the mail. The MSRB will never need your full Social Security Number through e-mail.

Please be careful in providing any of your personal information through e-mail. In today’s technological climate, it is more important than ever to keep your identity protected online.

Treasurer Goldberg Partners With Legislature on Gun Divestment Bill

A bill was recently filed with the Massachusetts Legislature, and if passed, would require the state's public pension fund to divest from companies that manufacture firearms and ammunition.

“In the aftermath of the horrific shooting in Parkland, Florida, I watched as those brave students from Stoneman Douglas High School stood in the balcony watching while the Florida Legislature did nothing,” said Treasurer Deb Goldberg. “It is clear that traditional approaches have not worked. Divesting our public pension funds from gun and ammunition manufacturers sends a clear message that we stand with the victims and survivors of gun violence everywhere.” 

At this time the bill which was filed in the House and the Senate has been numbered HD4656 and SD2578.

PRIM Board Approves Proposed Proxy Voting Guidelines Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity

Treasurer Deborah Goldberg recently proposed a new proxy voting guidelines designed to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) employees who work at companies in which PRIM invests in. The Pension Reserves Investment Management (PRIM) board voted unanimously in favor of this proposal. For more information, view the press release.

The Massachusetts State Retirement Board would like to wish you a happy Spring season!

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!

Past issues of our newsletter publications can be found on our website

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