wkmac
Well-Known Member
Just got mine in the mail. I think mine was running behind as others have had their's now for a week or so based on conversations at work. Haven't completely read the whole thing, you know did the look at the pictures thing LOL, but I did see a few things that were positive. One that struck me as a positive is the Joint Surviving Spouse benefit which reduces your monthly pension based on formula to continue benefits to your surviving spouse if you go first. What struck me was if the spouse goes first then you send in the death certificate and they will restore your full benefit. I know several people who have worked and retired elsewhere that this is not the case. Gotta tip my hat to CS on that one.
Post retirement work rules are somewhat better explained and anything before age 60 in some cases is no way and in others very limited. After 60 the door doesn't completely swing open but there seems to be a lot more flexibility there. Looking at post UPS retirement makes me have to wonder about supporting broader organizing efforts by the IBT. More area they cover, more chances post retirement working may be limited. Doubled edge sword I guess or the old "damned if you do and damned if you don't!" LOL!
Again, haven't detail read the thing but anyone else have any thoughts? I was hoping to get more details about the insurance coverage and cost in retirement but only saw prescription info. Based on what I heard at the CS meeting the other year the retirement insurance costs at least for me was the real sticking points more than the actual monthly benefit reduction. I'd still like to see some membership heads get together and see what options we could come up with to lessen the blow of this cost or maybe even some type of group policies within the various locals as groups do get better rates than buying individual policies.
Tip of the hat to CS for sending this out and in the last couple of years I must admit their efforts to better inform have gotten better but that may have been seen as a need to after the backlash from the cuts. Either way I'm glad they have. Looking forward to comments and what you found in the guide!
Post retirement work rules are somewhat better explained and anything before age 60 in some cases is no way and in others very limited. After 60 the door doesn't completely swing open but there seems to be a lot more flexibility there. Looking at post UPS retirement makes me have to wonder about supporting broader organizing efforts by the IBT. More area they cover, more chances post retirement working may be limited. Doubled edge sword I guess or the old "damned if you do and damned if you don't!" LOL!
Again, haven't detail read the thing but anyone else have any thoughts? I was hoping to get more details about the insurance coverage and cost in retirement but only saw prescription info. Based on what I heard at the CS meeting the other year the retirement insurance costs at least for me was the real sticking points more than the actual monthly benefit reduction. I'd still like to see some membership heads get together and see what options we could come up with to lessen the blow of this cost or maybe even some type of group policies within the various locals as groups do get better rates than buying individual policies.
Tip of the hat to CS for sending this out and in the last couple of years I must admit their efforts to better inform have gotten better but that may have been seen as a need to after the backlash from the cuts. Either way I'm glad they have. Looking forward to comments and what you found in the guide!