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Events | Health Care | Be An Activist | Politics | Pensions & Social Security | Advice

EVENTS

IFT Retirees Chapter Events

>> See the Illinois Federation of Teachers Retirees Chapter web page

>> Take YOU out to the ballgame: The Chicago White Sox vs. the Texas Rangers, July 23,Patio Party at 11:30 a.m. with the game at 1:05 p.m. Sign up by May 9

>> Beijing City Stay, Nine days traveling in China, Nov. 9 - 17,

>> Lunch and theatre: Sweet Charity Wednesday, April 23 at the Drury Lane Theater, Oakbrook Terrace

>> Lunch and theatre: The Buddy Holly Story Thursday, June 5 at the Drury Lane Theater, Oakbrook Terrace

Friday, June 13 - Lunch and Races at the Arlington Park Race Track

Seminar on Medicare and Social Security Thursday, July 24 in Westmont

>> Lunch and theatre: The Boys from Syracuse Thursday, Aug. 28 at the Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace

>> Seminar on Elder Law and Financial Planning During Retirement Thursday, Sept. 25 in Westmont

>> Lunch and theatre: Some Enchanted Evening Thursday, Oct. 23 at Pheasant Run Theatre, St. Charles

Lunch and theatre: Mame at the Drury Lane Theater Thursday, Nov. 13, Oakbrook Terrace

One-day bus trip to the Abraham Lincoln Museum and Library November, Date To Be Announced in Springfield.

March 24 - Deadline for Reservations for Luncheon and Theater with 11:30 a.m. Luncheon and 1:30 p.m. performance of Sweet Charity on Wednesday, April 23 at the Drury Lane Oak Brook in Oakbrook Terrace. Call Judy Jennings 630-468-4098 or jjennings@ift-aft.org

The Impact of the Illinois Economy and State Budget on the Public Sector Workforce -- Ralph Martire, executive director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, will speak to the IFT Retirees Chapter Feb. 19. Martire also serves as a columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times, the State Journal-Register, and The Herald News on issues involving government accountability, tax, fiscal, and budget policies. Download flier from this site. (IFT Web Site, Feb. 8)

HEALTH CARE

Health-Care Plans Aid Industry Democrats' Ideas Would Bring Boost To Insurers, Doctors (The Washington Post, Nov. 19)

>> New report details drug company price gouging -- A report by the Alliance’s Department of Government and Political Affairs details the shocking extent of price gouging by pharmaceutical companies. Paid for by the Alliance for Retired Americans Educational Fund, the report concludes that for millions of Americans, high drug prices are a major barrier to maintaining an acceptable quality of life. (ARA)

BE AN ACTIVIST

Ask Hillary -- AFT endorsed Sen. Hillary Clinton and offers you, as an AFT member, the opportunity to ask her a question. (AFT Web site)

Stretch your dollars with AFT + car rental discounts -- Traveling during the holiday season? Car rental discounts with Alamo, Budget and National help AFT members stretch their travel budget.

Take Action at the Medicare Rights Center:

>> Parity for Medicare

>> Two-Year Waiting Period

>> Overpayments to private plans

POLITICS

The Impact of the Illinois Economy and State Budget on the Public Sector Workforce -- Ralph Martire, executive director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, will speak to the IFT Retirees Chapter Feb. 19. Martire also serves as a columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times, the State Journal-Register, and The Herald News on issues involving government accountability, tax, fiscal, and budget policies. Download flier from this site. (IFT Web Site, Feb. 8)

Governor touts plan for free bus rides for seniors By ERIN WOOD and ADRIANA COLINDRES PEORIA — Gov. Rod Blagojevich traveled downstate Monday to urge senior citizens to take advantage of his latest initiative — free bus rides — starting March 17. (The Springfield State Journal-Register, Jan. 22)

SCHIP Passes the House Again -- The House voted 265-142 to pass H.R. 3963, a revised version of H.R. 976, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reauthorization. Like the original version, vetoed by the President, H.R. 3963 continues to provide health care coverage for 10 million American children, but it did not secure a veto-proof majority of votes. (RetiredAmericans.org, Oct. 26)

PENSIONS & SOCIAL SECURITY

Turning 62: The Retirement boom begins. Check out this USA Today five-part series .

Day 1: Boomers' eagerness to retire could cost them -- "Many of those who retire early will accept reduced benefits — and in doing so will risk falling short of their financial needs." (USA Today, Jan. 18)

Day 2: Early retirees try to fill gap in health coverage -- About 16% of individuals 50 to 64 are uninsured.

Day 3: Older baby boomers caught all the breaks

Day 4: Managing your retirement fund can be tricky -- "It's this whole money illusion game," says a business professor at Temple University. "Having $500,000 looks much bigger than somebody promising to pay you $50,000 (a year) for the rest of your life. You feel rich going into retirement."

Day 5: Reverse mortgages aren't for everyone

How big a ‘nest egg’ do you need to retire? By focusing on spending needs, you may be able to do better than you think (See the MSNBC package on retirement, Nov. 5)

>> Is there really a retirement savings crisis? Baby Boomers seen doing fairly well, and even Gen Xers can play catch-up (See the MSNBC package on retirement, Nov. 5)

>> See the easy-to-use calculator

. . . and ADVICE

Empowerment for Family Caregivers -- If you are a caregiver, the National Family Caregivers Association offers tips on how to keep your physical and mental health a priority.

Turning 62: The Retirement boom begins. Check out this USA Today five-part series

Day 1: Boomers' eagerness to retire could cost them -- "Many of those who retire early will accept reduced benefits — and in doing so will risk falling short of their financial needs." (USA Today, Jan. 18)

Day 2: Early retirees try to fill gap in health coverage -- Some early retirees who lack employer coverage "are just hanging on until they're eligible for Medicare," says David Certner, director of federal affairs for AARP. "Either they can't afford (health insurance), or they can't get it. They're hoping nothing happens before they hit age 65." About 16% of individuals 50 to 64 are uninsured, AARP says.

Day 3: Older baby boomers caught all the breaks

Day 4: Managing your retirement fund can be tricky -- "It's this whole money illusion game," says Jack VanDerhei, a business professor at Temple University. "Having $500,000 looks much bigger than somebody promising to pay you $50,000 (a year) for the rest of your life. You feel rich going into retirement."

Day 5: Reverse mortgages aren't for everyone

MSNBC package on retirement

>> How big a ‘nest egg’ do you need to retire? By focusing on spending needs, you may be able to do better than you think (See the MSNBC package on retirement, Nov. 5)

>> Is there really a retirement savings crisis? Baby Boomers seen doing fairly well, and even Gen Xers can play catch-up (See the MSNBC package on retirement, Nov. 5)

>> See the easy-to-use calculator

>> Dear Marci: What to do? What to do? Ask Marci, the ANSWER Diva at the Medicare Rights Center. The topic for November: The Medicare Annual Election Period

Part D Appeals Manual -- An advocate’s manual to navigating the Medicare private drug plan appeals process. (Medicare Rights Center, Free Registration)

Asclepios is MRC's e-mail policy alert on key Medicare consumer issues. Each edition will provide you with the latest information on one particular issue and recommended actions for addressing them. The list serve is named for the Greek and Roman god of medicine and healing. (Medicare Rights Center)

Considerations Before Choosing a Medicare Advantage Plan Nearly 43 million Americans are Medicare beneficiaries. Most receive their health care services through the Medicare program but nearly 8.3 million receive care through Medicare Advantage (MA) plans provided by private insurance companies under contract with Medicare. The government pays the plans 12 to 19 percent more than the cost would be under Medicare; there is much doubt whether this arrangement is advisable, not only for the fiscal health of the program but also for the beneficiaries involved. Download this pdf.

See the SUAA (State University Annuitants Association) web site for some excellent links.

John Terwilliger's web site offers some very good info on Illinois pensions.

News to Use

Here are a few of our favorite sources of news about retirement issues and higher education on the regional, state and national levels. Let us know if you have a favorite site, and we'll try to add it.

>> Alliance for Retired Americans Friday Alerts

>> AFT Leadernet: (If you belong to UPI, click here and we can authorize you to use this helpful site.)

>> Illinois Board of Higher Education: Current stories about higher ed and Illinois colleges and universities as well as a wealth of data.

>> IFT: News from the Illinois Federation of Teachers.

>> UPI News Archives: Coming soon.

>> Alliance for Retired Americans: Friday Alerts contains news of interest to retired persons.

>> Social Security Online

>> Internet Basics from the Alliance for Retired Americans

>> Watch a Video on "Saving Social Security," a 12-minute video that details the rich history and profound significance of Social Security for older Americans.

>> Centers for Medicare and Medicaid

>> Stay healthy

>> U.S. Government web site lists resources for senior citizens.