4J Licensed Newsletter #214

TRUE ROLE OF INSURANCE
FOR THOSE ABOUT TO RETIRE A SLB REMINDER
FITNESS/LIFESTYLE STARS
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT
MR. BENEFITS ANSWER MAN

TRUE ROLE OF INSURANCE (back to top)
Despite a very favorable premium renewal rate that took effect this past month, resulting in lower out-of-pocket insurance costs for most members, I have recently had some conversations with members who are frustrated by the high cost of health insurance. Over the course of a number of years it does seem that we are always “behind the curve” and are destined to never catch up.

It is important to keep in perspective the real purpose of medical insurance. Its intended purpose is not to pay every medical expense following the outlay of a specific and ideally low monthly premium. Its purpose is rather to prevent the economic catastrophe that could occur were it not in place. I have had a number of our friends and colleagues state, (and I paraphrase here) “I always complained about or resented the high cost of our insurance until I had a serious illness/surgery and saw what it would have cost me if I didn’t have it.”

While none of us is expected to be happy about the escalating costs of health care and medical insurance, we need to keep in clear perspective that while escalating premium costs are troubling, until such time as an elemental change in the delivery and funding of health care in the U.S. occurs, our current coverage here at 4J protects us against the financial disaster that a serious illness, injury, or hospital confinement would otherwise mean. And that really is the purpose served by medical insurance.

FOR THOSE ABOUT TO RETIRE A SLB REMINDER (back to top)
I know that a number of certified folks are planning to retire mid-year. I have talked to many of you who plan to take the leap as early as December 1. The policies of the EEA/4J Sick Leave Bank allow you to donate two days, up to 16 hours depending on FTE, of your accumulated sick leave to the bank at retirement, regardless of whether or not you have already donated this school year. The donation must be made at retirement – not after, since on the day your retirement becomes effective, your accumulated sick leave is gone. Remember, that when you retire under the PERS Money Match option your benefit is not enhanced by accumulated sick leave. So, leave some behind for your colleagues who may find themselves in need in the future.

The transmittal of those days must be made on the Retiree Transmittal Agreement form. This allows EEA and the SLB to do the necessary “bookkeeping” required. You can call EEA (345-0338) or me (687-3244) to have a form sent out to you.

FITNESS/LIFESTYLE STARS (back to top)
In the 8+ years I have been writing this newsletter, I have once or twice a year invited folks to forward me lifestyle or fitness goals set and achieved for recognition in an article. My most recent request resulted in the best response I’ve ever received. Not only do we have a lengthy list of those who have entered and completed a fitness or athletic event, we also have a number of members who have set and achieved, or are achieving general lifestyle goals. Here are their names and feats:

Esther Barton, McCornack – Dly/Wkly Fitness Regimen
Jaimee Beitz, Gilham – Walk With Me Marathon
Randy Bernstein, SEHS – Ave. of the Giants Marathon
Melinda Bryant, Awbrey Park – Hood To Coast Relay
Wally Bryant, HR – Hood to Coast Relay
Kevin Callahan, Madison – Portland Marathon
Joyce Eltz, Retired – Portland Marathon
Deena Frosaker, SEHS – Portland to Coast Relay
Deena Frosaker, SEHS – Great Columbia Crossing 10K
Carrie Grabowski, NEHS – Duathlon
Melania Hoskinson, ESS – Dly/Wkly Fitness Regimen
Nancy Kendall, NEHS – Portland Marathon
Ronny Mason, Cal Young – 47 lb. Weight loss,
Sofie Prideaux, Gilham – Adventure Hiking (93 miles)
Tim Rake, SEHS – National 5K Postal Swim
Sharon Rogers, Sp. Creek - Paavo Nurmi Marathon
Sharon Rogers, Sp. Creek – Walk W/Me Marathon
Angie Ruzicka, Cal Young – Portland Marathon
Angie Ruzicka, Cal Young – Walk With Me Half-Marathon
Karla Schroeder, ESS – Century Cycle Ride (100 mi.)
Charlie Smith, Kennedy – Boston Marathon
Laura Thurston, Corridor – Portland Marathon
Susan Wiggins, ESS – 40 lb. Weight Loss
Jackie McLaughlin, HR – 20 lb. Weight Loss

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT (back to top)
For all of us, there are certain health-related expenses that are not covered by insurance that we pay out of our own pockets. Examples are: annual medical and dental deductibles, coinsurance amounts that show up on our Claims Processing Reports as “Patient Responsibility”, injury-related massage therapy, over-the-counter medications and health-related products – the list goes on! Also, some among us have child-care expenses. Who wouldn’t want to spend less on those ex-penses?

Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code allows you to do so. It makes possible for you to contribute, through the payroll process, into a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) on a pre-tax basis dollars you anticipate spending on health-related or child care expenses, then submitting your qualifying expense receipts for those expenses as they are incurred during the plan year. Since the amount of your FSA contribution is not included as taxable income, the effect is that you will save between 30-44% on those expenses. Our FSA plan is administered by Manley Services and the cost to you to participate is nothing – the district pays the monthly premium.

The open enrollment period will be from Wednesday, November 15 through Wednesday, December 13.
The plan year runs from January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007.

Watch for plan enrollment information (4J FSA), including dates and times for regional enrollment meetings. If you have questions please call (x3244) or email me (caley@4j.lane.edu).

Note: Retirees are not able to participate. Couples who have double insurance coverage may find little benefit to participation.

MR. BENEFITS ANSWER MAN (back to top)
Both Mr. BAM and I (and perhaps many of you) have been around for a good while – as our morning look in the mirror confirms so clearly. But in case you have missed the signs, here are some hints from Mr. BAM that will help “You know you’re getting older when”:

• You’re asleep but others worry that you’re dead.
• Your arms are almost too short to read the newspaper.
• People call at 9 pm and ask, “Did I wake you?”
• You take a metal detector to the beach.
• You get into a heated argument about pension plans.
• You sing along with elevator music.
• Your back goes out more than you do.
• You have a party and neighbors don’t even realize it

Michael Caley
Licensed-Staff Benefits Coordinator
Eugene School District 4J
200 North Monroe
Eugene, OR 97402-4295
Phone: W: 541-687-3244 H: 541-485-1493
fax: 541-687-3687 e-mail: caley@4j.lane.edu

4J Benefits and Wellness Newsletter