Welcome to the Retiree Division
Welcome to the Retiree Division section of Local 1180's new website. More than just a drop-in center, the Retiree Division provides retirees of CWA Local 1180 with a venue to pursue their social, intellectual, and educational interests throughout their retirement. Through thoughtful and creative planning, the staff of the Retiree Division prepares a monthly calendar representing a compilation of some of the greatest activities in the area at any given moment. Broadway shows, trips, speakers, lunches, and interactive workshops allow retirees to socialize with peers, have fun, and learn a little along the way.
We can only begin to tell you about how glad our retirees are to have a one-stop-shopping experience that offers so many ways to keep busy, engaged, and active. We hope that you make the decision to join in on some of the fun. Read the monthly calendar to see what events are coming up, and then call to reserve your space. Remember that we are providing programs for more than 4,000 retirees in the New York City area, so space may be limited.
We have a special welcome gift for all 'newbie' retirees. Or, if you are an existing retiree, stop by the office just to say hello. We can't wait to greet you all.
Director's Message
My goal today is to help you better understand Local 1180’s enhancement to dental benefits.
Up until May 31, Local 1180 offered its retirees two choices for dental services: Dentcare (administered by HealthPlex) and the Fund Scheduled Plan (administered by Daniel H. Cook and Associates). You may know them by either name because the dental office staff uses them interchangeably.
The Dentcare plan allows retirees to get necessary services at a dentist that participates on the panel, with small co-pays for additional services. The Fund Scheduled Plan also has a panel of dentists that accepts the rate for necessary services or you can see any dentist and send in a claim form for reimbursement. Retirees choose one plan and could change plans every October during the open enrollment period.
As the retiree population grew, some Local 1180 members were leaving New York City for the dream of single-story homes and snow-free winters. The dental plan, designed for people working and living in NYC, didn’t meet the needs of expats in retirement. Plus, just a few local docs were getting all of our business. The Fund wanted to provide more choices of dentists for all members wherever they lived, be it in the boroughs or beyond. The Local contracted with both Emblem Health and Empire BlueCross BlueShield for an expansive delivery of dental services for all members — more than 50,000 dentists and specialists nationwide! One of them is near you right now.
The Benefit: Choose from four plans, not just two. All the plans (Dentcare/Fund Scheduled/Emblem/Empire) have a value of up to $2,000 per year, but there are some differences in terms of cost and coverage for each depending on the procedure. Each plan covers preventative treatments, exams, and cleanings at no cost. The other particulars will help you determine which plan is best for you. The next open enrollment period for dental will be October 2019.
Here’s what to do: 1. Spend the next few months thinking about your current coverage and some of the issues that you have. Attend one or more of the benefit reviews at the Retiree Division. We will be covering this topic repeatedly in the coming months and will assist retirees with related questions. 2. Ask yourself if it would be more convenient to change to a dentist closer to home or other places you frequent? Are you moving next year or have some big dental treatment coming up? Maybe your dentist is moving or retiring? Is there a specific doc you have always wanted to go to? You can check and see if he or she is in the plan. Another plan/specialist/dentist may better serve you. Call the helpline for each of the new plans to get more information — Emblem at 866.808.9399 (Retirees Group #00001D887) or Empire at 888.315.2049 (Empire XPO Dental Plan Retirees – 300310 Sub grp 0002). You can ask them for the CWA Local 1180 Retiree Dental Benefit Summary that will outline the benefit plus any other questions you may have.
Many retirees have asked to receive a listing of dentists. Did you see that I said that there were fif-teee-th-owww-saaaand dentists and specialists! Rather than get a humongous book that will serve only to prop your littlest grandchild up to the table, get a printout of providers in your desired zip code by calling that helpline number.
That’s it for now! You are well on your way to good dental
benefit decision making!
Any retiree with Congratulations they want to share, should email the information to: retireedivision@cwa1180.org
Congratulations to retiree Eddie Barrett, who reported that she is just returned from Tennessee where she attended the graduation ceremonies of both her great-grand daughter from college and her grand-son from High School!! That’s a lot to celebrate Eddie!! Congratulations!!
Congratulations to awesome grandma/retiree Helena Crump whose grandson Tyliek Williams graduated from Buffalo State College with honors!
She’s waiting on the college acceptance letter for her granddaughter now!
Great news for retiree (can’t say her name due to confidentiality) who went to OLR to state that her Medicare reimbursement was incorrect and found out that the incorrect amount was for her husband and that OLR didn’t have her information at all and she is now eligible for 3 years retroactive Medicare reimbursement in addition to the $300 differential!! Way to go empowered 1180 retiree!!
Any retiree with Condolences they want to share, should email the information to: retireedivision@cwa1180.org
Condolences to George Cuevas on the passing of his mother Emily Boria on March 25, 2019, at Arnold Walter Nursing. She was surrounded by her family at the time of her passing at 8:31 p.m.
Condolences to family and friends of Sonja Bentley. She left us peacefully on May 9, 2019. Sonja worked for the Dept. of Buildings for 33 years! That’s a lot of service.
Meet the Retiree Division Staff
Lynda Hogan
Assistant to the Director
Retiree Benefits
Dianne Mason-Smith
Assistant to the Director
Retiree Programs & Events
Amber Mathis
Administrative
Assistant
Indra Subryan
Benefit Assistant
Local 1180 Retiree Division History
In 1996, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to offer a new benefit to retirees that would assist them in transitioning from a worker to a retiree. The age wave was producing a new group of retirees that had shown a greater interest in remaining active. The Retiree Division was born that year and began offering recreational programming, workshops, educational classes all within a new center housed 97 Hudson Street, on the lower level of the building occupied by Local 1180. The Division continues to reach out to retired members and provide an opportunity that promotes their physical and emotional well-being as they remain active educationally, culturally, and socially. The Retiree Division engages retirees in activities that support a long and healthy retirement with dignity and respect.
Retiree Division Contact Information
CWA Local 1180 Retiree Division
97 Hudson Street | New York, NY 10013
212.
retireedivision@cwa1180.org
Mailing Address
CWA Local 1180 Retiree Division
6 Harrison Street, New York, NY 10013
