Retiree Page
Welcome to the retiree information area.
ANNUAL VERIFICATION STATEMENTS
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
INSURANCE INFORMATION
COLA or ANNUAL COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENTS
SOCIAL SECURITY AND THE WINDFALL ELIMINATION
OPTION C RETIREES AND “POP-UP”
RETIREE EMPLOYMENT RESTRICTIONS
IMPORTANT INFORMATION** We have been informed that the City of Lawrence will be changing all their current health plans to the GIC (Group Insurance Commission). Literature will be sent out to all members and retirees. The first mailing was sent on 7/13/2010 (click here for a copy). Please do not disregard these memo's. We have been told that anyone who does not re-enroll will no longer have health insurance.
ANNUAL VERIFICATION STATEMENTS
* Please note: Verification forms are sent out every 2 years. They are slated to go out Jan-Mar 2011.. They must be returned immediately. 2nd notices will be sent out shortly after to individuals who have failed to comply. If necessary, we will stop direct deposits and hold checks in our office. Please realize that this is not an enjoyable part of our jobs. We care very deeply for each and every one of our retirees but are unfortunately bound by law to enforce the return of these forms. Please forgive the inconvenience, however, in the future, be more timely with the return of your form.
Annually every retiree and survivor receiving monthly benefits will receive an Annual verification statement or "THE SMALL COLORED SLIP OF PAPER". Each retiree/survivor must complete, sign and return this form to our offices promptly.
Failure to return the appropriately signed “ANNUAL VERIFICATION STATEMENT” will result in a suspension of retirement benefits.
Special arrangements may be made in cases where infirmities, illness, hospitalization or residential nursing home care prevents the retiree/survivor from providing a form. Please call (978) 794-5836 to make a request for special arrangements.
Benefit payments are payable for the current month on the last business day of the month. We encourage all retirees to have their benefit payments direct deposited to a bank account. We cannot guarantee prompt mail delivery by the Postal Service.
Since direct deposit is available to all retirees/survivors and in consideration of the cost to stop payment and reissue delayed checks, the City Treasurers office will not replace a check for 10 business days following the last day of the month. If a delay in the receipt of a benefit check causes a financial hardship, retirees have the option of electing direct deposit.
TO ALL OUR CURRENT RETIREES We still ask that you give direct deposit a try. Each month there are at least 2 pension checks routed incorrectly and missing for a few days. Going direct deposit eliminates the waiting time for a replacement check and may avoid a $20.00 fee for a replacement. Currently you must wait 10 days for a replacement. WE WILL STILL MAIL YOU A STUB EACH MONTH......
2010 RETIREE MONTHLY PAYCHECK SCHEDULE
JANUARY Friday, January 29th, 2010
FEBRUARY Friday, February 26, 2010
MARCH Wednesday, March 31, 2010
APRIL Friday, April 30, 2010
MAY Monday, May 31, 2010
JUNE Wednesday, June 30, 2010
JULY Friday, July 30, 2010
AUGUST Tuesday, August 31, 2010
SEPTEMBER Thursday, September 30, 2010
OCTOBER Friday, October 29, 2010
NOVEMBER Tuesday, November 30, 2010
DECEMBER Friday, December 31, 2010
Although this office tries to work in conjunction with the benefit office, the role of the retirement board with health/life insurance is only to deduct the premiums. Health and Life insurances are benefits offered to retirees by the city. Any questions or changes must be made directly with the benefits aide, Jennifer Desroche. She can be reached via phone at (978) 620-3065, mail to Personnel Department, City Hall, 200 Common Street, Lawrence, MA 01840 or e-mail JDesroche@cityoflawrence.com .
If you work for the Lawrence Housing Authority of the your insurance is through the State GIC program. Your changes or questions should be directed to GIC at (617) 727-2310 ext. 806 for health and ext. 804 for life insurance. GIC web site is as follows : http://www.state.ma.us/gic/
Greater Lawrence Regional High School retirees should call Donna McCarthy at the Vocational School.
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING REMINDERS
* IF YOUR SPOUSE IS RECENTLY DECEASED, PLEASE CONTACT THE BENEFITS OFFICE TO ENSURE YOU ARE NOT PAYING FOR A FAMILY PLAN.
* THE CITY OFFERS MANY HEALTH PLANS. IF YOU FIND YOUR PLAN IS TOO EXPENSIVE, PLEASE CONTACT THE BENEFITS COORDINATOR TO SEE IF THERE IS A BETTER PLAN AVAILABLE TO SUIT YOUR FINANCES.
* ONCE YOU TURN AGE 75, YOUR BENEFICIARY IS NO LONGER ELIGIBLE TO COLLECT THE ADDITIONAL LIFE INSURANCE POLICY. IF YOUR DEDUCTION CONTINUES TO BE WITHHELD FROM YOUR CHECK FOR ADDITIONAL LIFE, PLEASE CONTACT BENEFITS IMMEDIATELY'
Once again, benefits can be reached at (978) 620-3065.
Below are some of the rate changes that will effect our popular plans. If you do not see your plan, please call benefits for your rate. They have yet to compile all rates. Also, the City is offering many new plans that are very different from the current ones offered. We are not posting the rates for these plans because it is impossible for us to give you details regarding their benefit scales. If possible we recommend attending the health fair or call benefits for detailed information.
Health Care Cost Changes, City Only - Housing & GLRVHS not included.
Effective 7/1/2010 (payable in your June 30th Check)
BA1 |
252.60 |
|
BC3 |
694.26 |
|
HM2 |
332.38 |
|
MB3 |
231.93 |
BA2 |
505.21 |
|
BD2 |
553.39 |
|
HM3 |
327.10 |
|
OM1 |
112.01 |
BA3 |
505.21 |
|
BE1 |
165.45 |
|
HM4 |
830.95 |
|
OM2 |
224.02 |
BB1 |
300.79 |
|
BE2 |
433.61 |
|
HP1 |
121.63 |
|
OM3 |
224.02 |
BB2 |
601.57 |
|
BE3 |
413.63 |
|
HP2 |
327.96 |
|
DB1 |
8.18 |
BB3 |
601.57 |
|
BF1 |
559.73 |
|
HP3 |
304.08 |
|
DB2 |
16.36 |
BC1 |
347.13 |
|
BF2 |
647.92 |
|
MB1 |
92.77 |
|
DB3 |
19.77 |
BC2 |
814.98 |
|
HM1 |
130.84 |
|
MB2 |
185.54 |
|
DB4 |
20.45 |
THE FOLLOWING CHANGES WILL OCCUR EFFECTIVE 7/1/2008:
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS ARE NOW HANDLED THROUGH MEDCO. YOU NEED TO USE YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE CARDS FOR DOCTOR/HOSPITAL VISITS, HOWEVER ALL PRESCRIPTION DRUG PURCHASES EITHER THROUGH A PHARMACY OR MAIL IN ARE NOW HANDLED THROUGH MEDCO. IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED YOUR CARDS IN THE MAIL PLEASE CALL THEM AT . 1 800 251-7690 OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.MEDCO.COM
Please Note: The City of Lawrence has changed dental carriers as of 7/1/2008. Your BC/BS Dental cards are no longer in effect. Your dental coverage is now through ALTUS DENTAL. They can be reached at
877-223-0588 or WWW.ALTUSDENTAL.COM
ALL INQUIRIES CAN BE MADE TO THE CITY BENEFITS AIDE, JENNIFER DESROCHE (978) 620-3065. Lawrence Housing Authority rates will change effective 7/01/2010.
Section 18 of Chapter 32B It is our understanding that the City Council has adopted this law. The city will be notifying you regarding what affect it will have on retirees and their health benefits and what you may need to do. Please Click on this link for more information about Section 18 of Chapter 32B.
Recent article from Mass Assoc. on Line.
Blue Cross/Blue Shield please visit www.bluecrossma.com
COLA or ANNUAL COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENTS
We are pleased to announce that at the meeting in December 2009, the board voted unanimously to approve a 3% Cost of Living Increase effective July 1, 2010 and payable July 31, 2010. This Cola is capped on the first $12,000.00 of your retirement allowance. The dates and cap amount are set by our governing body. 3% is the maximum cola allowed.
You must have retired on or before June 30 th, 2009 in order to be eligible to receive this COLA .
ARTICLE - Committee Releases COLA base increase (Mass Retiree Assoc.)
SOCIAL SECURITY AND THE WINDFALL ELIMINATION PROVISION
Benefits received from Social Security may be offset by any pensions you receive from the City of Lawrence. The amount of offset is determined by Social Security. While you do not need to report Social Security benefits to us, you do need to report benefits received from us to Social Security. If you are subject to offset by Social Security, you must also report changes in benefits (i.e. COLA increases) to Social Security. Contact your local Social Security Office with questions regarding the offset. Information may be available at the Social Security Administration Web site under Windfall Elimination Provision: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ or http://www.ssa.gov/ .
OPTION C RETIREES AND “POP-UP”
If you chose an Option C to provide for your spouse and they have predeceased you, your pension will be considered a part of the conversion commonly referred to as the Option C “Pop-up”. Upon notification and a copy of your beneficiary's death certificate, you will thereafter be paid the full retirement allowance you would have received had you elected Option A at the time your retirement allowance became effective. Any cost-of-living increases that have been granted since your Option C retirement became effective will be reflected in your newly established Option A allowance. All payments will cease upon your death.
RETIREE EMPLOYMENT RESTRICTIONS
As a Massachusetts Public Employment Retiree, there are restrictions on post-retirement employment for any and all Massachusetts Public Employers (including all cities, towns, public schools, fire/water or health districts, housing authorities, state agencies, state colleges and universities). Restrictions also apply to federal grant funded positions with a Massachusetts Public Employer.
Public sector employment for retirees is limited to both aggregate hours and earnings per calendar year. Hours of compensated work are limited to an aggregate of 960 hours per calendar year. Earnings are limited to the difference between your retirement allowance and the compensation paid for the position you retired from. For example, if the position you retired from currently pays $30,000 and your retirement allowance is $20,000, you are limited to the difference - $10,000 of earnings from public sector employment in a calendar year. The rationale – as a public sector retiree, you cannot be compensated (from public funds) more than you would have received had you continued working in the position from which you retired. You, the retiree, are responsible for monitoring your aggregate hours and compensation from all public sector employment. You must cease all public employment when either limit is reached. If you exceed either limitation, you will be subject to reimbursement of all compensation in excess of limits or you must waive receipt of your retirement allowance for the period of re-employment with any public sector employer(s).
For regular “Superannuation” retirees (i.e. regular age/service based retirements) post-retirement employment in the private sector is not subject to restrictions.
For “Disability” retirees all post-retirement earning including private sector earnings are subject to restrictions.
