New Federal Regulations Require Reporting of Social Security Numbers     

The Federal government requires that providers of group health plan coverage report the Social Security numbers of any enrolled dependents (adults, spouses or children) by January 1, 2011.

If you have a dependent enrolled in a County medical or dental  plan, please complete this form and return it to the Human Resources Department by November 13, 2010.  Late or incomplete forms may result in delayed claims payments. 

Medicare Rates Change January 1 

Just a reminder to our Medicare eligible retirees and Medicare eligible retiree dependents that our Medicare plans renew on January 1 and thus the rates will change at that time.  We are currently negotiating with CIGNA and Kaiser on the rates and will be sending communication in the upcoming months directly to those who are affected. (top)

Notice of Creditable Coverage for Medicare Retirees and Medicare Dependents for Your Prescription Drug Coverage  

Keep this Creditable Coverage notice. If you decide to join one of the Medicare drug plans, you may be required to provide a copy of this notice when you join to show whether or not you have maintained creditable coverage and, therefore, whether or not you are required to pay a higher premium (a penalty).  Click here to read and print the notice.

New Information About Your CIGNA Medicare Access Doctor  

When the CIGNA Medicare Access Private Fee for Service Plan was implemented by Arlington County in January of 2009, retirees who were enrolled could go to any doctor accepting the plan and Medicare.

The Federal government has determined that, effective January 1, 2011, all Medicare Access Plans must have a network of doctors.  

To comply with this requirement CIGNA has contracted with HUMANA to use their network of doctors.  The County will be sending information directly to our CIGNA Medicare Access enrollees as we learn more about how this change will be implemented.   (top)

Retirement System Update  

For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010:

• Assets totaled $1.27 billion, an increase of $126 million for the year
• Investment returns of 13% placed ACERS in the 44^th percentile of similar retirement plans.  ACERS ranks in the 36^th and 20^th percentile on a 5 and 10 year basis, respectively.  Retiree benefit payments totaled $72 million

The fund’s July 2010 investment return of 5.3% resulted in assets of $1.34 billion which are held in a broadly diversified portfolio.  The System remains well positioned to meet its current and future obligations to retirees.

Asset Allocation as of July 31, 2010

Please visit the Retirement Office website for additional details on the System.    (top)

Are You Approaching Age 70 1/2?  

Are you approaching age 70 ½?  If so, IRS Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) regulations require that you will soon need to begin taking distributions from your retirement accounts each year.  

Retirees are invited to come in or meet by telephone with one of the ING representatives located within the Human Resources Department to find out how RMD will affect them.  The ING representatives can assist with specific strategies and withdrawal options that best meet your needs.  They can also discuss the benefits of consolidating retirement accounts and offer investment alternatives to IRA certificates of deposit, IRA savings, and IRA money market accounts.

If you are interested, please call ING Representative Karen Fields at 703/228-3470 to schedule an in-person or telephone appointment.   (top)

Retirement Board Trustee Election - Nominations in October--Election in November  

In 2006, the County Code was changed to allow our retirees to elect a trustee for the Arlington County Employees’ Supplemental Retirement System Board (“the Retirement Board”).  Currently, that position is held by Rich Alt (ret. Police) and the Substitute Trustee is Wayne Rhodes (ret. General).  The terms for both of these positions are expiring January 31, 2011 and we will be conducting nominations and elections to fill these two positions.   We will be using an online system that is very user friendly and has online instructions.  Paper nomination and ballots will available upon request.

What are the responsibilities of the Trustee and the Substitute Trustee?

• Serve a 4-year term (2/1/2011 – 1/31/2015)
• Ensure retirement funds are invested prudently
• Attend monthly meetings, normally the first Thursday of the month at 8:00 am. (Meetings usually end by noon, but may run longer.)
• Attend periodic training sessions as scheduled
• Hear appeals of denied disability retirement applications
• Vote on issues brought to the Board (the Substitute Trustee only votes when the Trustee for their group is absent)

Note:  The Retirement Board does not determine benefits or administer the plan.

When are the nominations?  Nominations will be collected from October 18-29.

Who can be nominated?  Any retiree of the Arlington County Employees’ Retirement System.

How do I get nominated?

• Find 15 other retirees to support your nomination for either Trustee or Substitute Trustee.
• Have your supporters go online October 18-20 and login to https://eballot.votenet.com/arlingtonva/login.cfm and nominate you by selecting your name from the list.
• If your supporters do not have access to a computer, have them call 703/228-3500 and select option 1 to request a nomination form.  Paper nominations must be returned to:  Arlington Retirement Board 2010 Election, 1420 K St. NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20005 and need to be postmarked AFTER October 17 and RECEIVED by October 29.

What happens if I am nominated?

You will be contacted by a member of the Human Resources Department to:

• confirm you want to proceed with the process
• provide us with a short biographical sketch indicating your qualifications for the trustee position, and
• provide us with a photo of yourself.

Your name will appear on the election ballot.

When are the elections?  Elections will be held online from November 8–19.  Results will be posted on the County website the following week.

How do we vote?  Voting will be electronic via https://eballot.votenet.com/arlingtonva/login.cfm .  If anyone does not have access to a computer, but would like to vote, please call 703/228-3500 and press 1 to request a paper ballot.   Paper ballots should be returned to:  Arlington Retirement Board 2010 Election, 1420 K St. NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20005 and need to be postmarked AFTER November 7 and RECEIVED by November 19.

What is my login for nominating and voting?

• Your login ID will be the first initial of your first name followed by your last name (example:  John Doe’s User ID will be JDoe).
• Your password will be the last 4 digits of your Social Security number.   (top)

HealthSmart Corner - Tips to Help Avoid "Falling" into Fall  

We’ve all had those moments of clumsiness, stumbling over an uneven sidewalk or tripping as we walk up the stairs. Falls, however, can be more than an opportunity to chuckle at ourselves. Falls represent a major health concern. This is particularly true for adults over the age of 65. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one out of three adults age 65 and older falls each year. Taking a few simple steps can prevent falls and injuries. Here’s what you can do to stay safe...

• Exercise regularly. It’s important that the exercises focus on increasing leg strength and improving balance. Tai Chi programs are especially good.
  
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review ALL of your medications—both prescription and over-the counter (don’t forget to mention any herbal supplements or vitamins). Take all of your medications with you when you speak to your doctor. Medication interactions and side effects can sometimes cause dizziness or drowsiness.
  
• Look at the inside of your home:
  • Remove any throw rugs, bath mats or carpets that are unsecured, particularly near stairs
  • Turn on the lights when walking around the house and ensure the lighting is adequate
  • Add grab bars to bathtubs, stairs or other areas where slipping might be common
  • Wear non-slip shoes around the house
  • Avoid carrying large loads that could obscure your vision
    
• Stay safe outside of your home:
  • Spread ice melting substances on the sidewalks or stairs near your home prior to wintry precipitation falling. Ask for assistance if needed and don’t venture out if snow or ice has not been cleared from walkways
  • Have outdoor lighting such as motion censor-activated lights installed around the driveway or home

For a full home checklist, more information about fall prevention, staying strong and ways you can stay well, throughout the year, please contact HealthSmart at HealthSmart@arlingtonva.us or by phone at 703/228-1827.   (top)

Source: CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/

"Important Contacts" List for Retirees  

Retirement Internet:  www.arlingtonva.us/retirement  Click on “Retiree Services” (blue menu on right of screen) for links to forms and documents, Pension Gold, HealthSmart Program, Arlington County Retired Employees Association (ACREA) and current and past issues of the Retiree Link newsletter.

Human Resources Benefits Customer Service
703/228 -3500 (choose option 1)
Benefits@arlingtonva.us
Hours of Operation 8 am – 5 pm weekdays

ING (457 & 401a)
1/800-584-6001
Website:  www.ingretirementplans.com/custom/Arlington
For appointments call Karen Fields at 703/228-3470

Kaiser Permanente
1/800-777-7902
Website: www.kp.org

CIGNA (pre-Medicare members)
1/800-244-6224
Website: www.cigna.com

CIGNA Medicare Access
1/800-577-9410

CIGNA Tel Drug
1/800-835-3784 (choose option 1)
Website:  www.mycigna.com

CIGNA Behavioral Health
1/800-274-4573
Website:  www.cignabehaviorial.com

Vision Service Plan (VSP)
For regular check ups 1/800-877-7195
Website:  www.vsp.com

CIGNA Vision
Healthy Rewards Discount Plan
Website:  www.cigna.com

Delta Dental
1/800-237-6060
Website:  http://www.deltadental.com

Genworth
Long Term Care Insurance
1/866-416-3624

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