Retirees receiving Railroad Retirement Tier I or Social Security benefits will see their payments rise by 3.6 percent beginning Jan. 1 – the first increase in those benefit payments in two years. Increases in Railroad Retirement and Social Security benefits are tied to the Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index. For railroad retirees, Tier II [...]
North Platte, Neb., retirees to meet
September 29, 2011
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — UTU Alumni Association Chapter 17 will host its second annual UTU/UTUe alumni luncheon Tuesday, Oct. 4, at noon, here at the Depot Restaurant, 520 N. Jeffers. All retirees, and their spouse or friends are welcome to attend. For more information contact Terry Sigler at (308) 532-6041, or email him at terryes@q.com.
Do not become a victim of fraud
September 20, 2011
Financial fraud can empty your life savings. Here are 10 steps suggested by best-selling author Charles Murray. 1) Every deal is a potential scam: Recognize that fraud is an act of deceit by one party intended to induce another to part with something of value. 2) Map out your goals before shopping or investing: There’s [...]
What is Medicare? How do I get started?
September 20, 2011
Medicare is the primary health insurance for retirees and their spouses. It is available for those over age 65, those under 65 with certain disabilities, and those of any age with permanent kidney failure. It consists of Parts A, B, C and D. Part A helps cover inpatient care in hospitals and a skilled nursing [...]
UTUIA helps provide secure retirements
September 20, 2011
How long will you live after you retire, and will you have enough money to live on comfortably? Good question. That’s why – before you retire – you should think about post-retirement economic security, because few things could be worse than money running out during what are supposed to be carefree years. A balanced retirement [...]
Begin your document search early
September 20, 2011
To apply for Railroad Retirement or Social Security benefits, you must provide certain information, and it is suggested you begin the process at least three months prior to your anticipated retirement date. You will need the following information to register successfully for benefits: •Proof of age: An original birth certificate or a certified copy (not [...]
Continuing income a concern for retirees
September 20, 2011
After a lifetime of hard work, UTU rail, bus and airline members look forward to a secure retirement. In an ideal world, it would be that simple. In the real world, careful planning and attention to detail are essential. Topping the list of retirement concerns are money and health-care insurance; but you also must present [...]
Most eligible for $2,000 death benefit
September 16, 2011
If you retired from railroad service on or after April 1, 1967, you may be eligible for a $2,000 retiree life insurance benefit. Benefits are administered by MetLife for all retirees from railroads participating in the National Railway Carriers’ / UTU Health & Welfare Plan and the Railroad Employees’ National Health and Welfare Plan (formerly [...]
Preserving Medicare: We have a role to play
June 9, 2011
Would you accept a job paying $1 million to count out $2 billion in $1 bills? Think again, because working a 40-hour week and counting out $1 per second, you would require 266 years to count out the $2 billion total. Now that you have an idea how much $2 billion is, consider that in [...]
RRB to withhold Medicare Parts C&D premiums
May 31, 2011
The Railroad Retirement Board will begin June 1 to withhold from benefits checks premiums for Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage plans) and Medicare Part D (prescription drug plans). Withholding is voluntary, and beneficiaries should contact their plans to request withholding by the Railroad Retirement Board of these premiums from their monthly benefits payments. Part C [...]
