1/15/02
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- UTU members considering early retirement under provisions of the new Railroad Retirement reform law must be aware that there may be differences among railroads in their continued health-care coverage.
Railroads participating in the Railroad Employee National Early Retirement Major Medical Plan (GA-46000) have agreed to amend the plan to allow for coverage when the employee applies for the retirement annuity on or after their 60th birthday. This allows for retiree and dependent health-care coverage until the employee reaches age 65 and is covered under Medicare.
Changes to the law and the effective date for health-care plan changes occur Jan. 1, 2002. It is essential that no UTU member make application for early retirement before Jan. 1, 2002, to ensure eligibility under GA-46000.
All questions relating to GA-46000 should be directed to United Health Care at their toll-free telephone number, 1-800-842-5252. If United Health Care informs you that your railroad does not participate in GA-46000, contact your general chairperson as to how this new law affects you.
Also remember that questions relating to the Railroad Retirement reform law should be directed to the Railroad Retirement Board. For information on how to contact the Railroad Retirement Board, click on this URL: http://www.rrb.gov.
Also, be sure to review a separate message from the Railroad Retirement Board also posted on the UTU website.