Retiree Health Option Selection Information

*Due to the filtering restrictions on City computers, the following three videos can only be viewed on home computers. We apologize for any inconvenience this might cause you in accessing the videos.*

The final implementation steps of the new retiree health benefit agreement are in progress, including the selection process for employees to choose one of the three benefit options.  Those selections must be made by employees before February 1, 2012.  (This choice only has to be made by employees who were hired before 7/1/05 and who are not retiring before 4/1/12.)  Your payroll specialist should have the selection forms available by January 3, 2012, giving employees about four weeks to make their selection.

MEA has filmed three new videos attached to this message to assist employees with their selection decision.  The first two videos summarize the three options, and also recap the feedback of many employees who have contacted MEA to discuss their thinking on which option is right for them.  The third video is intended for those employees who are eligible to retire before April 1, 2012, and who are trying to decide how the changes to the retiree health benefit might impact their decision to retire.

We would also encourage employees who are looking for more detailed written information to review this September 7, 2011 positing from our website:

(https://www.sdmea.org/news/EmailArticle.aspx?naid=49450c64-0d22-426d-a47e-54bc06fefd71 ).

This provides a significant amount of information related to the retiree health options.  (The City has also begun a series of meetings with employees to go over the options, and produced a summary power point—attached to this message—which reviews the options that are available to employees.)

The terms of the new retiree health benefit have not changed since employees ratified and the City Council approved the agreement earlier this year.  There is nothing “new” in the agreement or in the options that employees must choose from before 2/1/12.  The City is holding the sessions with employees simply to re-distribute the summary information that has previously been provided, and to educate employees on the procedure for making their retiree health selection.

If after reviewing the videos and materials you have any questions or need more information, please do not hesitate to contact your MEA representative at 619-264-6632.  Thank very much!

Retiree Health MOU MEA (signed final)
City’s Retiree Health Option Selection Summary