What Are My Pension Options?
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Blog
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Episode Six: Am I Eligible for Retiree Health Benefits?
Am I Eligible for Retiree Health Benefits?
Related Links
Request a pension estimate on MyAccount.
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Episode Seven: After Retirement
After Retirement
Related Links
Request a pension estimate on MyAccount.
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Althea Elliott: Member Profile
Althea Elliott
For 20 years, Althea Elliott’s comprehensive benefits package has allowed her family to get the healthcare they need while also opening the door for her to further her education, advance her career and become a U.S. citizen.
From 1990 to 1997, Althea Elliott worked at least two jobs at a time and barely made enough money to house her family. Then the Jamaican-born immigrant landed an entry-level position at Beth Israel Hospital and became a member of 1199SEIU. She’s accomplished many things thanks to the benefits of her Union membership, including becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) and a U.S. citizen. Her training benefits paved the way for Althea to graduate from college, earn an advanced degree and rise through the ranks at Beth Israel, gaining the necessary experience to move up through a combination of coursework and practical application. In addition, she took advantage of our 1199SEIU Citizenship Program and officially fulfilled a lifelong dream when she was sworn in as a U.S. citizen last year.
The opportunities for growth in the healthcare field are expanding—and Althea fully intends to keep using her benefits as an avenue for achievement. “I could not have become a nurse in Jamaica,” she said. “I will be forever thankful to 1199SEIU and to all of our employers for recognizing what we have to offer and investing in our futures.”
As impressive as they are, her accomplishments may not have been possible without the preventive care Althea accessed through the years to help her stay well—and the acute care she received to treat both of her eyes. “I had to have bilateral cataract surgery and underwent my first operation about 10 years ago,” she said. “I had the second eye done last year, but because of my healthcare coverage, I didn’t have any worries.”
But with my Benefit Fund, I can rest easy knowing that number one, I’m covered; and number two, I have access to all sorts of free wellness programs and services.
Registered Nurse
Mount Sinai Beth Israel
Having been at the now-merged Mount Sinai Beth Israel for two decades, Althea credits her consistent healthcare benefits with giving her peace of mind, reducing her stress level and helping her establish a relationship with her doctors, especially her primary care physician. That bond has motivated her to improve her habits, she said, like making sure to schedule her screenings and annual wellness visit, eating healthier, exercising and taking advantage of our Wellness Member Assistance Program and Outreach Department’s health fairs and workshops. “I have friends who can’t afford the care and the prescription medications that they need,” Althea said.
Her daughter has also benefited from Althea’s family coverage. She’s been able to keep her chronic allergies largely under control, Althea said, although the young girl has required steroid shots twice to treat severe outbreaks. “I don’t know where we’d be if I’d never joined such a great union and got access to quality care,” Althea concluded. “We wouldn’t be as healthy, that’s for sure!”
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Our Prenatal Workshop Can Help Ensure You Have a Healthy Pregnancy
Whether you’re expecting your first child or your third, receiving prenatal care during your entire pregnancy results in healthier moms — and healthier babies.With the Benefit Fund’s free and confidential Prenatal Care Program, you’ll learn about the habits that lead to a healthier pregnancy with fewer complications. You can attend workshops that cover topics such as What to Expect When You’re Expecting, Pregnancy 101, and Preparing For Your Due Date. The Prenatal Care Program will also help you work with your doctor to make sure you’re getting the best care during your pregnancy.
Sign Up!
- Register online at My Account within the first three months of the pregnancy.
- Make sure your doctor participates with the Benefit Funds. If you do not have a doctor, we can help you find a covered 1199SEIU obstetrician.
After you log in, go to “My Member Information” and then “Register for our Prenatal Program”.
For more information, email us at Wellness@1199Funds.org or call (646) 473-8962.
If you are unable to attend in person, please call us at (646) 473-8962 for information about attending online.
Upcoming Prenatal Workshops
- There are no seminars scheduled at this time. For more information, contact (212) 894-4390.
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Linda Beth Lawson
Linda Beth Lawson fully embraces our 1199SEIU retirees’ motto of being “Retired but Active” and credits her ability to do many of the things she loves to her monthly pension benefit.
With hobbies that include line dancing and playing the violin and the clarinet, Linda Beth Lawson knows that she needs to stay healthy to maintain her active lifestyle. Fortunately, she eats a nutritious diet and doesn’t have to worry about the few extra dollars that fresh fruit and vegetables may cost her. “Without my pension, I’d be lost,” she said. “I can tell you from experience that eating healthy foods costs more than eating junk food, and Social Security alone would leave me without any choice.”Linda Beth, who retired from Interfaith Medical Center as a Registration Clerk in 2011, enjoys the extra time she has to spend with her son and her daughter. A Brooklyn resident for 37 years, she participates in many of the activities at the retiree chapter near her home and also makes regular visits to the Retired Members Department at the Benefit and Pension Funds’ Manhattan Headquarters. Her defined benefit pension, she said, has allowed her to remain in her home. “If I didn’t have my pension, I don’t even know where I’d call home,” Linda Beth said. “We truly have the best benefits around, and I don’t know how I’d survive without them.”
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Sleep-Away Camp Programs Benefit Children—and Parents
June 1, 2016
This summer, more than 800 children of 1199SEIU members will attend the Anne Shore Camp Program. Open to eligible children ages 9 to 15, the Anne Shore program offers boys and girls the opportunity to attend one of 17 summer sleep-away camps in locations from New Jersey to Vermont. All of the camps are certified by the American Camp Association and give children the opportunity to develop social skills and self-reliance in a safe, supportive environment. Activities include archery, performing arts, gymnastics, swimming, kayaking and sailing.
In February and April, 1199SEIU members’ children spent their school vacations taking part in the Holiday Sleep-Away Program. The April session of the program gave 114 pre-teens and teens a five-day, four-night sleep-away camp experience that coincided with New York City’s public school break, which is critically important to working parents. In all, 86 children between the ages of 8 and 13 attended the Fresh Air Fund’s Camp Mariah in Fishkill, New York, while 28 children ages 14 to 17 attended Hands In 4 Youth (formerly Camp Vacamas) in West Milford, New Jersey. Both camps offer a host of activities such as music and dance classes, arts and crafts, and nature walks.
For more information about the Anne Shore Camp Program or the Holiday Sleep-Away Program, see the Anne Shore section or call (212) 564-2220.
Gallery of Previous Years’ Summer Camps
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1199SEIU Retirees Count on Their Defined Benefit Pension
1199SEIU Retirees Count on Their Defined Benefit Pension
A defined benefit pension is a rare benefit for most workers today. But for eligible 1199SEIU members, your monthly pension offers additional financial security and peace of mind in your retirement. But don’t just take it from us—hear what 1199SEIU retirees have to say about their pension benefit.
Your Virtual Pension Counselor
If you’re thinking of retiring soon, it’s important that you understand your pension benefit and know what you need to do to apply for it. To help, we’ve created this video series that will take you through the application process. Watch all seven episodes, or click on any one that interests you. We hope you enjoying meeting your Virtual Pension Counselor!
Select Your Fund:
Pension Counselors
We also encourage you and your spouse to schedule an appointment with one of our Pension Counselors. Our pension experts will explain your benefits and help you understand all your options so that you can make the choices that are right for you. Call us at (646) 473-8666 or contact us online.
For a full description of your Pension Plan, check your Summary Plan Description.
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Q&A with Dr. Van Dunn: Why It’s Important to Have a Primary Care Physician
Q&A with Dr. Van Dunn:
Choosing a primary care physician (PCP)—and scheduling regular visits—is one of the best things you can do to protect your health. As reported in the journal Health Affairs, researchers found that patients who have a PCP can better manage chronic diseases, have lower overall healthcare costs and report greater satisfaction with their care. We asked our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Van H. Dunn, to share his views on why it’s important to have a PCP.
Q: Why not just see a doctor at an urgent care center?
A: We encourage you to visit an urgent care center or retail clinic instead of an emergency room when your doctor is unavailable, but it is not a substitute for regular medical care. The providers there will treat you for whatever issue you are currently experiencing, but by choosing a PCP, you’ll receive treatment from someone who knows you, such as whether you have a family history of heart disease or if you smoke or exercise. The more your PCP knows about you, the easier it is for him or her to spot warning signs that an urgent care provider might miss, and to better treat you when you’re sick and help you make healthy lifestyle changes.Q: What’s the benefit of having a PCP?
A: Putting the focus on prevention is important, so finding a PCP who will help you stay ahead of any medical issues is critical to maintaining good health. A study in Health Affairs reported that patients who have a PCP reported higher levels of satisfaction with their care than patients who didn’t have one.Q: So having a PCP can actually improve your health?
A: Yes. Your PCP can provide one-stop preventive care, through screenings for conditions such as diabetes and cancer, to help you avoid health issues down the road. In fact, according to a study in the International Journal of Health Services, patients who live in states with a larger number of PCPs display better health outcomes and experience fewer deaths from cancer, heart disease and stroke.Sources: Dr. Van H. Dunn; National Institutes of Health; Health Affairs; International Journal of Health Services
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New York City Honors Teacher from the 1199SEIU Future of America Learning Center
On June 6, the New York City Department of Education honored Nila Johnson, a Pre-Kindergarten lead teacher at the 1199SEIU Future of America Learning Center (FALC), with a 2016 Big Apple Award. The Big Apple Awards program celebrates New York City educators who inspire students, model effective teaching and improve their school communities.
The 2016 Big Apple Award recipients were chosen from a pool of more than 4,600 nominations that represent a diversity of grade levels, subject areas and each of the five New York City boroughs. In addition to continuing their work in the classroom, these educators will serve as Big Apple Fellows during the 2016-17 school year. They will also serve on the New York City Schools Chancellor’s Teacher Advisory Group, which meets monthly to discuss citywide education policy, share teaching practices and receive training in leadership development.
Presenting Johnson with the award at FALC, New York City Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña said, “I am happy to congratulate Nila Johnson because she is making an impact at FALC, and I celebrate her with this well-deserved recognition.” 1199SEIU Child Care Funds (CCF) Executive Director Vivian Fox, CCF Chief of Staff Rossmery Dais and FALC’s Chief Operating Officer Bonnie Lou Mallonga were also on hand to celebrate Johnson’s achievement. Mallonga, who nominated Johnson for the award, said, “Nila has shown major prowess as a leader and facilitator of meaningful learning experiences. She has shown leadership and commitment to the Center, to the children and to the families served.”
For more information on FALC or any of the programs offered by the 1199SEIU/Employer Child Care Corporation and the 1199SEIU Child Care Funds, visit our Child Care Fund pages or call (212) 564-2220.
Carmen Fariña, New York City Schools Chancellor; Bonnie Mallonga, FALC Chief Operating Officer; Vivian Fox, CCF Executive Director; Nila Johnson, Pre-Kindergarten lead teacher at FALC; and Rossmery Dais, CCF Chief of Staff.
