2015 Issue 3 AUSWR CO/WY What we have done for you! · 2015 Issue 3 Our MISSION: “To maintain a...

Retiree Guardian — 2015 Issue 3 Colorado—Wyoming Edition

Whatwehavedoneforyou!

2015 Issue 3

Our MISSION:

“To maintain a point of

contact and

information for

telephone retirees on

health care and other

benefit issues.”

__AUSWR CO/WY

INSIDE THIS EDITION—

2 Colo/Wyo Presidents’ messages 5 YSA health reimbursement account audit 8 NWB advocate in Washington, D. C.

3 CenturyLink 2nd q. financials 6 Annual Enrollment survey 9 Curtis: IRS lump-sum ruling

4 Lineman tells ‘tree’d’ by a camel 7 EASY GUIDE: Update your beneficiary 10 Health news: Hearing aids, cataracts

OurretireeassociationworkscontinuallytorepresentyouwithCenturyLink,keepinginmindthepensionsandbene�itsthatweearnedinourworkingyears.Wecelebratesuccesses,bemoanourlosses…buttheworkgoeson,thankstoalltheleaderswhotirelesslykeepgivingtheirefforts,

mostofthemvolunteers.—-Butwecannotdoitall...

CurtisKennedyhasworkedforusforoverthreedecadestoprotectourpensionsandbene�its.Belowarethestoriesofjusttwoleaderswho—usingCurtis’sexperthelp—makeyourlifebetter.

NowwewantyoutohelpuskeepCurtisworkingforusin2016.

PleasesendusyourdonationforthecontinuedlegalservicesofCurtisKennedy.

Sendyourcheckto: AUSWR CO/WY PO BOX 27027, DENVER, CO 80227-0027 (or use the form on page 11)

Ifyouretiredin1990orbefore...

theNelsonPhelps

HealthCareSettlement

Nelsrealizedby1992that,asa1990retiree,healthcare“promised”byUSWESTcouldchangebecauseofbene�it-planlanguage,allowingthecompanythediscretiontomake

changes.Whodidhecall?Curtis,ofcourse,who�iled,andwon,legalactionthatguaranteesALLretireeswhoretiredin1990orbefore(plusEROretirees)willkeeptheirpromisedhealthcarebene�itsforlife.

Curtis’slegal-actionagreementisbindingonallfuturemergersofQwestandCenturyLink.It’shealthcareforlife!

NewsletteroftheretireesofCenturyLink,Qwest,USWEST

andtheirpredecessorcompanies.www.AUSWR.org

Ifyouretiredafter1990...

theMimiHull

5-yearAgreement

InApril2012,thenAUSWRleaderMimiHullsuccessfullynegotiatedanagreementwithCenturyLinkOf�icersthatprovidesHealthReimbursementAccounts(HRA)forMedicare-eligibleretireesandspousesfor�iveyears.

Thesemonthlyreimbursementshelpmakehealthcaresecureandmoreaffordable.

Theprotectionofour$10,000GroupLifeInsurancefor�iveyearsisincludedintheagreement.DraftingthisagreementfortheHRAandlifeinsurancewasgiventoCurtis,whocreatedthelanguagethatCenturyLinkof�icersquicklyapproved.NowwelookforwardtoworkingwithCenturyLinkexecutivestoextendtheagreementbeyond

itsexpirationin2017.


AUSWR COLO/WYO:

Barbara Wilcox, ([email protected])

John Rommelfanger, ([email protected]

Don Warsavage, ([email protected])

NWB Qwest—U S WEST association:

Clyde Just, ([email protected])

Jerry Weldon, ([email protected])

Cindy Hadsell, ([email protected])

Editor: Jerry Miller, ([email protected])

Copyright - Fair Use Notice: The Retiree Guardian is the newsletter of the AUSWR Colorado/Wyoming and the NWB-U S WEST-Qwest Retirees associations. Copyrighted material is reprinted, the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We make such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of issues to our members. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the U S Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material presented is available without profit. For more information go to: Cornell University Legal Information Institute at: http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html.

Regional Retiree Guardian team: Regional & Colo/Wyo Editor: Kitty Kennedy, ([email protected])

Copy editor: Irene Chavira, ([email protected]) Copy editor: Eve Mary Verde, ([email protected])

COLORADOCOLORADOCOLORADOCOLORADO & WYOMING & WYOMING & WYOMING & WYOMING

Presidents’Messages

Asourgoodfriend,BillAlsdorf,remindsus,“Onceyoustarttohearthelocustsintheevening,the�irstfrostisonlysixweeksaway.”Wellwe’rehearingtheminthenight,startingthe�irstofAugust,andhereintheRockyMountains,wecan’twaitforFallandfootball!

AstheCenturyLinkAnnualEnrollmentis‘justaroundthecorner’for2016(usuallyNovember),wearelookingbeyondthisyearto2017,andworkingonaninitiativetogetCenturyLinktoextendthe�inancialcontributionitmakestothecostofhealthcareandextendthelifeinsurancebene�itsnegotiatedbytheregionalAUSWRorganization(asdiscussedonpage1)in2012.CO/WY--alongwithNWB–willcontinuetodoeverythingwecantotryandgetthosebene�itsextendedbeyondMarch31,2017.ThisincludescontinuingtobuildupontherelationshipwithCenturyLinkstartedbytheformerAUSWRregionalboardmembersduringthemergerbetweenQwestandCenturyLink.Wehavecalleduponpastof�icersoftheregionalboardtoassistusinthisendeavor—moreonthatinalatereditionoftheRetireeGuardian.

Letusbeclearaboutourintentionsconcerningourattorney,CurtisKennedy,andtherequestfordonationstothelitigationfund.Wedonotbelieve,atthispointintime,thatlitigationistheanswertoachievingourgoals.Rather,Curtiscontinueshisoversightrole,reviewingdocuments�iledwiththeappropriateagencies,detailingthechangesandstatusofthepensionandbene�itplans,aswellasprovidinguswithlegaladvice(asneeded)tointerfacewith

CenturyLink,whilebuildinguponhisrelationshipwiththecompany.CurtisrecentlyattendedtheCenturyLinkAnnualShareholders’meetinginMonroe,Louisiana,representingourretireeorganizations.

COLORADOisintheprocessofplanningforitsannualmeetingOctober10,sign-inat8:00am,tobeheldinLakewood,CO,attheHolidayInn(samelocationaslast

year).TheformatwillcontinuewiththepopularQ&Asessionamongourboardofdirectors’members,discussingyourconcernsandissues.Thataloneis‘worththepriceofadmission’--which,bytheway,isFREEtoourmembersfromanystate.Pleaseplanaccordingly,andagainyoucansignupforthe�lushots,whichwillbegivenbeforethemeeting.

Ijustwanttotakethetimetothankallofourvolunteers:AreaRepresentatives,theRetireeGuardianeditor,theHealthCarespecialist,theRetireeAdvocates,theboardofdirectorsandYou,themember,foryoursupportnow,andinthefuture.Togetherwemakeagreatteam!Asalways,shouldyouwanttovolunteeryourtimeandtalent,callmeandIwillputyoutowork.

__RommelRommelRommelRommel

InWYOMING,theweather,sofar,hasnotbeen

favorableintryingtoscheduletheplannedMedicare

meetinginCheyenne.Wealsoknowhowimportant

theface-to-facemeetingsaretoourmembers,sothe

plansare,withcertainty,tomeetintheFall.

__Bob & Jean RuckerBob & Jean RuckerBob & Jean RuckerBob & Jean Rucker

John

Rommelfanger,

Colorado President

Bob

Rucker,

Wyoming President


CompliedbyKittyKennedy,RegionalEditor

OnAugust5,CenturyLink(CTL)announcedsecond-quarter�inancials,promotedonaconferencecallwithmajorinvestors,showingresultsbelowforecastsandearlierWallStreetconsensusestimates.ByAugust7,CTLstockwentintoadownwardplungeofmorethan7percent.OnSaturday,August8,CTLannouncedthelayoffsof1,000employees,withoutprovidingdetailsofwhenandwherethoselosseswilloccur.

2Missing3inancialestimatesyear-to-datetrend.

Forthequarter,CenturyLinkreportedearningsof$143million,or26centsashare,downfrom$193million,or34centsashare,ayearearlier.Earnings,excludingitems

earnings,were55centsashare,downfrom72centsashareayearearlier.Operatingrevenuefell2.7%to$4.42billion.

CEOGlenPostattributedthemostrecent‘missedtargets’primarilybecauseof“continuedpressureonwholesalerevenuesandhigheremployeeandbene�itcosts.”

DespiteCenturyLinkstocklossesofnearly30percentoverthelastyear,major

investorscontinuetorateCTLaseither‘buy’or‘hold,’ratherthan‘sell’ascompiledonthechartaboveof18majoranalysts.

2Whycontinuedlargeinvestorcon3idence?

Thecompany'sstrengthscanbeseeninareassuchasitsreasonablevaluationlevels,expandingpro�itmarginsandnotablereturnonequity;allcontributingtoglobalmarketrevenuebreakoutsanddataintegration,especiallythoseofferingsinglobalcloudservices.

Forbesdescribesitscon�idenceinCenturyLinkas“acasestudyforhowthreatenedlegacybusinessescanreinventthemselvestoremainrelevant.”

2Wireline,akalandline,lossescontinue

Landlinelosseswithalltelecommunicationsproviderscontinuetodramaticallydecline,alarmingretireeswhosehealthcareandpensionsarelinkedtothestrengthandsecurityoftheircompanies’revenues.Noretireesare

moreconcernedthanthoseofuswhorelyonourbene�itsfromCenturyLink(CTL).Wetraditionallyequatelandlineswiththefuture

viabilityofthecorporation.Isthisstilltrue?Maybenot,aswelearnmoreaboutwhatisreplacingthoserevenues.

ReportingbyCTLdismisseditscustomerlandlinelosstrend,toutingtheexpansionofPrism™TVto2.6millionhomes,addingthreenewmarketsin2015,whileincreasinghigh-speedInternet—allbigsourcesofrevenuegrowth.

2Layoffsversuswork-forcegrowth

GregHilburn,reporterforTheNews-Star,thenewspaperintheheadquarters’cityofMonroe,La.,reportedthatCTLplanstocutabout2.3percentofitsglobalworkforceof44,000.WithemployeenumbersexpectedtocontinueincreasingatthecorporatelocationinMonroe(nowabout2,500),CTLisyettoannouncewho,whereandwhenthelayoffswilloccur.

CTLcommittedto800newjobsinMonroebynextsummerina2011agreementwiththestateofLouisiana,whichgranted$20millioninincentives.Another$4.5millionwascommittedbythestatetothreestateuniversityformorecomputersciencegraduates.

IBMannounceditsconstructionplansforaservicecenterlocatednearthenewCenturyLink300,000-square-footTechnologyCenterofExcellence.TheagreementbetweenCTLandIBMwilltransitionabout350CTLtechnologyemployeestofull-timeemploymentatIBM.

CenturyLinkreports2ndq.3inancials:

Goodoralarmingforretirees?

CTL stock prices year ending Aug. 5, 2015

©marketwatch

2014 wireline losses: major providers


DonWarsavage’s‘Person-to-Person’

Telephonelineman‘tree’dbyacamel’“Stormsoldiers”—that’swhattheywerecalledwhenthisstorytakesplace.Wehonorourtelephonelinemenwhowereso‘up-in-the-air’thattheoldjokewastheycouldtellyouwhichairlinecarriedthemostpassengers.Adsforlinemenpromisedgeartotestagainstelectricshock,andtodetectgas,andpromisingfallingequipment.WhatincentivestoslugacrossinthenorthernplainsortheRocky

Mountains,summerandwinter,togiveusphonelines...

ByElmerHolso,[[email protected]]

StartedinDeadwood,SD,summer1953

asa‘grunt’lineman;retiredDecember

31,1984inSiouxFallsasaCentral

Of�icesupervisor

Iamcomingon80now,soIcanconfessthisstorywhichtookplacebackinthe‘60s.I’veentitledit,“Tree’dbyacamel.”The‘tree’wouldbea35-footjoint-usepoleinalivecamelpastureinSpear�ish,SouthDakota.Tobemorespeci�ic,inthehomeofthe‘BlackHillsPassionPlay.’

AssignedatroublereportofawiredownonthePassionPlaygrounds,Idrovetothesite,climbedoverthefencetorepairthedowned-wirebyputtingonmy(climbing)hooksandbelt…neveroncenoticingthenervous,youngsingle-humpedcamelpacingback-and-forthupthehill,about30yardsfromme.

AsIstartedupthepolewiththedropwireacrossmyarms,Imusthavedonesomethingthat‘lithisfuse,’becausehecamebarrelingdownthehill,snortingandfrothingatthemouth,appearingveryaggravated.Stunned,butdeterminedto�inishmyjob,Icontinuedupthepolewhilethecamelretreatedbackupthehill,apparentlycontentthathisshowofforcemusthavescaredmeupthepole–andIadmithedidaconvincingjobofintimidation.

IproceededtoattachthewiretoaJ-hook,andstartedbackdownthepole–when,lookout,herehecomesagain.Thistime,hismouthisproducinganunbelievablefroth,lookinglikefoam,andnowhemade

afrighteningnoisethroughhisnoseandmouthtoo.Needlesstosay,Iretreatedbackupthepoleasheretreatedbackupthehill.AsItriedtocomedownagain,hegavethesamereaction.Yougetthepicture,asItrytocomedown,thefoolcamelshowshissameoverreactioncomingbackdownthehill,eachtimecomingabitclosertothepole.KeepinmindthisisBEFORECELLPHONES.

WhenI�inallycametomysenses,Iclimbedbackupthepoleandusedmy‘butt-in”tocalltheof�iceforhelp.Whatseemedlikealifetimelateronthepole,myfellowcombinationman,Fred,showed-up.Fredapprisedthesituation,wentupthehillontheoutsideofthefence,andfoundthecaretakerwhotoldhimthatthisyoungcamelwasjust�lexinghismuscles,

butnotwithoutgivingsomeproblems.ThecaretakerpointedFredtoatwo-humpcamelinanotherpasturethathadbeenattackedby‘myjuniorbully.’Thetwo-humphadasliceacrosshisbackthatlookedlikeasaberslice.Camels�ightwithmouthsopen,baringteeth,swingingheads,withtheresultslikewalkingintoaswingingsaber.

“Nottoworry,”thecaretakersaid,“becausetheyoungcamelisafraidofclubs.Freddrovebackdownthehill,knowingwhattodonow,grinningbig.Hehaditall�iguredout.

Fredgotoutofhistruck,untyinga6-footsectionofhislaying-upfork(lookslikeaclub),andclimbedoverthefencetowardsme.Hehelditbehindhisback.Thecamelcamechargingdownthehill,bellowing,frothingatthemouth,withwhatlookedlikemurderinhiseyes.

Fredreachedbehindthepolewherehehadtheclub,broughtitoutandraiseditabovehishead.Juniorcamelscreechedtoastoponallfours,turned,andranbackupthehill.

EndofthestoryofFredandmeandthecamel?No,youseeFredhadameanstreak.Hewashavingfun.Hehidtheclubagain,camelcharged,Fredraisedtheclub.Repeat…repeat…repeat..untilI�inallygotoffthepole,andmademywaytosafetyoverthefence.

FredandIlaughedandlaughedaboutwhathadhappened.Then,eachofuswentabouttherestoftheday’sassignments.

—Tell your stories to

Don Warsavage,

and he will write them

with you for a future

edi�on of our newsle�er.

Email Don at:

[email protected]

Phone: 303-776-7782


byBarbaraWilcox,HealthCareSpecialist

AUSWRColorado/Wyoming

AreyouaPost-90retireeonMedicare?IsyourspousealsoonMedicare?

Ifso,CenturyLink’sbene�itrulessaythatthereshouldbejustonejointHRA,forthetwoofyou.

Thismeansyouraccountshouldhavedoubletheamountofmoneyinitthanitwouldhaveforjustonepersonalone,assumingyoubothwereonMedicarethroughout2015.

Thisistrue,nomatterwhichofyouistheretiree,andwhichthecoveredspouse.Itdoesn’tmatterwhichoneofyouwentonMedicare�irst.

Italsoistruefortworetireesmarriedtoeach

other,eachwithhis/herownretireebene3its.

Asyoumayremember,theseHRA’sareadministeredbyYourSpendingAccount(YSA),anAonHewettcompanythatCenturyLinkcontractedtoperformthisfunction.

Earlythisyear,itbecameapparentthatalotofthecouples’accountswerenotproperlysetup,andinsomecasesthereimbursementsforthecouples’healthexpenseswerenotbeingpaidproperly.Therefore,CenturyLinkrequiredYSAtoauditallcouples’HRAaccountsandcorrecttheproblems,astheywerediscovered.

Atthetimeofthiswriting,mostoftheauditsarecompleted,withstillafewproblems,butmostoftheissuesseemtoberesolved.Forfurtherexplanation,IoffertheseQandA’s:

Q1.MyspouseandIwerebothonMedicarebefore

January1,2015.Howmuchmoneyshouldtherebe

inourjointHRAatthebeginningoftheyear?

A1.Itdepends.ForPost-90Occupationalretirees(craft),theannualamountis$5,140foracouple,bothonMedicare.ForPost-90Managementretirees,theannualamountis$3,960foracouple,bothonMedicare.

(SeetheRetireeGuardian2015Issue1,page8,forachart

summarizingtheHRAsfor

differentcategoriesofretirees,

bothPost-90andPre-91.This

pasteditionisavailableatour

website:www.AUSWR.org—

choosenewsletteroption).

Q2.Sincethemoneyforboth

myspouseandmeisallin

thesameaccount,what

happensifoneofusspends

hisorhersharebeforethe

other?

A2.Itdoesn’tmatterwhichofyouspendsdowntheaccountfaster.

Reimbursementswillcontinueforbothofyouuntilthejointaccountisentirelydepleted.

Q3.MyspouseandIbothareCenturyLinkretirees.

Iamnervousaboutthefactthattheyputbothof

ourHRAsinoneaccount.Theaccountisinmy

spouse’sname,notmyname.Whathappensifhe

(she)diesbeforeIdo?WillIlosemyHRA?

A3.No.Sinceyoubothworkedforthetelephonecompany,eachofyouisentitledtoanHRA.Ifoneofyoudies,theaccountwillcontinueinthesurvivingspouse’sname.Itdoesn’tmatterwhichoneofyouwasnamedwhenthejointaccountwassetup.

Q4.Whathappenstothemoneyinthejointaccount

whenonepersondies?

A4.Whenonedies,thesurvivorstaysinthejointaccountuntiltheendofthatcalendaryearwiththeremainingamountofmoneyavailableforreimbursements.Ifthesurvivorisaretiree,the�irstofthenextyear,itbecomesasingleaccountbasedonthatperson’sownretireebene�itrules.

CouplesHealthReimbursementAccounts(HRAs)

CenturyLinkordersHRAaudits

Note: This information applies primarily to

Medicare Post-90 retirees because most Pre-

91 retirees did not choose the Health Reim-

bursement Account (HRA) option in the 2015

Annual Enrollment.

However, if you are a Pre-91 retiree, and you

did choose to waive or suspend the Compa-

ny Group Plan to have an HRA, then this ar-

ticle does apply to you, too.

Ifyouandyourspousearestillhaving

troublewithyourHRAreimbursements,

pleasenotifyme,BarbaraWilcox,

at(303)377-5761oremail:

[email protected].


CenturyLinkseeksretireeinputon

bene3its’AnnualEnrollmentpackagesbyBarbaraWilcox,HealthCareSpecialist

AUSWRColorado/Wyoming

CenturyLink’sHumanResourcesofferedourretireestheopportunityinMaytogiveinput—fromtheretiree‘pointofview’—tomaterialsthatwillbesentinthisFall’sAnnualEnrollment,whenemployeesandretireescanmakechangesintheirbene�its’enrollmentsfor2016.

Ithankthenearly1,000retireeswhotookthetimetorespond.Onashorttimeframe,weputtogetherasurveyofourmembers,boththeAUSWRCO/WYandtheNWBretirees,whoareonouremaillists.

Yougavethoughtfulanswerstothequestions,andwrotemanycommentsabouttheannualenrollmentprocess,andhowitimpactsyou.

Yourresponseswerecompiled,andforwardedtoCenturyLink,withallpersonalidentifyinginformationremoved.

Highlightsofthesurveyresults:

1.Whoresponded?

• 63%Post-90retirees;37%Pre-91orEROretirees;65%management;35%craftoroccupational;90%currentlyonMedicare

ThissurveyisnotarepresentativesampleofalllegacyUSWEST/Qwestretirees,becauseitwentonlytoourmemberswhoareonouremaildistributionlists.

2.YouropinionsofthemostrecentAnnual

Enrollment:

76%thoughttheannualenrollmentpackagehadabouttherightamountofinformation,14%thoughttherewastoomuchinformation,10%thoughttherewastoolittleinformation.

3.Howwouldyougradethepackageyoureceived?

• A20%,B45%,C30%,D3%,F1%

4.Howfarinadvanceshouldthepackagebesent?

Themajoritysaidonemonth,withtwomonthsbeingthenextmostpopulartimeinterval.Veryfewthoughttwoweekswasenoughtime.

5.RegardinguseofCenturyLinkbene3itswebsite:

Only27%hadusedthewebsitetomakechoicesfor2015.54%wouldliketoseemoreAnnualEnrollmentinformationputonline;41%saidno.But,manywho

saidtheyliketoseetheinformationonline,alsosaidtheywantapapercopytoreferto.Inotherwords,theywantboth.Ofthosewhovisitedthewebsite,theaverageratingforeaseofusewas3onascaleof1to5.

6.UseoftheCenturyLinkServiceCenterforAnnual

Enrollment:

31%contactedtheServiceCenterduringAnnualEnrollment.OfthosewhocontactedtheServiceCenter,69%saidtheirissueorquestionwasaddressedtotheirsatisfaction.

Respondentscomments:

Timeliness.ManycomplainedthattheAnnualEnrollmentpackageswerenotsentoutearlyenoughlastyear,leavinglittleresponsetime.Somecommentedthattheydidnotseethepackageuntilthedeadlineformakingchangeshadpassed,orhadnearlypassed.Afewsuggestedthattheenrollmentperiodbelongerthanlastyear’s11days.

NoActionRequired.Respondentsgenerallyweregladthattheydon’thavetodoanythingiftheywantedtokeepthesamecoverage.

HealthReimbursementAccount(HRA).TherewasconfusionabouttheHRAforPost-90retireesonMedicare,especiallywithrespecttoDentalInsurance.ManyrequestedmoreinformationabouttheHRA,andthereimbursementprocess,intheAnnualEnrollmentpackage.ForthosewhocommentedaboutproblemswithHRAaccountsand/orreimbursements,seearticleonpage5aboutCenturyLink’seffortstoresolvetheseproblems.

MorePersonalization.Manyrequestedthatthepackagesbemorepersonalized,i.e.,notcontainsomuchinformationthatdidnotapplytothepersonreceivingthepackage.Manywantedmoredetailsaboutthepartsthatdidapplytothem.

EaseofUse.Ofthefeaturesthatrespondentslikedbestinlastyear’spackage,themostfrequentresponsesindicatedthepackagewaseasytounderstand,andgavetheinformationneededtomakeadecision.Post-90retireesnotyetonMedicarepraisedthelayoutoftheplanstheycouldchoosefrom,withside-by-sidecomparisons.Atthesametime,otherretireessaidtheyfeltthepackagewasconfusingandhardtounderstand.

GratefultoHaveCoverage.Themostcommoncommentattheendofthequestionnairewasanexpressionof‘thanks’thatwehavehealthcarecoverage.


RetireeAdvocates:Howitallstarted

by Jim Heinze,

Retiree Advocate Ombudsman

Is your Group Life Insurance beneficiary

information on file with CenturyLink? Is

it the current information? No payment

will be made upon your death to anyone

(including a spouse) except to the

beneficiary of record. Many retirees

believe that because they have never changed their

beneficiary over the years, it must be OK. Or that

they live in a state where their spouse is entitled to

inherit automatically. Not so!

Administrators of our Group Life Insurance (now

MetLife) have changed multiple times, bringing

multiple computer changeovers. Could your

beneficiary information be missing or wrong?

CenturyLink handles claims – and denies payment

– when the beneficiary is missing or out-of-date, no

exceptions.

Now is the time to call and make sure your beneficiary is correct.

Here’s the easy guide, taking you through each step

at the CenturyLink Service Center (where all of your

pension and benefits records are kept).

Your Group Life Insurance policy is not taxable

income. This benefit was originally based on the

annual pay of the retiree. Starting in 2006, Qwest

reduced the value of the group policy to a flat $10,000

for all retirees.

YourGroupLifeInsurancebene3iciary

...navigating you through the voice-response

system, to reach the appropriate

CenturyLink Service Center representative:

1. Dial 1-800-729-7526

2. select Option 2 (Retiree)

3. then Option 1 (Health & Welfare)

4. then Option 1 (Life Insurance)

5. then ‘Say’ or Enter the last 4 digits of

your Social Security number

6. then enter your date of birth

(xx/xx/xxxx) (month/day/4-digit year)

7. then select “Health, Life and Disability”

8. then select “Life and Disability”

At this point you will be asked to enter your

password, followed by the “#” sign

NOTE: If you do not have a password,

or have forgotten it -- ‘Say’ “I don’t know it”

and the Representative will assist you further.

SAVE THIS EASY GUIDE...

If you live in: Re�ree Advocate is: Call: E-mail

Arizona Ki�y Kennedy 520-883-8272 [email protected]

Idaho or Montana Shirley Moss 208-342-3449 [email protected]

New Mexico Cassie Kelley 505-298-8666 [email protected]

Oregon or Washington Shirley Jones 206-368-8686 [email protected]

Utah Dick Johnson 801-963-6220 [email protected]

“ or Byron Lemmon 801-295-4653 [email protected]

ALL OTHER STATES: Jim Heinze 303-442-1831 [email protected]

RETIREE ADVOCATES

can help you if you

have questions or

problems AFTER you

call the

CenturyLink Service

Center at

1-800-729-7526

Doyouknowwhywehavethisexcellentall-volunteerprogram ready to assist retirees with their bene�itquestionsandproblems?

ItstartedatUSWEST,thepredecessorcompanyofCenturyLinkandQwest,supportedcommunicationswithretireesthroughthepublicationoftheLife@USWEST

newsletter.IntheDecember1998,edition,MargoO’Dell,thenUSWVicePresidentandChiefFinancialOf�icer,

asked,“WhatcouldUSWESTdotomakelifebetterforretirees?”

Fromthisquestioncamefourmeetingsin1999betweensixUSWexecutivesand12retireerepresentativesofthe14-statearea,creatingtheprogramofadvocacy,thenknownasthe‘RetireeVoice.’

(Continued on page 8)


TheApril9,1999meetingatUSWHeadquartersresultedinthisPurposeStatement:

“TheRetireeVoiceisagroupofUSWESTemployeesand

retireeswhoadvocatesthe

interestsandconcernsof

retireesonallretiree

issues.Thegroupexiststo

examineandrecommend

waysto‘makelifebetter’

forourretireesandto

strengthenthe

relationshipbetween

retireesandUSWEST.”

The�irstprioritywastoestablishaServiceCenterwhereretireescouldcallandseekhelp.TheareastoaddresswerePensions,Communications,HealthcareandMiscellaneous.ThenUSWPresident&CEOSolTrujillotoldretireerepresentativesDickJohnsonandJimHeinze,inaDecember16,1999meetingthathehad“aheightenedawarenessofretireeconcernsasaresultofthemeetingandwouldkeepretireeconcernsinmindasthemerger[betweenUSWandQwest]progressed.”

InJune2000themergerofUSWandQwestcompleted,andbyAugust2000QwestCEOJoeNacchiodiscontinuedcompanyrepresentativesmeetingwithretirees.Lettersandcontactstore-establishtheprogramfailedtogain

Qwestsupportforretireeadvocacy.RetireesremainedundauntedbyQwest’slackofinterestinretirees.

InMay2001,JimHeinzetookthemicrophoneattheAnnualShareholders’meetingandappealedtoNacchioto

bringbacktheretireeadvocacyprogram.

NacchioreferredtherequesttoIanZiskin,ExecutiveVicePresidentandChiefHumanResourcesOf�icer.JimpartneredwithretireesNelsonPhelpsandJimNorbyinmeetingsthatgainedQwest’sagreementtoestablishretireecommunications.

October1,2001,theRetireeAdvocateProgrambegan.HowardRickmansoughtarepresentativefromeachofthe14Qweststates,makinghimselfasOmbudsman(overseeroftheprogram)andJimHeinzeasAssociateOmbudsman.

OnJan.1,2002,theRetireeAdvocateProgramwent

operational.InFebruary2010,welostHoward,buthislegacytoallretireesistheRetireeAdvocateProgram.

Throughcompanymergersandretireegroupchanges,RetireeAdvocatescontinuetogiveyouassistancewithallofyourCenturyLinkbene�itissues.

(Continued from page 7)

FirstRetireeAdvocateMeeting:April9,1999

atUSWESTHeadquarters

FrontRow(LtoR):VickiChamp,Oregon;HelenBrandenburg,Iowa;ChrisShortt,USWEST(USW);MargotO'Dell,USW;LoisNeimi,Minnesota;BarbaraBrown,Oregon;JillSanford,USW;

BackRow(LtoR):TomDameron,USW;JohnSilvernail,SouthDakota;JimShaw,Iowa;TomOverton,Colorado;AdaBork,Nebraska;HarryGrandstrom,Washington;CareyMacdonald,USW;DickJohnson,Utah;MichelleToddMahoney,USW;JimHeinze,Colorado;Howard

Rickman,Oregon;StephenHolder,USW

NWBsponsorsadvocateto

NRLNandPBGCmeetings

ByCindyHadsell,NWBliaisontotheNRLN

AsourretireeliaisontotheNRLN,IparticipatedinitsJulymeetinginWashington,D.C.,inwhichtheNRLNstaffreportedareviewofmorethan5,000billsintroducedinthissessionofCongress,with276relatedtoretireeissues,and63needingoursupportforpassage.Fordetailsofthesebills,gotothewebsite:www.NRLN.org.

InadditiontotheNRLN’sprimaryroleofmonitoringandlobbyingfederallegislationforretirees,theNRLNdirectsitsmemberorganizations,suchasours,ChryslerandLucentgroups,towardsmeetingswithfederalagencies.Wemetwith�iveof�icialsfromthePensionBene�itGuarantyCorporation(PBCG)andtwoof�icialsfromtheEmployeeBene�itsSecurityAdministration(EBSA),

focusingonmergersandlump-sumimpactstocurrentretireesandtopensionplans—allgenerallyknownas‘de-risking’strategies.

ThoseofusfromCenturyLink(formerlyQwest)discussedtheAnnualFundingNotices(AFN)whichmaymeetstandards,butremainconfusinganddif�iculttoanalyze.

Inadditiontothesemeetings,IhadtheopportunitytomeetwithsomeCongressionalpolicystaffmembersinwhichIfocusedonoureffortstopasslegislationforMedicareprescriptiondrugpricenegotiations.

OfspecialimportancealsowasmyworkingwiththeNRLNteamtoclarifyourfuturerelationship.Weagreedthatalthoughtherearesevenofour‘sister’USWESTstates,havingNRLNchapters—madeupofbothQwestandotherretirees—itwillbeonlyourNWBandCO/WYassociationscommunicatingdirectlywiththeleadershipofCenturyLinkonmattersrelatedtoretirees.NRLNwillcon�ineitsworkonlegislativemattersthathavenationalimpacts.


ByCurtisKennedy,LitigationAttorneyInrecentyears,planssponsorshavemade‘window’offerings,toprovideretireespresentlybeingpaidamonthlyannuityanopportunitytoelecttoreceivealump-sumpayment,andbecomecompletelyboughtoutofthepensionplan.Suchawindowofferingisalsoknownasa"lump-sumrisktransferringprogram."

Itisnotalwaysawisechoicefortheretiree,unlessheorsheisa�inancialwizardofsorts,andcanproperlyinvestthelump-sumpensionpayment.

Theprimaryreasonplansponsorstrytodothisistoreduceliabilitieswithinapensionplan,avoidcertainongoingadministrativecostsandavoidpayingannualpremiumstothePensionBene�itGuarantyCorporation.Consequently,therehavebeenmanycriticismsmadeaboutthispractice,particularlybyorganizationssuchasthePensionRightsCenter.

OnJuly9,2015,theTreasuryDepartmentandtheInternalRevenueService(IRS)formallyannouncedthattherewillbeamajorregulatorychange,effectivelyprohibitinglump-sumrisk-transferringprogramsforde�inedbene�itpensionplans.

Toreadthefull4-pageof�icialnoticethatwaspublishedbytheIRS,gotothewebsite:www.irs.gov/pub/irs-

drop/n-15-49.pdf.

Thenoticeclearlystatesthat"[t]heregulations,asamended,willprovidethatquali�ied,de�inedbene�itplansgenerallyarenotpermittedtoreplaceanyjointandsurvivor,singlelife,orotherannuitycurrentlybeingpaidwithalump-sumpaymentorotheracceleratedformofdistribution".(emphasisadded).

Ithaslongbeentherulethatanacceleratedbene�itdistributioncannotbemadeifapensionplanislessthan80%funded.Thenewproposedregulationwillgoevenfurther.

WhiletheIRS'snoticeispresentlygarneringalotofattentionaboutputtingthebrakesonlump-sumpayments,whatremainstobeseeniswhethertheIRSandotherfederalagencieswillalsoaddresstheprocessofengaginginaninsuranceannuitization(transferringpensiontoinsuranceannuities),whichisanotherformofmakinganacceleratedbene�itdistribution.Toreadaboutpensiontransferstoinsuranceannuities,refertothelasteditionoftheRetireeGuardianorgotothewebsiteatwww.AUSWR.organdclickonthelinktotheRetireeGuardiannewsletter.

Essentially,thefederalagenciesintendtomaketheproposedregulation,onceimplemented,retroactivetoJuly9,2015.Onceimplemented,theregulationwillprohibitcompanieslikeCenturyLinkfromofferinglump-sumprogramsforparticipantswhoarealreadyinretirementpaystatus.

However,theregulation,notyeteffective,willsurelybemetwithmuchresistancebythepowerfulcorporate-employerindustry.And,regardlessofwhentheregulationisactuallyputintoeffect,therewillbeexceptionsmadeforcompaniesthathavealreadyreceivedeitheraprivate-letterrulingfromtheIRS,andthosecompaniesthathaveenteredintounionagreementsoramendedthepensionplanbeforeJuly9,2015,soastoallowforalump-sumoffering.

Icanonlyhopethatthefederalagencieswilllookfurtherattherecentpracticeofperforminginsuranceannuitizations,aswasdonebyVerizontomostofitsmanagementretirees.Ofcourse,thatissueremainsthesubjectofaprotractedlegalchallenge,Leev.Verizon,whichcaseisawaitingadecisionbytheFifthCircuitCourtofAppeals.

Myconcernisthat,sincecompanieswillnolongerbeabletoreducepensionplanliabilitiesbywayofmakinglump-sumdistributions,manymorecompaniesmaylookforawayoutofsponsoringapensionplanbywayofperforminganinsuranceannuitization.

InlateMay,ItraveledtoMonroe,Louisiana,andattendedtheCenturyLinkannualshareholdersmeeting.Afterthecorporatepresentationhadbeencompleted,IwastheonlypersonintheaudiencetoformallyaddresstheBoardofDirectorswithaquestion.Ofcourse,myquestionwastoseekassurancesthatthecorporationhadnoplanstoconductaninsuranceannuitizationoftheCenturyLinkCombinedPensionPlan.Thecordialresponsegiventomewas‘no,’therearenosuchplans.

Inanyevent,IamcurrentlymakinganotherformalERISAdocumentrequesttoCenturyLink,asIhavedonerepeatedlyinthepast,onbehalfoftheretirees.Weneedtoobtainupdatedinformationabouthowthepensionplanisbeingadministered,includingwhethertherehasbeenarecentplanamendment,soastoauthorizeeitheralump-sumofferingoraninsuranceannuitization.

MyreviewofthesedocumentswillbepublishedinthenexteditionoftheRetireeGuardian.

I.R.S.prohibits“lump-sum”offeringstopensioners


H.R.1653:MedicareHearing

AidCoverageActof2015

ExcerptsfromCongressionalsites,AARP.orgAcoverageironyisthatMedicarepaysfordiagnostichearingexaminations,orderedbyyourphysician,todetermine(inpart)yourdegreeofhearingloss,but,thenyou,thepatient,mustpayfortheneededhearingaids.WiththeexceptionofsomeMedicareAdvantageandMedicareSupplementplansthatprovidecost-sharing,mostpatientsarelefttopaydearlyforhearingaids.Arecentstudyofpatients(inaManhattan,NY,hospital)showsthatmorethanhalfofthosetestedcouldbene�itfromhearingaids,yetlessthanone-thirdwillevergettousethem,citingcostasthebarrier.TheAARPcon�irmstheseratesofhearingloss,andtheinabilitytoaffordhearingaidsasnationalaverages.

NowsomemembersofCongressaretakingnotice.ExtendingMedicarecoveragetoincludethepurchaseofhearingaidswasintroducedbyCongresswomanDebbieDingell(D-MI12),andsheisslowly�indingco-sponsors.Changesofthismagnitudeusuallytakealongtime,withlittlechanceofpassagesoon.ThehistoryofchangestoMedicare,whichturned50yearsoldattheendofJuly,showsthatvotersneedtotelltheirmembersofCongresstosupportachangelikethisone,ifthereisanyhopeforfuturepassage.

ThemembersofCongressinourregionalareawhoareco-sponsorsare:Rep.BradAshford(D-NE2),Rep.RaulGrijalva(D-AZ3),andRep.BettyMcCollum(D-MN4).IfyouliveinoneoftheseCongressionalDistricts,considercallingandvoicingyoursupport.Youcanhelpaddco-sponsorsbycallingyourmemberofCongress,andaskinghimorhertosupportthisbill.

Study:Toomanytests

beforecataractsurgery

ExcerptsfromUSNews&WorldReportHealthDay

OlderAmericansgetalotofunnecessarytestsbeforetheyundergocataractsurgery,anewstudysuggests.Expertssaidthe�indingshighlightanareaofwastefulhealthcarespending.

Cataractsareproteinclumps,cloudingtheeye'slens,arecommonamongolderadults,andcataractsurgeryisconsideredoneofthemostroutineandsafeproceduresperformedintheUnitedStates.Thetypicalprocedureinvolvesreplacingtheeye'scloudylenswithanarti�icialone,takingusually10to20minutes,usinglocalanesthesia.

Becauseofthesurgery’ssimplicity,guidelinesfromtheAmericanAcademyofOphthalmologyandothergroupssaythereisnoneedtoroutinelydotestsaheadofcataractsurgery.

YetarecentstudypublishedbytheNewEnglandJournalofMedicinefoundthatmorethanhalfofMedicarepatientswhohadcataractsurgeryunderwentatleastonetestbeforehand.Thestudyyearwas2011,fornearly441,000patients.

Questionabletestingincludedbloodwork,urineteststomeasurekidneyfunction,andtestsofheartandlungfunction--suchasexercisestresstests,andelectrocardiogramsformorethan53%ofthosescheduledforcataractsurgeries.

Notjumpingtotheconclusionthatdoctorsareonlydoingthisformoney,thestudystatesthat,foryears,thistestingwassimplystandard,pre-operativetestingpractice.Cataractpatientsareusuallyelderly,andoftenhavechronichealthconditions,soitwasconsideredprudenttobethorough.

However,guidelinesadvisingagainstroutinetestingcameoutin2002.Researchinthisstudyshowsthatittakesanaverageof17yearsfornewguidelinestobecomeeverydaymedicalpractice.

Mostpeopleeventuallydevelopcataractswithage,accordingtotheU.S.NationalEyeInstitute.Byage80,theagencysays,70percentofwhiteAmericanshavecataracts,asdomorethanhalfofblacks,andabout60percentofHispanics.

Peoplecanoftendealwithcataractsbygettinganeweyeglassprescription,orusingbrighterlighting.Butoncetheirvisionproblemsgetinthewayofdailylife,surgeryistheonlyeffectivetreatment,theeyeinstitutesuggests.

Recommendationsfromthestudyinclude:“It'snotthatolderpatientsshouldneverundergotestsahead

ofcataractsurgery.Ifyouhaveanewlydiagnosed

medicalcondition,forexample,yourdoctormightorder

atesttomakesureyouareupfortheprocedure.

"Ifyourdoctordoesrecommendatest,youshouldfeelfree

toaskwhy.Whatisthedoctorlookingfor?Isthis

necessary?"


Board of Directors CO/WY Colorado President: John Rommelfanger —–-303-475-8225 / [email protected] Wyoming Co-Presidents: Bob & Jean Rucker—307-632-8470 / [email protected] Vice President-Communications LaVerne Lanskey—303-726-2520 [email protected] Vice President-Membership: Pat Wood —303-985-8827 / [email protected] Secretary Pat Finley—303-425-0804 [email protected] Treasurer-Receipts/Budget: Bill Campbell —303-988-2800 / [email protected] Treasurer-Disbursements: Dale Thompson —303-439-8796 / [email protected] Health Care Specialist: Barbara Wilcox —303-377-5761 / [email protected] Database Manager: Dale Thompson —303-439-8796 / [email protected] E-mail Editor: Bill Alsdorf —303-659-4189 / [email protected] Newsletter Editor: Kitty Kennedy —520-444-6617 / [email protected] CWA/Legislative Rep: Harvey Hoffman —303-733-1955 / [email protected] CO/WY Retiree Advocate: Jim Heinze —303-442-1831 [email protected]

COLORADO AREA REPS: To volunteer in your area, contact John Rommelfanger --303-475-8225

Arvada: Betty Moore—303-936-7917

[email protected] Aurora: Pat Finley —303-425-0804

[email protected] Boulder/Longmont: John Rommelfanger

303-475-8225 / [email protected] Broomfield: Judy Campbell—303-466-5666

[email protected] Castle Rock/Monument: Charley Heard

—303-660-9593 / [email protected] Colorado Springs: Ralph Rohrig —719-550-8267 / [email protected] Denver East: Ed Arnold—303-321-7766

[email protected] Denver North: Dave Felice —303-880-5150

[email protected] Denver Southeast: Robert Wiswell —720-859-7641/ [email protected] Denver Southwest: Jim Hodges —303-798-3213 / [email protected] Englewood: Ed Payne—303-781-2222 Fort Collins/Loveland: Chuck Rider —970-267-0817 / [email protected] Fort Morgan: John Jump—970-867-7221

[email protected] Golden: - Vacant Grand Junction/Durango: Sue Berndt —970-263-9008 / [email protected] Greeley: Chuck Rider—970-267-0817

[email protected] Lakewood: Don Hinkley—303-988-0095

[email protected] Littleton (80220—80222): Ed Dinkins —303-794-6625 / [email protected]

Littleton (80223—80225—80227): LaVerne Lanskey—303-726-2520/ [email protected] Littleton (80224—80226—80228): Tom Spall —303-745-0233 / [email protected] Middle Park: - Vacant Parker/Sedalia: John Rommelfanger --303-475-8225 / [email protected] Pueblo/South Park: Tony Juarez —719-546-6065 / [email protected] South East Colorado: Wesley Colvin —719-384-2436 / [email protected] Thornton/Brighton: Bill Alsdorf —303-659-4189 / [email protected] Westminster/Wheat Ridge: Alice M. Peterson --303-424-7609 / [email protected]

WYOMING AREA REPRESENTATIVES: Casper Area: Gary Overturf 307-527-9005 / [email protected] Lander-Riverton: Jim Reddon 307-856-6833 / [email protected] Cheyenne Area: Dorothy Rhoades 307-235-4501 / [email protected]

ARIZONA REPRESENTATIVE: Statewide: Kitty Kennedy

520-444-6617 / [email protected]

OUT-OF-STATE CONTACTS: John Rommelfanger

—303-475-8225 / [email protected]

To volunteer in your area, contact John Rommelfanger --303-475-8225

CHANGES TO ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER OR E-MAIL ADDRESS

If you have a change in your name, mailing address, phone number, or e-mail address, please use this form. ALSO on the back page of this newsle�er, your

membership expira7on date is included on the mailing address. If your expira7on date is near, use this form to submit your annual dues.

• IF YOU KNOW of any prospec7ve members who have not yet joined the Associa7on, please provide them with a copy of this Membership Applica.on form,

or have them contact John Rommelfanger, Colorado President, at 303-475-8225. A copy of the form also can be printed from our web site at:

www.AUSWR.org. IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION: AUSWR CO/WY is an I.R.S. non-profit, tax-exempt organiza7on. However, dues and dona7ons are NOT

DEDUCTIBLE on your personal tax returns. Records are available via wri�en request at P.O. Box 27027, Denver, CO 80227.

AUSWR Colorado/Wyoming Application —PLEASE PRINT—

CHECK ONE: New Member: _____________ Annual renewal: ____________($5.00) Change ________________

Last name: _______________________________________ First name: _________________________________

Dual membership: Last name: ___________________________ First name: _________________________________

Mailing address: _______________________________________________________________________________________

City: __________________________________________ State: _______________ Zip code: __ __ __ __ __ - __ __ __ __

Phone: ___________________________________ E-mail: ______________________________________________________

I would like to volunteer in the following areas: (you will be contacted —you can check more than one):

Area Rep: ______ Membership: ______ Financial: ______ Legislative: ______ Media Relations: ______

Other (describe): ___________________________________________________________________________________

I retired from (Name of company): _______________________________________ Date: ______________________

Spouse retired from (Name of company): _________________________________ Date: ______________________

I own CenturyLink stock: Yes: ____________ No: ________________

Please mail DUES check for $5 to: AUSWR CO/WY, PO BOX 27027, DENVER, CO 80227-0027

Legal services DONATION for CURTIS KENNEDY for 2016: $_____ .00


AUSWR CO/WY P.O. Box 27027 Denver, CO 80227-0027

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

P A I D

BRIGHTON, CO PERMIT NO. 51

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED —Change your Home Address? —Or Phone Number? —Or E-mail Address?

PLEASE CHECK THE MAILING LABEL

AND LET US KNOW OF YOUR CHANGES

You can help us save $$$ in return postage,

if we have your new address, phone no. & e-mail

address

Contact Dale Thompson

303-439-8796 or [email protected]

Or send a note to:

AUSWR CO/WY, P O Box 27027

Denver, CO 80227-0027

Denver-area Medicare 101 Classes

Monday,OCTOBER19,2015at9:30-11:30a.m.

AuroraCentralLibrarySmallCommunityRoom

14949E.AlamedaPkwy.,Aurora,CO80122

Thursday,JANUARY21,2016at1:30-3:30p.m.

PrinceofPeaceLutheranChurch

2400SouthColoradoBlvd.,Denver,CO80222

Youdon’tliveintheDenverarea,andyouwouldliketoattendaclassclosertohome?Pleasecontactmetoletmeknow.Ifthereisenoughdemand,wemaybeabletoscheduleclassesinplacessuchasColoradoSprings,GrandJunctionorCheyenne.

TheseclassesaregearedtowardPost-1990retireeswhowillbe65soon,oraregoingonMedicareforanyotherreason,suchasbeingonSocialSecuritydisabilityfortwoyears.AnyoneinterestedinMedicare,andhowitinterfaceswithCenturyLinkretireehealthbene�its,iswelcome.TheclassesareacollaborationbetweenAUSWRCO/WYandtheStateHealthInsuranceAssistanceProgram(SHIP)—andtheyarefreeofcharge.CenturyLinkHumanResourcespersonnelareoftenpresenttoanswerquestions,dependingupontheiravailability.

To sign up or for questions about the classes,

contact Barbara Wilcox at 303-377-5761 or e-mail: [email protected]

Membership Annual Meeting October 10, 2015

Sign-in at 8:00 am. Lakewood, CO, at the Holiday Inn (same location as last year). The planned format is the popular Q&A session among

our board of directors’ members, discussing your concerns and issues.

2015 Issue 3 AUSWR CO/WY What we have done for you! · 2015 Issue 3 Our MISSION: “To maintain a...

Documents

Transcript of 2015 Issue 3 AUSWR CO/WY What we have done for you! · 2015 Issue 3 Our MISSION: “To maintain a...