Our financial counseling provider, Stacey Braun Associates, will be offering two webinars in the coming weeks.  The provided links will bring you to a page on which details of the webinar and links for registration are available.  You will need to register to receive the link for the event.  We hope to see many of you there.

​Welcome to our newly hired teachers! We look forward to meeting with you! 🙂

​Retirement Reenrollment was due June 30th. 
Don't let your benefits lapse!
If you think you did not receive reenrollment  paperwork from Preferred you need to call them at
​1-800-573-7474

Dear Retirees,
You should be receiving your re-enrollment information from Preferred within a week's time.  Enrollment paperwork will be due on June 30th.  
As you prepare to renew your retirement plan with the MTA Benefit Fund, please be aware of the following information:

1. Despite an increase in so many other things, plan prices did not change for this year.
2. Major Medical Deductible reimbursement for 2022 is $250 and it will not be discontinued starting in 2023.
3. Dental Plan Change:  

• Starting in July you will be required to pay 20% of all restorative services and orthodontic services.  
• Preventative services will continue to be covered in full.  
• See updated fee schedule on the website for specifics on out of pocket expenses.

 Fill out a CHANGE of STATUS form if in the last year you have experienced any LIFE CHANGES (ie:  address change, name change, marriage/divorce etc.)

Please mail Re-enrollment & Change of Status to Preferred by JUNE 30th.
Preferred Group Plans, Inc.
P.O. Box 15136
Albany, NY  12212-5136

Retiring this spring?  Join the MTABF & get all the  info you need about carrying your benefits into retirement.

• When: Tuesday, May 24, 2022 @ 4:30pm
• Description: Virtual Planning Session for those retiring SPRING 2022
• RSVP: Retirees please complete this form whether you plan to attend or not.​
• If you do not attend this session it is your responsibility to find your building trustee & discuss with them the plan choices you can carry into retirement.  Failure to do so results in the loss of MTABF benefits upon retirement.  Questions can be directed to you building trustee.
• Use the MTABF website's retirement section to give yourself a head start on what is available to you.

From NYSTRS:

If you’re thinking about retiring this year, we’re sure you have lots of questions about the application process, how benefits are calculated, what planning resources are available to you, and more. It’s a major life event with a lot to consider, but we are here to help you every step of the way!

Everything you need to know about the updates to our dental plan...

• Are there changes to the cost?

The cost for our plans and the payment options will remain the same.  Your family dental plan premium will still be covered or reduced using your $650 variable benefit.

• Will the fee schedule for covered dental procedures change?

All covered procedures will be increased to make our plan more attractive to dental providers.

• What changes have been made to our dental plan?

Preventative dental work will still be covered at 100% if you go to a preferred provider.  All restorative and orthodontic work will be covered at 80%.  The member will be responsible for the remaining charges.

• Will there be any changes to the plan limits?

The annual dental limits and lifetime orthodontic limits will remain the same.

• Why did the board of trustees decide to make these changes?

The described changes are designed to reduce the loss of preferred providers accepting our plan by increasing what the dentists are paid for services.  These changes also create much needed savings for the welfare fund.

• Were other options explored by the board of trustees?

The board of trustees looked at many different options including paying for a private company to administer our plan and the option we chose had the smallest financial impact for our members.  The plan updates will only have a financial impact to members and dependents requiring restorative or orthodontic procedures.  Cleanings and basic preventative care will continue to be covered at no out of pocket expense for all using preferred providers.
​

• If you have more questions, please contact your building trustee

If you thought retiring began when you were old & gray, you could not be more wrong.  Retirement planning starts the day you are hired.  Talk to a financial advisor today about planning for your future.  And it's never to late to start.