Thank you for your ongoing donations. They are greatly appreciated as they help offset our operating expenses, allowing us to continue our work serving you. CLICK HERE to donate today!
PROTECT OUR BENEFITS, INC., IS AN ORGANIZATION WHOSE GOALS ARE TO ENHANCE THE DIGNITY AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF ALL SAN FRANCISCO CITY AND COUNTY RETIREES AND PRESERVE THEIR HEALTH AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS
FROM THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF PROTECT OUR BENEFITS, INC.
SAN FRANCISCO HEALTH SERVICE SYSTEM
The Mayor has ordered all Commissions to resume in-person meetings. Board and Commission members are required to attend in-person. The general public will continue to have the opportunity to attending remotely and there will be an opportunity to comment on each discussion or action item on the agenda up to 3 minutes. The Health Service Commission will hear up to 30 minutes of remote public comment in total for each agenda item. The Blackout Period Competitive bid process will conclude after the Health Services Board Commission’s final approval of the contract in June 2023.
For your convenience, here is the link to easily contact SFHSS with any questions, under the contacts tab on our website.
SAN FRANCISCO EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT BOARD (SFERS)
As of February 28, 2023 SFERS Total Fund Value was $32.9 Billion. Year to Date investment earnings were 1.72% and the Fiscal Year to Date earnings was 0.66%
SFERS is in the process of implementing Proposition A – the November 8, 2022 initiative adjusting the retirement allowance for SFERS members who retired before November 6, 1996, or their qualified survivors and beneficiaries. This was to account for Supplemental COLA’s not received in the years 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019 by those retirees Proposition A also eliminated the full funding requirement for Supplemental COLA Benefits to SFERS members who retired before November 6, 1996 subject to a monthly monetary cap in limited circumstances. ($200/month for those earning over $50,000/year
If you are eligible to receive the Supplemental Cola increase, you will notice an increase in the gross amount of your February 28, 2023 allowance when compared to the gross amount of your December 31, 2022 allowance. Your February 28, 2023 payment also includes a one-time retroactive payment for the period from January 1, 2023. Any Pre-November 7, 1996-retiree that didn’t receive a raise on their February check will receive it on their March 31st check, with retro to January 1, 2023.
For your convenience, here is the link to easily contact SFERS with any questions, under the contacts tab on our website
https://mysfers.org/about-sfers/contact-us/
Also, we added a link to easily download forms you may need from SFERS, such as tax withholding, etc, also under the contacts tab on our website.
https://mysfers.org/resources/forms/>
PROTECT OUR BENEFITS, INC. (POB)
POB cannot thank enough all the organizations and individuals who helped in the restoration of the Supplemental Cola to the Pre-November 7, 1996 retirees.
It has come to POB’s attention that many retirees are shocked and somewhat confused about the cost of their health care benefits. That is understandable because it can be very complex. There are two categories of Retirees, those on Medicare (65 and older) and those who retire before 65 years old, called Early Retirees. Early Retirees (non-Medicare) pay a much higher premium. Remember, one must complete enrollment in retire health coverage within 30 days of their retirement date or else they are not eligible again until open enrollment, which occurs only in October each year. Forms are available on the HSS website (sfhss.org). Remember, you are entitled to a consultation of your benefit, but you must make an appointment.
If you have signed up for long term health care insurance through your private insurance broker, make sure you have a written copy because they vary greatly in the cost of deductible and eligibility as well as types of care, example: rehabilitation, skilled nursing and assisted living board and care. Also review the length of time you will receive care in your long-term health insurance.
We had the opportunity to refresh and also update our website. Please click on the link to check out the latest version of POB’s website.
https://protectourbenefits.org
Once again POB wishes for all retirees to have a healthy and safe retirement.
REMEMBER
UNITED WE STAND,
DIVIDED WE FALL
Your continuing contributions to our charitable non-profit, to offset our operating costs, are greatly appreciated and are tax-deductible. Please mail them to Protect Our Benefits Trust, P.O. 210250, San Francisco, Ca. 94121-0250 or CLICK HERE to donate today!