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 IS AN ORGANIZATION WHOSE GOALS ARE TO ENHANCE THE DIGNITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF ALL SAN FRANCISCO AND COUNTY RETIREES AND PRESERVE THEIR HEALTH AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS.

FROM THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF PROTECT OUR BENEFITS

SAN FRANCISCO HEALTH SERVICE SYSTEM 

SFHSS IS OPERATING IN A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT AND IS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC.   SFHSS leadership and staff are working with Aon to develop the Implementation Plan for making the new Health Plans and the change in the PPO Administrator available to our members in October 2021. Subsequently, SFHSS negotiations with Medical, Dental and Vision plans for Plan year 2022 and therefore the Vendor Black Out Period will continue through June 2021. COVID-19 vaccinations distribution continues to ramp up. We encourage all our members to get the vaccine as the availability reaches you. Over the next several months, in consultation with Aon, staff will continue to learn about the Medicare plan landscape including employer sponsored plans (e.g., “group insurance” plans) and individual market plans. Ultimately, evaluation of our learnings and development of our going forward recommendations by June 2021 will be guided by Quality, Costs, Benefits Administration and Legal and Policy Guardrails.

SFHSS Medicare members have access to transportation benefits that can be used for your COVID-19 vaccine appointment.

For Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Members:  Schedule a ride:

  • For rideshare, taxi, or private transportation service, call (877) 930-1477 (TTY 711).
  • For wheelchair van or gurney van transportation service, call (833) 226-6760.
  • Request your ride at least 3 business days (Monday through Friday) before your appointment. If you have an urgent last-minute appointment, call as soon as you can, and they will try to accommodate you.

For UnitedHealthcare Medicare Members:    Contact LogistiCare to schedule your trips: (833) 219-1182, TTY: (844) 488-9724, 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday Local Time or by visiting https://www.logisticare.com/BookNow.

When calling, members should have the following information ready:

  • Your Kaiser Permanente or UnitedHealthcare ID card
  • The date and time of the appointment
  • Your pick-up and destination addresses
  • If you need a return trip
  • If anyone will be traveling with you (such as a family member or caregiver)

SAN FRANCISCO EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SYSTEM (SFERS)   

In February 2021 SFERS investments gained 1.32%.  Public and Private Equity posted returns of 2.08% and 1.66% for the month, respectively. The IPO market has remained extraordinarily strong, while in public equity the rally has broadened beyond a narrow tech to include international equities, small stocks, and non-tech related sectors. In sum, the wide-ranging rally in equities and private credit plus the decline in treasurer’s and fixed income bonds indicates the market is pricing in an expectation of a broad economic recovery this year. In the first two months of CY2021 SFERS investments have gained 2.12% Our Public and Private Equity strategies have returned 2.76% and 3.67%, respectively, while our Private Credit book has gained 2.96%. Real Assets are in the green by 0.99% while our Fixed Income book is down -1.20%. Absolute gained 0.33% in January with February results expected soon. With eight months of FY 2020-21 in the books, SFERS investments have returned 19.59%. Our Public Equity portfolio is up 33.14% this fiscal year, driven by remarkably high returns in our technology, biotech, and China managers and more recently by strong returns in international equities, small stocks, and non-tech related sectors.

PROTECT OUR BENEFITS BOARD   

Where has the last year gone. Yes, it has been a year when all our lives were turned upside down. Thankfully, progress has been made on the availability of COVID vaccines and locations. POB and SFHSS encourages you to get vaccinated. We are not out of the woods yet. Be sure still follow safety protocols, washing hands, face mask and practice social distancing. It nice to see the different communities lifting restrictions, but we still must be on our guard. Be safe.

UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL

Your continuing contributions and support 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!