1375 Virginia Drive, Suite 102
Ft. Washington, PA 19034
Phone 215-542-8211
 
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Don't Forget!

It's Your responsibility to update the Funds Office with any dependent changes - Birth of a child, Change in Marital Status, etc.
 
 

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HealthLine   866-955-IUOE
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2007 Summary Annual Reports (SAR) are now available online.

Annuity SAR 2007
Pension SAR 2007
SUB SAR 2007
Welfare SAR 2007
 

Motor Vehicle Accidents are Not covered by the Welfare Fund.
Please talk to your insurance agent about increasing your medical coverage.
 

Brief Recap of the Special Meeting held on March 20, 2010

Mike Casey from Aon went over the History of the Pension Fund. The Pension Plan gets evaluated by our actuaries every year. The valuation measures the liabilities against the assets. The Plan has always been in good shape. In fact, our Plan has met or exceeded the minimum funding requirements every year since ERISA was enacted. As of January 1st, 2008, our Plan was 102% funded and today it’s 87% which is better that most plans.

So what happened?

Two events happened that caused the predicament that we’re in right now.

  1. Pension Protection Act – it established new tighter minimum funding standards
  2. 2008 Market Collapse - Our Plan like every other Pension plan in the country couldn’t escape the market collapse. 

So what are our options?

There are 2 ways to fix the problem:
  1. Contribute more money into the Pension Plan, or
  2. Reduce Pension Benefits

Through questions and conversations at the meeting it was determined that the Membership did not want to reduce Pension benefits. 

How much in contributions is needed?

There are 2 figures depending on our elected officials
  1. Without Funding relief from Congress - $3.40 per hour
  2. With Relief - $2.35 per hour

Under the Pension Protection Act, a rehabilitation Plan needs to be submitted by March 31st. If no Plan is submitted then the Government will make the decision. It was also agreed at the meeting that the Membership wants our Trustees making the decisions -  not the Government.

So what’s next?

A motion passed unanimously to allow the Trustees to decide the proper course of action.
 

Buy-Up Rules

The Welfare Fund offers a special provision for your added protection. During some Work Periods your employer’s contributions to the Fund may not be sufficient to provide the Welfare Fund coverage you want. To assure that you and your family have the coverage you feel you need, especially during periods of low employment or disability, you may have the option to make voluntary contributions in order to buy up to the Benefit Level you desire.

Parent Body

There are 3 levels to Parent Body eligibility;
1.      P1 - Full Benefits (1,200 or more hours)
2.      P3 - Inpatient medical/surgical including physician charges (800 – 1,199 hours)
3.      P4 - Inpatient hospital benefit does not include physician charges (200 – 799 hours)
 
To determine your Parent Body eligibility level, you need to calculate how many hours you worked in the 12 month Work Period. 
The months for each of the 4 quarters are listed below.
 
1st Quarter 2010 Eligibility Period (Jan/Feb/Mar)
Work Period – January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September 2009 and October, November, December 2008.
 
2nd Quarter 2010 Eligibility Period (April/May/June)
Work Period – January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December 2009.
 
3rd Quarter 2010 Eligibility Period (July/Aug/Sept)
Work Period – January, February, March 2010 and April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December 2009
 
4th Quarter 2010 Eligibility Period (Oct/Nov/Dec)
Work Period – January, February, March, April, May, June 2010 and July, August, September, October, November, December 2009.
 
If you are short hours, you may be able to Buy Up to a higher level. For every hour short of the level, it costs $1 per hour per month. (For 2010 the Trustees lowered the Buy Up rate to $.50 per hour)
 
Here’s an example for 1st Quarter 2010    Eligibility Period (Jan/Feb/Mar):
For the 12 months, Jan-Sept 2009 and Oct-Dec 2008 – a member worked 500 hours. Since the total hours were greater than 200 but less that 1,200, the member would be eligible for P3 coverage. If the member wanted to Buy Up to the P1 level, they would need to pay $1 for every hour short of the required 1,200 or 1,200 – 500 = 700 x $1 =$700 per month.

C Branch

When a member works under a C Branch contract, the employer is required to pay the negotiated monthly welfare rate. There is a 3 month lag between when a member works and when they are eligible. See Chart below.
 
If the Fund Office only receives a partial Welfare payment and not the required amount, the member will be offered COBRA. The amount owed by the member will depend on the COBRA option chosen less any money received.
 
As an example:
A member works 1 week in January and the Employer remits $250 which is according to their contract. The member would receive a partial credit for April eligibility.
 
Welfare Rate - $1,000 per month               Employer Contribution - $250
Family COBRA rate - $1,500                       Member Portion - $1,250
 
To continue the example to the following month: the member did not work in February, so no employer contributions were received for May and the member would owe $1,500.
 
C Branch Eligibility Chart
If you work this month
Your employer contribution is due this month
You are eligible for benefits in this month
January
February
April
February
March
May
March
April
June
April
May
July
May
June
August
June
July
September
July
August
October
August
September
November
September
October
December
October
November
January
November
December
February
December
January
March

 

The Fund office will notify you if you are eligible to buy up. If you are eligible, you may make voluntary contributions to increase your Benefit Level for any Work Period in which your employer contribution is insufficient for the Benefit Level you want.
 

Questions and Answers
About the Swine Flu

 

What is swine flu?  Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.
 
Are there human infections with swine flu in the U.S.?  In late March and early April 2009, cases of human infection with swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses were first reported in Southern California and near San Antonio, Texas. Other U.S. states have reported cases of swine flu infection in humans and cases have been reported internationally as well. An updated case count of confirmed swine flu infections in the United States is kept at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm. The CDC and local and state health agencies are working together to investigate this situation.
 

 

Is this swine flu virus contagious?  The CDC has determined that this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it not known how easily the virus spreads between people.

What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?  The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

How does swine flu spread?  Spread of this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

How can someone with the flu infect someone else?  Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

What should I do to keep from getting the flu?  First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Are there medicines to treat swine flu?  Yes. The CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).

How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?  People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.
 
What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?  Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk and then touches their own eyes, mouth, or nose before washing their hands.

How long can viruses live outside the body?  Some viruses and bacteria can live 2 hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. Frequent hand washing will help you reduce the chance of getting contamination from these common surfaces.

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?  There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
     ·  Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
     ·  Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
     ·  Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
     ·  Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

If you get sick with influenza, the CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?  If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?  Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. The CDC recommends that when you wash your hands-with soap and warm water-that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.

What should I do if I get sick?  If you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.

If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others. If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.


In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
  ·  Fast breathing or trouble breathing
  ·  Bluish skin color
  ·  Not drinking enough fluids
  ·  Not waking up or not interacting
  ·  Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
  ·  Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
  ·  Fever with a rash

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
     ·  Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
     ·  Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
     ·  Sudden dizziness
     ·  Confusion
     ·  Severe or persistent vomiting

How serious is swine flu infection? Like seasonal flu, swine flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe. Between 2005 until January 2009, 12 human cases of swine flu were detected in the U.S. with no deaths occurring. However, swine flu infection can be serious.  In September 1988, a previously healthy 32-year-old pregnant woman in Wisconsin was hospitalized for pneumonia after being infected with swine flu and died 8 days later. A swine flu outbreak in Fort Dix, New Jersey occurred in 1976 that caused more than 200 cases with serious illness in several people and one death.

Can I get swine influenza from eating or preparing pork?  No. Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

If you are feeling like you may have the flu, please call your health care provider.
 

SOMEONE STOLE MY WALLET!         

Everyone knows to call and cancel their credit cards. 

But what about your medical cards? 

3% of US identity-crimes are for medical services, that effects 250,000 people per year. 


Don't let it be you.

What to do

IBC Member Services call - 800-358-0050

Express Scripts call - 866-294-1558