* What’s the latest DSEA-Retired Buzz????
DON’T FORGET TO VOTE:
Recently you should have received some information from DSEA-Retired; it
included a ballot to vote for 5 of the 6 candidates for the DSEA
Representative Assembly (RA). These folks will represent YOU at the RA.
Your ballots must be
Postmarked Friday, February 10th to count.
CHECK OUT UPDATES *
THE LATEST
NEWS:
" Also check the NEWS link at the top of page"
SOCIAL SECURITY FAIRNESS: SENATE BILL
INTRODUCED TO REPEAL UNFAIR OFFSETS
Just prior to congressional adjournment, Senators John Kerry (D-
MA) and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced the Social Security
Fairness Act (S. 2010), which would repeal the unfair Government
Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP).
The bill is a companion to the House version (H.R. 1332),
introduced earlier last year by Representatives McKeon (R-CA) and
Berman (D-CA). The GPO and WEP take away Social Security
benefits earned by many public employees. The Social Security
Fairness Act would fully repeal these unfair penalties.
Learn more about the GPO and WEP.
Take Action Today: Urge your Members of Congress to
cosponsor the Social Security Fairness Act.
Click on the NEWS link above for more on
Social Security
" By Sherita Deal-- Social Security Manager in Dover, DE"
Annual CREA Social and Scholarship Fundraiser
When: March 9, 2012 4:30-7:30
Where: Dover Downs Hotel and Casino, Ballroom A
Cost: $10 which includes an alcoholic drink, appetizers and 5 raffle tickets. Additional raffle tickets can be purchased for $.50 each. The raffle tickets can be purchased even if the individual does not attend-we can put the ticket(s) in for the item(s) the person wants.
The event is a casual evening for socializing and entering the raffles with items from individuals and businesses. 100% of the proceeds go to the scholarship fund for eligible Caesar Rodney High School students who are pursuing a degree in education-last year we raised over $3,000!
Individuals can see what items have been donated on our public wiki site: creasocial.wikispaces.com
As the chairperson for the event, I can be used as a contact for additional information or pre-sale tickets.
Gillian Sessler
5th Grade Special Education Teacher
Star Hill Elementary School
(302) 697-6117
LEGAL HOTLINE OPEN TO SENIORS:
If you are a Delaware resident 60 years of age or older, you are eligible for FREE LEGAL ADVICE from a state hotline. The advice will be provided by a Delaware Volunteer Legal Services staff attorney or volunteer attorneys.
The hotline numbers are 478-8850 (New Castle County), or 800-773-0606 (Kent & Sussex Counties). Callers may be referred to other agencies for free legal services if needed.
According to the article in the December 16th, 2011, News Journal, “The hotline will assist older Delawareans in accessing quality legal services to ensure their rights and financial security,” says Rita Landgraf, Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services.
LATEST DSEA-RETIRED NEWSLETTER NOW ONLINE:
The Winter 2011-2012 newsletter is now online; please check it out under the newsletter section of this site. The next newsletter will be coming your way in March.
PRE-RETIREMENT WORKSHOP SCHEDULED:
The second of 3 pre-retirement workshops will be held on Saturday, February 11th, 1 p.m. registration; since this will be a part of the DSEA Winter Advocacy Retreat, the workshop will be held in Sussex County at the Atlantic Sands Hotel on the boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach. If you have a friend or colleague who is currently a DSEA members, encourage him/her to attend. A representative from the Office of Pensions will be there to present information & answer questions.
Registration forms are in the latest issue of DSEA Action! on page 10.
* The last of 3 pre-retirement workshops for this year will be held on Saturday,
March 24th, 9 a.m. registration; this workshop will be held at the DSEA branch office in Newark/Stanton. If you have a friend or colleague who is currently a DSEA member, encourage him/her to attend. A representative from the Office of Pensions will be there to present information & answer questions. Attendees can request an estimated pension statement when they register.
Registration forms are in the latest issue of DSEA Action! arriving in your mailbox soon.
* PENSION INCREASE:
If you retired on or prior to June 30, 2010, you should have received a 2% pension increase from the State beginning in January, 2012. That cut-off date explanation shared by Kim Vincent, Deputy Director of the Pension Office, is that “it has been common practice by the General Assembly to provide post retirement increases to individuals who retired more than a year ago. The most recent increase has been applied in the same manner.” House of Representative Bill #217 was signed on July 13, 2011; thus the cut-off date.
This increase, recommended by the Joint Finance Committee to Legislators, was thanks to those members who contacted Legislators and your DSEA-Retired Legislative Committee members (especially Jim Testerman, chair of the committee) who lobbied on your behalf
.
*ANNUAL MEETING IS COMING UP!
The DSEA-Retired Annual Meeting is scheduled for April 25th; this year it will be held at Modern Maturity Center in Dover. That means more handicapped parking, closer parking & closer bathrooms. [You asked for it; we listened!!] There is NO cost for attending the meeting, but pre-registration is required.
Watch your mail in mid-February for a mailing with your information to attend and a registration form. As always, the Fellowship Breakfast will be held prior to the meeting. Looking forward to seeing you there! Check out the pictures from the last meeting under the NEWS link.
HAVE A QUESTION OR COMMENT?
Please – never hesitate to contact us if you have questions, comments, etc. You can contact President Rich Phillips at retengteach05@comcast.net or at 302-834-9245. If he doesn’t know the answers, he’ll find someone who has the answers.
If you have a question or comment about membership, please contact Mary Ann Pry, your membership chair and vice president, at mppry@comcast.net or 302-533-7972.
[updated 2/5/12]
Retired is the only Delaware retired state-employeeorganization affiliated with NEA, DSEA and NEA-Retired.
Rich Phillips, DSEA-R President
email: retengteach05@comcast.net
Home: 302-834-9245
Cell: 302-388-9276
Stay tuned for a better, more informative website coming soon! |
