QUOTES FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2026
Sparky says: “You’re going to get over it someday – you might as well get over it now.”
Sparky
“The Purpose of Knowledge is Action, not Knowledge”
Aristotle
YOUR PLAN. WORTH KNOWING.
Last month, the Fund mailed an important Summary of Material Modifications (SMM) to every household with at least one person covered under the Active or non-Medicare provisions of the Health and Benefit Plan.
If you read it, excellent. If you didn’t, now is a remarkably good time—because the new provision takes effect December 1, 2026.
In other words, this is no longer information about what will happen. It’s information about what is about to happen
And if yours has mysteriously been misplaced—as important pieces of paper sometimes do—we’ve made finding another one easy.
Go to the Healthcare tab on this very website and look under the section titled Plan Documents and Amendments on the left-hand side. Click on the term “Summary of Material Modification”
A few minutes of reading today can prevent a great deal of wondering, worrying, complaining and, shall we say, colorful commentary tomorrow.
More importantly, understanding this change—and using it wisely—has the potential to save you a considerable amount of money.
A few minutes. A smarter choice. Potentially, a very meaningful savings.
KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU NEED IT
Your benefits took generations to build. Understanding them takes considerably less time.
So, …..Know what you have. Protect what you’ve earned.
Now, the Fund has provided the information—in SPDs, FAQs, notices, reminders, newsletters, online and at meetings. But information has one limitation:
It only works when someone uses it.
So, start by looking. If the answer isn’t there—or isn’t clear—ask us. That’s what we’re here for.
MISSED THE SHORTAGE OF HOURS DEADLINE?
Well, we have some good news and some bad news.
The good news is you now know exactly how important the deadline was.
The bad news is you learned that immediately after the information stopped being useful.
How bad is that?
Not “asteroid headed toward Earth” bad.
But definitely “COBRA paperwork” bad.
And, for some, unfortunately, that isn’t merely a punchline.
