QUOTES FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER

It’s election time in the United States of America. That’s worth celebrating! Remember, participating in elections is one of our primary freedoms. It is also a right, a responsibility, a privilege and a requisite to being an engaged citizen.

So, without further ado, here are three quotes by three former Presidents concerning voting.

“The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all.”

John F. Kennedy

“Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. Ther Real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education. “

Franklin D. Roosevelt

“We do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.”

Thomas Jefferson

Speaking of responsibility, if you:

➢ Have not completed and sent back to the Fund Office the 2025 Health Care Fund Information Form that was mailed out to all Health and Benefit Fund participants last September, do so now.

➢ Did not work sufficient hours within the third calendar quarter of 2024, your shortage of hours payment is due no later than 12:30 P.M. on Tuesday, December 31st, 2024. Mark that date and time on your calendar.

➢ Have moved, were just married, or divorced, have had a new born, have a dependent that just obtained their own insurance coverage for the first time or have a dependent that changed insurance coverage, AND have not informed the Fund Office of such things, you need to so right away.

QUOTES FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY

“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.”

Albert Camus

“A New Year means nothing if you are still in love with your comfort zone”

Anonymous

“January is like the Monday of months.”

Anonymous

01/20/2025 - MONDAY

Today is the first Membership Meeting of 2025. Keep your resolution about becoming a more informed member and attend this meeting.

https://ibew-local697.empowermytime.com/

01/27/2025 – MONDAY

Click the following link to schedule a meeting with Mo!:

https://ibew-local697.empowermytime.com/#

Don’t know who Mo is, what he does or how he has helped other participants of the Defined Contribution Plan? Attend a membership meeting, read the Funds newsletters or call the Fund Office at 219-940-6181 to find out who he is and how he can help you.

02/17/2025 – MONDAY

Get together with Mo and get your financial and retirement goals organized and planned. Click on the link below and get on his calendar:

https://ibew-local697.empowermytime.com/#

02/20/2025 – THURSDAY @ 9:00 A.M.

There is a breakfast meeting for all Medicare-eligible retirees of the Health and Benefit Plan scheduled to occur at 9:00 A.M. CST today.

All Medicare-eligible retirees and their spouses are encouraged to attend this meeting to learn more about their insurance benefits under the United HealthCare Medicare Advantage Program with supplemental pharmaceutical coverage through SavRx and the Plan.

Please RSVP by 02/13/2025 by calling: 219-220-4037 (TTY 711) or toll free at (844) 617-5747 (TTY 711) Monday thru Friday, 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. CST.

03/17/2025 – MONDAY

Want to amass a pot “o” gold for your retirement? Mo, the Defined Contribution Plan’s Registered Investment Advisor can help you with that goal. To meet with him, click on the following link:

https://ibew-local697.empowermytime.com/#

03/31/2025 – MONDAY

All shortage of hours payments for the second calendar quarter of 2025 are due no later than 4:30 P.M. on Monday, March 31st, 2025.

03/31/2025 – MONDAY

This is the last day that SavRx will be the Active and Early Retiree Plan’s pharmacy benefit manager. If you are not aware of this, please reference the Fund’s December 2024 and January 2025 Newsletters for more information.

WE ARE MORE THAN HALFWAY THROUGH THE YEAR
ON THE BRIGHT SIDE………IT’S STILL SUMMER!

QUOTES TO CONTEMPLATE FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST

“Lively up yourself, and don’t be no drag”

Bob Marley

“Summer night – even the stars are whispering to each other”

Kobayashi Issa

SPACE IS STILL AVAILABLE!

Attention all Apprentices, Journeypersons, and Early Retirees
If you are interested in learning the “ins and outs” of your Health and Benefit Plan
Make certain to reserve your space at either of the September 14th or September 28th
Gatherings in the Union Hall
Those meetings will begin at 6:00 P.M. on both those two Thursdays
Spouses are Welcome
To reserve your spot, call the Fund Office at: 219-940-6181.

NEED SOME SUMMER READING? CLICK THE NEWSLETTER TAB.

3rd CALENDAR QUARTER – SHORTAGE OF HOURS

PAYMENT REMINDER

Shortage of hours payments for Health and Benefit Fund coverage in the third calendar quarter of 2023 are due at the Benefit Fund office no later than 4:30 P.M. on Friday, June 30th. As always, the rules as it relates to participants with a HRA balance large enough to cover their full shortage of hours payment are in effect. (Hey, we got your back!)

For those that do not have sufficient enough HRA balances to cover the full shortage of hours payment, but wish to utilize some or all of their HRA benefit to offset a portion of your shortage of hours payment, make certain that:

  • You make that election within the Create portal at least fourteen days in advance of the aforementioned due date and,
  • Your balance payment arrives at the Fund Office well in advance of 4:30 P.M. on Friday, June 30th.

THE 2023 SUMMER NEWSLETTER IS OUT!

It contains some very important information that each MPP&T participant needs to know as well as the dates and times of September’s Health & Benefit Plan educational meetings.

To access that information, and the rest of the Summer 2023 newsletter, click on the newsletter tab of this site.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH OF JUNE 2023

“If you can’t tell what you desperately need, it’s probably sleep.”

Kevin Kelly

WE ARE AFFILIATED WITH THE FOLLOWING ENTITIES