December 31st at 12 PM—the ghostly hour that has haunted newsletters and the Fund website for the past five months, and, not to be dramatic, the SPDs for what feels like six full revolutions of the sun. Ooooooooooo! Very spooky.

To the habitual meeting-avoiders, mail and newsletter-ignorers: we see you.

Change can feel complicated—especially when it comes to something as personal as your health care. But here’s the simple truth: your coverage isn’t being reduced or taken away. The benefits you rely on remain fully intact, protected under the same laws that allow your retiree plan to exist in the first place.

Well, it seems we may have accidentally created... a thing. Last month’s “mailbag” experiment — where we answered real questions sent to the Fund Office — has, rather alarmingly, sparked a bit of momentum.

Now, whether this is a stroke of genius or the administrative equivalent of poking a hornet’s nest is anyone’s guess.

Okay, don't worry-- this isn't some dramatic shake-up. It's more like swapping out the batteries in the remote: the function stays the same, but things just work a little better.

Starting in plan year 2026, a new Medicare Advantage insurer will be stepping in.

While we were distracted by other September headlines, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan quietly signed a mutual defense pact last month. Sounds serious, until you remember…. they don't share a border; they don't share enemies and couldn't realistically come to one another's aid without a very long layover in Dubai.

The human eye is nothing short of a biological marvel.

Second only to the brain in complexity, each eye is made up of over 2 million working parts--and considering that around 80% of what we learn comes through vision, it's safe to say our eyes are doing some serious heavy lifting.

It turns out money can buy happiness--;at least at the dentist's office. Beginning January 1, 2026, your dental benefits are getting a rather handsome upgrade:

Active participants: Your annual family dental allowance climbs to $3,500.
Retired participants: Your annual family allowance rises to $1,500.

And because we know nothing says "peace of mind" quite like never worrying about cleanings again--effective the same day, the Plan will now cover 100% of all diagnostic and preventative dental services up to those annual family limits.

Last month, the Federal Reserve met in D.C. to decide whether to poke the economy with a stick or sedate it with rate cuts — also known as adjusting interest rates. Lower rates juice growth. Higher rates calm inflation. Easy, right?

Except.

We are pleased to announce that the Board of Trustees have made several meaningful benefit improvements designed to reward your continued dedication and strengthen the long-term value of your Pension Plan.

I. A Higher Accrual Rate—Because Every Hour Counts

Effective January 1, 2026, the Pension Plan’s existing accrual rate will increase from $91.25 to $94.25.

What Does That Mean?

If you’re actively working on December 31, 2025 (and haven’t experienced an accrual freeze or break in service), every year of credited service you’ve already earned will be recalculated at the new, higher rate.

The Board of Trustees is pleased to announce an expansion of your Health and Benefit Plan coverage to include the following:

Prescription contraceptives, including patches, rings, FDA-approved injectable contraceptives, pills, IUDs, and implants.