Newsletter

Hey there, Medicare-eligible retirees — a little New Year’s housekeeping for your wallet: on January 1, 2026, it’s time to retire a couple of old friends. Say goodbye to your UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage card and the old MagnaCare card with Sav-Rx. Say hello to the new Anthem card you received a few weeks ago… and the updated MagnaCare card — yes, the one boasting a $1,500 dental allowance right on the back.

When you move, a surprising number of things change. Your address. Your neighbors. Possibly your favorite pizza place. And—because this is America—your state and county income taxes.

Now, here’s the fun part: telling the Fund office your new address does not automatically update your state or county tax withholdings.

After 242 articles — yes, two hundred and forty-two — essentially a monthly serving of clarity wrapped in humor and insight for the past six years, we find ourselves in an interesting predicament: silence.

Not total silence, mind you. A few loyal readers send thoughtful notes, comments and suggestions — small digital waves from a distant island — but the vast majority? We’ve received almost no feedback.

Dear Members and Participants,

As the year winds down, we want to take a moment to say thank you. Thank you for your trust, your commitment, and for showing up—day after day—not just for yourselves, but for your colleagues and your community.

This season isn’t just about reflection; it’s about recognition.

As mentioned in the November issue, our mailbag experiment — where we answer actual questions from actual humans — seems to have taken on a life of its own. It’s not exactly a Christmas miracle; more like that mysterious fruitcake that keeps showing up every year.

Alright, here’s the deal with the Plan’s Shortage of Hours rules: make your payment on time, and everything hums along smoothly. Miss the payment, or send it late, and you’ve lost a small but predictable opportunity to maintain uninterrupted coverage under the Health and Benefit Plan.

If there’s one thing the past few decades have proven, it’s that real progress doesn’t come from flashy bets or headlines. It comes from steady hands, careful choices, and a commitment to think long term. Since 2020, your Pension Plan has quietly been compounding strength.

As we head into the season of twinkly lights, ill-advised sweaters, and the annual rediscovery of schnapps, it’s worth noting something rather curious: many people haven’t taken advantage of the Defined Benefit Plan’s Roth feature. And that’s perfectly fine—choice, after all, is a wondrous thing.

Thank you to everyone who was able to join us at the educational seminars on November 4th, 2025. Your presence made the day truly special. Across the two sessions, we were honored to welcome more than 250 participants—a wonderful turnout that reflects the strength and spirit of our retiree community.

The news coming out of Washington, D.C., regarding Medicare isn’t exactly the kind of thing anyone would wrap up with a bow and slide under the tree. In classic government fashion, officials insist they “won’t cut Medicare benefits,” yet somehow the math on the ground is telling a different story.