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LATEST NEWS

DECEMBER NEWS BRIEF

Christmas Basket Day is posted on the Coming Events Tab. You will also find on that page info about Shop with a Cop and a meeting/greeting with new Chief of Police Kenton Buckner and the SPD Retirees Day in December.

November 2018 meeting

UNITED POLICE & FIRE RETIREES ASSOCIATION REPORT

UPFRA President Peter Ruszczak advised that there are three or four bills in the State Legislature that may impact our membership. No action will be seen on these bills until after the new year.

OLD BUSINESS:

Retiree Association window stickers are available and will be included in the annual dues notices.
President Marcely advised the members that the issue previously raised by Brother John Corbett regarding the positioning of the Ceremonial Unit Officers at wakes and funerals has been resolved. A Ceremonial Unit Officer was appropriately stationed at the casket of D.C. Fred Scharoun.

NEW BUSINESS:

Elections for the Association’s Executive Board and Board of Directors were held in compliance with the Association’s Constitution and By-Laws. President Marcely asked Sister Rebecca Thompson (Election Commissioner ) to approach the podium, and read aloud the names of the nominees for both Boards. The following list of names was read to the membership:
... President: Mike Marcely, Vice President: Bill. Rybak, Exec Vice President: Steve Thompson, Recording Secretary: Jim Casamento, Treasurer: Jack Schmidt, Corresponding Secretary: Christine King, Sgt–At– Arms: John Tierney, Board of Directors: Gary Peak, James Smith, Bill Mulroy, Dan Corbett, Tony Sobon, John Briggs, Laura Walker
There were no other nominees for positions on either Boards. President Marcely asked for a motion to accept the list of nominee names and election results. A motion was made by Brother Steve McNamarra, the motion was seconded by Brother Warren Darby. All members in attendance were in favor of the election results, there were no objections or further discussion.
President Marcely asked Officer Marlene Jackson to approach the podium and offer details about the upcoming Retiree’s Day at the PSB, December 14th
Bus will pick up at Valley Legion at 0830 hrs to transport to PSB, Coffee/Donuts at PSB, Greeting by Chief Fowler, Instructor Presentations, Lunch, Gifts, Bus transport back to Valley Legion. Members are asked to email Community Relations to confirm attendance at Retirees Day. nbrown@syracusepolice.org or call 315-442-5215

GOOD & WELFARE:

Brother Fred Wild is ill and is not expected to recover.
President Marcely recognized the survivor’s group in attendance and welcomed them. Also thanked the group for providing dessert for the meeting. Also in attendance is Luis Mendoza, Retired NYS Parole

....... SURVIVORS SUPPORT GROUP .......

support

Phyllis Lorenz - "To help others who experience the loss of their spouse, attending calling hours, help with paperwork or anything else that may be needed. We can assist in finding painters, handymen, contractors & yard work.

You can contact Phyllis via email at phylgeorge@aol.com

AIR 1 FOUNDATION

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Please help keep Air 1 flying.

The Air 1 Foundation website.

.......... IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL RETIREES ..........

AETNA-POMCO-PROACT

If you are under 65 yrs of age United Health Care is your insurance carrier
If you are 65 or older Aetna PPO is your health insurance carrier. Stating the PPO is important to your medical providers
Inform your medical provider to call the number on the back of your Aetna PPO card and not the providers usual Aetna number
You must notify your doctor/medical office to submit their bill to Aetna PPO & NOT Medicare.
Aetna will handle all transactions/billing/payments/coverage instead of Medicare.
You have the right to decline the Aetna Home Assessment Program Review
Some of the letters you receive from Aetna are generic Aetna items & have nothing to do with our Aetna PPO plan.
You MUST continue your current Medicare coverage & it's payment because Aetna is our contractor for Medicare.
Regardless of your age, ProAct is your prescription carrier.
If you are 65 or older... ProAct will send a new card/id that you must use for your prescription coverage.
Nothing is changing regarding coverage/co-payments, pharmacy choice, etc. It's just a new card/id you must use.
If you ANY questions or issues contact City Hall: 315.448.8788.

Covered under Part B of Medicare on the City of Syracuse Aetna Plan
..Flu shots, Diabetic testing strips (Lancets and test strips) and glucose meter. You can get both of these at the pharmacy.
..Use the Aetna ID card, which has the Member ID & Group number. Also provide BIN#610649 and PCN#03200004
..Those numbers allow the pharmacy to process the claim on the Pharmacy claim system even those are both medical benefits.
..You can also get Diabetes testing supplies mail order.
..You may also receive the flu shot at the doctors office using the Aetna ID card.
Covered under Part D of Medicare on the City of Syracuse ProAct/Precise Plan
..Shingles Vaccine, Diabetes medications insulin. Please contact ProAct

HELP FOR SENIORS

For information regarding help with your heating costs, click here
Onondaga County Dept of Adult & Long Term Care.. 315.435.3355
Info regarding Caregiver Services, EISEP, HEAP, HIICAP, Community Service, Adult Protective Services, Mental Health Services, Veterans Services

MEDICARE (Part A & B)

SPD retirees are reminded that they MUST sign up for Medicare Part A & B when they become eligible
That is when they reach age 65 or are declared disabled by Social Security.
At that point, Medicare (Aetna) becomes your primary health insurance and the City's health plan becomes secondary

MEDICARE-DRUG PRESCRIPTION PLAN (Part D)

Our advice (both the local and state organizations) is DO NOT sign up for Part D-prescription coverage at this time.
If your former employer has prescription coverage, there is NO PENALTY to sign up later. Plus, employers are encouraged by the federal government to keep their prescription coverage. They can receive up to 28% reimbursement for their expenses.

NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT MUSEUM

Would you like to donate your time for a great cause and share your expertise with others?
The National Law Enforcement Museum offers several volunteer opportunities to fit your experience and your schedule. Visitor Experience Volunteers welcome visitors, provide general information about the Museum and help guests plan their journey through the exhibits. Event Volunteers help with special events, such as National Police Week and the Run for the Badge 5K. Volunteer Educators help lead high-quality, visitor-centered tours of the Museum’s collections and exhibits. Are you a current or former law enforcement officer? We have important volunteer opportunities for you, too. Law Enforcement Volunteers share their expertise with visitors and help them see what walking in the shoes of an officer is really like.
To learn more about the volunteer program, please visit the Museum's volunteer opportunities page.

NYS SAFE ACT & RETIREES EXEMPTION

We believe it only exempts retired officers from penalty of possessing large capacity magazines and/or assault type weapons if that retired officer was required to purchase that item by his agency when he was active as a Police Officer or was issued that item by his employer and allowed to keep it upon retirement. In both cases he must register that item within 60 days of retirement. Additionally he must have served at least 5 or more years with that agency and retired in good standing. He also must continually re-qualify with that weapon as required by law.
Link to actual section of the law

PISTOL PERMIT

You are now required to recertify your pistol permit. Here is the link to NYS Troopers website to do so.

Federal Law HR#218 allows retired police officers to carry firearms across state line
IF..You have your retired ID with you AND proof that you have qualified with that type weapon within the last 12 months
Any state firearms instructor may qualify you including any that may be found on our SPONSOR page

..An important aspect of Federal Law HR218 is to remember is that it IS NOT a Concealed Carry Permit
..It is an "Affirmative Defense" to a State charge of weapons possession and that must be raised and proven by the defendant. You lose this defense if you are under the influence of alcohol or another intoxicating or hallucinatory drug or substance. If you have a Concealed Carry Permit, consuming alcohol does not invalidate the Permit, but consuming alcohol does invalidate your HR218 meaning you are subject to a State charge of weapons possession.
..New York Penal Law 265.03, is very clear; if you are convicted of this offense there is a mandatory minimum sentence of 3.5 year in prison
.."A person is guilty of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree pursuant to New York Penal Law 265.03(3) when that person possesses a loaded firearm (pistol, revolver, handgun, etc.) outside his or her home or place of business without a permit regardless of what the intent was".
..Under the laws of New York, loaded does not mean a clip in the gun or a bullet in the cylinder. If the firearm is capable of being loaded and the bullets are in the case with the gun or even in your pocket, you can still potentially be charged with this offense.

PROACT

..Maintenance drugs (those you take all the time) MUST be by mail order in 90 day supplies.
..PROACT will pay for the original fill and one refill on your prescriptions from the local pharmacy. After that point you will have to pay 100% or use PROACT.
..SOME drugs cannot be prescribed for more than 30 days. PROACT will continue to cover these.
..If your doctor is changing the dosage, that is a new prescription and can be filled at the pharmacy until the dosage is regulated

PROJECT LIFESAVER

Unique transmitter from the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office for Alzheimer's patients
Contact the OCSD at 407 S State St - Syracuse - (315)435-3044

TAX DEDUCTION FOR INSURANCE PREMIUM

If your health insurance premium is automatically taken from your NYS pension, you may deduct the premiums from the taxable portion of your tax return. You must remember to write PSO; (Public Safety Officer) on the line where you report the taxable amount of your pension. This does NOT apply to Medicare Premiums because they do not come out of your state pension nor does it apply to your state tax form because state pensions are not taxable.

SURVIVOR HEALTH INSURANCE

SPD retiree survivors may continue your health insurance plan for a monthly payment.
Contact City of Syracuse at 315-448-8788 for pricing of individual or family plans.

VETERANS

If you served 90 consecutive days (or one day wartime) in the US Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines you may be entitled to receive up to $6000 per month for a husband and wife towards nursing home expense or $1344 for assisted living
Contact the Veterans Administration for details

........ MEMBER BENEFITS & DISCOUNTS ........

All of the below offer a discount/benefit to you because of your membership.

SEE THEIR AD ON OUR SPONSOR PAGE FOR DETAILS

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STONE DENTAL & DENTISTRY

You have a dental discount available via their ad on our Sponsor Page.

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EDWARD DUNN .. ATTORNEY-at-LAW

He is offering his legal services, at a discount to our members. More information & link on our Sponsor Page.

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DENTAL NETWORKS CARD PROGRAM

This dental network is now available to you. More information on their Sponsor Page ad.

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ESCAPE TO THE HEART OF THE POCONO's

Your membership gives you this travel discount. Visit their site via our Sponsor Page

NATIONAL INCOME LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

You have a free $4,000 A.D.&D. Benefit plus additional benefits available. See their Sponsor Page ad.