We want MOWNC and our communities to know that NCRGEA members are active and engaged and care about their communities. If you register to volunteer before February 16, we’ll send you a t-shirt to wear during Community Champions week and anytime you are volunteering for MOWNC.
The “Power of a Knock” from a MOWNC volunteer can transform lives, bring hope, health, nutrition and care to seniors throughout North Carolina, so please volunteer for this worthwhile event.
To volunteer and receive your free t-shirt, sign up online at tinyurl.com/4XARK4AX.
Click the video below to view volunteers from our 2023 MOWNC Community Champions Week!
Although surgeons have been able to transplant corneas successfully for years, the quest for a complete eye transplant has remained elusive. That is, until now.
Surgeons say Aaron James, who suffered a high-voltage electrical accident, is the first patient who has undergone the world’s first complete eye transplant on a man.
Although it is not certain James, a military veteran, will regain vision, this breakthrough is a pivotal moment in a decades-long search to restore sight to millions of people.
James, a high-voltage utility line worker from Arkansas, lost most of his face when it accidentally touched a 7,200-volt live wire in 2021. He had to have his left eye removed because of the pain.
A Dream Team To Do The Eye Transplant
In May of 2023, James underwent numerous surgeries. In all, more than 140 healthcare professionals were involved to help replace half of his face, provide him with a prosthetic arm, and – perhaps the most complex of all – the eye transplant.
The donated face and eye came from a single male donor in his 30s. During the surgery, doctors injected adult stem cells from the donor’s bone marrow into the optic nerve to encourage its repair.
Doctors say the donated eye is recovering well and looks remarkably healthy. The breakthrough surgery offers scientists an unprecedented window into how the human eye tries to heal. In fact, one of the reasons the doctors are most optimistic James may regain his sight in his left eye is that there is direct blood flow to the retina – the part of the eye that sends images to the brain.
He says he is “grateful beyond words” to the donor and their family for making the surgery possible and describes the eye transplant and its possibilities “life-changing”.
The future holds incredible breakthroughs and miracles for our eyes and vision. Even today, with the help of regular checkups and proper eyecare, maintaining healthy vision for our lifetimes is more likely than ever. That’s why regular eye exams are so important. The Vision Plan from NCRGEA and AMBA covers annual WellVision exams, 100% coverage for most lenses, even progressives, and thousands of nationwide in-network providers. Sign up today – acceptance is GUARANTEED! – at www.AMBAdentalvision.com/NCRGEA#vision or call 800-956-1228.
NCRGEA urges you to let North Carolina Department of Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey know your comments concerning the North Carolina Rate Bureau asking for an average statewide increase in homeowners’ insurance rates of 42.4%, with some rates as high as 99.4%. To see a specific table of proposed homeowners’ rate increases across the state, please click here.
You can provide your comments four ways:
A public comment forum will be held to listen to public input on the North Carolina Rate Bureau’s rate increase request at the North Carolina Department of Insurance’s Jim Long Hearing Room on Jan. 22, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Jim Long Hearing Room is in the Albemarle Building, 325 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh, N.C. 27603.
Written public comments must be received by Kimberly W. Pearce, Paralegal III, by Feb. 2, 2024 and addressed to 1201 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1201.
All public comments will be shared with the North Carolina Rate Bureau. If Department of Insurance officials do not agree with the requested rates, the rates will either be denied or negotiated with the North Carolina Rate Bureau. If a settlement cannot be reached within 50 days, the Commissioner will call for a hearing.
The North Carolina Rate Bureau represents companies that write insurance policies in the state and is a separate entity from the North Carolina Department of Insurance.
This rate filing follows the homeowners’ insurance rate filing that the Department of Insurance received from the North Carolina Rate Bureau in November 2020, where the Rate Bureau requested an overall average increase of 24.5%. That filing resulted in a settlement between Commissioner Causey and the Rate Bureau for an overall average rate increase of 7.9%.
The Rate Bureau has asked for the rates to become effective Aug. 1, 2024.
Rate increases affect everyone living in North Carolina; either directly for homeowners, or in increased rents as landlords pass the cost to renters. Don’t think that someone else will speak for you. Take action and let Commissioner Causey know how this will affect you.
NCRGEA’s Local Outreach was back on the road in September and October, and we held seven meetings throughout the state to provide information about open enrollment. As you all know, this is a very busy and sometimes confusing time with questions about medical, dental, and vision plans. Our goal was to provide members with helpful resources they may need to navigate the process.
Our meetings included representatives from Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP), Humana, and our partner, AMBA. We value these relationships and the help they provide to the retirees in our state. All who attended said they learned something beneficial and enjoyed the meetings.
Please plan to attend future events, and be on the lookout for all the ways we communicate upcoming meetings:
Online (www.ncrgea.com) and phone (919-834-4652) registration options
Email reminders for those who register
Our next meetings will be held in the spring of 2024 at a location near you. Check out the January edition of Living Power for dates, times, and locations, or go to our website for meeting details and how to register. You can also reach out if you have a group of state or local retirees and would like us to plan a meeting in your area. We’d be happy to arrange one!
A new state law related to the pensions of two of North Carolina’s largest health systems has stirred up controversy among stakeholders across the region.
The new law, called the Transformational Investments in NC Health, was created for UNC Health and ECU Health. UNC Health and ECU Health are the regional healthcare systems based at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and East Carolina University in Greenville. Both are state agencies.
The law prohibits new employees at UNC Health and ECU Health from participating in the traditional state retirement program—a system that guarantees retired state employees an income for the rest of their lives after they retire. Instead, new employees at UNC Health and ECU Health would enroll in an investment program to save for retirement, but that program doesn’t guarantee a post-retirement lifetime income.
The Transformational Investments in NC Health law was part of the state’s 2023–2025 biennial budget, which the General Assembly approved in September. The law allocates $420 million to UNC Health and ECU Health for the NC Care initiative. The initiative is for health clinic and hospital construction and other medical services for rural areas of eastern North Carolina.
According to the office of State Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger, some of the $420 million for NC Care is coming from the $1.6 billion “sign-on bonus” that North Carolina is getting from the federal government for expanding Medicaid health insurance to several hundred thousand uninsured lower-income North Carolinians. Funding for NC Care also comes from the State Capital and Infrastructure Fund, a fund the legislature established to pay for public infrastructure and facilities.
But State Treasurer Dale Folwell says this law threatens the stability and long-term health of the pension plan for retired state employees and future retirees. “This is a torpedo to the pension system,” he says. He believes the law also would drive up the price of providing health insurance benefits for state employees, and the costs could be transferred to the employees through their premiums or to North Carolina taxpayers.
Folwell estimated the liabilities to the pension and state health benefits systems could exceed $1.5 billion. The new law could have the collateral damage of putting increased income taxes on state employees by canceling the tax-deferred status of their retirement contributions, according to Folwell. His office oversees the state pension system and the state health plan medical insurance benefits system.
Critical Choices
The normal pension offered to state employees is the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System. But there also is an optional retirement program for employees of the University of North Carolina System, which includes all the state universities and UNC Health and ECU Health hospital systems. While the state treasurer’s office oversees the traditional pension program, the UNC System manages the optional retirement program. Employees of those health systems may participate in either retirement program.
In the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System, employees put in 6% of their salaries (and this money is tax-deferred, so it reduces the employee’s taxable income). The employing agency also contributes. The treasurer’s office invests the money, and when the employee retires, he or she will get a monthly payment based on how long they worked and the average of their highest four years of salary, a state retirement document says. Approximately 85% of a retiree’s benefits from the pension are derived from their own contributions and earnings.
“More than 90% of those who make less than $40,000 a year choose the retirement plan because it provides them with the certainty that they need when they don’t have the income to be retirement-ready on their own,” Folwell says. Among university employees earning more than $100,000, 58% choose the pension plan, and 42% choose the investment plan, says Patrick Kinlaw, the director of policy, planning, and compliance for the Retirement Systems Division at the treasurer’s office.
People who would like more control of their retirement planning can use the Optional Retirement Program, according to a guide published by the UNC System. As with the normal plan, employees put in 6% of their income (tax-deferred). Employees can direct the money to various mutual funds and other investment tools.
Folwell says the optional retirement program can be more attractive to employees with higher incomes. Regardless of whether the employees choose the standard or the optional retirement program, the state already offers all of them supplemental investment options to help increase their retirement nest eggs.
According to the Retirement Systems Division at the treasurer’s office, as of December 2022 there were 298,000 state employees contributing to the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System, and 21,000 in the UNC optional retirement program.
The treasurer’s office says that if UNC Health or ECU Health produce a new retirement program that allows employees to put in an amount other than 6% of their income (for example, 4%), the Internal Revenue Service could cancel the tax break that the employees receive on their retirement contributions.
The tax break on the retirement contribution reduces the employees’ taxable income. If an employee had a $50,000 salary, the 6% contribution is $3,000 and lowers the taxable income to $47,000.
The IRS requires the retirement contributions offered to the employees to all be the same percentage, according to the treasurer’s office. If UNC Health offers existing employees both the current 6% program plus a new 4% contribution program, the IRS could revoke the tax break for everyone.
The Big Picture
Dan Doonan of the National Institute on Retirement Security says employers in the public and private sector sometimes withdraw from their pension plans, and there are three concerns when that happens.
First, when UNC Health and ECU Health reduce their participation in the retirement system by excluding new employees, the agencies’ share of payments going into the retirement system will decline more quickly than the amount retirees drawing pensions from the plan are paid.
“What that means is, with any unfunded liabilities, there’s going to be a cost shift to the rest of the employers still in the system,” Doonan says. In this case, the other tax-funded state agencies.
Second, after the employer departs from a pension program, the risks involved in running the pension plan will be more concentrated on the remaining employers and employees. “If you have a Great Recession-type event, the employers who leave aren’t going to be there to help get things back on track,” Doonan says.
The third concern, according to Doonan, is ending up with a pension fund with more retirees and fewer workers.
“And when you look at private sector multi-employer plans that have struggled—and particularly coming out of the Great Recession—they tend to be the ones that had a lot of retirees and few workers,” he says. “Because there’s no way to get back on track if you start to get really retiree-heavy.”
When an employer or state agency exits a pension plan, it normally makes a payment to the pension plan to cover the financial liabilities it leaves behind for its employees who have been in the system.
That’s not happening with UNC Health and ECU Health, according to Folwell. “It’s a divorce where one party leaves the family and doesn’t pay the liabilities and debts they’ve left behind,” he says. Fowell estimates the health systems would have to pay more than $1 billion to make the state health plan whole, and more than $500 million to make the pension plan whole.
A study that Doonan and Tyler Bond of the National Institute on Retirement Security published in 2019 looked at what happened when pensions were shut down for state workers in several states.
When Alaska shut down its pension for state employees and teachers in 2005, it still owed pensions to workers who had already been in the system, the report found. Those costs grew into the billions. Meanwhile, after the pensions were eliminated, the state had trouble recruiting teachers, state troopers and other public employees. And people retiring without a traditional pension were more likely to suffer financial hardship.
The Alaska Beacon reported this past February that Alaska was considering reviving its pensions for state employees. It said a state study found that Alaskan government retirees relying on investment-based retirement programs were getting significantly less income than they would have if Alaska had not done away with its pensions.
Elsewhere, Michigan cut off new employees from pension eligibility in 1997. The burden on taxpayers grew to pay the retirements to the workers that had been in the system. And workers in the new, non-pension 401(k) were projected to receive only $300 per month on average, vs. $1,849 under the old pension plan, the study found.
Differing Opinions
But the two health systems say Folwell’s dire predictions for the retirement system and state health plan are wrong.
“ECU Health does not anticipate these changes will negatively impact the state of North Carolina,” ECU Health says in a statement. As of early November, details about the new retirement programs for UNC Health and ECU Health were unavailable.
In a statement to Living Power, UNC Health also defended the Transformational Investments in NC health law.
“These new benefits will mirror what other similarly sized health care systems in the state offer their employees,” says Alan Wolf, a spokesman for UNC Health. “That will allow UNC Health to better compete with the private sector on hiring and retaining employees by allowing for new retirement benefits, outside the ones normally offered by the state.”
The law also allows UNC Health to let existing employees switch to the new benefits plans, although there are no current plans to do so. “That is a new policy we could consider offering, but we are not obligated to do so,” Wolf says.
ECU Health says it “does not anticipate any impacts to existing state employees” based on its participation in the new law’s benefits programs. Of the 14,000 people at ECU Health, only 1,200 are state employees. The rest are private-sector employees operating under ECU Health and do not participate in the State Health Plan or state retirement system.
UNC Health has 30,000 people, with 13,500 state employees and 16,500 private sector employees, according to Wolf.
But NCRGEA executive director Tim O’Connell shares concern with this new law. He believes it will increase costs over time to these healthcare entities, those seeking healthcare, and even the taxpayers.
“There is some great empirical research highlighting the fact that defined benefit plans like a pension are nearly twice as efficient as defined contribution plans,” O’Connell says. “Pensions plans have distinct advantages by design with longevity pooling, portfolio diversification, and lower management fees. If these two state healthcare systems do away with the current pension and health benefits, they will either need to absorb these higher personnel costs that are then passed on to patients or reduce the employee benefits. Neither are great options.”
You may be familiar with a few personal itemized deductions to help reduce your tax bill, but maybe you’re not as familiar with “tax credits.” Here are four categories of tax credits that may help you find more than pennies under your couch cushions.
Refundable vs. nonrefundable credits Taxpayers whose tax bill is less than the amount of a refundable credit can get the difference back in their refund. However, once your liability is zero, you won’t get any leftover amount back as a refund for nonrefundable tax credits. In other words, the taxpayer gets a refund only up to the amount owed.
Earned Income Tax Credit A refundable tax credit for moderate- and low-income taxpayers with or without qualifying children is the Earned Income Tax Credit. Special rules apply to military members, clergy members, and those with disabilities. Visit the IRS’ EITC Assistant webpage to learn whether you’re eligible.
Energy efficient property credit Earn more green when you go green! This allows for a credit equal to the applicable percent of the cost of qualified property such as solar electric property, solar water heaters, geothermal heat pumps, small wind turbines, and fuel cell property. Various limitations and applicable percentages are found on the IRS’ Energy Incentives for Individuals webpage.
Electric vehicle tax credits Do you have the drive for this tax credit? You may qualify for a credit of up to $7,500 under Internal Revenue Code Section 30D if you buy a new, qualified plug-in EV or fuel cell electric vehicle (FCV). The credit is available to individuals and their businesses. To qualify, you must buy the vehicle for your own use and use it primarily in the U.S. Income restrictions apply, so check with your tax or financial professional for details.
Don’t leave money on the table! No matter your stage in life, there are ways to affect your tax bill. For more money tips, visit the You+ Money Blog at civicfcu.org.
Did you know New Year’s Resolutions go all the way back to ancient times? Since the Babylonians, people have been making – and, inevitably, breaking – New Year’s resolutions.
In 2000 B.C., the Babylonians celebrated the New Year during a 12-day festival called Akitu. Since it was an agriculturally based society, one of the most common resolutions was the vow to return borrowed farm equipment.
The ancient Romans adopted the Babylonian New Year as well as the tradition of resolutions. The timing, however, eventually shifted with the Julian calendar in 46 B.C., which declared January 1st as the start of the new year.
In fact, January is named after the Roman god, Janus. With his two faces, Janus simultaneously peers forward to new beginnings and backward for reflection and resolution. The Romans would offer sacrifices to Janus and make promises of good behavior for the year ahead.
More People Succeed at New Year’s Resolutions Than You Think
Today, even without making sacrifices to two-faced deities, more people succeed at New Year’s resolutions than you’d think. 68% of people who make New Year’s resolutions succeed. You can do it!
What’s the secret to succeeding at New Year’s resolutions? It’s a combination of factors:
Frame your resolution positively!
For example, instead of saying, “I want to stop smoking” say “I want to breathe and feel better.” Each day, as you sit down at the breakfast table, long a long, deep breath in and appreciate how much better you feel and the progress you’re making.
Pick a goal that is truly for YOU.
Research has proven that if you’re not truly motivated at a task, achieving it becomes that much harder. On the other hand, how you frame your resolution can make a difference. “I’m quitting smoking for my kids” might not be enough. “I’m quitting smoking so I might be around to see my grandkids get married someday” might incentivize you more.
Make mistakes cost you.
Then again, another way to incentivize yourself is by imposing penalties. For example, let’s say your goal is to stop using your phone at dinner. If you take it out and use it, then you need to give a family member at the table a dollar.
Know your history.
One of the best ways to keep your New Year’s resolution is to avoid making the same resolutions – and the same mistakes – that you’ve made in the past. If you choose to set the same goals that you’ve tried in recent years, your confidence might be shaken. Take time to evaluate what you set to achieve in the past, what went wrong, and what strategies will enable you to make progress. With the right approach, you are likely to achieve your goals.
Don’t mistake a mistake to be a failure.
It’s the second you admit failure and throw in the towel that you fail, and not a second before. It doesn’t matter if you caved and smoked one cigarette. The only way to get back on track is to start over. Never make a big deal about a mistake. Remember: there’s a big difference between a slip and failing.
Whether we’re resolving to return borrowed farm equipment or drop a few pounds, we’re tapping into an ancient and powerful longing for a new beginning. But even if you do have trouble maintaining your New Year’s resolutions,you won’t have any issues getting a Whole Life policy. NCRGEA and AMBA have a Whole Life policy that guarantees acceptance. Not only that, you’ll never be dropped for any reason as long as premiums are paid. This plan even features a no-obligation 60-day return policy. You can now purchase your Whole Life Insurance Policy from NCRGEA and AMBA online. Learn more at www.AMBAlifeinsurance.com/NCRGEA or call 800-956-1228.
After spending time in the hospital, eating balanced, nutritious meals may make a difference in your recovery and your overall health. The Humana Well Dine® program provides 28 meals after an inpatient stay in a hospital or nursing facility. That’s why Humana has teamed up with Mom’s Meals® to deliver nutritious, tasty meals right to your home when you need them most—at no additional cost to you.
Mom’s Meals, a leading provider of home delivered meals nationwide, offers a variety of nutritional and condition-specific meals delivered to the homes of Humana’s eligible members as part of their Medicare Advantage Individual, Group, and Medicare Supplement plans throughout North Carolina. Humana is providing the meals to eligible members as part of their benefit plan and at no additional cost.
Studies consistently show that medically tailored meals support patient recovery after hospitalization and reduce instances of readmission, as well as help patients manage chronic conditions, avoid hospitalizations, and preserve health and independence. Programs implemented through Mom’s Meals have seen up to 80% reduction in inpatient stays 30 days after discharge, and over a 40% reduction in visits to the Emergency Department 30 days post-discharge.
Humana eligible members can receive 28 fully prepared meals made with high-quality ingredients, packed in coolers with gel bags and delivered directly to their home. The menus are designed by dietitians, offering something for everyone, including diabetic-friendly, gluten-free, heart friendly options, as many others. The tasty meals that are ready to heat and eat and last for 14 days in the refrigerator.
“We know nutritious food has a strong impact on overall health,” said Mike Anderson, the president of Mom’s Meals. “We look forward to helping Humana’s members recover after a hospital stay, avoid readmission, and manage chronic conditions – all in the comfort of their own homes.”
To find out more about your Humana Well Dine meal benefit, call the number on the back of your Humana member ID card.
Nobody wants to think about a medical emergency happening to them. But everyone needs to recognize the importance of being prepared.
No matter your age or how healthy you are, emergency contacts are one of the most important ways to be ready in case of a medical emergency. After all, unforeseen events like car accidents, severe weather events, or natural disasters can happen to anyone, anytime. An emergency contact is more than a formality when filling out enrollment forms or completing paperwork at a doctor’s office. Immediate health issues might necessitate quick communication with family or specific healthcare professionals in times of need.
How to Choose Your Emergency Contact:
Having reliable emergency contacts can act as a safety net. Your emergency contact list should be people who:
Are close to you, you trust, and know your needs and wants.
Can talk knowledgeably to medical professionals about your medical history, current medications allergies, and chronic conditions.
Can make critical, life-saving medical decisions.
Is willing and mentally fit to take on the responsibility.
Also has the legal right to act on your behalf.
Can provide emotional support and comfort in times of distress.
How to Ensure a Reliable Emergency Contact
Regularly Update Information: Contacts might change over time. Whether it is a change in phone number or someone else becoming the primary point of contact, be sure to keep the information up to date.
Multiple Contacts: Having more than one emergency contact is always a good idea. This increases the chances of reaching someone quickly during urgent situations.
Clarify Roles: Clearly outline what each emergency contact is responsible for. For instance, one might be the primary contact for medical decisions, while another could be for logistical or day-to-day concerns.
The importance of emergency contacts cannot be overstated. These contacts serve as a bridge, ensuring you are always connected to loved ones and receive the care and support you need, no matter the situation. By maintaining updated and reliable emergency contacts, you can ensure the well-being and peace of mind. Likewise, being prepared for the cost of emergency medical transportation also can’t be overstated. A ground ambulance or air transport could cost thousands of dollars. Medicare may not cover this. Medical Air Services Association (MASA) provides the MASA Emergency Shield Plan for lifesaving emergency transportation services. Services are paid in full, with no deductibles, co-pays, or dollar limits. Whether you’re home or traveling, MASA Emergency Shield covers your ambulance or airlift, regardless of your age or medical condition. Plus, you can get your plan through a trusted source: NCRGEA and AMBA. Get your plan now at www.AMBAmedtransport.com/NCRGEA or call 800-956-1228.
We all love pancakes, right? They’re filling, a great winter comfort food, and – oh, yes! – absolutely deeeelicious! But this carb-heavy favorite don’t help us stick with our New Year’s resolution to lose weight. Or can they?
This recipe is from a reader in Texas. She describes these pancakes as a good source of protein, fiber, and – believe it or not – flavor. She writes, “I know ingredients like rolled oats and cottage cheese don’t sound like the ideal recipe for pancakes but give them a shot. They look like regular pancakes, and they sure do taste them too! It’s simply phenomenal you’re also cutting calories with these!”
Ingredients
6 egg whites
1 cup rolled oats (dry)
1 cup cottage cheese
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
Put all ingredients into a blender. Blend until smooth.
Heat a large non-stick skillet and spray with non-stick cooking spray or use a non-stick pan. Pour 1/4 cup of the batter for each pancake. Flip when they begin bubbling.
Cook until golden brown.
Repeat with the remaining batter.
Tip: You can serve these up however you usually like your pancakes! with some powdered sugar and fresh berries.
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