Retiree Hearing
Hearing later today on Health Care:
- As you’ll recall, Judge Cohen’s ruling has been that the Funds have a primary responsibility to provide plans for their annuitants.
Since none of them are doing anything about that, and the City “sponsored but not subsidized” Blue Cross Plan is so expensive (even Judge Cohen has expressed the thought that the Blue Cross rates are crazy), and so, following up on his repeated statements in the past that he wasn’t going to tolerate everyone leaving all of you without coverage in 2018, we had moved for a preliminary injunction to force the Funds to actually provide plans to cover you annuitants.
It was initially tabled while the judge was on vacation and he encouraged all of us to meet, which we did without much progress,
The City was supposed to respond by November 15 to our motion for preliminary injunction, with a hearing on November 29 (still late in the game, but before the December 7 and 15 cutoff on applying for Medicare or ACA coverage).
Last Friday, at 5pm, the city filed a motion saying that their appellate division thinks that the Supreme Court will rule on whether it will take our case on either November 22 or 29, and that the judge should defer the city having to respond until a week or so after that.
From our view this makes no sense at all, because the purpose is to order the Funds and the City to provide a cost-feasible plan for 2018 while the case is pending, and until we get a final resolution. And despite Judge Cohen’s view that people should sign up with the ACA, none of those plans provide the coverage that the City and Blue Cross plans provide.
The hearing:
- Regardless, whether it was the validity of my argument, or the City and Funds’ disavowing any obligation to do anything, he eventually went back into his case file, and finding that he had ruled that the funds have such an obligation, came around to at least directing the city to respond by next Tuesday on the issue of his jurisdiction to enter a preliminary injunction, us to respond on Wednesday and a hearing next Thursday, November 16 at 11:00 a.m., 50 W. Washington, Room 2308, on the jurisdiction issue, and we’ll see what he does from there.
Short notice, but every appearance is important.
Labels: pension
posted by SCC at 12:01 AM
42 Comments:
The fat fingered incompetence of Obama lives on today.
Absentee father, frequent moves, illegal drugs, questionable
sexuality....all before Harvard and the Presidency. Anti-Colonial
axe to grind passed on from his father, big ego, jacked up on
nicotine, hell-bent on leaving a legacy. Never held a real job.
No background in business or medicine: those are the worst
kinds and cause the most damage. Black folks thought it was
karma---a Kennedy replay, a Black Camelot if you will----but it
was truly smoke and mirrors inside a house of cards.
Long retired, I came OTJ in the mid-1960's shortly after graduating from an out-of-state university with a bachelors degree. As a third generation member of the CPD, lifetime medical coverage was a foregone conclusion. Aside from summer vacation breaks from college, I have never held another job to this day. I do NOT qualify for Social Security and ultimately Medicare.
Suffice to say, I spent countless off-duty hours in courtrooms because I was involved in well over a thousand career Part I felony arrests. I'm not even counting misdemeanor arrests in that tally.
Even if I had known that that raccoon POS was going to deny retiree healthcare on January 1, 2017, my constant off-duty court appearances would make it almost impossible to take a scheduled second job to solely acquire the 40 quarters necessary for Social Security coverage and Medicare. Add to that, I invariably took time due for free time rather than cash. For obvious reasons, I choose to remain anonymous.
Here's the kicker. For my current 2017 BC/BS PPO, I must pay $17,592.00 annually ($1,466/month x 12 months.)
In 2018, my annual coverage has been raised to $18,168.00 ($1,514/month x 12 months)
Yes. I am a plaintiff in Underwood, et al. v. City.
There just has to be a special place in Hell for that (expletives deleted) Emanuel.
"...the Blue Cross rates are crazy..." - Judge Neil Cohen
Funny how we PAY the taxes that PAY the City attorneys to screw us. While we PAY more attorneys to try and stop the City attorneys that we are PAYING from screwing us.
So how many years is this been going on? The City is dragging this on to wear us out just like every other lawsuit they are involved with. And they are using taxpayers money to do so. They will spend millions until the retirees just give up.
Wow, read this retire pension thang two times and still don’t understand the article. Special needs? only laughing at myself maybe someone can simplify it. Without being mean to a concerned retired guy. Thanks have a great day. 🤔
Keep working.
Blue cross raised rates and cut benifits for 2018. I wonder, did blue cross make campaign contributions?
Let this be a lesson to all you New Centurions,retirement may be far from your thoughts but before you know it 20 years will pass. Rahm and Daley screwed the retirees on healthcare and you're next. I just don't understand how any copper can work Rahms security detail knowing how he screws the coppers and retirees, how do you look at that mutt in the face? Is the money that important? Security detail should be reverse seniority. Remember all the whinny mutts after Rahm dumped them off his detail? Poor snowflakes. ♠️
The retirees are not giving up.
Yes, the City is dragging this on, but not to wear anyone out as 01:50 am suggests. It’s dragging this on because every year retirees die. The class involved in this litigation gets smaller every day. Why do something now and pay to support a lot of retirees when Rahm and his army of attorneys can invoke delay after delay and pay for a few if they lose.
Our local, state, and national leaders are so disconnected from the common man that they are unaware of the problems that confront him. They just don’t care. It’s all about the dollars without any common sense.
Be careful what you wish for. Of city loses there goes any hope for any good contract settlement. If city loses, here comes another huge tax increase, they will have to get the money from somewhere. One way or another the city never loses. They have you coming and going. Only way out is leave city, the monies you will save will more than pay for your health care.
Delay tactics are risk easement at it's finest. Costs less to pay lawyers for all the delays then it will to pay for health care. In the mean time your lawyers are draining your legal defense fund. Either way the city wins. Another fine example of the Chicago Way. Bend over here it comes.
I retired 10 years ago and fled west. My rates in Arizona are almost comparable to what the city was originally charging me for the subsidized BCBS supplemental. I looked at the city sponsored ( but not subsidized) plan and it was substantially more. The city sponsored plan was tax deductible but when I sat down with paper and pencil- the city plan was still more expensive. There is a cut for that new sponsored but not subsidized plan going somewhere.
CPD is just an insurance portal for me.
There is a valid reason for the statement, "you can't fight city hall". Good luck one way or another they will win. They lose you get health care and much higher taxes to pay for it. You also get more hating you for winning and causing their taxes to be raised. They win you get nothing except a huge legal bill, and less respect because your now viewed as greedy. Win win for city and maybe win lose for you. Bottom line when city finally goes full Detroit everything will have to be renegotiated and you will lose again. That's why you can't fight city hall.
Anonymous said...
Long retired, I came OTJ in the mid-1960's shortly after graduating from an out-of-state university with a bachelors degree. As a third generation member of the CPD, lifetime medical coverage was a foregone conclusion. Aside from summer vacation breaks from college, I have never held another job to this day. I do NOT qualify for Social Security and ultimately Medicare.
Suffice to say, I spent countless off-duty hours in courtrooms because I was involved in well over a thousand career Part I felony arrests. I'm not even counting misdemeanor arrests in that tally.
Even if I had known that that raccoon POS was going to deny retiree healthcare on January 1, 2017, my constant off-duty court appearances would make it almost impossible to take a scheduled second job to solely acquire the 40 quarters necessary for Social Security coverage and Medicare. Add to that, I invariably took time due for free time rather than cash. For obvious reasons, I choose to remain anonymous.
Here's the kicker. For my current 2017 BC/BS PPO, I must pay $17,592.00 annually ($1,466/month x 12 months.)
In 2018, my annual coverage has been raised to $18,168.00 ($1,514/month x 12 months)
Yes. I am a plaintiff in Underwood, et al. v. City.
There just has to be a special place in Hell for that (expletives deleted) Emanuel.
This is sad, but people in your situation are eligible to BUY INTO part A and B of Medicare, even if you don't have your quarters. Currently it's about $466 for part A and $134 for part B. Then you can purchase a supplemental like the one FOP has or United HealthCare/BCBS for approx. $200. This would save you more than half of what your currently paying. More info online at Medicare.gov
This is the insane predicament that you will face down the road. Medical cost will eat up a lot of your pension. They need to raise the ma factory retirement age. When a copper hits 50, post all inside jobs and let them make a decision to work inside and get rid of these young pussies hiding inside. This judge Cohen will not make a favorable ruling, his wife is a good friend of Rahm, she used to head up the Corp. COUNSEL office.
Did everyone get the letter from Aetna stating that they are going to be charged 37.50 a month to cover the (ACA )Affordable care act? That starts in January and of course you can thank the democrates or should I say demo-rats.
Any police officer that votes democratic is a total goof and your family deserves to eat cat food because you don't have any common sense or balls. OBama, Prickwinkie, Dart, Foxx,Madigan and of course Rahm and Durbin the Turban all have a special place in hell.
Gentlemen and ladies who put their lives on the line for us or have. As a gold star child of a Maryland State Trooper, I want you all to know I am hoping you will receive what you were promised. All that you risked and sacrificed for us, missed birthdays, graduations, this citizen understands.
Praying it works out best for all that have served and protected.
Richard
The conundrum is:
I am very satisfied with my Aetna retirement plan. The cost will/may go up slightly[Washington politics] but, then again, my previous BCBS city plan went up each year for whatever reasons too.
What if the city plan, if implemented with funding by the retirement board and the city, is about the same in cost, but is not as good in benefits as my current Aetna plan is now, do I switch to them because, in theory, the plan would be a right that cannot be taken away? Whereas, Aetna could pull their FOP plan and leave at the mercy of having to find a plan through the open market.
Simply put, go for the not as good but guaranteed plan, or the better plan that is not guaranteed?
The City is stalling.the State retirees won their case last year under similar conditions.....the State Supreme court ruled lifetime benefits cannot be diminished... City is trying to figure where and who their going to screw to get the money to pay up.... should be interesting to see what happens
Although retired and fortunate to have (earned) and be eligible for (limited) SS and Medicare, I have contributed on at least 3 occasions to the "Fund" to help my less fortunate brothers and sisters in the fight.
I suggest that everyone, to some degree according to their personal financial situation, contribute something, NOW or again to show our support.
We all have answered our share of 10-1's during our tenure. We need to continue this proud tradition of 'answering the call for assistance' by our brothers and sisters.
Any amount, I'm sure, will go a long way to morally and financially fight the fight.
By the grace of God, go I.
Good luck and stay safe.
Good luck to all retirees. Run while you can. Rumor that the head of Youth is trying to pass an order banning the consumption of cookies during duty hours.
Trump wanting to destroy Obama care will significantly affect us.
Just remember, the Fire Department Members have done zero on contributions or helping with this effort.
Long retired, I came OTJ in the mid-1960's shortly after graduating from an out-of-state university with a bachelors degree. As a third generation member of the CPD, lifetime medical coverage was a foregone conclusion. Aside from summer vacation breaks from college, I have never held another job to this day. I do NOT qualify for Social Security and ultimately Medicare.
Suffice to say, I spent countless off-duty hours in courtrooms because I was involved in well over a thousand career Part I felony arrests. I'm not even counting misdemeanor arrests in that tally.
Even if I had known that that raccoon POS was going to deny retiree healthcare on January 1, 2017, my constant off-duty court appearances would make it almost impossible to take a scheduled second job to solely acquire the 40 quarters necessary for Social Security coverage and Medicare. Add to that, I invariably took time due for free time rather than cash. For obvious reasons, I choose to remain anonymous.
Here's the kicker. For my current 2017 BC/BS PPO, I must pay $17,592.00 annually ($1,466/month x 12 months.)
In 2018, my annual coverage has been raised to $18,168.00 ($1,514/month x 12 months)
Yes. I am a plaintiff in Underwood, et al. v. City.
I take it no wife that worked, no military time that would put you closer to the 40 quarters or summer jobs during high school or college. All would help get you closer. If divorced but were married for 10 years, you qualify for Medicare under your ex wife’s work history
12:52:00 AM - Police under the Windfall Act need multiple good years of service not just 40 quarters of employment for Social Security coverage.
As for medical coverage, It might behoove one to check out one of the Christian Faith Based Cost Sharing Programs (acts similar to catastrophic insurance) while waiting on the outcome. Prevents the nasty penalty. Not one of my clients have had anything come out good under Obama-ACA and the majority of retired CPD will be over the threshold for subsidized payments.
11/16/2017 12:52:00 AM
how true rahm ruthlessly ripped away police retirees health care they gave billions to the illegals,and boldly along with the rest of the pathetic democratic structure violates federal immigration laws! Have you been following how fema is not giving crook county any funding for flooding from this summer? You messed with President Trump and this is just the start for all that is wrong with America the democrats! The freight from Washington is building steam President Trump says "you never tell the enemy what your doing" as he says in the military not telegraphing movements the same is happening now with this corrupt city,state,crooked county!
Think how dumb the democrats and petty they are here! Like when brendan reilly that clown takes down Trumps small sign after he spends millions on a beautiful hotel,takes campaign contributions from the President and they says he will give it back,but typical democratic liar says no I will keep it! Even rahm who took over $50,000 from the President said "no Im not giving it back" at least he was honest a hypocrite but honest! Things like this will be remedied soon when the doj finally rides into town like John Wayne kicking their doors down and taking them into "custody!"
Appointed judges still giving Rahm enough time to conjure another financial crisis to avoid paying for what’s been promised.
30 years from now it won’t matter if this was ever settled fairly and equitably.
Let’s hope the young bucks and the 10-20 year PO’s are fully aware and anticipate this fraud as they come closer to retirement.
Never trust the City.
Rahm or any other Democrat is and will drain the pension funds to insolvency.
Early contributions no matter how small into Deferred Comp will help, as perhaps contributing into Soc Security with a part-time job, if the Dems don’t eventually give it all away to the deadbeats.
And since it’s just as important, shouldn’t there be more of an FOP push with the current (R-majority) Administration to get the WEP repealed?
Retirees will never give up! They just will die in destitution. The city under Rahm gives two shits about them. They have taken care of their own health benefits. Best health care available at no cost to them, even after retirement.
Obama care is already way to expensive. Many insurers are bailing out or charging exorbitant prices. The average working stiff cannot afford to pay for health care.
Don't know how the city can win its case against retirees. They explicitly stated to all new hires that they need not put money into social security because the city was self insured and they would pay their insurance for life.
So the city defrauded the social security system and its retirees by not paying into the social security system nor did they ever allow its employees to pay into the system. They had to work another job, besides the full time job of being the police, in order to collect social security benefits.
Then the criminal Rostenkowski cut those social security benefits to practically zero and sent numerous widows of the police into the poor house. One of the worst travesties ever committed to widows of police officers and their children. Now the city wants to pile on in the tradition Dan Rostenkowski. Your rights are being trampled. You must stand up and fight this city who is using your tax dollars against you. Krislov law is the only firm fighting for us. SCC you didn't mention them.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Just remember, the Fire Department Members have done zero on contributions or helping with this effort.
They probably spent the money helping Deputy Altman defend himself for striking the marine unit police officer
Oh, that’s right, they saved the money and promoted him
Anonymous said...
Did everyone get the letter from Aetna stating that they are going to be charged 37.50 a month to cover the (ACA )Affordable care act? That starts in January and of course you can thank the democrates or should I say demo-rats.
Any police officer that votes democratic is a total goof and your family deserves to eat cat food because you don't have any common sense or balls. OBama, Prickwinkie, Dart, Foxx,Madigan and of course Rahm and Durbin the Turban all have a special place in hell.
When did that letter come? Last letter I received stated the new rates and they barely went up in not were reduced a little
Also I was skeptical when FOP announced the plan. It has been great. I haven’t had any deductible or out of pocket
Can you believe this. From our leader at a luncheon at the City Club of Chicago
Emanuel was long gone by the time Johnson fielded the most controversial question of the day.
It came from a police widow who asked how the city “justifies stripping” police widows and retirees of health insurance benefits, which the unidentified woman said has lead to “widow homelessness in some cases.”
She was referring to Emanuel’s now-completed, three-year phase-out of the city’s retiree health care coverage.
Johnson said he “wasn’t aware of” the cut that saved Chicago taxpayers more than $100 million-a-year.
“It’s an embarrassment to me that that question even has to be raised because that’s not right. I pledge to you I will look into that to see what we can do to stop that from happening,” he said.
He wasn’t aware of this. Is he hiding under a rock. Has not retiree friends isn’t aware that po’s are retiring after 55 because of the health insurance
What else is he not “aware” of
Just how stupid does he think we are
That’s the letter. It shows the increase. 100% of the increase is the ACA tax. When i compare it to bcbs it’s $100 per month cheaper than bcbs. So my wife and i say $2400 for not being on the city bcbs plan.
——————-
When did that letter come? Last letter I received stated the new rates and they barely went up in not were reduced a little
Also I was skeptical when FOP announced the plan. It has been great. I haven’t had any deductible or out of pocket
Blogger Retired Indiana Copper said...
12:52:00 AM - Police under the Windfall Act need multiple good years of service not just 40 quarters of employment for Social Security coverage.
As for medical coverage, It might behoove one to check out one of the Christian Faith Based Cost Sharing Programs (acts similar to catastrophic insurance) while waiting on the outcome. Prevents the nasty penalty. Not one of my clients have had anything come out good under Obama-ACA and the majority of retired CPD will be over the threshold for subsidized payments.
11/16/2017 11:10:00 AM
Bad information. Forty quarters does qualify you for Social Security. The windfall elimination provision can get a little confusing. Get the straight dope at the social security web site.
To the guy who came on in the 60's:
Not only are your B/C rates going up, your coverage is going down.
There will be a $500.00 out of pocket max.
$20.00 doctor co-pays.
Drug prices will increase.
so what was the outcome of todays ruling??
What happen at ruling. You post this but never follow up on what happens.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
so what was the outcome of todays ruling??
11/17/2017 03:04:00 AM
============================================
Judge Cohen ruled that he does not have jurisdiction to order a preliminary injunction.
The City’s lawyer Prendergast then presented a sheet from the Illinois supreme court’s website indicating that the court will be issuing a ruling on our pending PLA (Petition for Leave to Appeal) on November 22.
What ruling and lawsuit? Talked to Ed today. He said he wasn’t aware of any retiree healthcare problems
So i worked a lot of part time jobs and had 27 years of continued employment so I qualified to get $1,090 minus $190 For the windfall penalty. I took my benefits at 65 so after taxes and medicare I get 584 per month. If you work for 30 years with substantial earning you don't get penalized. So on top of my Sergeants max pension I'm doing OK.
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