Retired Employees Association of Orange County
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Protect Retiree Benefits
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Mobilize Retirees (When Needed)
P.O. Box 11787
Santa Ana, CA 92711-1787
Phone: 714.840.3995
COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT (COLA)
On February 21, 2024, the OCERS Board of Retirement approved a 3.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for all OCERS retirees and qualified beneficiaries.
This adjustment will result in a 3% increase in allowances for all benefit recipients who will begin receiving benefits on or before April 1, 2024, with the remaining 0.5% allocated to their “COLA Bank.” Members can expect to receive this COLA adjustment included in the benefit payments beginning on the May 1st check.
To read more about the COLA, click here.
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE IS APPROACHING
The electronic scholarship applications and the informational packet may be requested by e-mail at reaoc@reaoc.org or by calling the REAOC office at (714) 840-3995. You will need to provide an email address so that we may send the electronic application and informational packet to you or your relative. The informational packet will include detailed instructions on who can apply for the scholarships and what is needed for the process. The deadline for submitting the electronic applications is April 1, 2024. The required transcripts and reference letter must also be postmarked no later than April 1, 2024. REAOC will grant up to six scholarships this year; each scholarship will be in the amount of $4,000. Click here for additional information.
COUNTY OF ORANGE HEALTH PLANS RATES FOR 2024
The rate charts can be accessed by clicking here.
If you have questions, contact the Benefits Service Center at 1-833-476-2347. Normal hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.
LUNCHEON REMINDER
Our luncheons are now held at the Elks Lodge located at 1751 South Elks Lane, Santa Ana, CA 92705. All the luncheons will provide a main dish, a salad with vegetables, rolls and dessert. Coffee, tea, and ice water will also be served.
The Elks Lodge is next to the OC Credit Union building on St. Andrews Place. The major cross streets are Grand Avenue and Edinger in Santa Ana. You will find plenty of parking spaces!
We hope to see you at our next luncheon on March 27, 2024! For more information, please click here.
MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAMS
If you or someone you know is having trouble paying for healthcare costs, there may be ways to save money on Medicare premiums and other costs. You can get help from your state paying your Medicare premiums. In some cases, Medicare Savings Programs may also pay Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments if you meet certain conditions. Please click here for additional information.
REAOC BOARD OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
The REAOC Board monthly meetings will continue to be held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month and we will utilize the online Zoom platform. If you have any issues or questions you would like to have us discuss, please contact the REAOC office at (714) 840-3995.
If you move, get a new or change your e-mail address or telephone or if you have a name change, there are actions that are necessary so that you continue to receive your benefits, newsletters, e-mails, etc.
If any of the above pertains to you, you need to notify REAOC, the Orange County Employees’ Retirement System (OCERS) and the County of Orange Employee Benefits Center with the new information.
To contact REAOC – call (714) 840-3995 or go to http://reaoc.org/email-us/ to e-mail the new/changed information.
To contact OCERS – call (714) 558-6200 or go to https://www.ocers.org to go to their website and sign-into “MyOCERS” to update your information.
To contact the County of Orange Employee Benefits Services Center – call (833) 476-2347 or to go to the benefits website by contacting My OC Benefits™ directly through IntraOC, or on the internet at mybenefits.ocgov.com.
NEWS WEEK OF MARCH 11, 2024
This can happen to anyone: Sonoma County resident scammed out of $20,000 urges others to be aware
The Santa Rosa Press Democrat presented this example of how online and telephone scams can exploit people even when they’re not yet senior citizens. (Read More)
7 Rite Aid stores closing in Inland Empire, a tough pill to swallow
The San Bernardino Sun reports: Rite Aid: which is in bankruptcy, is closing about 1/3 of its stores with the Inland Empire losing several. (Read More)
Inflation was still elevated in February, 3.2% year-over-year increase
Inflation creeps up! Business insider reports that the latest economic data shows that inflation is not dead, it’s still being felt by all of us. (Read More)
Realtors’ $418 million settlement will upend 6% commission fees
A lawsuit with a potential award against the National Association of Realtors of several hundred million dollars has prompted the association to settle by abandoning the old 6% commission policy. San Bernardino Sun. (Read More)
Hidden COVID virus found nearly two years after infection
Studies have found that Covid lingers in the body for as long as two years. This Mercury News story reports that researchers have found evidence of Covid can live in a victim bloodstream for up to two years possibly longer. (Read More)
ABOUT OUR LUNCHEONS
WHY
REAOC luncheons are held for the purpose of bringing Orange County retirees together for an afternoon of camaraderie, entertainment, and information. Friends and family are always welcome! Each luncheon features a different theme, with door prizes, and special gifts. As an added bonus, there is a valuable Progressive Drawing. They also serve as a general meeting for the membership.
WHERE
Please note that we have a new venue for our REAOC luncheons. We will hold our luncheons at the new Elks Lodge in Santa Ana! The Elks Lodge is located at 1751 South Elks Lane, Santa Ana, CA 92705. All the luncheons will provide a main dish, a salad with vegetables, rolls and dessert. Coffee, tea, and ice water will also be available.
The Elks Lodge is right next to the OC Credit Union building on St. Andrews Place. You will find plenty of parking spaces! Attend and have fun visiting with your friends and guests at the Elks Lodge. Please see your upcoming Informer newsletter for additional information.
For directions, see map below showing where the Facility is located. Please DO NOT call the Facility to make reservations. Reservations are made by sending in the reservation form in The Informer or by calling the REAOC office at (714) 840-3995.
WHEN
For 2024, the luncheons will be held on Wednesdays on the dates listed below:
January 24, 2024
March 27, 2024
May 22, 2024
September 25, 2024
December 4, 2024
To ensure a parking spot please arrive by 11 a.m. Please carpool if possible.
We hope to see you at the REAOC luncheon!
COST
Cost for the luncheon is $20.00 per person. A reservation form is provided in The Informer (on the current Luncheon page), in the “Forms” section of the REAOC web site or you may email the REAOC office of your request (reaoc@reaoc.org).
Reservations for the March 27, 2024 luncheon must be received by no later than March 20, 2024.
NEW HEALTH CARE PLANS AND RATES FOR 2024
The Board of Supervisors approved the new Health Care Plans and Rate for 2024 at the Board meeting on July 18, 2023. The rate charts can be accessed by clicking here.
HEALTH PLAN RATES FOR 2023
The County of Orange Board of Supervisors approved the new rates for the retiree health plans for 2023 at their meeting on July 19, 2022. The rate charts may be seen below.
Click here for the PPO rate charts (Wellwise and Sharewell)
Click here for the HMO rate charts (Kaiser, Scan and Blue Cross)
THE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS RESOURCE LINE – MY OC BENEFITS™
Call the My OC Benefits™ Line toll-free at (833) 476-2347 or they may be reached at mybenefits.ocgov.com
SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE BENEFITS
For information about the supplemental insurance including dental and vision coverage, please click on the link below.
Supplemental Insurance Benefits
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