SENIOR NON-EMERGENCY MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION (SNEMT) PROGRAM
REAOC wants to share information with our retirees about the following County Service through the Office on Aging:
The Senior Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (SNEMT) Program provides transportation to older adults who are in need of low cost transportation to and from medical appointments, dentists, therapies, exercise programs, testing and other health related trips.
For more information about the Senior Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Program in Orange County, please call the Office on Aging at:
800.510.2020
714.480.6450
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 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 September 25, 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.
WHEN YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION CHANGES
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.
NEWSLETTERS
Click here to read the latest Informer newsletter.
Click here to read the latest CRCEA Intercom newsletter.
NEWS WEEK OF JUNE 24, 2024
Newsom, lawmakers use cuts, reserves and ‘fiscal emergency’ declaration to solve budget deficit
The Los Angeles Times provides its perspective on the new state budget: “Gov. Gavin anticipated revenue forced Newsom and lawmakers to scale back California’s progressive policy agenda. The shortfall inspired a tug-of-war over coveted state dollars that has caused rifts between the governor and some of his closest allies at the Capitol. Newsom and Democratic lawmakers struck a deal Saturday to make $16 billion in cuts, declare a statewide fiscal emergency and pull money from the state’s rainy-day reserves to balance a $46.8-billion budget deficit. The agreement for a $297.7-billion spending plan is the result of weeks of contentious negotiations with labor unions and business interests after weaker-than-than-anticipated revenue forced Newsom and lawmakers to scale back California’s progressive policy agenda. The shortfall inspired a tug-of-war over coveted state dollars that has caused rifts between the governor and some of his closest allies at the Capitol.” (Read More)
How do public pension plan returns compare to simple index investing?
NCPERS takes a look at this issue: “Public pension plans have been shifting toward more complex investments in the past two decades, moving a sizable share of assets out of traditional equities, bonds, and cash into alternative assets, and expanding their reliance on external managers. This increased complexity, coupled with a shift toward active management, contrasts sharply with other investors, who have moved toward simpler, passive strategies, triggering a debate about whether the more complex active approach produces higher returns. – – – – – While pension funds outperformed the simple portfolio prior to the Global Financial Crisis, they fell short thereafter. As a result, pension funds’ annualized aggregate returns since 2000 have been virtually identical to a simple 60-40 index portfolio. – – – – – If public plans cannot reasonably anticipate higher long-term returns from a complex active approach, they should stick with a simple and transparent strategy.” (Read More)
Pension plans critical to recruiting, sustaining strong public-safety workforce — NIRS
Defined benefit plans may serve as a critical element in attracting and retaining more public-safety employees, according to a new report from the National Institute on Retirement Security issued June 25. Pensions and Investments (Read More)
Finding Orange County’s next CEO just got complicated
The Voice of OC tries to figure out what is going on given that Frank Kim, the current CEO, is about to leave for retirement: Most recently, there are indications that what began as a professional process to replace Kim has become politicized and riddled with leaks. – – – – – Now that there is a CEO opening, there apparently isn’t one second-tier executive that has been developed in the ranks that the board of supervisors has faith in to administer the county budget. This is what’s left of the politicized carcass once known as the county government.” (Read More)
Then 13,000 public workers across Orange County get a pay raise this week
The Voice of OC reports on the status of current labor contracts and the fact that a few are in the midst of negotiations: “ It’s part of a three-year labor deal with the county’s largest public union, which represents general employees in areas like public works, social services and health care. While few officials wanted to talk about the labor pacts, the deals are key to addressing vacancies and retention issues across the county government. The negotiations also raise key questions about nagging high vacancy rates that are key for many of the recent goals at the county.” (Read More)
Almost 25% of Americans aged 65-plus are still working — here are the 3 states with the biggest increases in retirement-age workers
AP Moneywise reported: “For some in the U.S., retirement doesn’t start at age 65. Twenty-two percent of Americans 65 and older are still in the workforce, according to a LendingTree analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data. Some states are seeing more of this than others.” (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 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 September 25, 2024 luncheon must be received by no later than September 18, 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
