NCRO

July 15, 2010

For members interested in learning more about how pension plans work, there is a book that explains defined pensions well. The book is "Pension Dumping" by Fran Hawthorne. It is a good resource for understanding pensions, how they came to be, the laws regulating pensions, and what happens to pensions in bankruptcy. It is an easy read, dealing with a complicated subject. We recently contacted the author and asked some pointed questions. Here is her response: Questions and Answers with Fran Hawthorne

If you would like to find out more about "Pension Dumping", here is information on the book, author, & where to get it:  Pension Dumping

Fran Hawthorne Biography For more than 20 years, Fran Hawthorne has followed the rise of 401(k) plans, the fall of old-fashioned pensions, and the ins and outs of Wall Street's dance with Washington, as an editor and writer at Fortune, BusinessWeek, and Institutional Investor magazine (where she's now a senior contributing writer). She is the author of four other books on health care, investing, and business/consumer strategies, including "Inside the FDA: The Business and Politics behind the Drugs We Take and the Food We Eat" (published in 2005 by John Wiley & Sons) and "The Merck Druggernaut: The Inside Story of a Pharmaceutical Giant" (Wiley, 2003). In addition, Hawthorne writes regularly for The New York Times, Newsday, The Scientist, Worth, portfolio.com, the Website of Scientific American, and many other publications. She was also selected to be a contributor in fiction at the prestigious Bread Loaf Writers' Conference in Vermont in 1991. Hawthorne graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of California at Berkeley.

We need a volunteer with PowerPoint experience to help out with presentations for the quarterly breakfast meetings. We only have these 4 times per year. If interested, please contact Rick Golpe at nchryslerro@ncro.org

The NCRO contacted their attorney regarding the most recent mailings many of us received pertaining to the bankruptcy and the associated court filings. Please visit: Recently Received Documents Regarding Bankruptcy Claims for more information.

The Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills is a non-profit organization whose mission is to chronicle the proud heritage and passion of Chrysler by generating innovative, educational experiences that link guests to past, present and future vehicles. The NCRO will use the museum for select meetings and special events, and in turn share museum news and information with NCRO members.

NCRO members can volunteer or find out more about the museum at www.wpchryslermuseum.org

NCRO License Plate Frames NCRO License Plate Frames are now available by mail. The cost includes packaging and shipping. All proceeds go to the NCRO general fund. The costs are $5 for one frame, $9 for two frames, $12 for three frames, and four frames for $15. Display the frames to show your pride in our organization and to be recognized by other Chrysler retirees.

Send a check (To: Dick Cassle, Memo: NCRO Frames) along with the quantity ordered and a shipping address to Dick Cassle - NCRO, 987 Oak Grove Lane, The Villages, FL 32162.

If your Chrysler Retirees organization would like to receive a quantity of license plate frames for distribution at your club meeting please contact Dick Cassle at cassledick@aol.com Bulk shipment can be arranged.

NCRO develops a sales/lease purchase process for Chrysler Retirees.

The NCRO worked closely with several Detroit area "retiree friendly" dealers to help retirees turn in their EL leases and take advantage of year end incentives. Two dealers, Golling and Crestwood, sign commitment form. Others are in the works." Sales-Lease Process details available here==> Sales-Lease Process

Please visit our blog specifically set up for the retiree retail lease car program at: Auto Lease - Purchase Blog You can post your questions, comments and dealership experience so other members can benefit. We will make every effort to respond to your questions on the blog.

Medicare Information Message

It has come to our attention that some of our members have signed up for BCBSM "Individual Medigap Legacy Plan (A, Blue, C)". You may not be eligible to enroll in these plans. You should contact the insurance company, BCBSM, to verify your eligibility. We have also contacted the State or Michigan for clarification on this issue but do not know if we will receive a timely response.

NCRO and Chrysler meet to discuss 2010 benefits changes

Please visit our blog site at: Medicare Advantage/Supplemtal/Medigap Plan Blog

P Post your questions, comments and plan selection experience so other members can benefit. We will make every effort to respond to your questions on the blog.

5 documents covering Medicare supplement plans, dental and vision

NCRO & Chrysler meet

NCRO and Chrysler emails answer 2010 pre-65 healthcare contribution question

CHRYSLER LLC

July 26, 2010

Iacocca at Chrysler gala: - Chuck Bennett / Special to the Detroit News - July 25, 2010 Please visit: ‘Who’s in charge at GM?’

Historic "Chrysler" Service Awards Retirees that are interested in purchasing Historic "Chrysler" Service Awards (with diamonds and sapphires) should contact Karin Errington 248-512-0624 to reserve one. Note: Checks must be made out to United Way for Southeastern Michigan. click here for details

CHRYSLER RETIREES

July 26, 2010

Check the Chrysler Retirees webpage for discounts to amusement parks, cell phone carriers, Dell computers and others. Please visit: Discounts

Chrysler Plans that PBGC Insures - Please visit: Chrysler Plans that PBGC Insures

Is the NCRO an organization dedicated to the preservation of retiree benefits or a social club? At the May NCRO Quarterly Meeting, Deb Morrissett explained that senior members of the NCRO have spent months working with the NRLN on corporate bankruptcy reform needed to protect retiree pensions and healthcare when an employer declares bankruptcy. The Organizations are seeking legislative change to give retiree benefits equal standing in bankruptcy court with other creditors and suppliers. On May 7th the NRLN sent an Action Alert to 5264 NCRO members with email addresses, requesting that they contact their elected representatives to request support for hearings and legislation to provide fair treatment for retirees in bankruptcy. Unfortunately, through May 19th only 212 NCRO members (4%) contacted their Senators and/or U.S. Representatives. Deb then challenged the meeting participants with “Is the NCRO an organization dedicated to the preservation of retiree benefits or a social club?” The results are in and unfortunately the response appears to be “a social club.” Of the 450 meeting participants, there have only been 46 additional congressional contacts. The NCRO leadership, who all happen to be volunteers, and the NRLN cannot succeed without all of your help. PLEASE RESPOND TO ACTION ALERTS!!!!

The video presentation and slides of the May 24th meeting are available for viewing. Click to go to the Videos & Photo's page

Where Are You? Please Keep in Touch - If you are in the process of moving or have recently moved, be sure to contact Benefit Express at 1-888-409-3300 to update your address and telephone number. Benefit Express will update your records with appropriate Chrysler offices and suppliers. Failure to update your address may result in your pension payment being suspended until the address correction is made. In addition, to ensure that your pension payment is deposited in a timely fashion, it is important to verify that your Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) information is accurate. Check your ABA routing number, the account number and account type. Your financial institution can provide you this information.

Chrysler Retirees - the Latest "Scoop" is available here==> http://www.chryslerretirees.com/scoop/

Want to contact a Chrysler retiree? Want Chrysler retirees to be able to contact you? Please visit Chrysler Retiree Login and make sure you are registered. Then visit Chrysler retiree look up to send a 'contact' email to a fellow retiree.

Note: Only retirees who have selected "Display My Listing" in their Retiree Web Site Profile will be displayed.

Please click here How to find Chrysler retirees for more detailed instructions

July 11, 2010

Health Reform Implementation Timeline
 

Health Care Reform and NRLN's Continuing Advocacy
 

Spring issue of the NRLN FOCUS Newsletter

NRLN Update on 2010 Priorities This is to provide NRLN Grassroots Network members with an update on key 2010 legislative issues.

 

NRLN Presents Legislative Agenda to White House Staff NRLN Presents Legislative Agenda to White House Staff

 

NRLN Challenge in 2010 - Protect Social Security and Medicare NRLN Challenge in 2010 - Protect Social Security and Medicare
 

NRLN 2010 Legislative Agenda NRLN 2010 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
 

NCRO JOINS NRLN

Chrysler's action to cancel healthcare and insurance coverage for salaried retirees is a clear message that we must have new pension and healthcare legislation passed that protects our interests. Therefore, the NCRO is now an at-large member of the National Retiree Legislative Network.

The NRLN is a non-partisan, grassroots coalition of 23 retiree associations and individual members representing more than two million retired men and women seeking to preserve the retirement benefits they earned during their many years of employment. Their strength is in lobbying Congress in Washington, through messages from retirees to their elected officials, and retiree visits on home turf.

The NRLN, with its well-established base in Washington, D.C., has one mission, securing federal legislation that protects retirees' employer-sponsored pensions and healthcare benefits plus keeps Social Security and Medicare strong.

The NCRO fully supports the NRLN agenda of passing legislation to make corporations keep their pension and benefits promises to retirees. Like the other retiree associations affiliated with the NRLN, the NCRO will maintain its own identity while working with other retiree groups across all 50 states and Congressional Districts to create a better future for all of America's retirees.

I encourage you to go to the NRLN website  to learn more about the NRLN. After reading about the NRLN, I hope you will decide to click on the link that will take you to the website page where you can sign up to become a member of the NRLN's Grassroots Network. If we help, we will be protecting ourselves.

Chuck Austin

Founder, NCRO

NCRO - Chrysler LLC

CDI's No Longer Available

If the program becomes available to us, we will post the information here.