Livingpower For all who have made a living and now wish to make a life

March - April 2019 Volume 35, Number 2 President’s Message IN THIS ISSUE No matter when I sit down to write my message to you, I often have more to President’s Message...... 1 share than our newsletter allows, and Locating Lost Insurance and today isn’t any different. However, I’m Annuity Policies...... 2 keeping my message shorter this month 2019 Legislative Session...... 3 to share contact information for the NC House Members, members of our 2019 General Assembly. Alphabetically by County...... 4-5 I especially want you to know how NC Senate Members, hard your NCRGEA staff and Board of Alphabetically by County...... 5-7 Directors work for you. We are tirelessly AmWINS Medicare Linda S. Suggs, working to convince lawmakers that a Supplemental Insurance...... 7 NCRGEA President cost of living adjustment is vital for our Attn: Member Spouses - Be An retirees—a tall order in a time of declin- Associate Member...... 8 ing revenues and fears about unfunded liabilities. Cost of living Living Power in Large Print...... 8 adjustments are good for NC’s economy and needed by our retir- Final Expense Insurance...... 8 ees. In North Carolina, retirees contribute $6.9 billion in economic Local Government Federal output. But due to stagnating cost of living adjustments and ever- Credit Union...... 8 2019 Retiree Pay Dates...... 8 Carolina Cruise & Tours...... 9 thanincreasing $21,000 inflation, per year, the and value a pension of your worthpensions $20,479 continues in 2008 to slide had The Hearing Bones...... 9 declineddownward. in value The average to $17,405 pension by 2018. benefit The in picture North Carolinais even more is less Access Perks Discount Program...... 10 dire for local government retirees who have gone even longer Office Depot Store without COLAs. We work hard to be sure legislators know these Purchasing Card...... 11 realities. Another hurdle we face is that “unfunded liabilities” of the retirement system and the State Health Plan are often lumped Sign Up to Receive Email Legislative Reports...... 12 together. These are important issues for the future economic well- being of our state and need to be addressed. We want to work with legislators to protect our great retirement system – currently the 2nd best funded system in the US (behind North Carolina Wisconsin) and the 22nd largest in the world - yes, the WORLD – Retired Governmental Continued on Page 2 Employees’ Association President’s Message cont’d according to our State Treasurer’s staff. Keeping this engaged and active on your behalf, but we need excellent system strong and adequately funded is our you also to be well informed, engaged, and active. top priority. And if there are ways to strengthen it Please don’t hesitate to approach legislators in even more, we certainly want to support changes to your communities, let them know that you are a accomplish that and to allow for cost of living adjust- member of NCRGEA and thank them for their sup- ments without jeopardizing the health of the system. port. Share your concerns with them. And stay in touch with our staff and Board members. We are Day of the 2019 session of the General Assembly almost 70,000 strong in NC. If we all work togeth- and Your then Board held arecently full Board conducted of Directors its first meeting Lobby the er, we can make a difference! next day. Both events were successful due to the dedication of your fellow retirees who serve on the Linda Suggs Board and are your Association’s leaders. They are President, NCRGEA

Locating Lost Life Insurance Policies or Annuity Contracts Losing a loved one can be one of the most heart- breaking and stressful times of your life. It may or other policy documents, contact the insurance become more challenging if your loved one had a companypolicy documents. to see if they If you issued find auto,a life homeownersinsurance life insurance policy or annuity contract and you’re policy or annuity contract unable to locate policy documents or identify the insurance company. If you are searching for a lost for checks, receipts, or transactions involving life life insurance policy or annuity contract, consider insurance• Examine companiesthe decedent’s financial statements the following: • Check the decedent’s incoming mail for insurance Use the Lost Life Insurance Policy Locator company premiums, claims, or other notices. The North Carolina Department of Insurance • Ask Financial Advisors, Agents, Attorneys, or (NCDOI) created the Lost Life Insurance Policy Employers Locator http://www.ncdoi.com/Consumer/ Finding_a_Lost_Life_Insurance_Policy.aspx to help attorney to see if they advised on or were aware of consumers locate lost life insurance policies or any• Contact life insurance any known policies financial or annuity advisor, contracts agent, or annuity contracts purchased in North Carolina. • Contact the decedent’s employer to determine if they had any group life insurance. well as executors and legal representatives of a de- Look for Unclaimed Property ceasedIndividuals person, who can believe submit they an are online beneficiaries, form or mail as a completed form to the NCDOI. These requests https://www.nctreasurer.com/Claim-Your-Cash/ are forwarded to all North Carolina-licensed life Claim-Your-NC_Cash/Pages/default.aspx Contact the state’s unclaimed property to office iden - insurance companies who are instructed to contact tify any unclaimed money from life insurance companies. Review Personal Financial Records •beneficiaries Review the decedent’sif a policy is records located. for insurance Article provided by:

Living Power is published to provide current information for For address changes, suggestions or comments, please contact: NCRGEA’s membership. Newsletters are printed bimonthly NCRGEA • 528 Wade Avenue • Raleigh, NC 27605-0561 and mailed to all members of NCRGEA. Your comments are 919.834.4652 • 1.800.356.1190 • www.ncrgea.com welcome. To receive Living Power newsletter electronically, please send Editor: Richard E. Rogers, Jr. an email to [email protected] and include your full name and Managing Editor: Donna K. Riggs the city where you live.

2 Living Power 2019 Legislative Session Legislators just returned to Raleigh for the 2019 State Treasurer Folwell’s efforts to protect the legislative long session and we are already walking quality and sustainability of the State Health Plan the halls and knocking on doors on behalf of our are critical and timely. Rising unfunded liabilities, NCRGEA membership. As always, the legislature’s increased life expectancy, and mounting healthcare main job is to develop and pass a balanced biennial costs together forecast a bleak future for the plan; State budget. And as always, your Association is a future that if mismanaged could turn from bleak always working to have a cost of living adjustment to crisis. included in that budget. Good stuff so far. But not all believe the State We need you to play your part in this effort. Our Treasurer’s plan will come without severe conse- legislators need to hear from you now more than quences on our state’s smaller communities—and ever. We are also publishing the phone and email the hospitals that serve them. For example, Trea- address of the 2019 legislative members alpha- surer Folwell’s plan is receiving ample criticism betized by county in this issue. If you don’t know from both medical and hospital groups. Critics say his plan may jeopardize the current hospital net- through a zip code search on the General Assem- work’s ability to provide and maintain quality care bly’swho representswebsite www.ncleg.gov you; you can find. your legislators across the state’s large geographically vast regions. When you contact legislators, tell them who you If so, this ripple effect may increase healthcare are, how you served, and that you and the more disparity, limiting a person’s access to care and than 270,000 government retirees across North potentially the services they may need, namely, in Carolina not only need but deserve a cost of living our rural hospitals. adjustment. Remember, a pension is a promise, The State Health Plan itself is a behemoth not a gift. Our legislators need to know it is time to among insurance plans. It is the largest health keep their promises. insurance plan in North Carolina and among the largest in the United States. With a yearly price The Cost of Transparency: Potential Changes tag of $3.3 billion, the plan covers more than to the State Health Plan Bring Support, 727,000 teachers, state employees, retirees and Criticism dependents. More than 225 Medicare-eligible and We all agree that transparency and good gov- non-Medicare eligible retirees participate in the ernment go together. Our State Treasurer Dale plan today. While applaudable, the “Clear Pricing Folwell is currently pitching the “Clear Pricing Project” is an effort we must take seriously—with Project”, which upon execution, would provide all eyes open. While the NCRGEA supports medi- State Health Plan participants with a new net- cal billing transparency, such transparency must work of healthcare providers that agree to bill the not come at the cost of our retirees’ healthcare and State at the Medicare rate plus 77 percent. We’ll quality of life. With members in all 100 counties, know exactly what is charged for every procedure making sure quality of life is safeguarded comes covered by the State Health Plan, a “no brainer” many of us would think should have happened We will follow these very important issues as decades ago. thefirst General for us. Assembly session continues. As the The project, at least at face value, is easy to session continues, we will encourage you to con- understand and support. Estimates from the State tact your senators and representatives to ask for their support on issues that NCRGEA advocates on your behalf. Your association has more than theTreasurer’s State budget, office yet show nonetheless that the State an impressive could save 68,000 members and it is vital that your legislators amount$300 million of savings. in its first Any year, efforts a mere for greater 7 percent govern of - also hear from you. ment transparency are lauded by North Carolin- ians, and as well they should be.

March - April 2019 3 NC House 2019 Listed alphabetically by County, then legislator’s last name with preferred phone and email address Alamance Columbus Gaston Lenoir Brenden H. Jones Thomas Humphrey Phone: 919-733-5905 Phone: 919-733-5821 Phone: 919-733-5809 Phone: 919-733-5995 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Alamance Craven Gaston Lincoln Stephen Ross Phone: 919-733-5820 Phone: 919-733-5853 Phone: 919-715-2002 Phone: 919-733-5782 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Beaufort Cumberland Gaston Macon John A. Torbett Phone: 919-733-5881 Phone: 919-733-5959 Phone: 919-733-5868 Phone: 919-733-5859 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Bladen Cumberland Guilford Mecklenburg Marvin W. Lucas Phone: 919-733-5772 Phone: 919-733-5775 Phone: 919-733-5825 Phone: 919-733-5778 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Brunswick Cumberland Guilford Mecklenburg William O. Richardson Johnnie Autry Phone: 919-301-1450 Phone: 919-733-5601 Phone: 919-733-5781 Phone: 919-715-0706 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Buncombe Cumberland Guilford Mecklenburg Joseph Faircloth Phone: 919-733-5746 Phone: 919-733-9892 Phone: 919-733-5877 Phone: 919-733-5654 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Buncombe Currituck Guilford Mecklenburg Susan C. Fisher Robert Hanig Mary Belk Phone: 919-715-2013 Phone: 919-733-5906 Phone: 919-733-5191 Phone: 919-733-5607 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Buncombe Davidson Guilford Mecklenburg Brian Turner Steven Jarvis Phone: 919-715-3012 Phone: 919-715-2526 Phone: 919-733-5771 Phone: 919-733-5827 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Burke Davidson Harnett Mecklenburg David R. Lewis Christy Clark Phone: 919-733-5805 Phone: 919-715-0873 Phone: 919-715-3015 Phone: 919-733-5828 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Cabarrus Davie Haywood Mecklenburg Linda P. Johnson Julia Howard Joe Queen Carla D. Cunningham Phone: 919-733-5861 Phone: 919-733-5904 Phone: 919-715-3005 Phone: 919-733-5807 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Cabarrus Duplin Henderson Mecklenburg James W. Dixon Charles McGrady Phone: 919-715-2009 Phone: 919-715-3021 Phone: 919-733-5956 Phone: 919-733-5886 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Caldwell Durham Hertford Mecklenburg Zack Hawkins Howard Hunter Phone: 919-733-5931 Phone: 919-715-2528 Phone: 919-733-5780 Phone: 919-733-5800 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Carteret Edgecombe Iredell Mecklenburg Pat McElraft John Fraley Phone: 919-733-6275 Phone: 919-715-3024 Phone: 919-733-5741 Phone: 919-715-2530 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Catawba Forsyth Iredell Mecklenburg James Adams Rena W. Turner Phone: 919-733-5988 Phone: 919-733-5787 Phone: 919-733-5661 Phone: 919-733-5606 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Catawba Forsyth Johnston Moore Mitchell Setzer Larry Strickland James Boles Phone: 919-733-4948 Phone: 919-733-5747 Phone: 919-733-5849 Phone: 919-733-5903 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Chowan Forsyth Johnston Nash Edward Goodwin Derwin L. Montgomery Donna White Phone: 919-733-0010 Phone: 919-733-5829 Phone: 919-733-5605 Phone: 919-733-5802 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Cleveland Forsyth Lee Timothy Moore John Sauls Phone: 919-733-3451 Phone: 919-733-5777 Phone: 919-715-3026 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Continued on Page 5

4 Living Power NC House 2019 (Continued) Listed alphabetically by County, then legislator’s last name with preferred phone and email address New Hanover Richmond Wake Wake Deborah Butler Kenneth Goodman Phone: 919-733-5754 Phone: 919-733-5823 Phone: 919-733-5602 Phone: 919-733-5773 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] New Hanover Robeson Wake Wake Robert Davis Charles Graham Cynthia J. Ball Phone: 919-733-5786 Phone: 919-715-0875 Phone: 919-733-5860 Phone: 919-733-7663 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] New Hanover Rockingham Wake Wake Lisa Barnes Phone: 919-733-5830 Phone: 919-733-5779 Phone: 919-715-3032 Phone: 919-733-5902 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Northampton Rowan Wake Wake Michael H. Wray Harry Warren Sydney J. Batch Robert Reives Phone: 919-733-5662 Phone: 919-733-5784 Phone: 919-733-2962 Phone: 919-733-0057 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Onslow Rutherford Wake Wake George Cleveland David Rogers John Bell Raymond Smith Phone: 919-715-6707 Phone: 919-733-5749 Phone: 919-715-3017 Phone: 919-733-5863 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Onslow Scotland Wake Wake Phillip R. Shepard Garland Pierce MaryAnn Black Julie von Haefen Phone: 919-715-9644 Phone: 919-733-5803 Phone: 919-733-5872 Phone: 919-715-0795 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Orange Stanly Wake Watauga Verla Insko Clayton Sasser Carl Russell Phone: 919-733-7208 Phone: 919-733-5908 Phone: 919-733-5755 Phone: 919-733-7727 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Orange Stokes Wake Wilkes Graig Meyer Joshua Dobson Phone: 919-715-3019 Phone: 919-733-5609 Phone: 919-733-5862 Phone: 919-733-5935 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Pender Surry Wake Wilson Carson Smith Sarah Stevens Terence Everitt Phone: 919-715-9664 Phone: 919-715-1883 Phone: 919-715-3010 Phone: 919-733-5898 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Jean Farmer-Butterfield Person Transylvania Wake Yadkin Lawrence Yarborough [email protected] Zachary Phone: 919-715-0850 Phone: 919-715-4466 Phone: 919-733-5880 Phone: 919-715-8361 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Pitt Union Wake Yancey Gregory Murphy L. Yvonne Holley Michele Presnell Phone: 919-733-5757 Phone: 919-715-3007 Phone: 919-733-5758 Phone: 919-733-5732 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Pitt Union Wake Mark A. Brody Darren G. Jackson Phone: 919-715-3023 Phone: 919-715-3029 Phone: 919-733-5974 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Randolph Union Wake Patricia B. Hurley D. Craig Horn Joseph John Phone: 919-733-5865 Phone: 919-733-2406 Phone: 919-733-5530 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Randolph Vance Wake Allen McNeill Phone: 919-715-4946 Phone: 919-733-5824 Phone: 919-715-3009 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

NC Senate 2019 Listed alphabetically by County, then legislator’s last name with preferred phone and email address Alamance Alleghany Ashe Beaufort Deanna Ballard Erica D. Smith Phone: 919-301-1446 Phone: 919-733-5742 Phone: 919-733-5742 Phone: 919-715-3040 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Alexander Anson Avery Andy Wells Tom McInnis Phone: 919-733-5876 Phone: 919-733-5953 Phone: 919-715-7823 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Continued on Page 6

March - April 2019 5 NC Senate 2019 (Continued) Listed alphabetically by County, then legislator’s last name with preferred phone and email address Bertie Columbus Gates Johnston Erica D. Smith Danny Earl Britt, Jr. Phone: 919-715-3040 Phone: 919-733-5651 Phone: 919-715-8293 Phone: 919-733-5748 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Bladen Craven Graham Johnston Norman Sanderson Jim Davis Phone: 919-733-5963 Phone: 919-733-5706 Phone: 919-733-5875 Phone: 919-715-3030 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Brunswick Cumberland Granville Johnston Bill Rabon , III Mike Woodard Brent Jackson Phone: 919-733-5963 Phone: 919-733-9349 Phone: 919-733-4809 Phone: 919-733-5705 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Buncombe Cumberland Greene Jones Kirk deViere Don Davis Harry Brown Phone: 919-733-5745 Phone: 919-733-5776 Phone: 919-715-8363 Phone: 919-715-3034 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Buncombe Currituck Guilford Lee Bob Steinburg Michael Garrett Jim Burgin Phone: 919-715-3001 Phone: 919-715-8293 Phone: 919-733-5856 Phone: 919-733-5748 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Burke Dare Guilford Lenoir Warren Daniel Bob Steinburg Rick Gunn Phone: 919-715-7823 Phone: 919-715-8293 Phone: 919-301-1446 Phone: 919-733-5621 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Cabarrus Davidson Guilford Lincoln Paul R. Newton Eddie Gallimore Gladys Robinson W. Ted Alexander Phone: 919-733-7223 Phone: 919-733-5743 Phone: 919-715-3042 Phone: 919-715-0690 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Caldwell Davie Guilford Macon Warren Daniel Jerry W. Tillman Jim Davis Phone: 919-715-7823 Phone: 919-733-7850 Phone: 919-733-5870 Phone: 919-733-5875 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Camden Duplin Halifax Madison Bob Steinburg Brent Jackson , Jr. Phone: 919-715-8293 Phone: 919-733-5705 Phone: 919-733-5878 Phone: 919-733-3460 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Carteret Durham Harnett Martin Norman Sanderson Floyd B. McKissick, Jr. Jim Burgin Erica D. Smith Phone: 919-733-5706 Phone: 919-733-4599 Phone: 919-733-5748 Phone: 919-715-3040 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Caswell Durham Haywood McDowell Phil Berger Mike Woodard Jim Davis Ralph Hise Phone: 919-733-5708 Phone: 919-733-4809 Phone: 919-733-5875 Phone: 919-733-3460 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Catawba Edgecombe Henderson Mecklenburg Andy Wells Toby Fitch, Jr. Chuck Edwards Dan Bishop Phone: 919-733-5876 Phone: 919-733-5878 Phone: 919-733-5745 Phone: 919-733-5655 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Chatham Forsyth Hertford Mecklenburg Valerie P. Foushee Joyce Krawiec Bob Steinburg Jeff Jackson Phone: 919-733-5804 Phone: 919-733-7850 Phone: 919-715-8293 Phone: 919-715-8331 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Cherokee Forsyth Hoke Mecklenburg Jim Davis Paul A. Lowe, Jr. Ben Clark, III Natasha R. Marcus Phone: 919-733-5875 Phone: 919-733-5620 Phone: 919-733-9349 Phone: 919-715-3050 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Chowan Franklin Hyde Mecklenburg Bob Steinburg John M. Alexander, Jr. Bob Steinburg Mujtaba Mohammed Phone: 919-715-8293 Phone: 919-733-5850 Phone: 919-715-8293 Phone: 919-733-5955 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Clay Gaston Iredell Mecklenburg Jim Davis W. Ted Alexander Phone: 919-733-5875 Phone: 919-715-0690 Phone: 919-715-3038 Phone: 919-733-5650 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Cleveland Gaston Jackson W. Ted Alexander Jim Davis Phone: 919-715-0690 Phone: 919-733-5734 Phone: 919-733-5875 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Continued on Page 7

6 Living Power NC Senate 2019 (Continued) Listed alphabetically by County, then legislator’s last name with preferred phone and email address Mitchell Richmond Wake Watauga Ralph Hise Tom McInnis John M. Alexander, Jr. Deanna Ballard Phone: 919-733-3460 Phone: 919-733-5953 Phone: 919-733-5850 Phone: 919-733-5742 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Montgomery Robeson Wake Wayne Eddie Gallimore Danny Earl Britt, Jr. , Jr. Jim Perry Phone: 919-733-5743 Phone: 919-733-5651 Phone: 919-733-5752 Phone: 919-733-5621 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Moore Rockingham Wake Wilkes Tom McInnis Phil Berger Jay J. Chaudhuri Deanna Ballard Phone: 919-733-5953 Phone: 919-733-5708 Phone: 919-715-6400 Phone: 919-733-5742 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Nash Rowan Wake Wilson Rick Horner , III Toby Fitch, Jr. Phone: 919-715-3030 Phone: 919-733-5665 Phone: 919-715-3036 Phone: 919-733-5878 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] New Hanover Rutherford Wake Yadkin , Jr. Ralph Hise Vickie Sawyer Phone: 919-715-2525 Phone: 919-733-3460 Phone: 919-733-5653 Phone: 919-715-3038 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] New Hanover Sampson Warren Yancey Bill Rabon Brent Jackson Erica D. Smith Ralph Hise Phone: 919-733-5963 Phone: 919-733-5705 Phone: 919-715-3040 Phone: 919-733-3460 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Northampton Scotland Washington Erica D. Smith Tom McInnis Bob Steinburg Phone: 919-715-3040 Phone: 919-733-5953 Phone: 919-715-8293 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Onslow Stanly Harry Brown Carl Ford Phone: 919-715-3034 Phone: 919-733-5665 [email protected] [email protected] Orange Stokes Valerie P. Foushee Phil Berger Phone: 919-733-5804 Phone: 919-733-5708 [email protected] [email protected] MEDICARE Pamlico Surry Norman Sanderson Deanna Ballard SUPPLEMENTAL Phone: 919-733-5706 Phone: 919-733-5742 [email protected] [email protected] INSURANCE Pasquotank Surry Bob Steinburg Phil Berger Phone: 919-715-8293 Phone: 919-733-5709 [email protected] [email protected] Visit any Medicare-Approved Provider. No Networks. No Referrals Needed. Pender Swain Bill Rabon Jim Davis Rates starting at $80 per month. Phone: 919-733-5963 Phone: 919-733-5875 [email protected] [email protected] Guaranteed Acceptance. Perquimans Transylvania Bob Steinburg Chuck Edwards Phone: 919-715-8293 Phone: 919-733-5745 [email protected] [email protected] Person Tyrrell Mike Woodard Bob Steinburg Phone: 919-733-4809 Phone: 919-715-8293 REQUEST YOUR FREE [email protected] [email protected] INFORMATION KIT! Pitt Union Don Davis Todd Johnson Phone: 919-715-8363 Phone: 919-733-7659 Call 800.349.2178 [email protected] [email protected] or visit rhp.amwins.com Polk Union Ralph Hise Paul R. Newton Phone: 919-733-3460 Phone: 919-733-7223 Endorsed by: [email protected] [email protected] Randolph Vance Jerry W. Tillman Erica D. Smith Phone: 919-733-5870 Phone: 919-715-3040 [email protected] [email protected]

March - April 2019 7 Attention Member Spouses: Be an Associate Member! Retirees can be members The spouse of any dues-paid active member can join NCRGEA as an “Associate Member” for only $25 a year. Associate Members can access all full covered by our $10,000 Accidental Death & Dis- Join Local Government Federal Credit Union member benefits of our Association and also be and find out what a difference it makes to You can download the Associate Membership work with a financial institution dedicated applicationmemberment from benefit. our website www.ncrgea.com or to the needs of you and your family.

1-800-356-1190. call our NCRGEA office to have one mailed to you Learn more at lgfcu.org/membership. Living Power In Large Print To receive a large print version by email, send an email to [email protected] and request to be added to the Large Print List Serv. Be sure to include Federally insured by NCUA your name, mailing address and email address. Our large print version is also posted on our NCRGEA website www.ncrgea.com. We also pro- vide a copy to Friends of the Blind for audio re- cording: www.friendsoftheblind.org.

Ready to Enjoy Life? 2019 Retiree Pay Dates ARE YOUR FINAL EXPENSES (Dates pension checks are direct deposited to COVERED? Be prepared. your bank account or checks are mailed.)

• Relieve your family from financial burden of final expenses. March 25 August 23 • Benefits Never Decrease. April 25 September 25 • Rates Locked-In for Life IT’S SIMPLE TO GET May 24 October 25 COVERAGE Call us toll-free 1-833-599-1751 or June 25 November 25 email [email protected] for assistance or more information. July 25 December 20 No medical exam for guaranteed issue, Be sure to keep the NC Retirement Systems just a few yes or no informed of your correct mailing address. questions. Call 1-877-627-3287 for all questions about your retirement check or deductions.

P.O. Box 1035, Roxboro, NC 27573 Get your retiree friends to join NCRGEA!

8 Living Power JUNE 23 – BACK BY POPULAR JULY 30 – VIKING PROMO - FRENCH SEPTEMBER 29 – DISCOVERING DEMAND! SUMMER RAIL & SAIL COUNTRYSIDE RIVER CRUISE ALONG THE SAN ANTONIO Visiting New Hampshire, Maine and RHONE RIVER Relax Texas-style when you settle Vermont for 6 days 5 nights. See the 8 days 7 nights. Sail along France’s scenic into your River Walk hotel on this very best of New Hampshire and Maine Rhône River past some of the most beautiful 6 day 5 night San Antonio tour. by Land, Rail and Sea! You’ll enjoy vistas the French countryside has to off er. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage spectacular views with a train ride up During your 8-day journey, explore the sites of the legendary Alamo the highest mountain in the northeast, famed region of Burgundy and the lavender and Mission San José. Also visit and boat tours that take you past the fi elds of Provence. Visit Gallo-Roman ruins Fredericksburg, TX to see the Pacifi c lighthouses of Portland, Maine and in both Vienne and Arles; walk the cobbled War Museum and the LBJ Ranch in travel up to Vermont to enjoy beautiful streets of Arles to see how it inspired Stonewall, TX. AIR INCLUDED from scenery, great cheese and of course Vincent van Gogh. And visit the historic RDU & CHARLOTTE $1769 pp (dbl maple syrup! AIR INCLUDED from Papal Palace in Avignon, “City of the Popes.” occupancy) RDU & CHARLOTTE $1998 pp (dbl Shore excursions included, meals and wine occupancy) & beer at meal times. Price $2824 pp (dbl occupancy) Only $599 air add on for RDU & CHARLOTTE (Pre/post extensions available to Paris or Monte Carlo). Call today!

North Carolina 919-889-4900 Retired Governmental [email protected] Employees’ Association www.carolinacruisetours.com

The “HEARING BONE’S” connected to the WHAT? Hearing loss may signal other important health issues.

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE ALZHEIMER’S & DEMENTIA Could the ear be a window to the Dementia risk may be up to heart? Hearing loss and CVD are 5x higher with hearing loss linked

DEPRESSION HOSPITALIZATION Symptoms go down, quality of life 32% more likely for older goes up with hearing aid use adults with hearing loss

FALLING DIABETES Hearing loss tied to 3-fold risk of Hearing loss is 2x as likely for falling those with Diabetes

CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE MORTALITY Moderate CKD associated with Hearing loss tied to greater 43% increased risk of hearing loss risk of dying for older men

Treating hearing loss may help more than just your hearing. For more information, call 877-806-7054 or visit www.amplifonusa.com/ncrgea

North Carolina Retired Courtesy of The Better Hearing Institute. Governmental ©2018 Amplifon Hearing Health Care, Corp. | 3070MISC Employees’ Association

March - April 2019 9 North Carolina Retired Governmental FOR NCRGEA MEMBERS Employees’ Association Enjoy Company Discounts of up to 50% OFF at restaurants, retailers, hotels, grocery stores and more – nationwide! $18 per year to participate in Premium Access Perks

Access Perks is an online-only discount program. To access free online Perks, use the following link, http://ncrgeafree.accessperks.com. register using the code RETIRED. You can receive greater online discounts on more products by purchasing the Premium Access Perks Program by following the steps below.

Step 1: Enroll in Access Perks using our website: the center of the screen “View our perks click here”. PLACES LIKE: www.ncrgea.com. Under the Member Benefits In the upper right corner of the screen, click “sign heading, select Access Perks Discount Program, in”, and enter your email address when prompted. click on enroll or renew. Complete enrollment, If your name appears, you are active and can now press enter, and you will be taken to the payment download coupons. screen. If you prefer to pay by check, complete the Step 4: If you would like the Access Perks form below and return with payment as noted. mobile app, first Download and then open the Step 2: Once enrollment and payment have “Access Perks” app from the Apple Store or processed, you will receive an email confirming GooglePlay. Enter your email address, complete your enrollment from NCRGEA, and a the registration page and set up your password. subsequent email from Access Perks with your Note: this will be the same password you’ll use to account information. Allow 3 business days for access the “Shopping Cart” feature on the website. processing. Step 5: That is it! Start saving at thousands of Step 3: Get started. From our website, participating providers. www.ncrgea.com, select Member Benefits from the top of the screen. On the next screen scroll Once enrolled and you need help down and select Access Perks. When the Access getting started, call 877-408-2603 Perks screen comes up, click on the blue box in

PREMIUM ACCESS PERKS ENROLLMENT Prefer to mail payment: (Please print)

Name ______

Mailing address ______

______

Email______Phone ______Mail check for $18.00 payable to NCRGEA to 528 Wade Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27605 Enrollment questions, please contact NCRGEA at 800-356-1190

10 Living Power

Account # 8012 256 0607

© 2018 Office Depot, Inc. All rights reserved. rights All Inc. Depot, Office 2018 © Office Depot is a trademark of The Office Club, Inc. OfficeMax is a trademark of OMX, Inc. OMX, of trademark a is OfficeMax Inc. Club, Office The of trademark a is Depot Office

NC Retired Gov Employee Association, get access to your special pricing and more with your Store Purchasing Card: Sonya Reid (919) 880-7216 [email protected]

Office Depot is a trademark of The Office Club, Inc. OfficeMax is a trademark of OMX, Inc. © 2018 Office Depot, Inc. All rights reserved.

March - April 2019 11 NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE North Carolina PAID Retired RALEIGH, NC Governmental PERMIT #2223 Employees’ Association

P.O. Box 10561 Raleigh, NC 27605-0561

ELECTRONIC SERVICE REQUESTED

Weekly Legislative Updates IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS NCRGEA...... 1-800-356-1190 NCRGEA members can get a In Raleigh Area...... 919-834-4652 weekly update on the status MetLife Dental...... 1-800-942-0854 or progress of legislation that Superior Vision...... 1-800-507-3800 impacts retirees. You can NC Retirement Systems...... 1-877-627-3287 sign up to receive NCRGEA Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program....1-855-408-1212 Legislative Updates by email! In Raleigh Area...... 919-807-6900 NC State Health Plan...... 1-919-814-4400 • Go to www.ncrgea.com. Blue Cross/Blue Shield...... 1-888-234-2416 Amplifon Hearing Health Program...... 1-877-806-7054 • Click on: Sign-up to Receive United Healthcare ...... 1-866-747-1014 NCRGEA Communications Electronically! Social Security Administration...... 1-800-772-1213 State Employees’ Credit Union...... 1-888-732-8562 Local Government Federal Credit Union ...... 1-800-344-4846 Find Us on Facebook NC Total Retirement Plans 401K/457 Plans...... 1-866-627-5267 Carolina Cruise and Tours...... 919-889-4900