A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION Retired Teachers Association Serving Retired Teachers Since 1957 VOLUME XLVI, NUMBER 2 LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY DECEMBER 2011

Beginning on August 26, 2011, in Jeff erson County, the KRTA traveling team visited all 14 districts presenting topics that are vital to all teacher retirees. Fall Workshops 2011 Eastern District was the site of the last workshop on September 23, 2011. President Cook’s theme for this year, as well as the Fall Workshops, focuses on the importance of volunteering. Membership is certainly the lifeblood of the organization. Our numbers send out a message to legislators that the objectives of KRTA are strongly supported. Th e individuals who step forward and accept the leadership positions at the state, district and local levels are volunteers drawn from our continually growing membership. Volunteers step up each year to accept program challenges established by their local and civic organizations. How many historical societies, Meals on Edwin S. Cook, III Wheels, sesquicentennial committees, Relay for Life groups, Neighborhood KRTA President Watch groups, Boy Scout Troops, Cub Scout Troops, Girl Scout Troops, Sunday School classes, Church choirs, to name a few, would be non-existent without our volunteers? One of President Cook’s eff orts is to educate KRTA members of the importance of the N. O. Kimbler Scholarship Fund. N. O. Kimbler was born in Greenup County, Kentucky. He started teaching in 1912 in a two-room country school and rose to become State President of KEA in 1938. He saw the great need for Kentucky teachers to be rewarded in their retirement years for the meager salaries they received and devoted his life to bringing the Kentucky Teachers’ Retirement System to fruition. Changes in Legaline Services His experience included fi ve years of teaching in Alabama, two years of service in WWI, two years as a High Coming January 1, 2012 (Continued on page 3) See page 5 for details.

KY IN THIS ISSUE . . . Humana ...... 13

, , 572

Legislative...... 13 STD

Fall Workshop Introduction ...... 1

PERSONALLY SPEAKING Business Partners Attending Workshops ...... 15 POSTAGE

. . Legislators Attending Workshops ...... 16 P A I A D P

S From the Executive Director ...... 2

PRSRT

. PERMIT

U KRTA Distric Presidents ...... 17

LOUISVILLE KRTA: Does It Have Value? 2012 KY GENERAL ASSEMBLY: KRTA GUIDE Social Security & Pension Watch . 11 2012 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT ...... 2 ...... 14 MISCELLANEOUS INFO Volunteers—KRTA’s Foundation! FOR YOUR HEALTH & SAFETY Supplies Over Seas ...... 17 Brain Health & Engaging Your Brain...... 3 KRTA History—55 Years ...... 18 KRTA PARTNERS Fixing A New Generation Gap ...... 18 North American Life Plans Remembering the “Pink Lady” ...... 18 Are You Taking . . From Your Retirement Account 4 Christmas at the Gas Station ...... 19 Hear In America KRTA Members Donate . . .in Need ...... 20

PUBLICATION AROUND THE STATE Hearing Loss Linked to Dementia ...... 4 Liberty Mutual Monroe, Paducah-McCracken, Taylor, Edmonson

5 Tips to Prevent Home Heating Fires ...... 4 Whitley, Adair Counties...... 21 QUARTERLY

Campbell, Casey Counties ...... 22

A National Health Administrators FOR YOUR INFORMATION Recent Reports Point to Long Term Care Solution .5 ...... 23 Legaline KRTA Membership Pin Order Form ...... 23 QUIPS, QUOTES & PUZZLES ...... Changes in the Legaline...... 5 23 2011 FALL WORKSHOPS REPORTS/PHOTOS DECEASED RETIRED TEACHERS ...... 24 Kentucky Retired Teachers Association Teachers Retired Kentucky KRTA & AARP Working Together ...... 6 Health & Insurance ...... 6 Membership ...... 7

KTRS...... 8

Louisville, Kentucky 40291-3234 Kentucky Louisville, 7505 Bardstown Road Bardstown 7505 PAGE 2 KRTA NEWS DECEMBER 2011

PERSONALLY SPEAKING . . . Social Security News & Pension Watch Social Security News (, Ed Whitfi eld and John Th is past June the Coalition to Preserve Yarmuth) have signed on as co-sponsors Retirement Security (CPRS) sponsored a of HR 1332. Th ese Representatives (Ben KRTA: 2011 briefi ng on Capitol Hill for congressional Chandler, Geoff Davis and ), staff from the 13 states that would be most however, have not signed on as co- affected by mandatory Social Security sponsors of HR 1332. You can contact these three representatives through a Bob Wagoner 55 and Going Strong coverage for new state and local public employees. link on our website (www.krta.org). As we turn the page on the calendar at Also, Senators Mitch McConnell and Executive Director the end of December to begin a new Approximately 70 staff ers attended, and should be contacted about year, KRTA is 55 years old and going CPRS received very favorable feedback. fi ling and sponsoring a similar bill in the strong. As you read the articles in Prior to the briefi ng, CPRS leaders were Senate. Th ey can be contacted through this issue of the KRTA News or check able to secure bipartisan participation our website, too. the information on the website, www.krta.org, it is obvious that this Association on “Dear Colleague” letters in both Pension News is working on topics and issues that aff ect you, either directly or indirectly in the House and Senate, so regardless of retirement. whether an offi ce had somebody at the The National Institute on Retirement In this diffi cult economic environment, we must be ready to defend and protect the briefing, every member of Congress Security (NIRS) has challenged claims benefi ts promised to Kentucky’s retired and active educators. We understand that in the targeted population received a that pension funding concerns are at times the Governor and the General Assembly have diffi cult choices to make. message about mandatory Social Security driving businesses out of certain states. However, we must make it clear that the decisions must not be on the backs of the coverage. An article in the May-June issue of Chief persons who have given their time and talents to the state and earned a retirement Concerning the Windfall Elimination Executive magazine stated, “that, in (which they contributed to while working) and health benefi ts as a part of their total Provision (WEP) and Government addition to other budget problems such compensation for that service. Pension Off set (GPO), HR 1332 currently as rising health care costs and declining Under Attack has 121 co-sponsors in the House of tax revenues, states are now facing Representatives. HR 1332 would repeal Once we were part of a much needed, honored and respected profession – now, it what experts suggest is a $3 trillion- the WEP and the GPO Social Security seems, if you are to believe the new breed of politicians, we are the problem, not the plus shortfall in assets needed to cover penalties. A recent visit to Washington, solution. According to many of them, our pensions are too generous and our health promises made to government workers D.C. by KRTA volunteers who met with insurance benefi ts are undeserved. To hear them, we and other public employees and retirees.” (Funding projections representatives of each of Kentucky’s are the fi nancial ruination of the nation’s local, state and federal governments. can be calculated in multiple ways, federal legislators were told not to expect and members of the public pension Th e new breed of politicians want us to forget the fact that speculative investors, any movement on these issues before the community generally assert that total Hedge funds and our banks with their exotic fi nancial pyramid investment schemes 2012 presidential election. These two long-term shortfalls are about one-fourth actually collapsed the world and national economy which in turn has led to budget provisions are impacting hundreds of that amount.) problems at the national, state and local levels. Kentucky’s retired educators. To-date a At the federal level, public pension funds are under attack by those who are companion bill has not been fi led in the “Th e crushing debt load is hurting states’ “concerned about the need for taxpayer bailouts because pension benefi ts are not Senate. competitiveness as America’s business (Continued on page 10) Currently, these Kentucky Representatives (Continued on page 20)

across our beautiful commonwealth. with Eric Farris of Buckman & Farris, During the 75 minute breaks, I mean P.S.C., to consider necessary changes PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE . . . 15 minute breaks, I was warmed by the to our Legaline service. Th e Legaline many stories that were shared with me service provides members of KRTA with concerning school and classroom events legal advice as well as locating reputable that took place during our teaching attorneys for our members’ needs. Th e Volunteers—KRTA’s Foundation careers. We all had our “Johnny’s”, but committee’s recommendations were we all had the many that have become submitted to the Executive Council via Happy Thanksgiving! I do hope the quite successful and have positively telephone conference on October 25 Thanksgiving season brings much contributed to society. Additionally, I and were approved. Th e Legaline service happiness and enjoyment, as you, your had those precious moments during and charges are listed on page 5. family and friends gather to thank God, aft er supper each evening to listen to the Our fall workshops were attended by many for all the many prayers he has answered. many volunteers that traveled with me. local state Senators and Representatives. Volunteers continue to be KRTA’s We appreciate those who volunteered Each took the opportunity to express foundation. Our accumulated hours to be workshop participants and share his/her support for Kentucky’s retired impress our legislators. They realize with us information we need for the teachers’ Defined Benefit Program, our wealth to the many we serve. Please encouragement of our sister and brother as well as the recently passed HB 540 acquire the ‘KRTA Volunteer Program retirees to join KRTA. Th ey would tell (Shared Responsibility) Health Program. Hours’ chart from your local president of academic and athletic programs that We must remember each of them when and allow your hours to be among the reminded them of why they enjoyed being the polls are open. Support above the many submitted. an educator and eventually, and for some, 51% mark assures us a continuance of an administrator. support, or at least favorable acceptance Edwin S. Cook III Traveling for three weeks and a day! It 2011-12 KRTA President I want to thank the members of the was wonderful. I had the opportunity (Continued on page 15) to meet and make many new friends Legaline Ad Hoc Committee who met DECEMBER 2011 KRTA NEWS PAGE 3

of your arteries and slowing blood fl ow to your brain. • Moderate alcohol use is a must for the brain. Drink alcohol FOR YOUR HEALTH & SAFETY in moderation, if at all. People who drink heavily for years can expe rience perma nent brain damage due to poor nutrition • Stop smoking! You can add memory loss to the long list of health problems that come from smoking. Smokers may have twice the risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease as do people who have never smoked. • Manage your stress. I was amazed to learn that long-term Staying Sharp—Brain stress has the power to actually damage your neurons; perhaps, kill them. When you’re stressed, your brain releases hormones Health and Engaging that can damage your brain if you’re exposed to them for days Your Brain at a time. Moreover, chronic stress can make you feel depressed or anxious—feelings that can inter fere with the way your Second in a series of guest articles by Mary Sorensen brain processes memories. You must look for long-term stress In Article One, Keep Your Brain Sharp, you read the solutions! phrase “use it or lose it.” With all of the above said—it IS important to remember, that But, the question is, “How can you use it eff ectively? aging is NOT a process of decline. Many of our gift s and abilities— Exactly HOW do you engage your brain? Long story— including wisdom and problem solving—IMPROVE AS WE AGE! short—KEEP STIMULATING YOUR BRAIN— KEEP LEARNING—STAY SHARP. KEEP LEARNING!! Based on their understanding of Our third and fourth columns will cover, “Can YOU Increase Your Mary Sorensen the brain, neuroscientists suggest you choose activities Brain Power?” And “Connect to Your Brain’s Power.” that fi t the follow ing criteria: • Th ey should teach you something new. Th e brain is a learn ing machine. To keep the machine Th is series of articles is reprinted with permission from the Wisconsin working at high capacity, you must continually develop new skills. Retired Educators’ Association (WREA) and Mary Sorensen, author. • Th ey should be challenging. Mary is a retired technical college educator and brain researcher. She • Activities must command your com plete attention to fully exercise the brain. is a WREA member and the president of the Milwaukee Area Technical College Retirees Association (MATC) in the Milwaukee area. • Th ey should be progressive. You can begin a new activity at an easy level, but you must continuously challenge yourself and move from level to level to stay on the “cutting edge” of your performance abilities. • Th ey should be rewarding. Rewards stimulate the brain and lead to improved learning and (Continued from “Fall Workshops” page 1) memory. School Principal in Henderson the Fund. • Th ey should be novel or surprising. New, positive, and sur prising experiences exercise the County, and eighteen years as Guidelines. Th e Fund guidelines brain machinery at a high level. Superintendent of Henderson provide for the 16 Community Colleges of Kentucky to identify It might seem hard to fi nd activ ities that meet all of these criteria; however, TRY learning to play County Schools. He helped students who show promise of a musical instrument, a new card game, or Scrabble; doing crossword puzzles or Sudoku; starting draft the state’s fi rst Teacher becoming excellent teachers. To a new exercise program; learning a new language; participating in a discussion group; starting a Retirement Act of 1938 for which encourage selected students to new hobby, such as craft s, painting, biking or bird watching; volunteering; staying in formed about no funds were provided until pursue that honored profession, what’s going on in the world; Reading. Reading. Reading! 1940. He was hired as Executive Secretary of KTRS in 1940 and they are awarded a scholarship Simply interacting with others on a regular worked tirelessly of $1,400 per year basis will help YOU as the brain is sociable and to improve the to help pay the collaborative. I read recently, in the “Scientifi c system until his expenses incurred American Mind” (September/October 2009 retirement in for their education issue) that studies show the mental benefi ts 1957. toward that goal. of social activity, networking, and keeping One scholarship connected are signifi cant. “Th e more socially Background. is awarded to integrated and active you are, the less memory Looking toward each of the public loss will occur.” the future and Community and If you continue to learn and challenge yourself, your brain continues to grow, literally. An active knowing of Technical Colleges brain produces new connections between nerve cells that allow cells to communicate with one Mr. Kimbler’s in Kentucky. Each desire for every another. . . remember, Michael Merzenich from the University of California, “the aging brain N. O. Kimbler (1895-1960) college determines deserving continues to have remarkable ability to grow, adapt, and change patterns of connections even as Founder of KTRS the recipient. it ages.” You may actually ENHANCE your brain’s ABILITY and POWER! Kentucky youth Contributions. to receive a Your generosity Keeping your mind sharp and memory loss at bay as you age isn’t just about keeping your mind college education, the N. O. will help increase the principal in shape, though that’s a major compo nent. You must also make healthy choices that keep the rest Kimbler Memorial Scholarship of the Fund so that these of your body in shape, as well. Fund was established by a group scholarships may be increased as • Exercise increases blood fl ow to all parts of your body, including your brain, and might of retired educators in Western college expenses increase. Your promote cell growth there. Pick an activity you ENJOY. Exercise for 30 minutes AT LEAST Kentucky. In 1982 KRTA became gift will be an expression of your THREE days a week. responsible for managing the belief in the value of education • Proper nutrition will also boost thinking, learning, and memory. Be sure to eat a diet rich Fund. A committee of fi ve KRTA and in the importance of in fruits and vegeta bles. Many of these contain antioxi dants—substances that protect and members is responsible for strengthening and perpetuating nourish brain cells. Also antioxidants may help prevent cholesterol from damaging the lining overseeing and administering the quality of our profession. PAGE 4 KRTA NEWS DECEMBER 2011

Hearing Loss 5 Tips to Prevent Home KRTA PARTNERS Linked to Dementia Heating Fires When it’s time to turn up the heat in your home this Seniors with high levels winter to battle the icy cold, follow these simple tips of hearing loss are to prevent the chance of fi re: signifi cantly more likely Are You Taking Unneeded to develop dementia over 1. Hire a professional to inspect and clean Required Minimum time than those who retain your furnace. Maintaining your furnace their hearing, according to and ensuring that it’s operating properly and Distributions From Your a recent study reported in effi ciently will save you money and keep you Retirement Account? Th e Hearing Journal. Th e free from worry. study was conducted by 2. Open your windows when you fi rst turn on Johns Hopkins University your furnace. Choose a warm day to let your Required Minimum and the National Institute furnace burn off the dust and dirt that have on Aging. Distributions (RMDs) Dan Schuermeyer collected on its heating element. A residual are minimum amounts 639 people were tested Hear In America odor is not harmful, but if the furnace that a retirement plan between 1990 and rumbles or produces black smoke, call 911 account owner must 1994. While about a quarter of the volunteers had and evacuate the premises. withdraw annually some hearing loss at the start of the study, none 3. Clean your chimney. Before you cozy up starting with the year had dementia. Researchers took other dementia to the fi replace, open the fl ue and check for that he or she reaches 70 risk factors into account, including diabetes, high obstructions that can cause a build-up of ½ years of age or, if later, blood pressure, age, sex, and race. Participants with harmful carbon monoxide. Hire a chimney the year in which he or hearing loss at the beginning of the study were sweep to inspect for creosote, a substance that she retires. Account signifi cantly more likely to develop dementia by the gradually builds up as wood burns and can owners are responsible end. Compared with volunteers with normal hearing, for taking the correct ignite in the chimney fl ue. Keith Hazelbaker those with mild, moderate, and severe hearing loss amount of RMDs on North American Life Plans had twofold, threefold, and fi vefold (respectively) 4. Use electric heaters sparingly. Don’t let a time every year from the risk of developing dementia over time. Th us the space heater run for hours on end. Turn it off their account, and they face stiff penalties if they fail risk of developing dementia seems to increase with at night or when you vacate a room. Move to do so. the severity of the hearing loss. For participants over bedding, clothing and other fl ammable items If you are fortunate enough to have suffi cient income 60, more than one-third of the risk was associated at least three feet away from the heater. And from other assets and don’t need the RMDs to pay for with hearing loss. Th e risk of developing Alzheimer’s never leave children and pets unattended living expenses, it’s important for you to fi nd the best disease also increased with hearing loss. For every 10 near a space heater. decibels of hearing loss, the extra risk increased by 20 way to effi ciently utilize these payments. 5. Handle propane-powered equipment percent. Purchasing a life insurance policy with your aft er-tax carefully. Follow the manufacturer’s While the reason behind the link remains unknown, RMD money may be a good solution for you as it could instructions, store cylinders outside, and call investigators believe a common pathology may provide your benefi ciaries with a death benefi t that 911 if you smell a strong odor of gas. underlie both. It may be that the strain of decoding avoids probate and is income tax free. You still have sounds over the years may overwhelm the brains of For more information on home fi re access to your remaining IRA funds should you need it, hearing loss patients, leaving them at higher risk of safety, go to BeFireSmart.com. and the balance of the IRA can also be passed to your dementia. Investigators also suggest that hearing loss benefi ciaries. could lead to dementia by making individuals more To learn more about Liberty Mutual Th is option is ideal if you are: socially isolated, which is a known risk factor for various cognitive disorders, including dementia. Says auto and home insurance or get a • Over the age of 70 ½ Dr. Frank Lin of Johns Hopkins, “Researchers have free, no-obligation quote, please contact your representative at • Not currently using your RMDs for living expenses looked at what aff ects hearing loss, but few have looked at how hearing loss aff ects cognitive brain function. 1.888.824.6955 ext. 51690 (in KY) Dave Farmer • Earmarking your IRA for benefi ciaries Th ere hasn’t been much crosstalk between otologists Liberty Mutual and geriatricians, so it’s been unclear whether hearing 1.800.835.0894 ext. 51690 (outside • Interested in offsetting tax liability for your KY). benefi ciaries loss and dementia are related.” For a free hearing screening and other hearing benefi ts Please mention Client No. 8815 when you call • interested in preserving/maximizing your legacy call or visit www.LibertyMutual.com • Currently placing your unneeded RMDs back into Liberty Mutual Group. All rights reserved. another taxable savings vehicle (for example: a CD Hear In America (800) 286-6149 or mutual fund) KENTUCKY TEACHERS’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM PRE-RETIREMENT SEMINARS If you are currently taking unneeded RMDs and passing these assets to the next generation, a charity, or other REGISTER ON-LINE AT http://ktrs.ky.gov benefi ciaries in a tax-free manner is of interest to you, December 7, 2011 January 24, 2012 February 4, 2012 plea se contact North American Life Plans. We are the Ramada Inn/Conv. Center Hilton Garden Inn General Butler SRP agency endorsed by the Kentucky Retired Teachers 624 James Trimble Blvd. 110 Grandstand Drive 1608 Highway 227 Association to assist you with your life insurance needs. Paintsville, KY Georgetown, KY Carrollton, KY Our toll-free number is 888-362-1214, or you may visit Registration 4:30 pm www.krtabenefi ts.com. Registration 4:30 pm Registration 8:30 am Seminar 5 pm - 7 pm Seminar 5 pm - 7 pm Seminar 9 am - 12 pm DECEMBER 2011 KRTA NEWS PAGE 5

Recent Reports Point to Long Are “Boomers” Gambling With Th eir Retirement? Changes in the Legaline Despite these harsh realities and concerns about long Term Care Solution term care, many Baby Boomers and retired educators At the August 22, 2011 Executive Council meeting, By may be gambling with their retirement security and Eric Farris of Buckman and Farris PSC gave the Joseph P. Blanchette, CLTC the well-being of their families. Some mistakenly Council an update on the status of the KRTA Legaline National Health Administrators believe that government will pay for their long term service. Mr. Farris noted that since the Legaline’s care. But Medicare does not pay for extended care, inception, KRTA’s membership has doubled and the Debt and Defi cits Are Taking and the government welfare program for the poor, service’s utilization has more than doubled. As the Their Toll On Seniors. Medicaid, faces likely funding and benefi t cuts to stave discussion unfolded, it became apparent the Legaline Th e retirement plans and dreams of most Americans off insolvency. Others hope they will have enough service has become “a victim of its own success” and have been turned upside down lately as savings and money to pay for long term care from their retirement needed to be restructured. pensions have been severely undermined by the savings. Too few, however, have actually calculated the President Cook with the approval of the Executive extended economic downturn now entering its fourth true cost of spending money set aside for retirement Council appointed an Ad Hoc Committee to meet year. Making matters even worse, health insurance income on extended caregiving expenses. And some with Mr. Farris to develop options for the Executive costs keep rising while alarming government defi cits hope they will never need long term care services. Th ey Council’s consideration. Committee members were are forcing state and federal leaders to modify future may be right. But what if they do need extended care? Joyce Cecil, Frank Hatfield, Tom Mathews, Ann Medicare provisions and cut Medicaid benefits. What is their plan? Porter and Margaret Sims. Mr. Hatfi eld served as the There Is A Better Way. Understandably, these severe fi nancial developments committee’s chair. have heightened anxiety levels among baby boomers For most middle income and upper income individuals, and those already in retirement. Reality is fi nally setting Th e Ad Hoc Committee presented it fi ndings and Long Term Care insurance off ers an aff ordable way to recommendations to the Executive Council during in about long term care and its harmful impact on protect income, assets and families from the physical families and retirement security. a called special Executive Council meeting on and emotional burdens caused by long term care. October 18, 2011. Th e Executive Council approved Baby Boomers Are Very Concerned Interest in Long Term Care insurance (LTCI) is on the committee’s recommendations for restructuring About Long Term Care the rise. Th e number of new policyholders jumped by the Legaline service. Th e changes outlined below are a remarkable 16% in 2010 as retirement investments eff ective January 1, 2012. A 2010 AARP survey has exposed what many of those lost their value and government kept sending messages who are retired and nearing retirement have been that most Americans need to plan for their own care. The KRTA Legaline: A Unique Member Service thinking. Th e State of Kentucky is encouraging LTC insurance Exclusive to KRTA members and spouses only, you may e-mail the fi rm of Buckman & Farris PSC at Not surprisingly, of the 11 concerns listed, the 2 greatest with generous tax incentives and the new Kentucky any time or call during normal business hours and fi nancial concerns about retirement are: Partnership Long Term Care plans. request certain advice or documents at a reduced price The Time To Act Is Now. Retirement income may not keep up with compared to most legal services in Kentucky. Aft er the long term care industry and policyholders infl ation. Services Available at No Charge Not having enough money to pay for an struggled with rate increases over the past decade, extended long term care need at home experts consider today’s newer plans to be priced Simple legal advice sought by email and phone or a nursing home. Almost 80 percent of more realistically as most comply with pricing consultations of limited duration can be handled at no respondents expressed concern about paying guidelines set by the National Association of Insurance cost to members and spouses. Often, the answer is to for their long term care. Commissioners. KRTA off ers members a menu of high refer the KRTA member to a competent attorney near quality Long Term Care insurance plans with carriers the member’s home and every effort will be made to Similar surveys done in 2010 by AgeWave/Harris considered leaders in the industry. Qualifying for accomplish that when the issue exceeds the capacity Interactive asked respondents 1) what their greatest coverage and your premium levels are linked to your or expertise of the Legaline service. concerns were about having a long term illness and age and health status. Waiting will never help. Matters Excluded 2) why long term care planning should be an integral part of one’s retirement strategy. Th e response? Long Term Care Protection Gives Peace of Mind The Legaline cannot undertake matters of a complicated Over half worry about burdening their Long Term Care insurance is not for everyone. Some nature or which involve the KRTA, its employees, children. can’t aff ord it. Others cannot qualify for coverage for members or contractors. There can be no assistance More than half worry about coping with the medical reasons. But planning for one’s future long provided to members who already have legal counsel emotional strain of caregiving. term care needs is an essential retirement planning on the matter at hand. Also, no costs, fi ling fees, Forty-fi ve percent worry about their spouse’s strategy for everyone. damage awards or expenses of any kind are covered. quality of life and fi nancial security, Reduced Fee Services Available Almost half worry about the high costs of Would you rather have this protection and not need Simple Wills $50 each caregiving. it . . .Or need it and not have it? Intra-family Deeds $50 each One quarter want to avoid a nursing home Find out if Long Term Care insurance makes sense Living Wills $50 each stay. for you. Powers of Attorney $50 each Ironically, only 10 percent are worried about dying. Call 1-866-899-5796 now to speak with a KRTA Letters, phone calls, (beyond original contact), and Rather, people are concerned about the risks and Long Term Care planning specialist, National Health document review $125/hour consequences associated with living a long life! Administrators (NHA) Procedure for Legaline How a Bill Becomes a Law You may contact the KRTA Legaline by email: [email protected] • When passes, goes to other “house” or by phone: 1-800-232-1092 • Introduced in Senate/House Same procedure followed • Assigned to standing committee • Passes both houses, ordered When a call or e-mail is received, the information is

• Reported out of committee to full chamber “enrolled” sent to the appropriate attorney/paralegal for response. • Passed or defeated by roll call vote • Goes to Governor for Every effort will be made to respond promptly; signature however, if no attorney is available, please allow up to fi ve business days for a response. PAGE 6 KRTA NEWS DECEMBER 2011

KRTA and AARP Working Together Fall Workshops 2011 2011-2012 August - September Neal Tucker, AARP/KRTA Liaison Neal encouraged everyone to join AARP and also become a member of NRTA by checking the NRTA box on the AARP membership form. By doing so, retired teachers are supporting the partnership of KRTA and AARP who work together KRTA/AARP-KY on issues with which they agree: Community Service Projects • Retirement Security • Grandparent Essay Contest • National Day of Service “Yes, we can feed • Create the Good Kentucky!” • Presentations by AARP Specialists • School Supply Drive “Yes, we can give our • Drive to End Hunger/Yes, We Can Feed children adequate Kentucky! school supplies!” AARP’s story began when our founder, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, launched the National Retired Dr. Jim Frank Th ese were the resounding Teachers Association in 1947. Neal Tucker KRTA Vice President words of KRTA members in answer to our 2011- AARP/KRTA Liaison Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus founded NRTA: AARP’s 2012 Community Service Projects requests. Educator Community (then known as the National Retired Teacher’s Association) KRTA off ered a $50 grant to any local retired teacher association that would in 1947 to address the economic challenges and health insurance needs of educators match it with $50 for school supplies to be donated. An overwhelming 67 local in retirement. She was motivated by fi nding a retired teacher living in a chicken Associations responded to the call. A complete list of those participating can be coop. Th e benefi ts she was able to provide retired teachers became so popular found on page 20. that non-educators sought the same member benefi ts. Th erefore, eleven years As Dr. Frank gave the report of his local association’s involvement, he emphasized later, in 1958, Dr. Andrus reached out to a broader audience by founding AARP the high cost of the school supplies donated. (then known as the American Association of Retired Persons). NRTA and AARP shared many goals and collaborated in the development of countless programs Th e “KRTA/AARP-KY Yes, We Can Feed Kentucky” project’s purpose is and advocacy initiatives. Today, we’re still working together to help members and to encourage RTA locals and AARP-KY chapters to collect food items for families right here at home in Kentucky. their local food banks. Participation will be measured by the “number of food items delivered to a local food bank.” We are not specifying the type In 2012, we’ll celebrate another milestone together with NRTA’s 65th Anniversary. of food or the organization which receives the donations locally. Grandparent Essay Contest • Honors the role of grandparents Time line for “Yes, We Can Feed Kentucky” • Open to all 5th grade public school students May 1- December 31, 2011 • Deadlines: School winners December 15 To be listed on 2012 Local Recognition Form for State Convention • County winners January 31 • District winners March 1 • State winner will be announced April 19 at the KRTA Convention. • Visit www.aarp.org/grandparents for more information or call 1-888-687-2277 Health Care Reform Law One Year Later  AARP has trained Health Care Reform Law volunteers available to speak (at no charge) to local groups. Contact Tihisha Rawlins at 1-866-295-7275 or trawlins@ Because we aarp.org. Publications are available at no charge upon request. More information know you’re is on-line at www.aarp.org/getthefacts. unique, Create the Good SilverSneakers® off ers many Th e AARP emphasis this year is on creating the good—“it’s about helping others, diff erent ways whether you have fi ve minutes or fi ve hours.” For more information, go to www. to get the aarp.org/CreateTh eGood. activity you Volunteer Opportunities, Speakers, and More need to stay Website: www.aarp.org/ky healthy and To get started, visit www.silversneakers.com to fi nd your closest location independent. Email: [email protected] It’s never been Phone: 1-888-687-2277 easier to take Neal ended his presentation control of your Visit www.silversneakers.com/member to access your personal web page at each workshop by health with the thanking RTA Presidents SilverSneakers® for their support of AARP Fitness Kentucky and our joint Program! Register on www.silversneakers.com/member community service eff orts. you’ll receive a kit with tools to help you get fi t, including resistance DECEMBER 2011 KRTA NEWS PAGE 7

ENGAGE Betty, Debby, and Ernie are available to assist local and 4. Establish an Involvement Committee: When district associations. Don’t hesitate to call on them when current recruitment efforts don’t seem to be you have questions or need help. Th ey can be contacted working, perhaps some new techniques will. through the KRTA offi ce. Workshop participants were encouraged to establish a new committee to pique the interest of the membership and perhaps put some new Health ~ Insurance ~ Wellness life into the association. There are activities Health/Insurance Committee Co-Chairs Carolyn Falin that no one seems to be doing; for instance, (a) and Don Pace updated workshop attendees on KRTA’s check on members who cannot attend meetings, health, insurance, and wellness off erings. Th e Committee (b) thoroughly highlight one or two benefi ts of serves to investigate belonging at each meeting, (c) recognize members and approve health and Membership 2011 for their contributions to the association or insurance related benefi ts community, or (d) identify leadership candidates Going for the GOLD not provided by the Ky. and build a positive attitude toward the association. Teachers’ Retirement Betty Hester, Debby Murrell, & Ernie Trosper 5. Present exciting meetings: Make sure that System. Specific details Membership Committee Co-Chairs programs are relevant for your members. Personally and discounted costs are Article contributed by Betty Hester try something new. Forget ‘endless’ meaningless outlined on the green It’s a new membership year, but the story is the same: meetings. Vary the programs: informative, FACT SHEET. Building membership in KRTA is supporting future entertaining, fun camaraderie. *Suggested help—p. KRTA Endorsed Dental retirees as well as current retired educators. Th at’s the 16, “Program Suggestions” Plans. Delta Dental story Debby, Ernie and Betty tried to convey as they 6. Make new retirees feel at home: Provide offers three plans from presented to retired teachers around the state in August nametags for all members; provide a special nametag Carolyn Falin Co-Chair which KRTA members and September. Parts of the story remained the same; for new members so that everyone will recognize Health & Insurance can choose. Members KRTA Vice President emphasis on the “why” preceded their presentation them. Look for and greet them. may enroll anytime. The when representatives from the Kentucky Teachers’ 7. Th ank new members & volunteers: Send thank premium year is April 1- March 31 and the premium Retirement System presented their story. New ideas on you notes for joining or volunteering. will be pro-rated. Visit www.deltadentalky.com for rates the “how” unfolded as the morning sessions proceeded. RETAIN and an enrollment form. Local and district association workshop attendees Avesis Vision Plan allows enrollment at anytime and 8. Make recognition a tradition: Th ere are two forms were encouraged to RECRUIT new members, then includes many providers of currency that we pay our members—Recognition ENGAGE them, to better RETAIN them as members. for your service in addition & Tradition. Look for any opportunity to recognize *Use of the Local Presidents’ Handbook was strongly to Sam’s and Wal-Mart. any member’s contributions. Create a tradition in recommended. Eff ective January 1, 2012, your association & recognize those who uphold RECRUIT there will be a rate increase. that tradition. 1. Devise a plan: Incorporate activities for local, For enrollment forms call 9. Make contact with 1st-year members: Identify at 1-800-466-5182 or for district, and state; tie them together. Locals and least four specifi c contacts to make with fi rst-year districts are not separate entities in their purpose; provider questions call members that are above and beyond the normal. 1-800-828-9341. they are the local affi liates of the bigger picture— Th e normal contacts of e-mail, phone call, letter KRTA. *Suggested help—pp. 4-6, “Planning from the president, and special newsletter are great. KRTA’s Hearing Your Year Checklist” and p. 29, “Membership Go beyond that, for instance, with a special listing Instrument Plan is off ered Solicitation Letters” by HEAR in AMERICA. in the local newspaper. Don Pace, Co-Chair They offer a free annual Overcome objections by informing recruits of 10. Focus hard on the fi rst renewal: Send a special Health & Insurance the basic facts about KRTA. With empathy, help hearing screening for you certificate of thanks. The first two years of and your immediate family and have a full line of high- them understand the importance of the needed membership produce the most results. support of all retired educators. And . . . the truth quality hearing instruments available. Call 1-800-286- is membership in KRTA is equal to less than 5.5 11. Actively engage new members: Th e best way to 6149 or visit the web at www.hearinamerica.com. retain members is to actively engage them. If they cents a day or $1.67 a month! Long-Term Care Insurance. KRTA’s partner National start missing meetings, give them a call to fi nd out Health Administrators serves as the consultant and 2. Involve more members: “It takes a village.” why before it becomes a chronic situation. Workshop participants were encouraged to put third-party administrator and works with three volunteers to work and give a ‘motivational push’ to 12. Involve the membership in retention efforts providers—John Hancock, Prudential, and Genworth . members who will help if asked. *Suggested help— (suggested activity): Divide your membership into Th is makes it possible to tailor a policy suitable for each pp. 26-27, “Responsibilities of Membership groups, for instance; 10 or 15 retirees—or each individual. For information call 1-866-899-5796. group could represent the school or offi ce from Committee” Senior Care. Two partnerships providing senior care in which they retired. Each group is responsible for diff erent parts of the state, Comfort Keepers (1-877-257- Tell a Friend . . . It’s as easy as A-B-C! their “team”—to see to each ones needs, to provide KRTA) and Home Instead (1-866-886-6831), are now Ask local or district members to participate in a transportation, and/or to secure their membership available at preferred rates for KRTA members. Services contest: How many ADD (white) cards can each each year, both locally and state. When it’s time to off ered include personal care, meal preparation, errand one get? Off er prizes. At the same time, by labeling contact new retirees, each team is responsible for services, respite and relief for families, conversation and each white card on the back with the sponsor’s their own school or offi ce. Strive to get all ADD companionship, and light housekeeping and laundry name, they will be entered in a drawing at the cards for each team; make it a contest. service. KRTA offi ce for an all-expense paid trip for two Automatic Dues Deduction cards for the current year North American Life Plans off ers Life Insurance and to the 2012 KRTA Convention. were due in the KRTA offi ce by November 4. Forms LifeLock Identity Th eft Protection. LifeLock is the 3. Use materials that show benefi ts: Choose a few with $20 checks are due by January 14 to count for newest benefi t to KRTA’s long list of discounted services. pieces that best suit the recruitment eff ort. Don’t this membership year. ADD cards with those CASH It is the #1 provider of protection against identity overwhelm the recruit with papers. *Suggested members can be held and activated for dues deduction help—pp. 53-67, “Recruitment Materials” next November. (Continued on page 9) PAGE 8 KRTA NEWS DECEMBER 2011

Kentucky Teachers’ Retirement System Th e KTRS Board of Trustees consists • Reduces request from general fund this of nine members—Barbara G. Sterrett, biennium by $61 million INTRODUCTION Robert Conley, Ronald L. Sanders, • Reduces the unfunded liability by $2.8 Kentucky Teachers’ Retirement System staff Charles Ludwig, Laura Zimmerman, billion Ruth Ann Sweazy,Dr. Tom Shelton, members traveled with the Fall Workshop If this HB 540 had not passed we would the Chief State School Officer (Dr. team and presented in each district. Workshop not have a long-term solution to fund Terry Holliday) and the Kentucky State attendees received the latest news concerning their retiree health care. Th e medical benefi t Treasurer (Todd Hollenbach). retirement system, insurance and legislative issues. for retired teachers under age 65 would PATHYWAY PROJECT Jane Gilbert was on hand to explain the state of the have gone away and teachers upon insurance fund while Elaine Rall, Debi Newman, Very simply this system will provide retiring would have to pay the full cost and Becky Niece updated issues with KTRS the backbone of KTRS services to its of health care, currently $7,068 per investment performance and governance. KTRS members as they each travel their own year (in addition to the Medicare Part Executive Secretary Gary Harbin joined the team path. Th e new system will open up a host B premium at age 65). Under Shared in Jeff erson County. of new website interactive opportunities Responsibility, active members will between members and KTRS, and will Gary Harbin, KTRS Defined Benefit Plan (instead of a defined have medical benefits available when allow members to directly access and Executive Secretary contribution plan). Contributions from the active they retire. As is clearly evident, without transact in their retirement accounts. teacher plus the employer match lasts six years. Aft er that, the retiree’s annuity is paid medical benefi ts, retirement security is On June 20, 2011, the Board of Trustees from investments. Due to the outstanding investment practices of KTRS, retirees uncertain. Th e likely outcome would took action to approve the actual building will draw their annuity for the remainder of their lives. Th e number of members be that teachers would need to work and installation of the Pathway System. over 100 years old still drawing annuities increases each year. much longer (closer to age 65) to make Work began in August 2011 and will take up for the loss of this benefi t. Shared Th e national atmosphere of pension plans is putting our Defi ned Benefi t Plan under approximately 4 years to complete. Responsibility means teachers will be attack. We can call it “Pension Envy.” While many folks have had their pension LEGISLATION. able to retire at a time of their choice, with plans go awry, ours has not. Th erefore, we have become the envy of others. It has greater retirement security. worked successfully for us for 70 years and with our positive fi nancial investment Bond Issue #1: Th e KTRS Pension Fund record, it should not be changed to a Defi ned Contribution plan received $465.4 million from a bond Retirees under age 65, regardless of issued by the Commonwealth in August retirement date, who receive medical SYSTEM STATISTICS (presented by Elaine Rall, Debi Newman, or Becky Niece) 2010. Th ese bond proceeds repaid the benefi ts through the Kentucky Employees’ Field of Membership. As of December 2010, there were 59,531 active educators, pension fund for the balance due from Health Plan, began contributing an 15,199 of which were eligible to retire (27+ years). Th ere are presently 137,701 the commonwealth for amounts used to additional amount to the Medical members of KTRS. Th at includes 75,698 Contributing Members;17,763 Inactives; pay retiree health care since 2004. Insurance Fund eff ective July 1, 2010. and 44,279 Retired, Benefi ciaries, and Survivors. During June and July of 2011, there Bond Issue #2: The KTRS Medical Th is amount is based on the standard were 1,139 new retirees. (Over 5,100 retirees are over 80 years of age, including 46 who Insurance Fund received $268,000,000 Medicare Part B premium that is currently are over 100—one of in early 2011 from an additional bond paid by retirees age 65 and over. the reasons we should issued by the Commonwealth to fund Eff ective July 1, 2010: Employers began be thankful for the its portion of retiree health care for FY contributing to the KTRS retiree medical defi ned benefi t plan). 2010-11 and FY 2011-12. insurance fund. Employer’s contribution Impact. The sole RETIREE HEALTH CARE. We are rate will phase from .25% to 3.0% over reason KTRS exists fortunate that Jane Gilbert was able the next six years. Th e State of Kentucky is to provide monthly to present this portion at all workshop will pay the net health care cost of all new checks for its 44,279 locations She explained the KTRS retirees retirees and their Next Step 1 beneficiaries and Steps Toward “Shared Responsibility.” survivors. This • The Board, as fiduciary, directs means $117 million actuary to provide options goes into the state • Protect pension plan and the security of economy. The its members positive impact—for • Education community develops Spear-head by U of K and managed by school districts, for solution from options members, and for state and local economies—cannot be overemphasized. KTRS Express Scripts. • Shared Responsibility plan becomes HB distributes hundreds of millions of dollars annually—what amounts over the last • Leveraging greater prescription 540 three years to 6,675 jobs at $40,000 each. In most counties, the school district is purchasing power • Legislature & Governor approve HB 540 the largest employer. • Deeper drug discounts •Implements plan of shared responsibility Actuarial Status. Th e pre-funded Retirement Benefi t Fund is at 61% and the pre- • Dedicated U of K pharmacist assigned funding developed by Kentucky’s education funded Medical Benefi t Fund is at 7.5%—the latter transitioning to Pre-funded as to KTRS and available by phone to: community of July 1, 2010. Field prescription questions and Help UPDATE ON INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE (presented by Elaine Rall, Debi • Establishes technical provisions necessary fi nd lower-cost generic equivalent or Newman, or Becky Niece) to comply with IRS code alternative drugs • Preserves medical benefi t into the future KTRS Returns for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2011. Preliminary return is 21.4% • Under 65 retirees & active teachers for today’s active teachers and the market value of assets currently stands at $15.2 billion. already have Express Scripts • Protects retirees under age 65 from Changes in Asset Allocation is also a signifi cant factor. Th e biggest change since administering their drug plan paying full cost for health care and over 2000 is in international stocks—from 0.0% to 15.1%. Since 2007 large cap stocks Here’s what this change means for you: 65 from paying more for health care are down, mid cap stocks are up and small cap stocks remain the same. A balanced 1. New drug ID cards issued before portfolio means diversifi ed assets for long-term success. • Allows teachers to retire in normal January fashion saving districts $200 -$350 million UPDATE ON INVESTMENT GOVERNANCE (presented by Elaine Rall, Debi 2. No substantial changes to the existing per year and the state $26 - $46 million per Newman, or Becky Niece) KTRS MEHP drug plan design year (Continued on page 9) DECEMBER 2011 KRTA NEWS PAGE 9

(Continued from “KTRS” page 8) Humana/ Legislative SilverSneakers Update Co-Chairs Bobby Humes & Ray Roundtree & Presented by various Don Hines, 5th District Chair Humana Representatives 3. Same deductible, coinsurance rates, A Year of Major Accomplishments and copayment structure Retirees Age 65 and Over: Medicare  KTRS governance kept intact 4. Same pharmacy access Eligible Health Plan (MEHP)  System kept actuarially sound Next Step 2 MEHP Open Enrollment for Plan  Medical insurance funding resolved (HB540) • Most national drug manufacturers Year 2011 will be October 15 through  Annuity funds borrowed to pay for medical have agreed to a 50% discount off of December 7 insurance repaid to the system (HB531) brand drug ingredient costs, as part — You may continue to use any Provider  A 1½% cola for each year of the budget of federal health care reform. When who accepts Medicare and agrees to  KTRS remains a strong defi ned benefi t a retired member’s aggregate drug bill Humana. program cost reaches a certain threshold aka coverage gap or donut hole — You will need to continue Medicare Th e fi rst and last items above are the most coverage and pay the Part B premium important in the list. We need to continue to • KTRS will work behind the scenes to to Social Security. remind legislators that we need to continue the take advantage of these discounts SilverSneakers “match”. . . and that last one will be one of the • Seamless to retirees major issues in the future. About one-third of the MEHP members • No material changes to the existing 2012—A Critical Year Legislatively “We must belong to SilverSneakers, a “value-added drug plan design be prepared!” Don Hines benefi t” (free). Visit www.silversneakers. • Could be some preferred and non- com for nutrition programs, exercises,  Keep our pension program as a defi ned preferred formulary diff erences and and other helps. benefi t program. tier-to-tier cost diff erences, which √ Keep governance of KTRS as is; i.e., elected trustees. drug plan already experiences SilverSneakers Steps (for members √ Maintain full funding for our retirement program. In conjunction with Federal Health Care without convenient access to a location)  Continue to work closely with our legislators on retirement issues. includes the following: Reform, Medicare Preventive Services 2012 Legislative Program is on page 12 of this publication. covered at 100% in 2012 • A Personal Exercise Tracker It is important that each of us educate our retirees and our legislators on the Screenings: • A special welcome gift • An activity planner & tracking logs following important facts: • Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm • Invitations to participate in themed  Retired teachers are not covered by Social Security. Th ere is no fi nancial • Colorectal reporting contests safety net for Kentucky's retired teachers. • Diabetes • Quarterly newsletters  KTRS was established in 1938 because Kentucky's retired teachers were not • Glaucoma permitted by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to participate in the • HIV KTRS & Humana Website Social Security program. • Mammography www.ktrs.ky.gov 1-800-618-1687  Approximately 44,000 retired teachers,, benefi ciaries and survivors receive • Prostate Cancer annuity payments each month. Physical, Training, Therapy, www.humana.com  Over $1.6 billion in annuity and medical payments are distributed yearly Education and Other MEHP 1-866-396-8810 providing a signifi cant positive economic impact on all of Kentucky's local • Bone Mass Measurement KEHP 1-877-597-7474 communities. • Cardiovascular Disease Testing  Historically, approximately 70% of the retirement allowance distributed • Diabetes Self-Managment Training MyHumana.com annually comes from KTRS’ investment earnings. • Immunizations Log in and create your own webpage • Kidney Disease Education Services account. It includes an 18-month Ray says the main thing is to “stay abreast of national issues; they may come to • Nutrition Th erapy summary of your activity, including Kentucky,” especially public pension issues. • Pap Smear doctors, hospitals, other information. Continue to work closely with legislators, thanking them by recognizing them at • Pelvic Exam Humana Medicare Nurses off er help for local meetings. Also, continue to thank Gary Harbin, Executive Secretary of KTRS, • Routine Physical his staff , and the Board of Trustees. “Th ey work hard for us,” says Bobby. • Smoking Cessation (Medicare ) (Continued on page 10 )

(Continued from “Health & Insurance” page 7) theft . You’ll want to check out the services off ered under this plan. Contact Keith Hazelbaker or Jeff Johnson at 1-888-362-1214 Automobile and Homeowners Insurance. Th e auto and home insurance advantage ‘Group Savings Plus’ has been off ered to KRTA members for several years by Liberty Mutual. Mention Client #8815 when you call 1-800-835-0894 for a free no-obligation rate quote. Retirement Counseling. RIPE! for Retirement is available for your counseling needs. Contact Kay at 502-326-8962 or kayg001@gmail,.com

Ray Roundtree Bobby Humes PAGE 10 KRTA NEWS DECEMBER 2011

(Continued from “Humana” page 9) (Continued from “Personally Speaking” pg 2) any of your health problems—just ask: sustainable.” At the state and local levels, many public pension funds are √ Acute Episodic Case Management facing challenges in obtaining adequate √ Humana Cares Complex Case contribution rates because of serious Management budget defi cits. Public pension funds √ Field and Home-Based Clinical also seem to be under attack by some Management in the academic community. Th e press √ On-site Review Nurse Kim Dues, Tonya Broell, Susan Jury & Erica Hillard seems to pile on story aft er story about Humana A major portion of the Humana extravagant benefi ts. presentations was spent emphasizing Peggy Hullander Express Scripts Most information used to attack public STEP IT UP. pension funds is not representative of the industry as a whole, nor does it paint a fair picture. Most information is taken out of context or generated from analyses using extreme assumptions that are neither practical nor reasonable. Although we face an uphill battle in dealing with attacks on public pension funds, it is “time to stand up and be Lucy Wells & Jen O’Daniel counted.” Listen closely to what our Express Scripts Joey Payne & Jill Nochren elected federal and state legislators Express Scripts are saying about us. Support those Ken Shulz’s crazy antics always get our who support us and work to replace attention. This year at Carter Caves those who attack us and disrespect our (Eastern District workshop), Ken wore profession and our contributions. the bat hat sold at the gift shop. Final Thoughts His challenge to all of us this year was, Working on your behalf these past 10 “Go to health!” Doctors and hospitals are years has been a most rewarding and not just to cure us, but to prevent us from humbling experience and one that I getting sick. A number of tests and health could not have envisioned when I began screenings will be free this year. Ken said in 2002. As 2011 draws to a close, I leave √ Can you be healthiER? you with the words that John Wooden, √ Can you be happiER? former UCLA basketball coach, shared √ Can you be more activER? with others on numerous occasions. I hope this message will have some He says he’d rather add an ER (to active) Debby Murrell & Ken Shulz relevancy in your continued “good than ride in an ambulance to the ER. Th is Alicia DeMoss & Jeri Evans work” in KRTA. is why it is important to STEP IT UP. SilverSneakers Healthcare isn’t always about shots and 1. Be true to yourself needles—it’s about prevention. 2. Help others 3. Make each day a masterpiece and yourself better 4. Make friendship a fi ne art 5. Drink deeply from good books 6. Build a shelter against a rainy day 7. Give thanks for our blessings everyday

Andrea Elmore Silver Sneakers Leeann Uebel, Courtney DeLong,Jane Gilbert & Tami McMichael Kentucky Teachers’ Retirement System

Debi Newman Kim Gossman KTRS Silver Sneakers Becky Kloos Express Scripts Julie Rogers, Elaine Rall & Ashley Briscoe Kentucky Teachers’ Retirement System Becky Niece KTRS DECEMBER 2011 KRTA NEWS PAGE 11

2012 KY GENERAL ASSEMBLY . . . NOTE Senate Offi cers and/or Committee KRTA GUIDE Chairs are subject to change when 2012 Legislative Session the Session begins. , Governor , Lt. Governor SENATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS

President ...... David L. Williams Speaker ...... Greg Stumbo President Pro Tem ...... Speaker Pro Tem ...... Larry Clark PARTY LEADERS PARTY LEADERS Democrats Democrats Floor Leader ...... R. J. Palmer, II Floor Leader ...... Caucus Chairman ...... Caucus Chairman ...... Robert Damron Whip ...... Jerry Rhoads Whip ...... Tommy Thompson Republicans Republicans Floor Leader ...... Floor Leader ...... Jeffrey Hoover Caucus Chairman ...... Caucus Chairman ...... Bob DeWeese Whip ...... Whip ...... Danny Ford APPROPRIATIONS AND REVENUE APPROPRIATIONS AND REVENUE Bob Leeper (I) Chair (D) Committee Chair John A. Arnold (D) Vice Chair Walter Blevins, Jr. (D) (R) Bob DeWeese (R) Vice Chair (D) Ernie Harris (R) (R) Vice Chair R. J. Palmer, II (D) (R) Fred Nessler (D) Vice Chair (D) Vernie McGaha (R) (D) Vice Chair Ray S. Jones, II(D) Brandon Smith (R) (D) Vice Chair Gerald A. Neal (D) (R) Royce W. Adams (D) (D) (R) Jack Westwood (R) Jessie Crenshaw (D) (D) Joe Bowen (R) Mike Wilson (R) (D) John “Bam” Carney (R) (R) (D) (R) Derrick Graham (D) Danny Ford (R) BANKING AND INSURANCE Keith Hall (D) Lonnie Napier (R) Tom Buford (R) Chair Sannie Overly (D) Tommy Turner (R) Julie Denton (R) Vice Chair (D) Alecia W Edgington (R) Julian M. Carroll (D) Tom Jensen (R) (D) , III (R) (D) (R) Richard Henderson (D) (R) (D) Brandon Smith (R) (D) Ron Crimm (R) Jerry Rhoads (D) Jared Carpenter (R) Dan Seum (R) BANKING AND INSURANCE EDUCATION (D) Chair Ken Winters (R) Chair , Jr. (R) Vice Chair Vernie McGaha (R) Vice Chair (D) Vice Chair Walter Blevins, Jr. (D) David Givens (R) Ron Crimm (R) Vice Chair (D) Alice Forgy Kerr (R) Mike Denham (D) Vice Chair R. J. Palmer (D) Jared Carpenter (R) Brent Houseman (R) Vice Chair Johnny Ray Turner (D) Jack Westwood (R) (D) Vice Chair Denise Harper Angel (D) Jimmy Higdon (R) Kevin Sinnette (D) Vice Chair Mike Wilson (R) (D) Joseph M. Fisher (R) Robert R. Damron (D) Danny Ford (R) HEALTH AND WELFARE Ted Edmonds (D) (R) Julie Denton (R) Chair (D) (R) David Givens (R) Vice Chair Dennie Horlander (D) (R) Dennis Parrett (D) Katie Kratz Stine (R) Dennis Keene (D) Michael Meredith (R) Perry B. Clark (D) Alice Forgey Kerr (R) Sanny Overly (D) (R) Denise Harper Angel (D) Jack Westwood (R) Jody Richards (D) (R) Joey Pendleton (D) Joe Bowen (R) Arnold Simpson (D) John Tilly (D) Tom Buford (R) Tommy Thompson (D) David Watkins (D) (D) STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT EDUCATION (R) Chair Carl Rollins II (D) Chair John Schickel (R) Vice Chair Linda Belcher (D) Vice Chair Walter Blevins, Jr. (D) Jimmy Higdon (R) John “Bam” Carney (R) Vice Chair R. J. Palmer, II (D) Dan Seum (R) Ted Edmonds (D) Vice Chair Gerald A. Neal (D) Tom Jensen (R) Charles Miller (D) Vice Chair Johnny Ray Turner (D) Alice Forgey Kerr (R) Tom Riner (D) Vice Chair Robert Stivers, II (R) Kent Stevens (D) Vice Chair Wilson Stone (D) Vice Chair TOLL FREE NUMBERS Alecia Webb-Edgington (R) Vice Chair (D) Jim DeCesare (R) Legislative Hotline: 1-866-840-2835 Bill Status Line: 1-800-633-9650 Leslie Combs (D) C. B. Embry (R) Leave a Message: 1-800-372-7181 TYY Message Line: 1-800-896-0305 (D) Bill Farmer (R) Legislative Calendar: 1-800-633-9650 En Espanol: 1-800-840-6574 PAGE 12 KRTA NEWS DECEMBER 2011

“House of Representatives” Continued from Page 11 Jimmie Higdon (14) Dan “Malano” Seum (38) 344 North Spalding 1107 Holly Ave. HOUSE Kelly Flood (D) Dwayne Bunch (R) Lebanon, KY 40033 Fairdale, KY 40118 Jim Glenn (D) Jody Richards (R) (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (32) Derrick Graham (D) David Watkins (R (Work) 270-692-3881 (Home) 502-749-2859 Reginald Meeks (D) (R) 213 South Lyndon Ln. Louisville, KY 40222 (D) Donna Mayfi eld (R) Paul R. Hornback (20) Tim Shaughnessy (19) (LRC) 502-564-8100 (D) Ryan Quarles (R) 6102 Cropper Rd. 9712 Southen Breeze Ln. (Home) 502-744-9264 (R) (R) Shelbyville, KY 40065 Louisville, KY 40299 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 Royce W. Adams (61) HEALTH AND WELFARE (Home) 502-461-9005 (Work) 502-584-1920 (D) Chair 580 Bannister Pike Dry Ridge, KY 41035 Bob DeWeese (R) Vice Chair Tom Jensen (21) Brandon Smith (30) (LRC) 502-564-8100 David Watkins (D) Vice Chair 303 South Main St 350 Kentucky Blvd. (Home) 859-428-1039 London, KY 40741 Hazard, KY 41701 John A. Arnold (D) Scott Brinkman (R) (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 Rocky Adkins (99) Jim Glenn (D) John “Bam” Carney (R) (Home) 606-878-8845 (Home) 606-436-4526 PO Box 688 (D) Brent Houseman (R) Sandy Hook, KY 41171 (D) Tim Moore (R) Ray S. Jones II (31) Kathy W. Stein (13) (LRC) 502-564-8100 Reginald Meeks (D) Addia Wuchner (R) P O Drawer 3850 364 Transylvania Pk. (Home) 606-738-4242 Daryl T. Owens (D) Susan Westrom (D) Pikeville, KY 41502 Lexington, KY 40508 Ruth Ann Palumbo (D) (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 John A. Arnold Jr. (7) (Work) 606-432-5777 (Home) 859-252-1500 P O Box 124 STATE GOVERNMENT Sturgis, KY 42459 Mike Cherry (D) Chair Alice Forgy Kerr (12) Katie Kratz Stine (24) (LRC) 502-564-8100 3274 Gondola Dr. 21 Fairway Dr. Jim Glenn (D) Vice Chair (Work) 270-333-4641 Derrick Graham (D) Vice Chair Lexington, KY 40513 Southgate, KY 41071 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 Lonnie Napier (R) Vice Chair Linda Belcher (49) (Home) 859-223-3274 (Home) 859-781-5311 Carl Rollins (D) Vice Chair 4804 Hickory Hollow Ln. Steven Ruby (R) Vice Chair Shepherdsville, KY 40165 Bob Leeper (2) Robert Stivers II (25) Johnny Bell (D) Kevin D. Bratcher (R) (LRC) 502-564-8100 229 South Friendship Rd. 207 Main St. (Home) 502-957-2793 Leslie Combs (D) Dwight Butler (R) Paducah, KY 42003 Manchester, KY 40962 Will Coursey (D) John “Bam” Carney (R) (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 Johnny Bell (23) Melvin B. Henley (D) Danny Ford (R) (Home) 270-554-2771 (Home) 606-598-8575 Linda Belcher (D) Brad Montell (R) 108 North Green St. Glasgow, KY 42141 Jimmie Lee (D) Sal Santora (R) Vernie McGaha (15) Damon Thayer (17) (LRC) 502-564-8100 Sannie Overly (D) Martha Jane King (D) 4787 W Hwy 76 102 Grayson Way (Home) 270-590-0110 (D) Tom Riner (D) Russell Springs, KY 42642 Georgetown, KY 40324 John Tilly (D) Alecia Webb-Edgington (R) (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 Kevin D. Bratcher (29) Tommy Thompson (D) John Will Stacy (D) (Home) 270-866-3068 (Home) 859-621-6956 Jim Wayne (D) Brent Yonts (D) 10215 Landwood Dr. Louisville, KY 40291 Gerald A. Neal (33) Johnny Ray Turner (29) (LRC) 502-564-8100 Suite 2150 Meidinger Tower 85 Kentucky Route 1101 (Home) 502-231-3311 General Assembly 462 South 4th St. Drift, KY 41619 Louisville, KY 40202 (LRC) 502-564-8100 VACANT (82) Names and Addresses (LRC) 502-564-8100 (Home) 606-377-6962 (Home) 502-776-1222 Tom Burch (30) Robin L. Webb (18) 4012 Lambert Ave. R. J. Palmer II (28) 404 W Main St. Julian M. Carroll (7) Louisville, KY 40218 1391 McClure Rd. Grayson, KY 41143 SENATE 702 Capitol Ave (LRC) 502-564-8100 Winchester, KY 40391 (LRC) 502-564-8100 Annex Room 229 (Home) 502-454-4002 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (Home) 606-474-5380 Frankfort, KY 40601 Denise Harper Angel (35) (Home) 859-737-2945 (LRC) 502-564-8100 Dwight D. Butler (18) 2521 Ransdell Ave. Jack Westwood (23) P O Box 9 Louisville, KY 40204 Dennis L. Parrett (10) 209 Graves Ave. Perry B. Clark (37) Harned, KY 40144 (LRC) 502-564-8100 731 Thomas Rd Erlanger, KY 41018- 5716 New Cut Rd (LRC) 502-564-8100 (Home) 502-452-9130 Elizabethtown, KY 42701 (LRC) 502-564-8100 Louisville, KY 40214 (Home) 270-756-0100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (Home) 859-344-6154 (LRC) 502-564-8100 Walter Blevins, Jr. (27) (Home) 270-765-4565 (Work) 270-756-5931 (Home) 502-366-1247 115 Hill N Dale David L. Williams (16) John “Bam” Carney (51) Morehead, KY 40351 Joey Pendleton (3) P O Box 666 Julie Denton (36) 341 Pembroke Way (LRC) 502-564-8100 905 Hurst Dr. Burkesville, KY 42717 1708 Golden Leaf Way Campbellsville, KY 42718 (Home) 606-743-1212 Hopkinsville, KY 42240 (LRC) 502-564-8100 Louisville, KY 40245 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (Work) 606-743-1200 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (Home) 270-433-7777 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (Home) 270-885-1639 (Home) 270-465-5400 (Home) 502-489-9058 Joe Bowen (8) Mike Wilson (16) Mike Cherry (4) 2031 Fieldcrest Dr. Jerry P. Rhoads (6) 635 Crossings Ct. Carroll Gibson (5) 803 S Jefferson Owensboro, KY 42301 9 East Center St. Bowling Green, KY 42104 P O Box 506 Princeton, KY 42445 (LRC) 502-564-8100 Madisonville, KY 42431 (LRC) 502-564-8100 Leitchfi eld, KY 42755 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (Home) 270-685-1859 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (Home) 270-781-7326 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (Home) 270-825-2949 (Home) 270-365-7801 (Home) 270-230-5866 Tom Buford (22) Ken Winters (1) Larry Clark (46) 409 W Maple St. Dorsey Ridley (4) 1500 Glendale Rd. David Givens (9) 5913 Whispering Hills Blvd. Nicholasville, KY 40356 4030 Hidden Creek Dr. Murray, KY 42075 P O Box 12 Louisville, KY 40219 (LRC) 502-564-8100 Henderson, KY 42420 (LRC) 502-564-8100 Greensburg, KY 42743 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (Home) 859-885-0606 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (Home) 270-759-5751 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (Home) 270-826-5402 (Home) 502-968-3546 Jared Carpenter (34) Ernie Harris (26) John Schickel (11) 138 Legacy Dr Hubert Collins (97) P O Box 1073 2147 Natches Trace Berea, KY 40403 72 Collins Dr. Crestwood, KY 40014 Union, KY 41091 (LRC) 502-564-8100 Wittensville, KY 41274 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (Home) 859-623-7199 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (Home) 502-241-8307 (Home) 859-384-7506 (Home) 606-297-3152 DECEMBER 2011 KRTA NEWS PAGE 13

Leslie Combs (94) Bill Farmer (88) Melvin B. Henley (5) Mary Lou Marzian (34) (59) 245 E Cedar Dr. 3361 Squire Oak Dr. 1305 South 16th St. 2007 Tyler Ln. P O Box 8 Pikeville, KY 41501 Lexington, KY 40515 Murray, KY 42071-2809 Louisville, KY 40205 Prospect, KY 40059 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (Home) 606-477-6672 (Home) 859-272-8675 (Home) 270-753-3855 (Home) 502-451-5032 (Home) 502-228-3201

James R. Comer Jr. (53) Joseph M. Fischer (68) (83) Donna Mayfi eld (73) Sannie Overly (72) P O Box 338 126 Dixie Pl. P O Box 985 2059 Elkin Station Rd. 340 Main St. Tompkinsville, KY 42167 Ft Thomas, KY 41075 Jamestown, KY 42629 Winchester, KY 40391 Paris, KY 40361 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (Home) 270-487-5585 (Home) 859-781-6965 (Home) 270-343-2264 (Home) 859.745.5941 (Home) 859-987-9879

Tim Couch (90) Kelly Flood (75) Dennis Hor1ander (40) Tom McKee (78) Darryl T. Owens (43) P O Box 710 121 Arcadia Park 1806 Farnsley Rd. Suite 6 1053 Cook Rd. 1018 S. 4th. St. Ste. 100 Hyden, KY 41749 Lexington, KY 40503 Shively, KY 40216 Cynthiana, KY 41031 Louisville, KY 40203 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (Home) 606-672-8998 (Home) 859-221-3107 (Home) 502-447-4715 (Home) 859-234-5879 (Home) 502-584-6341 Ruth Ann Palumbo (76) Will Coursey (6) (50) Brent Housman (3) Reginald Meeks (42) 10 Deepwood Dr. P O Box 467 102 Maywood Ave. 2307 Jefferson St. P O Box 757 Lexington, KY 40505 Benton, KY 42025-0467 Bardstown, KY 40004 Paducah, KY 42001 Louisville, KY 40201 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (Home) 859-299-2597 (Home) 270-527-4610 (Home) 502-350-0986 (Home) 270-366-6611 (Work) 502-772-1095 Tanya Pullin (98) (77) Danny Ford (80) Wade Hurt Michael Meredith (19) 1026 Johnson Ln. 121 Constitution St. P O Box 1245 4507 Bellevue Ave. P.O. Box 292 South Shore, KY 41175 Lexington, KY 40507 Mt. Vernon, KY 40456 Louisville, KY 40215 Brownsville, KY 42210 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (Work) 606-932-2505 (Home) 859-252-6967 (Home) 606-256-4446 (Home) 502.424.1544 (Work) 270-597-6049 Ryan Quarles (62) Ron Crimm (33) Jim Glenn (13) Joni L. Jenkins (44) Charles Miller (28) P.O. Box 1001 P O Box 43244 P O Box 21562 2010 O’Brien Ct. 3608 Gateview Cir. Georgetown, KY 40324 Louisville, KY 40253 Owensboro, KY 42304 Shively, KY 40216 Louisville, KY 40272 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (Home) 859-229-9850 (Home) 502-245-8905 (Home) 270-686-8760 (Home) 502-447-4324 (Home) 502-937-7788 Marie Rader (89) Robert R. Damron (39) Jim Gooch, Jr. (12) Dennis Keene (67) Terry Mills (24) P O Box 323 231 Fairway W 714 North Broadway B2 1040 Johns Hill Rd. 695 McElroy Pk. McKee, KY 40447 Nicholasville, KY 40356 Providence, KY 42450 Wilder, KY 41076 Lebanon, KY 40033 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (Home) 606-287-7303 (Home) 859-887-1744 (Home) 270-667-7327 (Home) 859-441-5894 (Home) 270-692-2757 Rick Rand (47) Jim DeCesare (21) Derrick Graham (57) Thomas Kerr (64) Brad Montell (58) P O Box 273 P O Box 122 157 Bellemeade Dr. 5415 Old Taylor Mill 543 Main St. Bedford, KY 40006 Rockfi eld, KY 42274 Frankfort, KY 40601 Taylor Mill, KY 41015 P O Box 1016 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 Shelbyville, KY 40065 (Home) 502-255-3392 (Home) 270-792-5779 (Home) 502-223-1769 (Home) 859-356-1344 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (Home) 502-633-7533 Jody Richards (20) Mike Denham (70) Jeff Greer (27) (55) 817 Culpeper St 306 Old Hill City Rd. P O Box 1007 250 Bright Leaf Dr. Tim Moore (26) Bowling Green, KY 42103 Maysville, KY 41056 Brandenburg, KY 40108 Harrodsburg, KY 40330 417 Bates Rd. (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 Elizabethtown, KY 42701 (Home) 270-842-6731 (Home) 606-759-5167 (Home) 270-422-5100 (Home) 859.734.2174 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (Home) 270-769-5878 Steve Riggs (31) Bob M. DeWeese (48) Sara Beth Gregory Martha Jane King (16) P O Box 24586 6206 Glenhill Rd. 1900 N. Main St. Lake Malone Lonnie Napier (36) Louisville, KY 40224 Louisville,KY 40222 Monticello, KY 42633 633 Little Cliff Estates 302 Danville St. (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 Lewisburg, KY 42256 Lancaster, KY 40444 (Home) 502-426-5565 (Home) 606-348-9767 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 Tom Riner (41) (Home) 270-657-2707 (Home) 859-792-4860 1143 E Broadway (9) Keith Hall (93) Louisville, KY 40204 491 E Nashville St. P O Box 466 Adam Koenig (69) Rick G. Nelson (87) (LRC) 502-564-8100 Pembroke, KY 42266 Phelps, KY 41553 3346 Canterbury Ct. Rt. 3 Box 686 (Home) 502-584-3639 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 Erlanger, KY 41018 Middlesboro, KY 40965 (Home) 270-475-9503 (Home) 606-456-8666 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 Carl Rollins II (56) (Home) 859-578-9258 (Home) 606-248-8828 P O Box 424 Ted Edmonds (91) Mike Harmon (54) Midway, KY 40347 1257 Beattyville Rd. 633 North 3rd St. Jimmie Lee (25) Michael Nemes (38) (LRC) 502-564-8100 Jackson, KY 41339 Danville, KY 40422 901 Dogwood Dr. 5318 Westhall Ave (Home) 859-846-4407 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 Elizabethtown, KY 42701 Louisville, KY 40214 (Home) 606-666-4823 (Home) 859-238-7792 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (1) (Home) 270-737-8889 (Home) 502-807-2423 3430 Blueridge Dr. C. B. Embry Jr. (17) Richard Henderson (74) W Paducah, KY 42086 P O Box 1215 60 Myers Cemetery Rd. (45) Fred Nesler (2) (LRC) 502-564-8100 Morgantown, KY 42261 Jeffersonville, KY 40337 P O Box 2090 P O Box 308 (Home) 270-744-8137 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 Lexington, KY 40588 Mayfi eld, KY 42066 (Home) 270-791-1879 (Home) 859-585-0886 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 Sal Santoro (60) (Home) 859-252-2202 (Home) 270-247-8557 596 Walterlot Ct. Florence, KY 41042 Kentucky Retired Teachers Association Kentucky Teachers Retirement System (LRC) 502-564-8100 (Home) 859-371-8840 Louisville, Kentucky Frankfort, Kentucky www.krta.org http://.ktrs.ky.gov PAGE 14 KRTA NEWS DECEMBER 2011

John Short John Tilley (8) P.O. Box 133 (92) P O Box 1065 2012 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM Hindman, KY 41822 Hopkinsville, KY 42241-1065 (LRC) Approved by the Delegate Assembly on April 19, 2011 (LRC) 502-564-8100 502-564-8100 (Work) 606-549-0900 (Home) 270-881-4717

Arnold Simpson (65) Tommy Turner (85) 112 West 11th St. 175 Clifty Grove Church Rd. ITEM I: KEEP THE GOVERNANCE OF KTRS ACCESSIBLE HEALTH INSURANCE Covington, KY 41011 Somerset, KY 42501 AS IT IS PRESENTLY CONSTITUTED. COVERAGE FOR ALL RETIREES. (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 (Home) 859-581-6521 (Home) 606-274-5175 COMMENT: Th e Board of Trustees acting as a COMMENT: The current health insurance semi-independent state agency has a record of programs provided by KTRS must be continued Kevin Sinnette (100) Ben Waide (10) seventy-two (72) years of successful management as per agreements with retirees. P O Box 1358 100 YMCA Dr Ste 5 that is unsurpassed in state government. Th e Ashland, KY 41105-1358 Madisonville, KY 42431 ITEM VIII: SUPPORT LEGISLATION (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 present trustee election process has served the REQUIRING LONG-TERM CARE (LTC) (Home) 606-324-5711 (Work) 270-824-9227 best interest of Kentucky’s public school teachers INSURANCE CARRIERS TO SUBMIT RATE Rita Smart (81) and retirees for many years with marked success. David Watkins (11) INCREASES TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, 419 W. Main St. 5600 Timberlane Dr. ITEM II: OPPOSE ANY LEGISLATION THAT AS WELL AS THE DEPARTMENT OF Richmond, KY 40475 Henderson, KY 42420 (LRC) 502-564-8100 WOULD ENDANGER THE ACTUARIAL INSURANCE, AND ALLOW INTERVENTION (LRC) 502-564-8100 (Home) 859-623-7876 SOUNDNESS OF KTRS. BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. (Home) 270-826-0952

John Will Stacy (71) COMMENT: KTRS must be operated in a COMMENT: During the past three (3) years, Jim Wayne (35) P O Box 135 manner that assures earned benefi ts are paid in a the Kentucky Department of Insurance (KDOI) 1280 Royal Ave West Liberty, KY 41472 Louisville, KY 40204 timely manner. Both present and future retirees has permitted huge rate increases ( i.e.111%) by (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 must be considered in any and all decisions long-term care insurance carriers. Th e increases (Home) 606-743-1516 (Work) 502-451-8262 relating to benefi ts to be paid, the funding of are intolerable for individuals on fi xed incomes. Fitz Steele (84) these benefi ts and the investment of the systems’ Unlike auto and homeowner policy holders, Alecia Webb-Edgington (63) 176 Woodland Ave. 1650 Chestnut Ct. resources. LTC policy holders do not have an option to Hazard, KY 41701 Ft. Wright, KY 41011 change insurance companies. Copies of request (LRC) 502-564-8100 ITEM III: MAINTAIN KTRS AS A DEFINED (LRC) 502-564-8100 (Home) 606-439-0556 BENEFIT GROUP RETIREMENT PLAN. for other insurance rate increases are forwarded (Home) 859-426-7322 to the Attorney General’s offi ce when fi led with Jim Stewart III (86) COMMENT: Unlike a Defi ned Contribution Susan Westrom (79) the KDOI. 545 KY 223 (DC) Individual Savings account even with a P O Box 22778 Flat Lick, KY 40935 ITEM IX: SUPPORT AN INCREASE IN Lexington, KY 40522-2778 Social Security Safety net, a retiree cannot outlive (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 THE AMOUNTS PAID TO SURVIVORS OF (Home) 606-542-5210 his/her pension under a Defi ned Benefi t (DB) (Work) 859-266-7581 Group Retirement plan. Since Kentucky’s retired ACTIVE CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS AND DISABILITY RETIREES. Wilson Stone (22) teachers do not have a Social Security safety Addia Wuchner (66) 1481 Jefferson School Rd. P O Box 911 net, it is vital that our DB group retirement plan COMMENT: Benefits paid to survivors of Scottsville, KY 42164 Burlington, KY 41005 (LRC) 502-564-8100 continue. Also, research shows that administrative active teachers and disability retirees have not (LRC) 502-564-8100 (Home) 270-622-5054 costs are much higher for DC plans than for DB been increased for many years and have not kept (Work) 859-525-6698 plans. pace with infl ation. Special attention should be Greg Stumbo (95) Brent Yonts (15) directed to the plight of teachers who became Box 1473 ITEM IV: PROMOTE FULL FUNDING OF 232 Norman Cir. disabled in the line of duty with less than 27 108 Kassidy Drive KTRS AND MAINTAIN THE MEDICAL Greenville, KY 42345 Prestonsburg, KY 41653 years of service. (LRC) 502-564-8100 INSURANCE FUND. (LRC) 502-564-8100 (Home) 270-338-6790 ITEM X: OPPOSE EFFORTS AT THE (Home) 606-886-9953 COMMENT: Full funding in a timely manner is FEDERAL LEVEL TO IMPOSE MANDATORY Jill York (96) required to keep the annuity fund in sound fi scal Tommy Thompson (14) SOCIAL SECURITY FOR MEMBERS OF P.O. Box 591 condition. Maintaining the medical insurance P O Box 458 Grayson, KY 41143 KTRS. Owensboro, KY 42302 fund per HB 540 requirements is essential to the (LRC) 502-564-8100 (LRC) 502-564-8100 fi nancial well being of our members. HB 540 is a COMMENT: If KTRS contribution rates are (Work) 606-474-7263 (Home) 270-926-1740 shared responsibility approach to funding. reduced by 12.4% so that the combined KTRS ITEM V: OPPOSE ANY EFFORT TO NOT and social security rate is maintained at the APPROPRIATE NEEDED FUNDS OR present level, the benefi t actuarial formula for BORROW RETIREMENT SYSTEM FUNDS . teachers would have to be reduced from 2.5% to WEB SITES OF INTEREST less than 1.0%. Th e result would greatly reduce COMMENT: Efforts by the State to reduce overall benefi ts for current and future teacher or withhold contributions to KTRS and/or to retirees. Commonwealth of Kentucky Homepage direct the system’s investments will be vigorously http://ky.gov/ challenged. ITEM XI: SUPPORT THE 2012 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES OF THE AARP/NRTA STATE Kentucky Legislature ITEM VI: COUNTER EFFORTS TO TAKE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE AND/OR (Who’s My Legislator) FIDUCIARY DECISIONS AWAY FORM THE OTHER GROUPS REPRESENTING SENIOR KTRS BOARD OF TRUSTEES. CITIZENS, WHICH ARE NOT IN CONFLICT http://www.lrc.ky.gov/legislators.htm COMMENT: Th e Board of Trustees ( a majority WITH THE POSITION OF KRTA. U. S. Congressmembers whom are elected by the active and retired COMMENT: Supporting issues of particular http://www.contactingthecongress.org/ teachers) employs experienced, competent interest to retired teachers such as predatory investment consultants to advise them on lending, home and community-based health and all matters pertaining to investments and its living services, and long-term care regulations fi duciary responsibilities. benefi t our members. ITEM VII: MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AND DECEMBER 2011 KRTA NEWS PAGE 15

(Continued from “President’s Message” page 2) Business Partners Attending Workshops of our Legislative package. Recruit, Retain and Engage are key words that were introduced during our Fall Workshops by our Membership Co-Chairpersons. We need to Recruit, from the many retirees who are not members of KRTA, into our organization. We need to Retain current members and Engage all in meaningful activities that will further foster their eagerness in forwarding KRTA’s purpose of serving the needs of Kentucky’s retired teachers. Commonwealth Credit Union North America Life Plans Above: Bryan Douglas Humana introduced and challenged us to begin Seated L to R: Steve Turpin & Keith Shannon Ledbetter Hazelbaker of North America Life Right: Cindy Block walking. Debbie Murrel wrote these words to be sung Plans. Standing: John Mottsinger of to the tune ‘When Johnny Comes Marching Home’: National Health Administators When KRTA goes walking, Hoorah! Hoorah! When KRTA goes walking, Hoorah! Hoorah! Humana will Shout!(pause) Th e Doctors won’t Pout.(pause) We’ll get fi t as we walk all about, Hear In America Comfort Keepers Richard Williams Above: Sarah Short and we’ll all be Below: Todd McGee Home Instead Home Instead Living a Happy and Healthy Life! Emily Harlan Les Murphy Reminder: Ovarian Cancer and Prostrate exams are provided free during the year to those who qualify. Home Instead Please call the Markey Cancer Center, U.K. Hospital, Monica Dye & Tommie Tingle at 800.766.8279 to learn of the planned dates. On a personal note, I wish each of you a Merry Christmas! Many of you at Christmas will receive your wants and needs as always. Th ere will also be many who will receive nothing more than the words or the bag of candy and a piece of fruit. I hope and pray Raymond James Assoc. Hank Hensley for all of you that Christmas will be very special and you will share it with your many family members and Liberty Mutual Insurance friends. Lottie and I do pray that our son will be home from Iraq, before Christmas, as announced by President Obama. My email address is edwincookiii@yahoo. com Please share with me your Christmas wishes.

Happy Holidays KRTA offi ce closes December 22, 2011 through January 2, 2012

Ryan Shive Karla Burkart & Gail Dickman Todd Fredericks Jessica Hill

David Farmer Kelly WilliamsAmanda Gilley James Leachman

L to R: Ernie Trosper, Debby Murrell & Ken Shulz Sing “When KRTA goes walking. . . “ PAGE 16 KRTA NEWS DECEMBER 2011 Thanks, Legislators, for participating in the Workshops!

Rep. Mike Harmon Rep. Melvin Henley Rep. Fred Nessler Rep. Steve Rudy Rep. Royce Adams Rep. Tanya Pullin (54) (5) (2) (1) (61) (98)

Rep. Jon Short Rep. Terry Mills Rep. Tom McKee Rep. Adam Koenig Rep. Addia Wuchner Rep. Alecia Webb- (92) (24) (78) (69) (66) Edgington (63)

Pat Wooten for Rep. Brent Housman Rep. Jill York Rep. Rick Nelson Rep. Joe Fischer Rep. James Comer Congressman (3) (96) (87) (68) (53) Hal Rogers

Rep. Wilson Stone Sen. Jim Higdon Sen. Tom Buford Sen. Damon Thayer Sen. Robin Webb Sen. Walter Blevins (22) (14) (22) (17) (18) (27)

KEHP (Retirees under age 65) MEHP (Retirees over age 65) KTRS: Frankfort, Kentucky From Your Humana: 1.877.597.7474 Humana: 1.866.396.8810 1.800.618.1687 (Toll free) Express Scripts: 1.866.413.8164 Medco: 1.800.551.8060 Retirement 502.848.8500 (Local) MyHumana.com MyHumana.com (same as KEHP) www.ktrs.ky.gov System www.medco.com • View your medical claims • Look up healthcare providers • View your prescription record KRTA: Louisville, Kentucky • Review plan description • Order prescriptions — 90-day Contact 1.800.551.7979 supply Info • Order replacement card 502.231.5802 www.krta.org [email protected] Sen. John Schickel Sen. Katie Stine (11) (24) DECEMBER 2011 KRTA NEWS PAGE 17

means hospital patients will Association to see if any members would join us in not have to sleep on the our quest to deliver health and hope worldwide. We MISCELLANEOUS INFO . . . fl oor. A shipment of surgical currently are in need of several folks who would be supplies and equipment available to drive our 15’ box truck to local hospitals meant this little girl’s life to collect medical supplies and equipment. Th ese YOU MIGHT WANT TO KNOW could be saved, even though drivers do not need a CDL, only pass a DOT medical she lost a leg. exam. Th ese drivers are vital to the operation of our Haitian women have organization. We also have a need for volunteers the highest rate of cervical cancer in the world. In to help sort the medical supplies in preparation for partnership with the Women’s Global Cancer Alliance, shipping to those in need around the world. a Louisville physician has used supplies and equipment For more information about SOS please go to from SOS to set up three clinics around the country www.suppliesoverseas.org. to diagnose and treat the disease. A simple treatment results in a 100% cure. Th ese women are waiting to be If there are folks who would be interested in these Supplies Over Seas (SOS) is an international seen at St. Basil’s volunteer opportunities, please contact us at: humanitarian aid organization that partners with Clinic in [email protected] or 502-736-6360 hospitals and other organizations to recover usable Gonaives. More surplus medical supplies and equipment. With than 1,000 We’re fi ghting for you! volunteer help, the supplies and equipment are women so far redistributed to the poor and underserved worldwide. have received And every other educator . . . Supplies Over Seas meets critical healthcare needs this lifesaving Join us! Dues are only $20 for an entire year. in developing countries around the world through treatment at the Membership applications online at www.krta.org the recovery and redistribution of surplus medical fi rst clinic in supplies and equipment. SOS partners with Louisville Gros Morne. or call 800-551-7979 area hospitals and other organizations to recover tons Ghana. Th e of surplus that would otherwise end up in the landfi ll. Tamale Ghana Tamale Teaching Th is year two new partners have joined the eff ort— Hospital serves 1.3 million people in Tamale, a Saint Joseph Health System and Owensboro Medical Louisville Sister City. Th e hospital had fallen into Health System, and together have hospitals across disrepair aft er years of neglect. Last year SOS and ATTACK ON Kentucky. Supplies Over Seas is the only medical several other organizations partnered to begin sending surplus recovery organization in Kentucky and the shipments of urgently needed supplies and equipment. surrounding region. Since its founding in 1994 it has Doctors from the also began PUBLIC sent life-saving shipments to 91 countries like Haiti a training program for Ghanaian doctors, to improve and Ghana. healthcare and encourage them to remain and practice in Tamale. Haiti. Recovery from the devastating earthquake PENSIONS continues with help from SOS. A shipment of beds We are reaching out to the KY Retired Teachers KRTA District Presidents

Don Sparks Joe Hicklin Willadean Carter Margaret Sims Debby Murrell Gerald Preston Danny Presnell First District Second District Third District Fourth District Fifth District Big Sandy Central KY East

Ellie Thompson Ed Cook for Ann Porter Titus Exum Wayne Ryan Bert Baldwin Billie Jean McDade Judy Spencer Central KY West Eastern Jeff erson Middle Cumberland Northern District Upper Cumberland Upper KY River PAGE 18 KRTA NEWS DECEMBER 2011

a secretary and many volunteers did the work. I 1 2 Remembering the 9 0 distinctly remember Margaret and Les Wetherell being 5 KRTA 1 present almost every time I visited the State offi ce. Dr. “Pink Lady” 7 55 Years 2 Dodson said the biggest job facing the early leaders of KRTA was getting locals established in the various counties. Mrs. Virginia Shaw Th e following account of activities of KRTA during In the beginning there were 12 districts established passed away quietly on the period 1956-1995 was prepared by M. L. Archer and it seems the First District was the leader in getting November 3, 2011, in (with the assistance of Dr. Marvin Dodson, Ted membership. I can understand why aft er meeting her home in Alabama. Crosthwait, the KRTA staff and others) in 1996. Dolly Gillihan from Ledbetter, Kentucky, in Livingston She was interred KRTA activities for the period 1995-2002 were County. She visited every county in the district and at Crab Orchard, summarized by Frank Hatfi eld (with the help of knew several retired teachers in each county. Th e First Kentucky. his wife Margaret) in 2004. Th eir accounts remain District has been number one in membership since intact as they represent the state of KRTA as it was at the beginning and is still number one today. Getting Mrs. Shaw was diligent the time of their writing. the other districts and counties organized was more in her untiring work diffi cult since there was a great deal of apathy in some for KRTA. Her contri- Virginia Shaw counties toward organizing locals. butions were many, 1956-1995 1916 - 2011 Th e Legislative Committee was formed to represent however, she was Th e Kentucky Teachers’ Retirement System Law was KRTA in the Legislature. Th is was headed by Mr. W. S. best known for her work on the Membership passed in 1938 and funded in 1940. Th e Law specifi ed Milburn from the Louisville schools. He was hampered Committee. She developed the legendary pink that the active teachers would contribute to the fund by the lack of local organized support but it was a start. sheet and was fondly referred to as the “Pink Lady.” and the State would match their contributions. Th e Law also stipulated that an additional appropriation You can look forward to more history in the coming Mrs. Shaw was an inspiration to her students, would be made by the State to fund contributions issues!. friends, co-workers, and local retired teacher not made by those who taught before 1940. Th is associations across the state. was a sizable fund and the Law stipulated that it be paid over a 30 year period. Several years went by and several administrations failed to make the necessary Fixing A New Generation Gap appropriations. Th is plus several other concerns prompted a few interested individuals to decide that retired teachers in Kentucky needed a voice to Let’s raise a cheer as the fi rst of the baby boom report by the think tank Generations United asserts represent them. Th ey spread the word around that we generation—the healthiest, best-educated and that most Americans get it: “It’s not a fi ght. It’s a family!’ were being neglected. Some concerns were: wealthiest in the nation’s history—have turned 65. Th at is the kitchen-table reality that American 1. Th e “over match” was being neglected. Celebrate their vitality, and especially their variety—a households, long before policymakers, have already generation that spans the Beatles and Springsteen, that discovered. A leading real estate fi rm reported that 2. Nothing was being appropriated for cost of crusaded to end a war and stop the spread of nukes, more and more home buyers in 2010 were looking for living increases.) that powered an explosion of new technology, fueled multi-generation homes. 3. Health problems were becoming more apparent the feminist revolution and joined the battle for civil Th e proper path as the 21st century evolves should without adequate insurance to cover medical rights. But recognize the challenges boomers foretell. be obvious. “Good policies—Social Security, public costs. Th is is a generation that has saved too little, eaten too education and aff ordable health care—do not impact 4. It became apparent that other problems could much and borrowed beyond its means. Th is trifecta one generation at the expense of the others:’ the occur and that we needed representation. puts our health care system, our economy and the Generations United report concluded. ‘‘We must look well-being of our children and our parents at risk. We at generations as interdependent. We need to make A group of prominent educators met at the KEA can choose one of two paths. One sets off generational building in Louisville, Kentucky, and discussed the budget decisions while considering all government confl ict, requiring us to choose sides in future policy spending, but not by framing a false policy distinction possibility of creating an organization to be called the and budget battles: education vs. “Kentucky Retired Teachers Association.” It would between policies for the young versus Social Security, children’s health policies for the old.” have as its sole purpose the welfare of retired teachers. vs. Medicare, popular tax cuts vs. Dr. Marvin Dodson was the Executive Secretary tax policy enabling people to work More important, fi nding the proper of KEA and gave it his and KEA’s blessing as they longer. At its extreme is the ugly path requires something missing did not have the staff or resources to fund such an confrontation forecast in satirist in Washington for years—an adult organization. Christopher Buckley’s 2007 novel, conversation. Th at’s a tall order as the From this meeting KRTA was organized in 1957 and Boomsday. In the book, Cassandra nation faces gigantic budget defi cits KEA agreed to furnish offi ce space and secretarial Devine, a trendy 29-year-old PR whiz, and a mix of government services and help. A KEA staff member served as a consultant touts a way to ease boomers’ pressure on Medicare obligations that are out of whack and It’s not to the President and Executive Council. Dues were and Social Security. Give boomers incentives, she out of date. But adult conversation, established at $5 per member and KEA was paid $2 suggests—free Botox and no estate tax, for starters— a fi ght. recognizing both a shared responsibility per member to provide the services previously listed if they agree to commit suicide at age 70. “Voluntary It’s a and the need for shared sacrifi ce, is a start. and to include an insert in the KEA paper. Th is transitioning,” she calls it, and it eventually inspires family In another tough era, Herbert Hoover service continued aft er KEA moved to Frankfort in a presidential campaign. Th at in turn ignites fi ery postponed the day of reckoning: “Blessed the early 80’s and ended on July 1, 1991. opposition from the religious right. And from boomers are the young, for they shall inherit the national debt,” upset by demonstrations that block golf courses in he famously said. It’s not an appropriate answer today. Dr. Dodson retired from KEA and was hired by their retirement communities. Boomers, and the generations before and aft er—we’re KRTA part time in 1978. In order to pay Dr. Dodson, all in this together. -Jim Toedtman, Editor the dues were increased to $10 per year. We still paid Consider another path. Th e arrival of boomers at 65 KEA $2 per member for computer services, printing in this grim economic time highlights the importance Th is article is a reprint from AARP Bulletin January- and the insert in their newspaper. KEA had no direct of generations to one another. No single generation February 2011 Vol. 52 No. 1. participation in the operation of KRTA. Dr. Dodson, caused the problems, nor can one solve them. A recent DECEMBER 2011 KRTA NEWS PAGE 19

Christmas at the Gas Station donuts.” Th e offi cer laughed and winced Chuck answered him, “I don’t know. at the same time. Th e guy ran off into the dark. Just Th is story was submitted by a KRTA member. It carries the message of the season and dropped his gun and ran.”George and Th e front door of the offi ce fl ew open. is better than any greeting card. the young man both looked puzzled at In burst a young man with a gun. “Give each other.“Th at guy work here?” the Th e old man sat in his gas station on a cold Christmas Eve. He hadn’t been anywhere me all your cash! Do it now!” the young wounded cop continued. in years since his wife had passed away. It was just another day to him. He didn’t man yelled. His hand was shaking and hate Christmas, just couldn’t fi nd a reason to celebrate. He was sitting there looking George could tell that he had never done “Yep,” George said, “just hired him at the snow that had been falling for the last hour and wondering what it was all anything like this before. this morning. Boy lost his job.”Th e about when the door opened and a homeless man stepped through. paramedics came in and loaded Chuck “Th at’s the guy that shot me!” exclaimed onto the stretcher. Th e young man Instead of throwing the man out, Old George as he was known by his customers, the offi cer. leaned over the wounded cop and told the man to come and sit by the heater and warm up. “Th ank you, but I don’t whispered, “Why?” mean to intrude;” said the stranger, “I see you’re busy; I’ll just go.” “Son, why are you doing this?” asked George, “You need to put the cannon Chuck just said, “Merry Christmas “Not without something hot in your belly,” George said. He turned and opened a away. Somebody else might get hurt.”Th e boy—and you too, George, and thanks wide mouth Th ermos and handed it to the stranger. “It ain’t much, but it’s hot and young man was confused. “Shut up old for everything.” tasty. Stew—made it myself. When you’re done, there’s coff ee and it’s fresh.” man, or I’ll shoot you, too. Now give me the cash!” “Well, looks like you got one doozy of a Just at that moment he heard the “ding” of the driveway bell. “Excuse me, be right break there. Th at ought to solve some of back,” George said. Th ere in the driveway was an old ‘53 Chevy. Steam was rolling Th e cop was reaching for his gun. “Put your problems.” out of the front. Th e driver was panicked. “Mister, can you help me!” said the driver, that thing away,” George said to the cop, with a deep Spanish accent. “My wife is with child and my car is broken.” George “we got one too many in here now.” George went into the back room and opened the hood. It was bad. Th e block looked cracked from the cold, the car was came out with a box. He pulled out a ring He turned his attention to the young dead. “You ain’t going in this thing,” George said as he turned away. box. “Here you go, something for the man. “Son, it’s Christmas Eve. If you little woman. I don’t think Martha would “But Mister, please help.” Th e door of the offi ce closed behind George as he went need money, well then, here. It ain’t mind. She said it would come in handy inside. He went to the offi ce wall and got the keys to his old truck, and went back much but it’s all I got. Now put that pea some day.”Th e young man looked inside outside. He walked around the building, opened the garage, started the truck and shooter away.”George pulled $150 out of to see the biggest diamond ring he ever drove it around to where the couple was waiting. “Here, take my truck;” he said. his pocket and handed it to the young saw. “I can’t take this,” said the young “She ain’t the best thing you ever looked at, but she runs real good.” man, reaching for the barrel of the gun at man. “It means something to you.”“And the same time. Th e young man released George helped put the woman in the truck and watched as it sped off into the night. now it means something to you,” replied his grip on the gun, fell to his knees and He turned and walked back inside the offi ce. “Glad I gave ‘em the truck; their tires George. “I got my memories. Th at’s all began to cry. “I’m not very good at this were shot, too. Th at ‘ol truck has brand new ones.” George thought he was talking I need.” George reached into the box am I? All I wanted was to buy something to the stranger, but the man had gone. Th e Th ermos was on the desk, empty, with again. An airplane, a car and a truck for my wife and son,” he went on. “I’ve a used coff ee cup beside it. “Well, at least he got something in his belly,” George appeared next. Th ey were toys that the lost my job, my rent is due, my car got thought. oil company had left for him to sell. repossessed last week.” “Here’s something for that little man George went back outside to see if the old Chevy would start. It cranked slowly, George handed the gun to the cop. “Son, of yours.”Th e young man began to cry but it started. He pulled it into the garage where the truck had been. He thought we all get in a bit of squeeze now and again as he handed back the $150 that he would tinker with it for something to do. Christmas Eve meant no customers. then. Th e road gets hard sometimes, but the old man had handed him earlier. He discovered the block hadn’t cracked; it was just the bottom hose on the radiator. we make it through the best we can.” He “Well, shoot, I can fi x this,” he said to himself. So he put a new one on. “Th ose tires “And what are you supposed to buy got the young man to his feet, and sat ain’t gonna get ‘em through the winter either.” He took the snow treads off of his Christmas dinner with? You keep that him down on a chair across from the wife’s old Lincoln. Th ey were like new, and he wasn’t going to drive the car anyway. too,” George said. “Now git home to cop. “Sometimes we do stupid things.” your family.” Th e young man turned As he was working, he heard shots being fi red. He ran outside and beside a police George handed the young man a cup of with tears streaming down his face. “I’ll car an offi cer lay on the cold ground. Bleeding from the left shoulder, the offi cer coff ee. “Bein’ stupid is one of the things be here in the morning for work, if that moaned, “Please help me.” George helped the offi cer inside as he remembered that makes us human. Comin’ in here job off er is still good.” “Nope. I’m closed the training he had received in the Army as a medic. He knew the wound needed with a gun ain’t the answer. Now sit Christmas day,” George said. “See ya the attention. “Pressure to stop the bleeding,” he thought. Th e uniform company had there and get warm and we’ll sort this day aft er.” been there that morning and had left clean shop towels. He used those and duct thing out.” tape to bind the wound. “Hey, they say duct tape can fi x anything’,” he said, trying George turned around to fi nd that the Th e young man had stopped crying. He to make the policeman feel at ease. stranger had returned. “Where’d you looked over to the cop. “Sorry I shot you. come from? I thought you left ?” “Something for pain,” George thought. All he had was the pills he used for his back. It just went off . I’m sorry offi cer.” “Shut “Th ese ought to work.” He put some water in a cup and gave the policeman the up and drink your coff ee “ the cop said. “I have been here. I have always been pills. “You hang in there, I’m going to get you an ambulance.” Th e phone was dead. here,” said the stranger. “You say you George could hear the sounds of sirens “Maybe I can get one of your buddies on that there talk box out in your car.” He don’t celebrate Christmas. Why?” outside. A police car and an ambulance went out only to fi nd that a bullet had gone into the dashboard destroying the two skidded to a halt. Two cops came “Well, aft er my wife passed away, I just way radio. through the door, guns drawn. “Chuck! couldn’t see what all the bother was. He went back in to fi nd the policeman sitting up. “Th anks,” said the offi cer. “You You ok?” one of the cops asked the Puttin’ up a tree and all seemed a waste could have left me there. Th e guy that shot me is still in the area.” wounded offi cer. of a good pine tree. Bakin’ cookies like I used to with Martha just wasn’t the same George sat down beside him, “I would never leave an injured man in the Army, “Not bad for a guy who took a bullet. by myself and besides I was gettin’ a little and I ain’t gonna leave you.” George pulled back the bandage to check for bleeding. How did you fi nd me?” chubby.” “Looks worse than what it is. Bullet passed right through ‘ya. Good thing it missed “GPS locator in the car. Best thing since the important stuff though. I think with time you’re gonna be right as rain.” George Th e stranger put his hand on George’s sliced bread. Who did this?” the other got up and poured a cup of coff ee. “How do you take it?” he asked. “None for me,” shoulder. “But you do celebrate the cop asked as he approached the young said the offi cer. “Oh, yer gonna drink this. Best in the city. Too bad I ain’t got no man. (Continued on page 20) PAGE 20 KRTA NEWS DECEMBER 2011

KRTA Members Donate School Supplies (Continued from “Social Security & Pension Watch” page 2) to Local Children in Need leaders recognize that ‘pension reform’ mostly entails tweaking unrealistic pension funding formulas for newly-hired workers across the country— the path that meets with the least resistance from unions but also brings little near-term savings for Last year, AARP launched Create Th e Good, an exciting new initiative that taxpayers,” the article stated. “As a result, CEOs of businesses in the most profl igate is helping AARP members and older adults across the nation answer the call to states are exploring the possibility of moving their companies elsewhere.” service and make a diff erence in their communities. Create Th e Good expands on traditional ways to volunteer by connecting people with simple but meaningful NIRS executive director, Diane Oakley, wrote in a May 31 letter to the editor of Chief activities, time-fl exible opportunities, and a wide variety of areas of interest. Executive, “that a recent study found that pension contributions account for only 3.8 Th is summer, Create Th e Good encouraged AARP members and others to help percent of state and local spending and that leaping to the conclusion that public children succeed in school by holding school supply drives in their communities. pensions are the reason behind lagging competitiveness, increased outsourcing, and states’ budget challenges is absurd when in most states pensions represent a small With high unemployment and many families struggling to make ends meet, portion of budgets.” many parents are unable to provide the basic school supplies their children need to be eff ective. In addition, schools across the country are facing severe budget cuts Th e article also fails to note, Ms. Oakley added in the letter, “that in most states, the and lack the funding to purchase necessary supplies. majority of pension benefi ts are paid for with employee contributions and investment KRTA off ered $50 grants to local Retired Teacher Association to be used for the returns—not tax dollars.” purchase of school supplies. Th e response by KRTA members was overwhelming. Th e following RTAs qualifi ed for the $50 grant and donated school supplies to help Th e letter also noted that much of the current pension funding problem resulted give children the tools they need to succeed. from the 2008-2009 fi nancial crisis and market downturn and that many funds have recovered signifi cantly since then, to the point that, even at the end of 2009, “public Ballard Grant Meade pensions in aggregate had pre-funded 80% of benefi ts not payable until decades in Barren Graves Metcalfe the future.” Blue Grass Grayson Middlesboro “A retirement race to the bottom is bad public policy,” Ms. Oakley wrote. “When Bracken Green Monroe Montgomery millions of private sector workers are unable to be self-suffi cient in retirement, it’s Breathitt Greenup inevitable that they will turn to governments or others to help put food on the table. Muhlenberg Breckinridge Harlan Th at is precisely why state governments continue to provide modest pensions with Bullitt Henderson Nicholas/Robertson an average monthly benefi t of about $1,900. It’s unfortunate that CEO Magazine Caldwell Hickman Oldham misrepresents the fi nancial state of public pensions while failing to see the real looming Calloway Hopkins Owen crisis—that millions of elder Americans are unable to be self-suffi cient in retirement.” Campbell Jeff erson Owsley Carlisle Jessamine Pendleton In a report released in June, NIRS presented the fi ndings of its study of six public plans that remain well-funded even aft er the recession and market downturn of recent Christian Johnson Pike years. It found that the plans had six fi scally conservative characteristics in common: Clark Knott Powell Crittenden Knox Rowan  Employer pension contributions that cover the full amount of the annual Daviess Lee Scott required contribution. Edmonson Lincoln Simpson  Employee pension contributions. Elliott Livingston Todd Estill Madison Trimble  Benefi t improvements, such as multiplier increases, that are actuarially valued ETown, Hardin/Larue Marshall Warren before adoption and properly funded upon adoption. Fleming Mason Webster  Cost of living adjustments (COLAs) that are granted responsibly, such as Fulton McCracken Whitley an ad hoc COLA that is amortized quickly, or an automatic COLA that is Wolfe Garrard McCreary capped at a modest level. Woodford (Continue from “Christmas at the Gas Station” page 19)  “Anti-spiking” measures that ensure actuarial integrity and transparency in pension benefi t determination. holiday, George. You gave me food and drink and warmed me when I was cold and hungry. Th e woman with child will bear a son and he will become a great  Economic actuarial assumptions, including both the discount rate and doctor. Th e policeman you helped will go on to save 19 people from being killed infl ation rate that can reasonably be expected to be achieved over the long by terrorists. Th e young man who tried to rob you will make you a rich man and term. not take any for himself. “Th at is the spirit of the season and you keep it as good as “Unfortunately, scant attention is focused on public pension plans that were structured any man.” in ways that enabled them to weather severe market turmoil,” NIRS Executive Director George was taken aback by all this stranger had said. “And how do you know all Diane Oakley said. “Separate from this study, data show that the vast majority of this?” asked the old man. public pensions were well-funded going into the fi nancial crisis, took a severe blow like all investors, and is recovering as the fi nancial markets rebound. As such, “Trust me, George. I have the inside track on this sort of thing. And when your we hope this new study serves to refocus pension policy debate on a productive, days are done, you will be with Martha again.” pragmatic examination of pension plans that remained strong even aft er a decade of Th e stranger moved toward the door. “If you will excuse me, George, I have to go unprecedented fi nancial market ups and downs.” now. I have to go home where there is a big celebration planned.” Th e studied plans included the Delaware State Employees Pension Plan, the Idaho George watched as the old leather jacket and the torn pants that the stranger was Public Employee Retirement Fund, the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, the wearing turned into a white robe. A golden light began to fi ll the room. New York State Teachers’ Retirement System, the North Carolina Teachers and State Employees Retirement System and the Teacher Retirement System of Texas. “You see, George—it’s My birthday. Merry Christmas.” Regular updates concerning Social Security and Pension issues will appear in each George fell to his knees and replied, “Happy Birthday, Lord Jesus” issue of the KRTA News. Look for them. DECEMBER 2011 KRTA NEWS PAGE 21

Edmonson County RTA AROUND THE STATE . . .

Monroe County RTA

L to R: Willadean Carter, Th ird District Retired Teachers Association President; Nancy Moss, Monroe County RTA Treasurer; Jean Blazier, Monroe County Youth Services Resource Center Director; Linda Pitcock, Monroe County RTA President Pictured above are Edmonson County RTA members and new retirees. New retirees were honored with a dinner at the Old School Barbeque Restaurant. Th e new retirees are Vivian D. Johnson, Markeeta V. Wood, Cindy Whittinghill and Dennis Long.

ECRTA delivered over $100 worth of school supplies to the 5/6th Center. It was Paducah-McCracken County RTA part of the KRTA/AARP School Supply Drive Project. KRTA donated $50 toward their eff orts.

Whitley Area RTA

Th e WARTA partnered with KRTA, AARP and the Corbin and Williamsburg Wal-Mart stores to provide school supplies to the Williamsburg Family Resource Cent, Corbin Elementary Aft er-School Program and Whitley North Elementary Resource Center.

L to R: Past President of Paducah-McCracken County RTA, Aaron Beals,; Steve L to R: Breonah Perkins, Assistant Coordinator; Tammy Stephens, Coordinator; Bradley, Family Resource Director of McNabb Elementary of Paducah; Stephanie Patty Bryant, Secretary; Paul Falin WARTA President Reese, Family Resource Director of Lone Oak Area Schools,; Kathy Mayne, Paducah-McCracken County RTA president. Th e Retired Teachers contributed $330 and at least 10 bags of school supplies. KRTA contributed $50. Adair County RTA

Th e ACRTA awarded BreAnna Cowan a $510 scholarship to Lindsey Wilson College. BreAnna is a junior majoring in Education. Lindsey Wilson holds a special Taylor County RTA place in the hearts of the ACRTA and provides ACRTA members an opportunity to demonstrate their love for education and pass on that passion to a future teacher.

First day of school was fun for all ages. Th e Taylor County Retired Teachers Association met for lunch on the fi rst day of school at the Bethel First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall. Over lunch, the members shared stories of funny and L to R: Bobbie Coomer, ACRTA President; Lisa Cowan, Parent; BreAnna Cowan, special moments from their active years of teaching. Somehow, this fi rst day of LWC Student; Devin Burton, Friend; Missy Arnold, LWC Education Department school was considerably less stressful than those in the past. (Continued on page 22) PAGE 22 KRTA NEWS DECEMBER 2011

(Continued from page 21) Webster County RTA Campbell County RTA Th e Webster County Retired Teachers Association met on August 8, with fi ft een members and four guests present Scholarship chair, Janice Gillaspie, introduced Th e Campbell County Retired Teachers Association delivered 20 bags of school the winner of the 2011 WCRTA scholarship. Th e recipient, Mattea Meadows is a supplies in Silver Grove Independent School system. Every student in grades 9-11 senior at Western Kentucky University and is planning to teach social studies or received one of CCRTA’s packet of schools supplies. language arts. Casey County RTA Th e speaker for the meeting was Debbie Murrell, Membership Co-Chair of KRTA. She gave an inspirational talk with the topic of “Learn From the Past, Live in the Casey County fourth and fi ft h graders were invited to experience a bit of history Present, and Plan for the Future.” WCRTA made a donation to the N. O. Kimbler with a trip to the Beech Bottom one room school compliments of the Friends of Scholarship Fund in her honor in appreciation for her visit. Education and Casey County retired teachers. Mr. Cecil Hatter, a retired teacher, who taught in a one room school, is shown fi elding questions from an enthusiastic Faye Melton, chair of the KRTA School Supply Drive, gave a report and Judy group of students from Liberty Elementary. Th e event was held on October 6, 7 and Hawkins volunteered to chair the committee for “Yes, We Can Feed Kentucky.” 12. Classes participated in either a morning or aft ernoon session presented by a retired teacher who taught or attended a one room school. Th ey were treated with a sack lunch of sausage biscuit, apple, cookies and carrots funded by the Friends of Education. Retired teachers helped to put the lunches together and deliver them.

Seated L to R: Geraldine Stone, Debbie Murrell, Pauletta Yarbrough, E. Carolyn Tucker. Standing L to R: Jim Crouse, Judy Hawkins, Marilyn Th relkeld, Gene Childress, Dorothy Farmer, Tonia Morrow, Mary Jo Little, Sue Shouse, Lowell Childress, Daisy Rocha, Janice Gillaspie Retired teachers shown delivering Crittenden County RTA sack lunches are: Sue Ellen Johnson, Barbara Brown, Bonita Feese and Crittenden Martha McDonald County Elementary, Middle and High Schools received 3,000 pencils from CCRTA Breathitt County RTA

Rousseau Elementary Resource Center Director, Amber Submit information about your Sewell, (back local RTA activities to left ) and students [email protected] accept school

supplies that Visit the KRTA All photographs must be were delivered by website at: www.krta.org electronic or originals. We BCRTA members cannot use newspaper Mary Lou clippings. Hamilton and Email us at: [email protected] Th e deadline for the March Charlotte Ditty. issue is January 12 DECEMBER 2011 KRTA NEWS PAGE 23

FOR YOUR INFORMATION Q uips, Quotes & Puzzles KRTA OFFICE 1 .800.551.7979 ~ 502.231.5802 ~ 502.231.0686 (fax) Th e Train of Life [email protected] (e-mail) www.krta.org (web site) KRTA LEGALINE Some folks ride the train of life So if the ride gets bumpy, 1.800.232.1090 [email protected] Looking out the rear, While you are looking back, Buckman & Farris Shepherdsville, Kentucky Watching miles of life roll by, Go up front, and you may fi nd, And marking every year. Your life has jumped the track. KRTA FINANCE & INVESTMENT INFO Hank Hensley 1.800.927.0030 Th ey sit in sad remembrance, It’s all right to remember, NHA LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE Of wasted days gone by, Th at’s part of history, 1.866.899.5796 And curse their life for what it was, But up front’s where it’s happening, DELTA DENTAL INSURANCE And hang their head and cry. Th ere’s so much mystery. 1.866.480.4872 AVESIS KRTA VISION PLAN But I don’t concern myself with that, Th e enjoyment of living, Enrollment 1.800.466.5182 ~ Provider Questions 1.800.828.9341 I took a diff erent vent, Is not where we have been, www.avesis.com I look forward to what life holds, It’s looking ever forward, AUTOMOBILE & HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE And not what has been spent. To another year and ten. Liberty Mutual Insurance Company 1.888.824.6955 ext. 51690 (in Kentucky) So strap me to the engine, It’s searching all the byways, 1.800.835.0894 ext. 51690 (outside Kentucky) As securely as I can be, Never should you refrain, Please mention Client No. 8815 when you call I want to be out on the front, For if you want to live your life, HEARING INSTRUMENT PLAN—HEAR IN AMERICA To see what I can see. You gotta drive the train! 1.800.286.6149 I want to feel the winds of change, ~author unknown~ RIPE! for Retirement Blowing in my face, 502.326.8962 or [email protected] I want to see what life unfolds, KY TEACHERS’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM As I move from place to place. 1.800.618.1687 or http://ktrs.ky.gov I want to see what’s coming up, COMMONWEALTH CREDIT UNION Not looking at the past, 1.800.228.6420 or www.ccuky.org Life’s too short for yesterdays, COMFORT KEEPERS It moves along too fast. 1.877.257.KRTA or www.comfortkeepers.com HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE 1.866.886.6831 or www.seniorcarelouisville.net NORTH AMERICAN LIFE PLANS including LifeLock Places I’d Like To Go 1.888.362.1214 or [email protected] www.krtabenefi ts.com I have been in many places, but I’ve never been in Cahoots. Apparently, you can’t go alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone. TRAVEL Bluegrass Tours 1.800.755.6956 or 1.859.252.5744 I’ve also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there.

I have, however, been in Sane. Th ey don’t have an airport; you have to be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my friends, family and work. ORDER FORM I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump, and I’m not too KRTA MEMBERSHIP PIN much on physical activity anymore. Please send ______pins @ $2.50 each to I have also been in Doubt. Th at is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there too oft en. ______I’ve been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand fi rm. ______Sometimes I’m in Capable, and I go there more oft en as I’m getting older. ______One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenalin Enclosed is the check in the amount of $______. fl owing and pumps up the old heart! Send completed Order Form to: KRTA At my age I need all the stimuli I can get! 7505 Bardstown Road Louisville, KY 40291-3234 Author Unknown PAGE 24 KRTA NEWS DECEMBER 2011 Deceased Retired Teachers JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER 2011 “. . .these immortal dead who live again in minds made better by their presence . . .”

ADAIR CLARK GREENUP Alice Smith MEADE Faye Rowe Cloteen Allen Angela Adkins Martha Summers Bobby Matney ANDERSON Jane Ramey Edna Haight John R Whiting William Roberts Ruth Fentress Evelyn Samuels Geneva Walker JESSAMINE MERCER BARREN Dorothy Scott HARDIN Jean Nicholson Charles L Preston Virginia C Fendell CLAY John W Atherton JOHNSON MONTGOMERY Roy Withrow Amy Revis Charles Campbell James Arnett Jack Miller BELL CRITTENDEN Karen Holm June Mills Charles W White Ray Reed James E Carter Betty Kirchner KENTON NELSON BOONE DAVIESS HARLAN Evelyn G Ensor Ida Hicks Juanita Perraut Gladys I Combs Uarda Creech Charlotte H Owen OLDHAM BOYD Alice S Rogers Constance Ellison KNOTT Mary McMakin Jeanetta Church Lynnette Walker Elizabeth Owens Juanita Singleton Florence Pendergest Mabel Greene Elinor Wilson Jimmy Roark Gordon Sparkman PENDLETON BREATHITT ESTILL Martha Steele John Waddell Lois Wilson Dailey Belcher Paul Hughes HARRISON KNOX PERRY BRECKINRIDGE FAYETTE Louisa Ammerman Edwin Moore Cynthia McIntyre James Hall Robert N Cocanougher HART LAUREL Brenda Napier BUTLER Annie Conner Jean S Jaggers Wilma Boggs PIKE Patricia Millea Barbara Hardy Ruth Williams Katheryn Claiborne Christine Dotson CALDWELL Carrie Jackson HENDERSON Mossie Collett Helen Jones Franklin Anderson Mary Moore Johnnie Gildon Mary Mae Mardis Irene Spence William Evans Ruby Patrick Patricia Kavanaugh Ercel V Nolan Robert Withers Glenda Tichenor Patricia Sumner Otis L Meeks LAWRENCE ROCKCASTLE CALLOWAY Marion E Uterhart Susan Mueller Rosemary Barcello Pauline Eaton Eleanor A Miller FLOYD Carol F Smith LESLIE ROWAN CAMPBELL Draxie Newsome Charla Tompkins Estelle Wilson Gary C Cox Diane Gaskins FRANKLIN HENRY LINCOLN Allen L Lake Susanne Phelps Betty Bergmann Roxie Bow Zora Cornett SHELBY CARTER Shirley Clark Albert L McCarthy Agnes F Smith Cynthia Perry Gary Mozingo Jean Crosthwait Jack D Purvis LIVINGSTON SIMPSON CASEY Geneva Hunt HOPKINS Kenneth T Hardin Charles Atcher Garland Rigney Sarah Richardson Mary Lou Earle LOGAN John A Hughes CHRISTIAN GARRARD HOPKINS Geraldine B Campbell TAYLOR Ophelia W Hill Martin McKay Iona Teague LYON Elizabeth Russell Rivers Moss GRAVES Ruth Williams Eloda Crumbaugh UNION Phillip Walker Betty Kincer JEFFERSON Elizabeth Riley Rosa Barnett Russell D Weatherwax GRAYSON Dorothy J Aiken MADISON Lucy Willett Marguerite W Wilson William J Aiken James Alford WARREN Robert Baker James E Baechtold Donald Bailey KENTUCKY RETIRED TEACHERS ASSN. Marguerit Beatty Robert E Bagby George Downing KRTA OFFICE STAFF 7505 BARDSTOWN ROAD LOUISVILLE, KY 40291-3234 Emma Bennett Jimmie H Johnson Patsy Gerard 502-231-5802 Laura Brito Th omas Keefe Frederick Hensley DR. ROBERT WAGONER 1-800-551-7979 Owen K Caster Richard Shuntich John Wassom EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 502-231-0686 (FAX) Susan Clarke Jean J Taylor WAYNE JANIE CASLOWE [email protected] (E-MAIL) Barbara E Crouch MAGOFFIN Lorene Davis DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR www.krta.org (WEB SITE) WHITLEY FRANK HATFIELD OFFICE HOURS Anna Lee Crumes Edward Scott EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR EMERITUS MON.- FRI. 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM Lea T Dotson MARION Margaret Bennett CARLA HAHN, SECRETARY Louise Eversole Patricia Kirkland Ruth Parker CHARLOTTE LINDLEY, RECEPTIONIST KRTA NEWS Muriel Fleming MARTIN Bobby R Underwood (PUBLISHED QUARTERLY) Wauneda Gruneisen Robert Brazier WOODFORD BRENDA MEREDITH, EDITOR Georgia B Hannibal MCCRACKEN Elizabeth Luckett [email protected] Mary Inman Alberta Beggs Grace Mims June Lamar Florence Morton KRTA OFFICERS Irene Lunsford Wilda Morton EDWIN COOK, PRESIDENT Wanda Mason Reuben Pruitte JIM FRANK, PRESIDENT-ELECT George Matthews Steven Smith CAROLYN FALIN, VICE-PRESIDENT MELANIE WOOD, PAST PRESIDENT Dora McGhee Clara D Tanner Sally R Rhodes MCLEAN Carol J Rose Billy Holbrook