News

JOB OPPORTUNITY: CENTRAL SQUARE - OCTOBER 28

The Village of Central Square has an immediate opening for a Special Patrol Officer to be assigned as a School Resource Office with the Central Square School District. Starting pay is $45,000 with a 3% annual increase for each year of service. Interested candidates can submit a resume by email to Chief Ed Carroll at mailto:centralsquarechief.e.carroll@gmail.com or in person at the Central Square Village Clerk's Office located at 3125 East Ave, Central Square, NY 13036.

OCTOBER 2023 MEETING

Correspondence:

Received a thank you letter from Ms. Christie Casiano Burns for the support and condolences offered to her and her family by our members in the recent passing of Brother John Burns Jr

Old Business

Discussion with issues regarding Medicare premiums. President Marcely reminded the group that Medicare premiums are based on an individual’s adjusted gross income. Salaries and pensions for some recently retired officers are significantly higher than former retirees. This may raise the premium.

New Business:

Discussion regarding recent letters members have received from both United Health and City of Syracuse. The City is changing health insurance carriers from United Health to Aetna effective January 1, 2024. United Health letters offer health insurance coverage for members if they opt to stay with United Health. Opting out of the City coverage and staying with United Health may cost more.
President Marcely advised the group to make sure all prescriptions are filled prior to the end of the calendar year. This will ensure that any delays that might occur with the transition from United Health to Aetna will be minimal.
Ms. Dolores Howard has passed away. There will be private services, her burial will be on Monday, 30 October 2023. This date is the 33rd anniversary of her son and our brother, Wallie Howard Jr.’s death.
Syracuse Police Chief Joe Cecile was present, and spoke to the members. He advised us that the health insurance will change from United Health to Aetna, but the coverage will remain the same. The SPD has hired nine new officers, they will not attend the Police Academy until April 2024. The recruits will work in various assignments within the PD until April.
Active Police Officer Marlena Jackson was present, she discussed plans for the upcoming Retiree’s Day in December. Retirees Day will be Thursday, 14 December at the Valley Legion. Lunch will be catered by Limp Lizard. Officer Jackson will finalize details of the day in the near future
Officer Jackson also discussed the upcoming “Shop with a Cop” event. The event will be held on Saturday 9 December 2023. The Association’s Board of Directors has already approved a $200.00 donation for the event. President Marcely asked for a motion to accept the donation. Brother John Marcone made the motion , seconded by Brother Bill Rybak. All members were in favor, the motion was carried. Along with the donation, the Association’s half of tonight’s 50/50 drawing was given to Officer Jackson as an additional donation for the program. The 50/50 drawing added another $149.00 to the event, totaling a donation of $349.00.

..... SURVIVORS SUPPORT GROUP .....

support

Phyllis Lorenz - "To help others who experience the loss of their spouse, attending calling hours, help with paperwork or anything else that may be needed. We can assist in finding painters, handymen, contractors & yard work.

You can contact Phyllis via email at phylgeorge@aol.com

..... OFFICER WELLNESS .....

cordico pba2

Det. Cowan has been assigned to our Officer Wellness position full-time. He wants to share the Cordico Officer Wellness program which provides our retirees an opportunity to utilize the App for officer wellness. If you have any questions about this, feel free to contact Det. Cowan at 315-748-0854.

The app is: https://www.cordico.com/syracuse-police-department/

..... AIR 1 FOUNDATION .....

air1

Please help keep Air 1 flying.

The Air 1 Foundation website (Facebook)

.......... IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL RETIREES ..........

HEATH INSURANCE INFO FOR THOSE NOT ON MEDICARE

The pdf attachment below, provides information about health insurance coverage for those NOT on Medicare
City of Syracuse.Retiree.BCBS.2022.updated

HELP FOR SENIORS

For information regarding help with your heating costs, click here
Onondaga County Dept of Adult & Long Term Care.. 315.435.3355
Info regarding Caregiver Services, EISEP, HEAP, HIICAP, Community Service, Adult Protective Services, Mental Health Services, Veterans Services

MEDICARE (Part A & B)

SPD retirees are reminded that they MUST sign up for Medicare Part A & B when they become eligible
That is when they reach age 65 or are declared disabled by Social Security.
At that point, Medicare becomes your primary health insurance and the City's health plan becomes secondary
See United Health Care Section below

MEDICARE-DRUG PRESCRIPTION PLAN (Part D)

Our advice (both the local and state organizations) is DO NOT sign up for Part D-prescription coverage at this time.
If your former employer has prescription coverage, there is NO PENALTY to sign up later. Plus, employers are encouraged by the federal government to keep their prescription coverage. They can receive up to 28% reimbursement for their expenses.

NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT MUSEUM

Would you like to donate your time for a great cause and share your expertise with others?
The National Law Enforcement Museum offers several volunteer opportunities to fit your experience and your schedule. Visitor Experience Volunteers welcome visitors, provide general information about the Museum and help guests plan their journey through the exhibits. Event Volunteers help with special events, such as National Police Week and the Run for the Badge 5K. Volunteer Educators help lead high-quality, visitor-centered tours of the Museum’s collections and exhibits. Are you a current or former law enforcement officer? We have important volunteer opportunities for you, too. Law Enforcement Volunteers share their expertise with visitors and help them see what walking in the shoes of an officer is really like.
To learn more about the volunteer program, please visit the Museum's volunteer opportunities page.

NYS RETIREMENT SYSTEM

After creating an account, you will be able to conduct business with your NYS Retirement System without having to mail in forms or make a phone call
Retirement Online has the same security safegaurds used for online banking to protect your identity
For assistance signing up or help accessing your account you can call our Contact Center at 866.805.0990
I strongly encourage you to join more than 150,000 NYSLRS retirees who have opened Retirement Online accounts
Sincerely - Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli
Click here for their website.

NYS SAFE ACT & RETIREES EXEMPTION

We believe it only exempts retired officers from penalty of possessing large capacity magazines and/or assault type weapons if that retired officer was required to purchase that item by his agency when he was active as a Police Officer or was issued that item by his employer and allowed to keep it upon retirement. In both cases he must register that item within 60 days of retirement. Additionally he must have served at least 5 or more years with that agency and retired in good standing. He also must continually re-qualify with that weapon as required by law.
Link to actual section of the law

PISTOL PERMIT

You are now required to recertify your pistol permit. Here is the link to NYS Troopers website to do so.

Federal Law HR#218 allows retired police officers to carry firearms across state line
IF..You have your retired ID with you AND proof that you have qualified with that type weapon within the last 12 months
Any state firearms instructor may qualify you including any that may be found on our SPONSOR page

..An important aspect of Federal Law HR218 is to remember is that it IS NOT a Concealed Carry Permit
..It is an "Affirmative Defense" to a State charge of weapons possession and that must be raised and proven by the defendant. You lose this defense if you are under the influence of alcohol or another intoxicating or hallucinatory drug or substance. If you have a Concealed Carry Permit, consuming alcohol does not invalidate the Permit, but consuming alcohol does invalidate your HR218 meaning you are subject to a State charge of weapons possession.
..New York Penal Law 265.03, is very clear; if you are convicted of this offense there is a mandatory minimum sentence of 3.5 year in prison
.."A person is guilty of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree pursuant to New York Penal Law 265.03(3) when that person possesses a loaded firearm (pistol, revolver, handgun, etc.) outside his or her home or place of business without a permit regardless of what the intent was".
..Under the laws of New York, loaded does not mean a clip in the gun or a bullet in the cylinder. If the firearm is capable of being loaded and the bullets are in the case with the gun or even in your pocket, you can still potentially be charged with this offense.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

..Maintenance drugs (those you take all the time) MUST be by mail order in 90 day supplies.
..The original prescription and one refill from the local pharmacy is covered. After that point you will have to pay 100% or use the United HC.
..If your doctor is changing the dosage, that is a new prescription and can be filled at the pharmacy until the dosage is regulated

PROJECT LIFESAVER

Unique transmitter from the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office for Alzheimer's patients
Contact the OCSD at 407 S State St - Syracuse - (315)435-3044

SURVIVOR HEALTH INSURANCE

SPD retiree survivors may continue your health insurance plan for a monthly payment.
Contact City of Syracuse at 315.448.8788 or 315.448.8445 for pricing of individual or family plans.

TAX DEDUCTION FOR INSURANCE PREMIUM

If your health insurance premium is automatically taken from your NYS pension, you may deduct the premiums from the taxable portion of your tax return. You must remember to write PSO; (Public Safety Officer) on the line where you report the taxable amount of your pension. This does NOT apply to Medicare Premiums because they do not come out of your state pension nor does it apply to your state tax form because state pensions are not taxable.

UNITED HEALTH CARE

If you are under 65 yrs of age Excellus is your insurance carrier
If you are 65 and older: United Health Care is your health insurance carrier.
65 and older: You MUST continue your current Medicare coverage & it's payment.
65 and older: Inform your medical provider to call the number on the back of your insurance card and not the providers usual number
65 and older: You need to notify your doctor/medical office to NOT submit their bill to Medicare but to the current insurance carrier
Nothing has recently changed regarding what is covered or co-payments, pharmacy choice, etc.
Covered under Part B of Medicare on the City of Syracuse Plan
.. Flu shots, Diabetic testing strips (Lancets and test strips) and glucose meter. You can get both of these at the pharmacy.
.. You can also get Diabetes testing supplies mail order.
.. You may also receive the flu shot at the doctors office with your insurance card.
If you ANY questions or issues contact City Hall: 315.448.8788 or 315.448.8445

VETERANS

If you served 90 consecutive days (or one day wartime) in the US Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines you may be entitled to receive up to $6000 per month for a husband and wife towards nursing home expense or $1344 for assisted living
Contact the Veterans Administration for details

........ MEMBER BENEFITS & DISCOUNTS ........

The below offer a discount/benefit to you because of your membership.

stone

STONE DENTAL & DENTISTRY

You may have a dental discount available .. 315.214.0004 - 5663 E Circle Dr, Cicero

https://stonedentistry.com/

dunn

EDWARD DUNN .. ATTORNEY-at-LAW

He is offering his legal services, at a discount 315.427.5881 - 250 Harrison St, Syracuse

http://dunnrightlaw.com/blog/