UFCW LOCAL 1262 BANNER ON-LINE

$44,990,482 In H&W Benefits Paid In Twelve-Months $15,700,000 Paid In Pension Benefits During Same Period Legal Services Benefits Total $1,261,846     THE YEAR-END figures compiled by Local 1262’s Health, Welfare, Pension and Legal Services Funds, show that nearly $60 million in grand total benefits were paid to Local 1262 members and the eligible members of their families during these prior 12 months.
    For medical benefits, dental benefits, vision benefits, prescription drug benefits, life insurance and stop-loss benefits, the total paid was $44,990,482.57 for the twelve-month period beginning October 1, 1998, extending through September 30, 1999.
    These benefits were paid to both full-time and part-time eligible members, through both the food and non-food Health and Welfare Funds.
    During the twelve-month period from January 1, 1999, projected to December 31, 1999, our Local Union’s Food Pension Fund, paid a total of $14,891,422.43 in Pension benefits, while the Local Union’s Non-Food Pension Fund paid $964,205.64 in Pension benefits to eligible retirees.
    With a grand total of 25,252 hours of services delivered, during the twelve-month period from November 1, 1998 through October 31, 1999, Local 1262’s Legal Services Fund paid a grand total of $1,261,846.10 in Legal Services benefits, on behalf of eligible participants in the Union’s Legal Services Fund.
    Approximately $2.4 million in Retiree Health Care benefits were paid on behalf of eligible Local 1262 retirees as follows: Welfare Fund (10-month period) - $1,815,088.79 Health and Welfare Fund (9-month period) - $559,035.63 Non-Food Fund (12-month period) - $61,868.20     “This outstanding grand total of Health and Welfare, Pension, Legal Services and retiree care benefits paid to our members, demonstrates the strength of our funds and also the extent to which these funds provide outstanding benefits to our members,” emphasized Local 1262 President Harvey Whille.
    “The administration of these benefits requires an effective system administered by dedicated Health and Welfare Department employees, whose only interest is to provide the best in service to our members,” added President Whille.

Know How To Use Your Legal Services Benefits Properly     FOR MORE THAN TWO DECADES, Local 1262’s Legal Service Plan has provided eligible members with the finest in legal assistance, at no cost to participants.
    Through a network of conveniently-located legal services providers, who are among the best in the legal field, thousands of Local 1262 members have received the legal advice and counsel they need, always confidentially.
    “Every eligible member of the legal service plan receives a summary plan description of the legal services they are entitled to and every participant should carefully review this description of services to be sure that they take advantage of their rights under the plan,” emphasized President Whille.
    Recently, several participants in the plan who were not fully aware of the services provided by the legal plan, incurred large outside legal expenses before using one of the in-network attorneys, who provide services through Local 1262’s Legal Services Plan.
    By reading and understanding the description of legal services provided by the Legal Services Plan, those participants could have avoided paying for legal expenses that they might have been covered for by using one of the attorneys or law firms currently part of the Legal Services network.
    Legal Services Plan participants have a number of law firms conveniently located, to choose from, and a member can always discuss their needs with plan attorneys, before finally deciding which attorney or law firm to use for their legal needs.
    As an example of how Local 1262’s Legal Services Plan can be used effectively, the following letter was recently received by President Whille:

Dear President Whille:
    I am employed by Foodarama Shop Rite and recently completed a lengthy real estate transaction, consisting of selling my house and buying a newly-constructed home.
    None of this would have been possible without the help of the legal firm of Juman, Juman and Hedesh, and Local 1262’s Legal Services Plan.
    My husband and I have spent more than a year and a half trying to negotiate with the builders on the various details of construction of our new home.   During this period of time, our negotiations were facilitated by Mr. Juman, because he has such vast experience in real estate negotiations.
    The sale of our old house was also very difficult. There were a lot of negotiations back and forth between both parties, but Mr. Juman prevailed on our behalf every time.
T    he closings for both homes were also handled by an associate of the firm connected with our Legal Services Plan.
    I must make special mention of Mr. Thomas Grealis, who was very meticulous in preparation and execution of legal documents for us.
    Finally, we are settled into our new home, happily due to the fine legal work done by this firm, that is part of Local 1262’s legal services plan.
                                                                                                                Fraternally,
                                                                                                                Arlene Adams
                                                                                                                East Brunswick, N.J.
    Please review your legal services summary plan description if you are in need of legal assistance and are considering going to an attorney for help.
    Reading your description of services should be the first step you take before deciding on an attorney and on a legal firm to assist you.
    If you have any questions, please contact the Legal Services Department at 1-800-522-4161.

Pension Plan Participants To Receive Annual Summary of Pension Credits     AT THE INSISTENCE of President Harvey Whille and as announced by him at the recent Shop Stewards’ Seminars, beginning next year, every eligible participant, after at least one-year of full service, in either Local 1262’s Food Industry Pension Plan or the Non-Food Industry Pension Plan, will receive a summary of their pension credits and an estimated amount of the pension benefit they will receive, when they retire, subject to a final review at the time of retirement.
    This annual summary is intended to help every Local 1262 member fully and effectively prepare for retirement, by providing the latest information necessary to make retirement plans.
    The new summary of individual pension status a member will receive, will be in addition to, and similar to, the summary now being sent to all Social Security participants by the Federal Government.
    Complete details on the style of the summary form and other useful information that will be contained on it, are still in the planning stages. Every Pension Plan participant can now look forward to using this summary as an important part of planning for retirement.

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