CWA Local 7777

RETIREES

Come Join us at our CWA Retiree Club's Monthly Luncheons

RETIREES

The following letter was received from our District 7 Office. Hopefully, this will help those of you who have been experiencing problems getting information on your Qwest payment of health care premiums:

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Communications Workers of America 8085 E. Prentice Avenue

AFL-CIO, CLC Greenwood Village, CO 80111-2745

303-770-2822 FAX: 303-793-7927

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VIA E-MAIL

R-001

January 8, 2009

TO: All Retiree Chapters Representing Qwest Occupational Retirees

FROM: Carla Floyd, CWA Health Benefit Coordinator

SUBJECT: Qwest Service Center for Health Care Premium Issues

Qwest Post-1990 Occupational Health Care Participants: The QWEST Service Center has been experiencing an unusually high volume of calls since December 29, 2008. This large volume of calls has been primarily due to requests for the payment of monthly health care premium contributions. Due to this volume of calls, many retirees have been unable to reach the Qwest Service Center. Additional resources have been allocated at the Qwest Service Center to help with this volume and to process requests.

I want to apologize for the frustration you are experiencing. However, please continue to try contacting the Qwest Service Center at 1 800-729-7526. <>Retirees - You will need to select option 2 then option 1 in order to make payment arrangements. There is still time to make payment arrangements for January health care premium contributions. If payment arrangements are made with the Qwest Service Center for pension deduction of monthly health care premium contributions or if a check or money order and billing coupon is received by the Qwest Service Center prior to January 30, 2009, your payment will be considered on time and your coverage will remain in force. <>Health care premium contributions for January 2009 must be received by January 30, 2009. If arrangements have not been made prior to January 30, 2009 to make payment through pension deductions or through electronic fund transfer (EFT) from a checking or savings account, then January's payment must be submitted and received by the Qwest Service Center using a billing coupon with a check or money order. If timely payment is not received, coverage will be terminated retroactive to January 1, 2009 and you will need to appeal to the Qwest Health Care Plan in order to request reinstatement of your health care coverage for 2009.

Payment of Monthly Health Care Contributions through Pension Deduction

If a retiree wishes to arrange for ongoing monthly health care premiums to be deducted from his/her monthly pension payment, the retiree must call the Qwest Service Center before the end of January 2009 in order for January and February 2009 premium to be deducted from the March 1st, 2009 pension check. Ongoing monthly health care premium contributions will be deducted from each monthly pension payment thereafter. For example, the March health care premium contribution will be deducted from the April 1 pension check. Pension payments are made in arrears meaning the April 1, 2009 payment is for the month of March 2009 premium contribution.

Payment of Monthly Health Care Contributions through Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT)

If a retiree arranges for EFT, the retiree should plan on paying for health care premium contributions with a check or money order and billing coupon for one to two months to ensure the EFT process is in place with their financial institution. EFT deductions will occur between the 1st and 5th of each month. Unlike the pension payment, payment of health care premium contributions through EFT is for the current month of coverage, meaning, for example, that the deduction from your February 2009 EFT deduction is for the February 2009 health care premium.

Again, I apologize for the frustration you are experiencing. However, please continue to try contacting the Qwest Service Center at 1 800-729-7526. Representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mountain time. Retirees - remember that you will need to select option 2 then option 1 in order to make payment arrangements.

Thank you for your patience.

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c: District 7 Staff

All Locals Representing Qwest Employees

We invite you to join our CWA Retired Members Chapter. Launched in 1977, we are enjoying our third decade of success.

In the past few years, members have broken bread at catered luncheon meetings, bused to Central City, learned from interesting speakers, shared in valuable door prizes, donated to worthy causes and even received flowers and fruit from fellow members’ gardens and orchards.

Many of our active members attend our monthly gatherings where they hear updates on issues surrounding our pensions and benefits. We have dues-payers who worked for Western Electric, AT&T, Lucent, Mountain Bell, Qwest, Avaya, and in CWA’s newspaper divisions. Spouses are welcome at all of our activities.

Some of our most involved members join in political activities including fund-raising, lobbying, and testifying before legislators and commissions that impact our continued security. Many corporations have reneged on their implied promise of pension benefits for life, leaving seniors fearful of their financial survival. Some of our former employers have raided, or seem poised to raid, the very pension trust funds we earned throughout our dedicated careers.

For some, the luncheons (including at least two yearly restaurant visits) warrant belonging. Others demand more or give more or just enjoy reading of our activities in the minutes and other mailings. Still others love the T-shirts, jackets and hats that Local 7777 (our sponsor) often sends our way. Whatever your level of interest, we hope you’ll join us.

Membership is open to any retiree who was ever a member in good standing. Dues are only $15.00 per calendar year. A check for that amount, made out to the CWA Retired Members Chapter, may be mailed to: CWA 7777, 2840 South Vallejo St., Englewood CO 80110. Or, if you prefer to look us over first, call any of the undersigned for the date of our next meeting. We hope to hear from you.

Fraternally,

Harvey Hoffman, President (303)733-1955

Polly Peixoto, Vice President (303)973-1550

Ann Vigil, Secretary (303) 975-0077

HH/cs