FROM THE BOARD – Barb Frank, Chairperson
TIME FOR OUR ANNUAL DINNERS WITH INTEL SPEAKERS
With fall at hand and holidays coming up quickly, it’s the time of year when the Intel Retiree Organization holds its annual retiree dinners. We hold these dinners in early Q4 to provide important reminders of deadlines for Intel benefits that occur from October through January. These dinners are held at the major US sites and include senior Intel speakers. Intel provides significant funding assistance for the dinners so we can keep costs down for our retiree family. Attendees get a chance to renew past Intel friendships and many of us relish being “in the know” about Intel’s business direction through the presentations and open discussions with Intel’s current senior management. Many of us use the opportunity of these dinners to better understand Intel’s business direction, while other retirees look forward to seeing old friends and learn about the “life after Intel” that other retirees have created for themselves. In all cases, these dinners help keep and refresh Intel’s extended family. Many thanks to Intel for helping us make this happen.
Oregon and Santa Clara held their annual dinners last week. There was good attendance and fun by all. Our speakers from Intel were excellent. Mark Henninger, Director of Investment Relations was at our Santa Clara dinner, and Mike Green, Executive Talent Management Team, was at Oregon’s.
The Folsom and Arizona dinners are being held November 6th and 12th respectively. Sign up so you can network with your colleagues and friends, enjoy an evening out, and get updated on Intel’s latest business strategies! It is amazing to watch the “Intel” energy at these events as retirees reconnect.
US Intel retirees now number over 4700. International retirees bring our worldwide total to 6200! The Intel Retiree Organization boasts almost half (2300) of US retirees as members of our organization and we are planning to expand to selected international sites in 2014 where we expect to add a higher percentage of our international retirees to our group.
DON’T FORGET – INTEL’S 2013 COMMUNITY GIVING CAMPAIGN ENDS NOVEMBER 8TH
Intel continues to match donations pledged by retirees. Complete details with instructions and links to on-line pledging are found here.
HEALTH/BENEFITS – Cheryl Pruss, Chairperson
IMPORTANT ANNUAL ENROLLMENT DATES FOR HEALTHCARE
1. INSURANCE OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR IRMP – OCT. 28 TO NOV. 18, 2013
The annual enrollment guide was mailed to your home in the week of October 14. Enroll on the My Health Benefits website, or call (877)GoMyBen(466-9236) for questions. Important to note this year:
- If you want vision care, you will now sign up separately for it . It is no longer part of IRMP coverage, but is still available.
- Voluntary dental insurance is available through Met Life.
- There is a 6% increase in premiums in the IRMP CIGNA Coinsurance. This is the IRMP plan for retirees who are not yet Medicare eligible. No change in premiums for IRMP Indemnity with or without Rx. These are the IRMP plans for the Medicare eligible.
- Understand your benefits. IRMP Indemnity, with or without Rx, is NOT a supplemental policy. Many Intel retirees have been confused about this. Read page 16 of the Intel brochure to understand how your IRMP coverage is coordinated with Medicare. Pay attention to how the maximum out-of-pocket aspect works, and note additional services available on IRMP that are not covered by Medicare (shown on pages 12 and 13).
- Look at Intel’s Q & A regarding the Affordable Care Act which has been modified since the October IRO News Flash posting.
2. MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT – OCT. 15 TO DEC. 7, 2013
Aon Hewitt Navigators are available to help Medicare eligible retirees navigate the complex health insurance market during open enrollment and beyond. This service is available at no cost to you. To contact Aon Hewitt Navigators, call the Health Benefits Center (877)GoMyBen(466-9236).
NOT MEDICARE ELIGIBLE / ELIGIBLE BUT NOT ENROLLED
As a reminder, 2014 healthcare changes related to the Affordable Care Act, make it possible for those who are not yet Medicare eligible to shop for healthcare insurance on the “exchanges” now called “Health Insurance Market Place” – even if you have pre-existing conditions. To find out which plans are available in your state, click here and select your state of residence. Intel has provided some additional guidance to retirees regarding the Affordable Care Act and IRMP, SERMA, COBRA and Medicare. Click here to see Q and A’s re: the ACA, subsidies, and the impact of IRMP/SERMA. These Q and A’s have been revised since the October News Flash – check it out!
INSURANCE BROKER CONTACTS
This is a time when retirees may need Insurance Broker contacts. We are repeating the information previously shared about Insurance Brokers who other Intel retirees recommend. If you are looking to understand your options and considering purchasing insurance on the open market, we have insurance brokers (AZ, OR and CA) whom retirees have used with good results. To receive contact information for these brokers, click here. If you live in another state, finding an insurance broker may be available through the insurance commission of your state.
COMMUNICATION – Debbie Watson, Chairperson
KEITH THOMSON, RETIRED INTEL VP – “PERFORMANCE + PERCEPTION = REPUTATION”
Interested in hearing about the guy who helped plant the first “trees” in the Silicon Forest in Oregon? Read about the fascinating career and the post retirement life of Intel Vice President, Keith Thomson, employee #110.
PATRICIA LITTLE – FROM MASK DESIGNER TO AUTHOR OF THREE BOOKS
After 24 years at Intel, Patricia Little continues on with her next career as an author, but not before facing a huge obstacle that life threw into her path.
INTEL’S DO-OR-DIE DUO – BRIAN KRZANICH AND RENEE JAMES
Fortune magazine, October 28, features this duo in a compelling article on getting Intel inside the smartphone. For the next few weeks, it is only available online to subscribers. Or, pick up a copy if you don’t want to wait!
INTEL AT 45
As Intel focuses its energy toward celebrating the company’s 50th anniversary, Intel alumni couldn’t wait and hosted a party to commemorate Intel’s 45th. The Intel Alumni Network – members are made up of anyone who has ever worked for Intel – recently held a 45th anniversary party at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California. Between 300-400 Intel Bunny people gathered to trade recollections and to renew friendships from their time “inside Intel.” Here is one outsider’s review of the evening. Hope you enjoy his recap!
VOLUNTEER – Ben Manny, Chairperson
LEGOS, ROBOTS, KIDS – FUN AND REWARDING
Intel is the Title sponsor for ORTOP, the Oregon Robotics Tournament and Outreach Program. A record 490 teams have registered to compete in this year’s First Lego League challenge, Nature’s Fury. Volunteers are needed to judge, referee, and help with the 26 qualifying and 2 state championship tournaments. To learn more about the specific volunteering opportunities and to sign-up, visit this website. You can also contact the IRO Volunteer committee chairperson, a 10+ year volunteer for this program.
TRULY HELPING THE HOMELESS
Intel retiree Mike Moylan spends his volunteer hours working with North Beach Citizens to innovatively address the needs of its homeless and low income citizens. In this heartwarming story, San Francisco’s Mental Health Court partners with North Beach Citizens and our own Mike Moylan, to help one talented citizen find her way. If you are interested in North Beach Citizens, you can email Mike Moylan for more information.
A REMINDER TO ALL NON-PROFIT VOLUNTEERS
If your volunteer hours qualify for the Intel Involved Program, the deadline for reporting hours is January 15th, 2014.
SITE UPDATES
OREGON/WASHINGTON – After 17 years in Dupont, Intel decides to sell its Washington facility. Read the story here.
ARIZONA – Last call for RSVP – deadline November 5! Send your check today for the November 12 retiree dinner at the Ocotillo Country Club. Details are listed on our calendar.
MASSACHUSETTS – Apologies to everyone in The Bay State for the incorrect spelling of your great state in last month’s News Flash!