New Retiree? Visit the IRO website where we have summarized key areas!
FROM THE BOARD – Barb Frank, President
Thank You IRO Volunteers for Your Contributions!
KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR 2013
1. The website committee implemented web-enabled self-registration so retirees can easily join our organization. They also created @intelretiree.com email addresses for all retirees who are members of IRO. This email address does three things.
- Allows retirees to get some additional discounts
- Enables retirees to receive email at this address that is forwarded automatically to their personal email addresses
- Use of this email address helps to prove that they are Intel retirees
Thanks to Judy Goodman, Chair of the Website Committee, and our website team of: Gary DeLeon, Kea Grilley, Mark Healy, Polly Jennings, Sam Louke, Brenda and Everett McQuillen and Jerry Elder. Thanks also to Elyce Wair who has retired from the team after many years of service.
2. Our volunteers answered 274 questions from retirees on different topics, with most questions focused on Intel retiree benefits and discounts. Intel defined responsibilities for escalated issues from IRO to additional managers this year which has sped up responses received by retirees. Thanks to our 2013 mailbox volunteers: Debbie Watson, Barb Frank, Cheryl Pruss, Gene Murphy, Caspar Helmer, Ben Manny and Sharon Bernier.
3. We continued to reach more retirees as our membership grew from 1797 in January 2013 to 2363 in January 2014, a growth of 32%. As of June, IRO has 2613 members. Intel retiree collateral was updated to ensure that retirees are aware of our organization and its benefits.
4. Our Communication team worked diligently to make sure our monthly News Flash is relevant and informative and also implemented a “closed loop” process so that concerns voiced by retirees drive improvements to communications. An executive Life After Intel series was launched and has been popular. Early this year, we added a new retiree welcome/orientation to the News Flash and our website. Thanks to: Debbie Watson, Chair of the Communication Committee and her team: Sharon Bernier, Judy Goodman, Gene Murphy, Ben Manny, Howard High, Abigail Scott, Cheryl Pruss, Gell Gellman, Barb Frank, Randy Williams, and newest member, Clem Russo.
5. We coordinated our annual fall dinners which were attended by 226 retirees and guests. Intel supported us with funding and provided the following excellent speakers:
-Santa Clara– Mark Henninger, Director of Investments Relations
-Folsom– Kyle Kaneshiro, Director of Strategic Planning
-Oregon– Mike Green, Executive Talent Management Team
-Arizona– Doug Davis, VP and GM of AZ/FSM
6. We added 7 discounts and launched Intel’s additional discount program called Advantage. Go here for more information. We continued to source and share multiple stories on healthcare insurance options, the Affordable Care Act and long-term health care. This topic area continues to be a top area of interest for Intel retirees. Thanks to Cheryl Pruss, Chair of the Benefits Committee and her team: Tom Piete, Isaac Levy and Ben Manny.
7. In February, 2014, we had our first IRO Board officers and Committee chairs face-to-face in Oregon. We used the time to define our 2014 priorities and have them reviewed with Intel. Thanks to Intel for supporting our continued efforts to serve the Intel retiree community (Richard Taylor, Devra Johnson, Kevin Fraczek, and Tamara Gutierrez). Also thanks to our Board officers, Barb Frank, Cheryl Pruss, and Vicki Valens. Special thanks to Caspar Helmer, who served as our Secretary for many years, and Julie Peterson who retired recently from that position. Also special thanks to our Volunteer/Intel Foundation committee chair Ben Manny and our News Flash editor Sharon Bernier.
INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING?
We always have a need on our committees for volunteers. If you’d like to stay connected or meet new retirees, IRO is a rewarding way to do this! Drop us an email and we will contact you.
2014 PRIORITIES
1. Continue to work with Intel on expanding discounts and Great Place to Work benefits for retirees.
2. Continue providing retirees with a single venue for fast, efficient and accurate answers from Intel via the Intel Retiree Organization mailbox, intelretiree@gmail.com.
3. Continue to maintain relevant, timely and up-to-date communications via our website, News Flash, post cards and by leveraging Intel communications where appropriate.
4. Work with Intel on piloting a business update for retirees.
5. Work with Intel on providing business cards for retirees.
6. Pilot a program with the Folsom Site Committee to include retirees in local site activities.
7. Increase the number of retirees participating in the Intel Foundation matching programs.
HEALTH/BENEFITS – Cheryl Pruss, Chairperson
ONLINE RESOURCE NOW AVAILABLE FOR BETTER INFORMED HEALTH INSURANCE DECISIONS
Did you know that IRMP has an out-of-pocket maximum that could influence your decision regarding choosing the Intel Retiree Medical Plan vs selecting some other insurance plan? What’s an out-of-pocket maximum, you ask? The Consumer Health Insurance Guide provides a good overview of the healthcare insurance process in place today which clearly defines terms like out-of-pocket maximum, so that you can make better informed healthcare decisions. This website covers the basics. It is helpful for new retirees, retirees needing to make healthcare insurance decisions, and retirees wanting to control their healthcare insurance costs. Click here to read more about what’s covered on the website and the link to the Guide website.
MICROSOFT DISCOUNT NOT AVAILABLE FOR RETIREES
COMMUNICATION – DEBBIE WATSON, Chairperson
A GREAT INTEL ARTICLE WORTH A READ:
Intel’s ANDY BRYANT on a “tumultuous” two years as Chairman.
VOLUNTEER – Ben Manny, Chairperson
FIRST 2013 INTEL INVOLVED CHECKS DISTRIBUTED
Volunteer hours matching grant checks were distributed during May to eligible non-profits. A payout report is posted here. No other confirmation of payment is issued to employees or retirees. You may confirm a non-profit has received payment if you reported hours for 2013. Payment amounts for each non-profit reflect program guidelines and the aggregated hours reported by employees and retirees. Some non-profits may still need to complete compliance statements before receiving payment. If you have questions about payouts, please email the company that administers this program here.
RETIREE PERSONAL “BUSINESS” CARD UPDATE
Our Intel contacts were still busy rolling out the new Advantage discount program and yours truly was on vacation in Croatia most of May. We now expect a review with the international branding group in June and will continue to provide updates.
SITE UPDATES
Doesn’t an evening out for a nice dinner with friends sound great? Check your site calendar for the date of your annual retiree dinner. We’d like to know what you would like to see to make these evenings a “must attend”. Drop us an email with your suggestions, thoughts on door prizes, speakers, special guests, and activities.
Retirees who have opted in now number 2,611 members thanks in part to your participation at these events. Please continue to support the Intel Retiree Organization and fellow retirees by inviting other retirees to join us!
FOLSOM
30TH ANNIVERSARY A HUGE SUCCESS!
Read all about the celebration held in Folsom and be sure to check out the pictures of your fellow retirees!