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THE TRUSTEE 

June 2024
Vol XVII, No. 170

Welcome Summer! 

The Kingston Trust Fund turns twenty-eight this July! When the Trust was first proposed  by then KTF President Hugh (Stu)  M. Spoljaric it was visionary idea, and it still is. Achieving the Trust was an act of incredible perseverance and dedication on the part of Stu. It was not easy; there were many obstacles and challenges in creating the  Kingston Trust Fund. With the support of the KTF board of directors and the members who trusted and believed in the vision, the Kingston Trust was established and became a reality. Although there were many people who did not think the KTF Trust Fund could be accomplished or that it would last, Trust remains strong and financially solvent. It continues to grow and change in keeping with its mission to provide premier health benefits and service to our members and their families in a cost-effective manner. Since its inception twenty-eight years ago, the Trust has helped save the Kingston School District  (and the community) thousands of dollars. We owe a debt of gratitude and many thanks to Stu Spoljaric for all he did to make the vision of affordable, quality health insurance a reality. We are incredibly lucky to have such wonderful health benefits.

Summer Travel Season

With summer comes the summer travel season and the frequently asked question “Do I need travel health insurance?” If you are traveling within the United States, your health insurance coverage is sufficient. However, if you are planning a trip out of the country, the Plan ALWAYS recommends travel insurance. Our health plan does have foreign travel coverage, but if something happens, you will have a foreign copay, and out of network deductibles, since there are no in-network providers outside the United States. Additionally, the foreign provider can bill you 100% above and beyond any allowable amount. It can become extremely expensive, very quickly. Purchasing travel insurance is definitely a great idea and a worthwhile investment. Hopefully, you will not need it, but if you do, you will be glad you have it!

Retiree Dental Premium Holiday

Members currently enrolled in the retiree dental plan will not receive the traditional purple dental billing in June this year. At the recent Trust meeting, the trustees vote to institute a premium holiday for the 2024-2025 plan year. This means that current retirees who are enrolled in the KTF dental insurance will not have to pay  the premium for the 2024-25 plan year. New retirees should follow the instructions for maintaining health and dental benefits in retirement listed in the Welcome to Retirement letters they receive.

Retirees not currently on the dental plan may opt in. Interested members will need to remit the semi-annual premium prior to July 1. Contact KTF Compliance to have an invoice sent to you. (enrollment@ktftrustfund.com or 844-583-3863, prompt 1)embers currently enrolled in the retiree dental plan will not receive the traditional purple dental billing in June this year. At the recent Trust meeting, the trustees vote to institute a premium holiday for the 2024-2025 plan year. New retirees should follow the instructions for maintaining health and dental benefits in retirement listed in the Welcome to Retirement letters they receive. 

June is Open Enrollment

June is Open Enrollment for health insurance coverage. The Trust has scheduled an Open Enrollment Information Session at the

Mid-Hudson Regional NYSUT Conference Center
201 Stockade Drive, Kingston, on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, from 4- 6 PM.

Eligible members have until June 30, 2024, to make any changes.

Members are reminded to notify the Trust Office of any status changes (marriage, divorce, legal separation, births, deaths, dependents, dependent age 26, address, child custody, disability, active/retired, and any condition affecting special programs, such as diabetes, prenatal, infertility, and weight loss. Failure to do so may result in penalties and repayment of money to the Trust.

Information for New Retirees

To maintain your health and dental benefits in retirement, new retirees should follow the instructions in the Welcome to Retirement letters they receive. Newly retired members should submit payment for dental insurance by July 1, 2024.

Retirees who have had the Trust’s Guardian Life Insurance will be terminated as of July 1, 2024. The policy is in effective until retirement or until the age of sixty-five.
 
Members enrolled in the Long-Term Care insurance retain their group policy when retiring and the Trust will continue to pay the monthly premium. 

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In Memoriam

 Ruth Jenkins          Denise Roeber