Retired Public Employees Council of WA Working to protect and enhance the pension and health care benefits of Washington retired state, county and local government employees
RPEC Weekly Newsflash, July 14, 2023
Benefits 24/7 Launching January 2024
HCA is introducing a new online enrollment system called Benefits 24/7. Benefits 24/7 will integrate online account access for subscribers from the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) and School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) Programs into one platform to allow for streamlined support and maintenance. This modernized web-based enrollment system will have a new look and expanded capabilities, providing self-service options for members.
Benefits 24/7 will launch in January 2024. PEBB and SEBB subscribers will be able to use Benefits 24/7 to:
- Choose insurance coverage when newly eligible, including waiving medical (employees) or deferring retiree insurance coverage (retirees).
- Apply for enrollment in retiree coverage or continuation coverage.
- Make plan changes during open enrollment.
- Submit special open enrollment requests.
- Add or remove dependents during open enrollment and manage their enrollment throughout the year.
- Upload documents to prove dependent eligibility.
- Make long-term disability insurance elections.
- Use links to visit vendors’ websites in supplemental benefits.
For more information, please visit: https://www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/news/announcements/benefits247-replace-pebb-my-account-and-sebb-my-account
Register for the Office of the Insurance Commissioner’s July 17 Workshop on Auto & Homeowners Insurance Issues
Registration and the meeting agenda are now available for Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler’s July 17 workshop on the rising number of auto and homeowners insurance complaints.
The workshop, scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. virtually on Zoom, will provide a public forum for representatives from the insurance industry, national and regional repair professionals, claim experts, and consumers to share their expertise and experiences. The workshop is scheduled to end at 1 p.m., but the Zoom meeting will stay live until every member of the public who wants to provide a comment has the opportunity to do so.
The meeting will also be streaming on twv.org and available to watch during, and after, the meeting.
State Treasurer Hosting Retirement Security Town Halls
State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti is hosting retirement security town halls across the state to raise awareness about challenges that current and future retirees face. These town halls will be an opportunity to share ideas and hear what work is on the horizon that could ensure all Washingtonians have equitable access to long-term retirement security.
Joining Treasurer Pellicciotti will be guest panelists April Sims, President of the Washington State Labor Council; Aaron Keating, Managing Director at Economic Opportunity Institute; and Cathleen MacCaul, Advocacy Director at AARP Washington. Members of the public are invited to attend and participate in the conversations.
Are You on Facebook? Stop by and Like Us
Do you spend time on Facebook? Did you know the Retired Public Employees Council of Washington has a Facebook page? Next time you are on Facebook, simply search for RPECWA or visit https://www.facebook.com/RPECWA to find our page. Sometimes we post exclusive information here that cannot be found on our website! It’s a great place to interact with fellow retirees such as yourself. While you’re there, hit the ‘Like’ button so our posts appear in your feed.
Register Today – Members-Only Benefits Webinar, July 28, 1-2:00 PM
Do you know about the various member-only benefits offered by RPEC? Whether you’re a new member or just looking to maximize the value of your membership, register today for the RPEC Benefits Webinar on July 28th from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM. The webinar will include an overview of RPEC member-only benefits, including discounts on dental services with Bright Now! Dental and hearing services with Hearing in America, as well as various other cost savings and discounts through AFSCME Advantage. Utilizing these benefits can improve your fixed income by saving you money on various services. Easily offset the cost of your membership by saving money with RPEC’s member-only benefits!
Register here: https://rpecwa.org/members-only-benefits-webinar/
Member-only benefits: https://rpecwa.org/member-only-benefits/
Register Today – RPEC Speakers’ Series Featuring Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, August 2, 2:30-3:30 PM
Registration is now open for RPEC’s first virtual Speakers’ Series: Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez Discusses Threats to Medicare & Social Security. Congresswoman Gluesenkamp Perez represents Washington’s 3rd Congressional District (the southernmost portion of Western Washington to include Lewis, Pacific, Wahkiakum, Cowlitz, Clark and Skamania counties). While new to Congress as of January 2023, Congresswoman Gluesenkamp Perez is quickly earning a reputation for her ability to work effectively on the bipartisan issues prioritized by RPEC members. Her presentation will be followed by a Q & A period. Look for more details in next week’s Newsflash.
Upcoming Events:
Please refer to our calendar page for more information about each event, including links to Zoom meetings, if available.
- July 17 – Senior Lobby (10:00 am)
- July 18 – Select Committee on Pension Policy Meeting (10:00 am)
- July 19 – Public Employees Benefits Board Meeting (9:00 am)
- July 19 – WFSE Resource Fair, Bremerton (11:00 am)
- July 20 – WFSE Member Resource Fair, Vancouver (5:30 pm)
- July 26 – Public Employees Benefits Board Meeting (9:00 am)
- July 27 – Membership Committee Meeting (10:00 am)
- July 27 – Healthcare Workgroup Meeting (3:30 pm)
- July 28 – Member-only Benefits Webinar (1:00 pm)
- August 2 – RPEC Speaker’s Series, Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (2:30 pm)
- August 4 – Monthly Legislative Update Call (2:00 pm)
- August 10 – Healthcare Workgroup (3:30 pm)
- August 21 – Senior Lobby (10:00 am)
- August 22 – Executive Board Meeting (10:45 am)
- August 24 – Healthcare Workgroup Meeting (3:30 pm)
