Three more benefits conferences are scheduled to take place within the first few months of the new year, and those will mark the conclusion of a series of 15 that began last summer.
The gatherings are hosted by the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan (SHBP) at various hiring halls and are supported by the SIU. Seafarers, pensioners and their families are encouraged to attend.
The remaining schedule is:
• Wilmington, California: Tuesday, Jan. 16
• Fort Lauderdale, Florida: Tuesday, Feb. 20
• Algonac, Michigan: Friday, March 8
(Editor’s note: The Wilmington date is new; the originally scheduled conference had been postponed due to inclement weather.)
Seafarers Plans Administrator Maggie Bowen has led the conferences and appreciates the widespread participation.
“They’ve all been well-attended,” she said. “Members and families have come out, and they’ve asked great questions. We’ve talked about a lot of different things.”
Bowen emphasized that membership feedback from the first several conferences directly led to positive change: “As a result of Seafarers talking about their optical benefits, we put that (topic) before the trustees, and they agreed to an increase in those benefits. Vision benefits will double as of Jan. 1, and I think this shows that the process works. Leadership heard the members’ concerns and did something about it.”
Conferences already have taken place in Norfolk, Virginia; Oakland, California; Honolulu; Tacoma, Washington; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Piney Point, Maryland; Jacksonville, Florida; Houston; New Orleans; Mobile, Alabama; and Jersey City, New Jersey.
As previously reported, the meetings usually begin with an overview of the SHBP, including eligibility requirements, coverage levels, prescription considerations and more. Attendees have received tips on how to reduce out-of-pocket expenses and how to take advantage of new benefits.
Comparable information is shared during separate reviews of the Seafarers Pension Plan, Seafarers Vacation Plan, SIU 401K, and Seafarers Money Purchase Pension Plan. Plentiful handouts from the Seafarers Plans and from Cigna also are available.
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