Benefits Express Discussion
Post your questions and comments about Benefits Express here.
National Chrysler Retirement Organization
The NCRO was formed to preserve retiree benefits, improve communication, and foster fellowship among retirees.
BLOG.NCRO.ORG: Benefits Express Discussion
FYI - I just noticed that Chrysler Corporate Payments GAP check I deposited on 5/4 bounced yesterday and my bank charged me 15.00 for the bad check deposit. This was a refund check for a 453 overcharge for employee choice that was taken out of Januarys check.
Also still no HSA check ... but I am not looking for that anymore.
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My dentist notified me that my dental coverage is canceled as of July 31. 2009. Has anyone else been notified?
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I posted this in the wrong board (pension).
Does anyone know when Optical and Dental coverage really ends for salaried personnel (retired)?
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Anybody else having trouble logging on to Benefit Express ? It has been like this since at least yesterday. I get the following message.....
Your Request Can't Be Processed
Your session has been interrupted and can't be continued. If you were submitting a request, it may not have completed successfully.
Thanks
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Several NCRO members wrote that they contacted Benefits Express and were informed that non-union retiree dental and vision is no affected as a result of the bankruptcy. Chrysler has confirmed to the NCRO and bankruptcy court that all the current salaried retiree healthcare plans, including the Retiree Health Spending/Savings Account, are being assumed.
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Because Chrysler Financial retirees fall into a different category, is there a separate blog or website where we can discuss our situation?
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Leon - Send me an email to fredluss@yahoo.com and I'll try to help out with your CF related question and/or issue.
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There is a case for walking away from enormous debts, as there is always the option of filing for bankruptcy. Bankruptcy isn't something to be taken lightly, as it isn't like buying postage stamps and you will have be consulting with bankruptcy attorneys and determine whether or not filing would be good for you. Unemployment is one of the biggest causes for filing, and foreclosure is one of the usual precursors. If you file for chapter 7, the most common filing, you will have to undergo a means test, to determine whether a person can pay all or a portion of their debts. If considering bankruptcy, make sure you have some quick cash for emergencies and talk to bankruptcy attorneys.Read more click http://personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/2009/07/03/case-walking/
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Just received a replacement check for the one that bounced back in April. Thank you Chrysler
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Is anyone having a problem getting to their RHCA in Benefits Express?
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We received several inquiries pertaining to Company Car reimbursement and accessing 'Your Spending Account' on the revised 'Your Benefits Resource' website. Please visit http://www.ncro.org/#RET for details
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Rick, The only problem is that the link on the right hand side labeled "Spending Accounts" doesn't exist!
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Ed,
Since posting the instructions, we've received a few emails thanking us for making the instructions available. I don't know where to direct you from here other than suggesting you contact Benefits Express by phone or end them an email. Maybe others will respond to the blog with some ideas.
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All,
The following is an email from a NCRO member informing us that the process to access 'Your Spending Account' is not working for him/her either.
The new directions to get to \"your Spending Accounts\" to claim RHCA reimbursements (as posted on the NCRO site via Jim
The NCRO has no other information. to share with you at this time.
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From Laura D. NCRO Member:
Just wanted to advise all that while I have had no response from the Benefits Express folks, I have been checking the site daily. They have now added a link from the initial drop down menu under HEALTH AND INSURANCE. To the right appears a new sub menu titled ACCOUNTS. Under that it shows RETIREMENT HEALTH CARE ACCOUNT and now redirects to the location to submit and track claims.
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Does anybody know if chrysler will be putting any money in our spending accounts this year? Isn't it about time for it to happen? Greg
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It came in todays mail. So I answered my own question. Greg
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Does the Cigna/Hap provide coverage for insulin and needles under our program? I found oral meds only.
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Has anyone found errors in their enrollment package? For example: PPO cost is 5.2% of annual gross pension. Did the math, and my cost should be $30 less per month than what it states in my package. I called Benefits Express - they said they will get back to me in 2-3 days. Frustrating to say the least.
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2010 health and drug plans are on line at medicare.gov.
I have performed the drug studies for both Jess and me in the Detroit area.
Jess is near the donut hole. Her best plan is the AARP MedicareRx Saver with an annual cost of $1,134 mail order. It keeps her out of the donut hole. (This year she will go into the donut hole with our Medicare Plus Blue PFFS plan.) The BCBS Perscription Blue A plan is $1,666, more than $500/year more.
My best plan is First Health Part D-Secure at $648 mail order. BCBS is $1,410, nearly $800 more.
BCBS also has a low (2 star) customer service rating. The other plans above have 3 to 4 ratings.
Since Jess and I are currently in a Medicare Advantage plan, we will have to move back to original Medicare, then look for Medigap plans to take advantage of the plans above. Insurers can refuse us because of pre-existing conditions.
Those of you over 65, let us know what you find.
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I received my 2010 enrollment package. I have been doing the Cigna HSA for the last three year. Although the Cigna option is still available according to the literature, my personalized package allowed me only the National BCBS PPO option. Calls to both Benefits Express and Cigna resulted in no explanation of this limited choice. Has anyone else had this issue?
I do turn 65 during the year but the IRS rules clearly allow the HSA contribution limitation to be allocated on a monthly basis so Medicare eligibility is not a problem until the 1st of the month in which I turn 65.
Does anyone know someone at Chryslet that I can contact?
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I don't want to sound like an Old embittered retiree, but am I the only one who is dismayed by this recent round of decisions on health care coverage?? OK...I expected my payments to go up....they went up after the exit from bankruptcy, and I expected a slight increase, ...but no where did I expect them to take away our CREDITS and expect us to pay the FULL pricetag they established on the Health care option. DID I MISS THAT announcement, that they were going to give ZERO credits to retirees??? The other concept I have having trouble with is the pricetag being determined by the total gross pension amount. Some of us thought we were smart by maxing out OUR contribution on the SERP plan, so that we could get a higher payout at pension time. Seems like we would have been better off not 'investing' in the SERP plan, instead taking that same amount of dollars and investing in an outside investment. We still would be getting the return on those dollars and in combination with the(reduced) pension be in the same or better position. Then the % they applied to the gross pension would have been lower since the pension amount from Chrysler would have been lower. It is very disappointing that they keep changing the rules AFTER the fact and after a lifetime of believing the commitments made at the time. Don't get me wrong. I want a strong and viable Chrysler, however, I feel that the NEW company which has the Chrysler name is not the company we worked for...that company is OLDCo with no assets. I am convinced that the NEWCO only begrudgingly agreed to our pension liabilities and to provide access to health/dental care...primarily because NCRO was at the table with a lawyer. AGAIN, please excuse my rambling, I am just disappointed in some of the people who remained and made these type of recommendations. HAVING SAID THAT, I support the NEWCO to be strong, viable and successful
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Update: Just called to follow up and learned that my cost is the minimum premium for PPO. So much for 5.2% of annual gross for those of us at the bottom of the pension scale.
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Is anyone else having trouble with caremark CVS perscriptions and is there a complaint number that anyone has?
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We received an email from a member concerning their pension check. The Federal tax deduction is grossly under the amount normally deducted. The member called Benefits Express. What follows is the result of the phone call to BE:
1. When Benefit Express loaded the 2010 Federal tax tables into their
pension program, they had a major screwup.
2. She has been told that the problem is now fixed, and the February
pension statement and payment will be correct.
3. Benefit Express will NOT be making an automatic adjustment to any
future monthly pension payments to compensate for the reduced January
tax withholding.
4. If any pension recipient wants an adjustment made to compensate for
Benefit Express' error, each person will have to contact Benefit
Express individually and request an adjustment.
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as with most recent retirees my pension is made of three components - basic, temporary and serp. On my January 2010 statement my basic portion was reduced by $34.70. A phone call to benefits express provided no explanation and a trouble ticket was issued. So to all of you, check your statement carefully.
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January Federal Withholding
After contacting Benefits Express they acknowledged the error made in the January Federal withholding. Many retirees’ underpaid or no payment at all was deducted from their pension check.
It was suggested that a make-up payment be made in February by requesting an additional deduction. The one caveat is the additional deduction will remain in place until it is cancelled. It is important to contact Benefits Express no later than February 6 in order to remove the additional deduction for March.
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I would like to know who at Benefits Express said this. My problem is just the opposite, they took out too much from my check $1500. They were only supposed to take out $400. They claim there is no process to recoup funds this month. I can't cover my bills this month! Help!
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I talked to Benefit Express today, 1/7/10, in regard to the increased federal tax deduction that was taken. Supposedly, Chrysler has entered the wrong information. Check should be corrected by 3/1/10.
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Has anyone received any information on when the $1,000 will go into our HSA accounts from Chrysler.
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WAS WITH NEBCO SINCE INCEPTION AND APPLIED IN DEC 09 FOR LEGACY PLAN C (BCBS). TODAY WAS TOLD DECISION ON ELIGIBILITY COULD BE 30 T0 45 DAYS. ANYONE KNOW WHAT TO DO IF MEDICAL HELP IS NEEDED KNOW? NEVER CANCELLED COVERAGE WITH NEW NEBCO NOW UNITED AMERICAN. SHOULD THAT BE USED UNTIL INFO FROM BCBS COMES IN
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HSA Deposit just showed up on my cigna
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A quick and easier fix is to logon to Benefits Express and simply make an additional withholding amount for as long as needed. It takes just a minute to do.
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We received the following "thank you" from a member who asked the NCRO to look into their unpaid 2007 vacation pay.
I wanted to let the you and the NCRO know that I did receive my unpaid vacation pay (from 2007) at the end of December.
'Thanks to you and everyone that touched this. It took nearly 2 years; I am glad that someone was able to influence Chrysler to do the right thing.'
Again, thanks
JF
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Are any of the NCRO folks on LTD monthly benefits that expire on their 65th b-days? Didn't the LTD insurance we purchased say something to the effect that the insurance would expire on our "presumed" SSI date. In my case that would be 66 and I assume for the younger LTD recipients it would be later due to the gov't. adjustment of the SSI dates for each age group.
If I am correct, particularly the presumed language would appear to extend each person's LTD until the SSI date for each of our age groups.
This could be an issue for many of us who soon turn 65 as the LTD funds will stop dead at the end of our 65th birthday month.
Hoping someone knows or has encountered this. My good friend, Keith Maze, and I are trying to stay on top of the "plight" of the LTD's.
Regards,
Tom
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I received a reduction in my Feb RetireePension (the SERP portion) of approx. $1,600. I filed a claim with Benefits Express and they are checking why when they recalculated the error occurred. Has anyone else had this experience?
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I discovered that the tab on Benefits on line which used to show the non-qualified accounts like the SEIDP is no longer there.
I call ML and found out that there are only 30 people including my self with any assets in the plan. It appears most people bailed out because they thought with the banckrupcy they would loose there money.
I just received my 2nd of 5 annual payments and because of the market the account is still worth more than when I left in 2008.
If you want to find out the balance in your account you will have to call ML
there is no on-line info
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Question - got a W-2 for $2000 in I think it's the work family account - I don't see the money anywhere in the Hewitt plans - called Chrysler folks and they're looking around - I think Merrill Lynch threw it in the FSA (HSA) account - but I've hit everything on the retiree site and can't find the money - FAQ's retiree site says it disappears if you don't use it (I didn't know I had it till the W-2) - Any help is welcome.
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For the 11/2008 retirees, when you retired the money leftover in your work family account was transferred into a RHCA account at Merrill Lynch early in 2009. (Not sure about earlier retirees...) Since the money put into the work family account was not initially taxed as income, it becomes taxable (as explained in a RHCA booklet you should have received.) RHCA funds can be used only to pay for health expenses. In fact, the default option for 2010 is that the RHCA funds are used to pay your health care premiums until the fund is depleted.
I also received a W2. The amount taken out for taxes was minimal, hence, I'm carrying a hit as I file for the 2009 tax year. What is unclear is if the RHCA fund can be treated (taxwise) the same as an HSA, i.e., the funds put into the RHCA can be deducted as if it were a HSA. My tax preparer is still scratching his head on that one.
I suggest you contact Merrill Lynch regarding the status of your RHCA account.
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Talked to ML today - the money is there - but I'm not sure why it doesn't show up in the BE account on line - do I have to wait till I'm 65 to claim it? ML just said send claims against that account even though no money appears - it seems I can't make claims for my own health care bills - they won't take my SSN on BE (I'm 56)
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Have other retirees received a letter from Benefit Express stating "a recent review of your pension file reveals that there was an error on your 2008 and 2009 1099R forms relating to your SERP. This impacted the non-taxable contributions reports in box 5. A corrected 2009 1099R form will be mailed no later than March 5th."?
I called Benefits Express and they said, even though I have been retired for more than two years, there is
still money considered yearly contributions to my SERP, and there will be for a few years! I had a little trouble understanding this explaination!
When i asked if this affected others employees/retirees they replied that I was not an isolated case!
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Did you get a 1099 or a W2? We received an odd 1099.... It appears to be related to an HSA.
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After 2 months of talks with ML and BE the W-2 was for my RHCA. I like to call this one "who hid the weenie". Apparently, the money went into a ML account (which we can't see) and BE draws from that to pay retiree HC - if you look at your pension check - it's called "Retiree Choice", which is a deduction for what the secret ML money doesn't cover for HC. Even had my independent ML manager look into it and he commented that it all seemed to be behind the scenes.
So, bottom line, Chrysler paid for HC - dumped it in ML account, sends you a W-2 to charge the taxes, BE draws on it from ML, and the rest that's not covered gets taken out of your pension check.
And I thought engineering was hard - LOL
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I discovered that $4,000 was taken from my RHCA account in 2008 that was not used to reimburse me for any claims. It has taken me more than a year to recover all but $1,500 of those funds from Benefits Express. Merrill Lynch and Benefits Express are not receptive to helping much in this issue. I was told by Benefits Express to write to Chrysler and was given an address. I wrote to them on Feb. 23 and have had no response. Everyone should look at what claims they have submitted and not only compare them to what was deposited into their bank accounts, but also compare them to what was taken from their Merrill Lynch Account. I am at the point where I have to inform the State Attorney General and also my US Senators and Congressman and ask for their help. If my case is isolated, that is one thing, but if it has happened to others, there may be fraud involved.
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One of the provisions of the new Health Care Reform Act is it extends a parent's Corporate health care coverage to their children up to age 26. Michigan Blue Cross has stated it will adopt the provision early. However, Chrysler has made no statement on the provision and is operating on a business as usual basis - still dropping children under 26 when they exit student status. How can I get an official position as to how Chrysler plans to comply with this new law? Where do I get Cobra subsidy info if I have to use that as a solution for my student who wants to work.
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I contacted BCBSMI on 6/15 about my 23 year son. He graduated college on 5/15. They told me there were no issues with his coverage. I then contacted Benefits Express for the correct process ( I had received a "Welfare Plan Dependent Eligibility Notice" for him) and they immediately cut off his coverage effective 6/1. They told me it didn't matter what BCBS said Chrysler's policy was to cut him off. They did say they would send me info on COBRA in the next 2 weeks. Mean time - NO coverage. Happy Father's Day.
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