Fall 2013 by Member Benefits

Fall 2013

Member Benefits E-Direct

Designed specifically to keep NYSUT members informed

Issue 8

The ABC’s of money management for teens

Inside this issue: Do’s & Don’ts of Rental Vehicles ......pg 6 Staying Safe This Holiday Season.....pg 7 Fighting Childhood Obesity ..............pg 9 Tips for Seniors Living Alone ..........pg 10

800 Troy-Schenectady Road Latham, NY 12110 800-626-8101 M-F 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. memberbenefits.nysut.org

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Table of Contents

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From the Director........................................................................................................................................ 3

Find out what’s new in Member Benefits from Director Lynette Metz.

The ABCs of money management for teens ....................................................................... 4 Use these helpful tips to develop a sound financial plan for teens.

The do’s & don’ts of rental vehicles.........................................................................................6 Check out our suggestions to make your next car rental experience a much smoother process.

Staying safe this holiday season...............................................................................................7 Help protect yourself and your loved ones this holiday season and learn about one of our newest endorsed programs.

The importance of reading the fine print .............................................................................8 Know your rights as a consumer and be aware of what you’re getting yourself into with contracts or leases.

Kids Corner: Fighting childhood obesity ................................................................................9 Levels of obesity in children have doubled in the past 20 years and tripled in adolescents. Find out how to fight this epidemic.

Peace of mind for your loved ones living alone...............................................................10 Simple measures that seniors can take to ensure their safety and security.

Member Benefits E-Direct is a quarterly publication produced by NYSUT Member Benefits designed to educate NYSUT members about a variety of topics and issues of importance to them and their families. The goal of this e-newsletter is to serve as an educational and informative piece that helps our hardworking members to make better informed decisions in their lives. For information about any of our programs or about contractual endorsement arrangements with providers of endorsed programs, please contact NYSUT Member Benefits at 800-626-8101 or visit memberbenefits.nysut.org. Agency fee payers to NYSUT are eligible to participate in NYSUT Member Benefits-endorsed programs.

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From the Director Hello again and welcome to the Fall 2013 issue of our Member Benefits E-Direct electronic newsletter! Before we get into an update of what’s on the horizon, I’d like to provide a brief overview of Member Benefits – which produces this quarterly publication. NYSUT Member Benefits, which includes both the NYSUT Member Benefits Trust & NYSUT Member Benefits Corporation, endorses close to 50 programs & services that are available to NYSUT members and their families. The insurance and legal programs endorsed by Member Benefits fall under the Member Benefits Trust while our endorsed financial and discount programs fall under the Member Benefits Corporation. Each of our programs are regularly reviewed and monitored to ensure member satisfaction, and we serve as your advocate for any of the endorsed programs that you participate in. One of our main vehicles for providing information to our members remains the Member Benefits website, which we have been redesigning for the past few months and is just days away from launching as a brand new site. Our goal with this redesign was to offer NYSUT members and their families greater ease of navigation and a more mobile-friendly design.

You’ll now be able to quickly learn about all of the endorsed programs & services that Member Benefits offers – at the click of your mouse or on your smartphone or tablet. On the program front, the MyForce personal safety service – our newest endorsed offering – is off to a solid start and has been well received so far. This unique service provides immediate protection wherever you go with just the touch of a button on supported iPhone, Android or BlackBerry smartphones. Our Member Benefits Corporation-endorsed GE Capital Retail Bank Deposit Program is currently in the process of changing the name of its suite of savings products to the Optimizer Plus program. GE Capital Retail Bank will also be establishing a new loyalty program that will offer two ways to earn rewards. More information about this loyalty program will be available in the near future. Finally, effective January 1, 2014, the NYSUT Member Benefits Trust will begin self-insuring the Catastrophe Major Medical (CMM) Plan that is currently underwritten by U.S. Life; this move will give the Trust more flexibility and control in protecting the plan for members. Please note that the claims process and premium collection procedures will not change with this transition as Marsh U.S. Consumer will remain the CMM Plan Administrator. Make sure to visit memberbenefits.nysut.org for more information about these changes and to learn about all of our endorsed programs & services. Feel free to also call us with any questions at 800-626-8101. Happy fall!

-- Lynette A. Metz Director, NYSUT Member Benefits Trust CEO, NYSUT Member Benefits Corporation

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The ABC’s of money management for teens

And while 45% of the teens surveyed knew how to use a credit card, only 26% actually understood how credit card rates and fees work.

Teens deﬁnitely know how to spend money... but do they know how to save it?

If you’re the parent or grandparent of a teen, chances are that he or she would definitely benefit from guidance on how to manage their finances.

A 2007 survey of teens by Charles Schwab & Co. found that less than half (40%) were able to budget their money effectively. In addition, only one in three could read a bank statement, balance a checkbook and pay bills.

The Schwab survey revealed that more than 80% of teens would like to learn more about budgeting, saving and investing, paying their bills, and staying out of debt.

alk through any mall in the U.S. during the weekend and you’ll undoubtedly see streams of teenagers. They’re in clothing stores, the food court, video game stores, nail salons, movie theaters, and various shops.

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Check out the following tips from ClearPoint Credit Counseling Solutions to help develop a sound financial plan for teens: Tip #1: Emphasize the importance of saving – The earlier teens get into the savings habit, the better. Encourage them to save a specific amount of money each month to learn how compound interest works. Tip #2: Select a bank/Open a checking account – Review with your teen how to properly manage their account. Remind him or her to record every purchase and withdrawal, balance their account each month, and refrain from taking out funds until they are available. Tip #3: Monitor accounts on a regular basis – This is a great way to help teens keep a handle on their balance and budget. With almost all of today’s banks offering online banking capabilities, they have the opportunity to view their accounts 24/7.

Tip #4: Discuss how to protect financial account information – Stress the importance of them never sharing their account information or credit/debit cards with friends and taking privacy/security measures when shopping or banking online. And help them get a credit check before opening any accounts and then on a regular basis to help protect against identity theft and fraud. Tip #5: Explain the difference between credit and cash – Instruct your teen about how interest rates, late fees and other charges incurred can significantly increase what they owe. Discuss the importance of paying bills on time; making more than the minimum payment due; and avoiding missed or late payments that can result in costly fees and negatively affect credit records.

Keep in mind that Member Benefits has endorsed relationships with both ClearPoint Credit Counseling Solutions and Equifax Credit Watch Gold – providing a variety of opportunities to educate your family about budget and financial issues. In addition, the Member Benefits-endorsed Financial Counseling Program – provided by Stacey Braun Associates, Inc. – offers unbiased, objective advice customized to your specific financial situation. A final word of advice: Encourage your teen to not be afraid to come to you if they end up in a financial bind. Help them take the proper steps to get back on a sound financial track.

To learn more about any of these endorsed programs, call 800-626-8101 or visit memberbeneﬁts.nysut.org.

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The do’s & don’ts of rental vehicles!

Renting a vehicle today can be a frustrating process as the car rental pricing market is constantly fluctuating and changes on an almost daily basis. We’ve all heard the horror stories about the traveler who booked what she thought was a great deal only to find a significantly better one after paying for the rental. Member Benefits is here to help with some suggestions to make your next car rental experience a much smoother process:

Do your homework beforehand! – Check the websites of the major car rental companies such as Avis, Hertz and Enterprise to compare prices and look for potential savings.

any restrictions on the vehicle that exist such as who can drive it or how long it will be held for you. And always get a confirmation number to protect your reservation.

Beware of additional fees – This is the big one! If you’re not careful, that great deal you secured might not be so great after all. Before you pick up the vehicle, ask about any additional fees such as taxes, fuel charges (pay for only the gas that you use, if possible), mileage fees, roadside assistance, equipment rental fees (such as a vehicle navigation system or satellite radio), additional driver fees, or early/late return fees.

The U.S. car rental industry achieved an alltime record rental revenue of $22.4 billion in 2011 -- an 8% increase over 2010.

Avoid extra insurance that you don’t need – Car rental

companies love to have you purchase insurance for the Source: Auto Rental News vehicle you’re renting, but it’s not always necessary. Check Did you know you could save up to with your homeowners or auto insurance carrier first to 50% simply by renting from an off-airport location rather than see if car rental insurance is already covered. an airport lot? The usual rule: The larger the city or airport, the bigger the cost of renting! And location and time of year The NYSUT Member Benefits Corporation endorses a are key... so renting a car in Scottsdale, AZ in February is number of car & truck rental companies that offer discounted likely going to cost more than renting the same vehicle in rates on passenger car rentals, including Alamo, Avis, Pittsburgh, PA. Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and National.

WHERE you rent is just as important as WHAT you rent –

READ your rental agreement – Standing in line at the counter with a line of impatient customers behind you is probably not the best time to go through the rental agreement. Take the time to download the agreement beforehand so you can carefully look it over. Find out about

Learn more about these endorsed programs – including how to access discounts, unique website codes and website links – by contacting Member Benefits at 800-626-8101 or visiting memberbenefits.nysut.org.

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Staying safe this holiday season With Halloween upon us, Thanksgiving fast approaching and the remaining holidays just around the corner, this is the time of year that can bring a quick smile to your face and warm thoughts of good times. Unfortunately, you’re not the only one enjoying this time of year... criminals love the holiday season! Crime traditionally increases as much as 30% during the holidays over other times of the year. That’s why it’s crucial to exercise proper safety awareness as you go about your daily activities. We all tend to find our lives a little chaotic during the holidays, running around to find the perfect decorations and gifts; shopping for family meals; and traveling in busy airports to visit family and friends. And all of this running around can lead to carelessness as we may not be fully aware of our surroundings. Keep the following tips from MyForce personal safety service in mind to help protect yourself and your loved ones this holiday season:

Be careful where you park – If you’re parking your vehicle in a lot at a supermarket, shopping mall or any other location, avoid parking next to large trucks, vans or trailers if possible. And always choose well-lit areas!

Know what you’re carrying – Unless absolutely necessary, it’s never a good idea to carry large amounts of cash. Criminals can and will attempt a variety of distraction techniques to swipe your wallet, purse or recent purchases. Make sure to always take your receipts whenever you’re out dining, shopping or leaving an ATM as well.

A dark house is an invitation to criminals – Help deter trouble in your neighborhood by keeping a few extra lights on in and around your home. Better yet, set lights on timers to turn on just before dusk and turn off in the morning.

Remember what mom taught you! – Be careful when opening your door to delivery drivers, couriers or solicitors for charitable organizations. If you can see through a glass portion of the door or peephole, ask for identification before opening the door.

Don’t be an easy target for thieves – Packages that are left on a front porch are easy targets for criminals so monitor online delivery dates and make sure someone you trust is there to retrieve the items if you’re not going to be home. The Member Benefits Corporation recently endorsed the MyForce personal safety service to provide personalized emergency assistance to all NYSUT members and their families. MyForce provides immediate protection wherever you go with just the touch of a button on supported iPhone, Android or BlackBerry smartphones. You can send an alert to MyForce’s professionally trained and certified monitoring team any time you feel a hint of danger approaching.

To learn more about MyForce, please call the dedicated MyForce number for NYSUT members at 800-780-6357 or visit nysutmb.myforce.com.

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The importance of reading the fine

print...

You know that small print that appears on contracts or leases? The print that usually looks way too intimidating to read through and seems to go on forever? This verbiage is commonly called the “fine print!” Whether you just purchased a new condo or have been renting an apartment for years, it’s important to know your rights as a consumer and be aware of what you’re getting yourself into. Consider the following scenarios:

agreement. Under this procedure, the neighbor could be evicted, the apartment sold and the board could recover back charges and any expenses incurred from this procedure.

Scenario #3: “I own a condo in a building Scenario #1: “I’ve lived in an apartment that contains common areas for for the past 20 years, but my landlord amenities such as a swimming pool and wants to raise the movie room. There are rent this year by 50%. sometimes so many Ask yourself the following: This is far greater renters using the How thoroughly did you read than any of my facilities that other neighbors are paying. owners like me can’t the lease on your new Is this legal?” even use them. Don’t apartment or condo? More we get preference in Assuming that the this situation?” importantly, did you understand apartment is not rentregulated, a landlord is what you read before you signed You would have to read free to charge the offering plan on the dotted line? whatever amount that carefully but generally he or she wishes. That everyone has a right to means it doesn’t matter what your neighbors use them (including renters). It is often a are paying or the fair market rent of matter of first-come, first-served unless the other apartments. offering plan prohibits renters from access. Scenario #2: “I live in a co-op building and have a neighbor who has not paid his maintenance charges in months. He continually brags that he can get away with this practice forever... isn’t there anything the co-op board can do?” Yes there is! Almost all proprietary leases allow a co-op board to cancel the lease when a cooperator is in breach of the

For an annual fee, the Member Benefitsendorsed Legal Service Plan offers legal expertise on a variety of personal legal matters ranging from leasing an apartment to handling estate planning. For more information about this program, please call 800-626-8101 or visit memberbenefits.nysut.org.

Special thanks to the Legal Service Plan’s Preventive Law Guide for providing the content for this article.

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Kids Corner: Fighting childhood obesity

As parents and grandparents, we live in a much more safety-conscious and stranger-aware world than that of 25 or 30 years ago. And while it’s definitely smart to be aware of the dangers that our children or grandchildren could face, this has often resulted in them living in a much more insular environment. Spending time outside playing has been replaced by endless hours of video games and social media. And technology has helped to create a much more sedentary lifestyle for kids. In turn, levels of obesity have doubled in children in the past 30 years and tripled in adolescents. So what can we do to ensure that our kids and grandkids are happy, welladjusted and healthy? It comes down to making sure that young people know what they’re putting into their body and take steps to become more active. Do your kids or grandkids understand: • That fiber helps to keep them feeling full? • That they’ll get more energy from oatmeal or low-fat yogurt than sugary “energy” drinks or milkshakes? • The importance of filling their plate with lean protein, whole grains, and a variety of fruits & vegetables?

Instead of heading to your favorite drivethrough after work, set aside time to have a healthy dinner at home that you all make together. The earlier that children learn how to cook healthy meals and exactly what they’re putting into their body, the better off they will be as they get older. And while computers, video games and television can serve as educational resources, limit the amount of time that children spend with these passive activities to no more than two hours per day. Instead of letting them plunk down in front of the television or a video game console for hours on end, get together with your kids and plan some fun activities that you can do together. Turn exercise into a game and get their competitive juices flowing. Head outside as a family for a game of kickball, tag or pick-up basketball. Or simply take a walk together, go for a bike ride or work on household chores together. Show them that being fit can be fun AND help to strengthen your family bonds. And make sure to regularly consult with your pediatrician or family doctor to ensure that your children are on the right path to future health and happiness.

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Peace of mind for your loved ones living alone With Americans living longer than ever but not wanting to give up their independence, wouldn’t it be nice to give them (and their loved ones) a little extra peace of mind? While grandma and grandpa (and Aunt Edna for that matter) might be reluctant to move out of the home they’ve lived in for years, they can take some simple measures to help ensure their safety and security... 1. Focus on being healthy – It’s important for people of all ages to live a healthy lifestyle, but doubly important for the elder members of our population. Seniors should take steps to maintain a healthy diet, get regular age-appropriate exercise such as walking or light aerobics, and take any necessary medications. 2. Get to know thy neighbors – In this day and age, it seems like we can live next door to someone for years without ever learning their first name. Seniors should take the time to get to know those living around them. Along the same lines, seniors living alone should create a list of people that they are in fairly regular contact with either in person or on the phone. 3. Connect with other seniors – No longer are senior centers just simply a place for the elderly to drink coffee and play bingo. Many centers today offer daily or weekly meals; special outings to museums, shopping centers and other locations; and overnight trips to major cities and various travel destinations.

4. Organization is crucial – It’s a good idea for seniors living alone to keep a list of any medications taken, allergies and other important personal information in a wallet or purse in case something were to happen to them. 5. Consider a medical alert system – Another smart option for seniors to consider is a medical alert system that can provide one-touch access to emergency personnel. The NYSUT Member Benefits Corporation endorses the Philips Lifeline Medical Alert Service to ensure that adults living alone can get quick assistance whenever they need it. Philips Lifeline offers a variety of options for NYSUT members and their families at a special discounted rate: • The original HomeSafe Landline System that provides a pendant-style button that can be pushed for assistance • The HomeSafe Landline with AutoAlert System that automatically places a call for help if a fall is detected and the individual is unable to push the button due to being disoriented, immobilized or unconscious • The NEW HomeSafe Wireless System (available with the AutoAlert option) for subscribers who don’t have a landline telephone service To learn more about Philips Lifeline, please call 800-543-3546, ext. 1500 or visit lifelinesys.com.

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