For Your Benefit Magazine - Summer/Fall

1199SEIU Benefit and Pension Funds 330 West 42nd Street New York, NY 10036-6977 www.1199SEIUBenefits.org CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-Profit U.S. POSTAGE PAID New York, NY Permit No. 3700

FROM OUR 1199SEIU BENEFIT & PENSION FUNDS

SUMMER/FALL 2009

For Your Benefit

A Magazine Devoted to the Health & Well-Being of 1199SEIU Members

EN ESPAÑOL p11

(L to R): Judy Volpi, Jaclyn Bodon, Jana Auguste, Marcelle Moncrieffe, Claire Callender, Jessica Fung

In This Issue . . .

5 Collective Bargainers Stabilize Funds and Protect Benefits p3

5 Register For the Healthy Marriage Program p7 5 Breaking Bad Habits and Staying Healthy p8

5 How Your Pension Benefits Are Invested p4 5 Member Profile p5

5 When Your Doctor Isn’t Available and You Need Care Now p9

1199SEIU/League Registered Nurse Training and Job Security Fund SUMMARY OF MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS

L E T T E R F R O M T H E E X E C U T I V E D I R E C TO R

This Summary of Material Modifications describes changes that affect your job security benefit plan and updates the Summary Plan Description (“SPD”) that was previously distributed to you. You should keep this summary with your SPD until the SPD is updated to reflect the changes discussed herein.

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A lot has happened since you last heard from our Funds! Perhaps most importantly, you have a new contract that protects your comprehensive health coverage and defined benefit pension plan – a remarkable achievement given these difficult economic times.

Inside this issue of For Your Benefit, you’ll read about what was done to

Effective March 1, 2009, the following changes to the 1199SEIU/League Registered Nurse Training and Job Security Fund apply: 1.

2.

stabilize our health and pension funds, the challenges we faced and how our pension assets are invested. And you’ll hear firsthand from some of

3.

our members and your co-workers about how important the benefits are to them.

You have a new

And at a time when it is so critical to protect our health and our health

contract that protects

benefits, you will read about the many care choices you and your family

your comprehensive

have when you need medical attention but cannot reach your doctor, and

pension plan – a remarkable achievement given these difficult economic times.

5.

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why it is so important to you to use emergency rooms for emergencies only.

health coverage and defined benefit

4.

For the duration of the COBRA continuation coverage subsidy program provided for in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, including any extensions of the provisions thereof by future legislative action (comprehensively, “Act”), the Benefit Fund Continuation Coverage shall not be provided to participants who are eligible for both COBRA premium reduction under the Act and for benefits under the 1199SEIU/League Registered Nurse Training and Job Security Fund (“Eligible Participants”).

In addition to any SUB to which they may or may not otherwise be entitled, Eligible Participants shall be entitled to their regular SUB payments through the 1199SEIU/League Registered Nurse Training and Job Security Fund, increased by an amount equal to 35% of their COBRA premium to the 1199SEIU National Benefit Fund for Health and Human Service Employees (plus tax gross up)(together “Increased SUB”).

Entitlement to the Increased SUB payments is conditioned on the Eligible Participant’s participation in COBRA and satisfaction of the rules and conditions of the 1199SEIU/League Registered Nurse Training and Job Security Fund and of the 1199SEIU National Benefit Fund for Health and Human Service Employees.

Once the Eligible Participant has exhausted the maximum allowable months of COBRA continuation coverage subsidy, the Increased SUB will terminate, but the 1199SEIU/League Registered Nurse Training and Job Security Fund will continue to pay the full COBRA premium to the 1199SEIU National Benefit Fund for Health & Human Service Employees on behalf of the Eligible Participant for the lesser of: (a) the remainder, if any, of the period of Continuation Coverage due under the terms of the SPD or (b) the remainder of COBRA entitlement.

Once the Eligible Participant’s 1199SEIU/League Registered Nurse Training and Job Security Fund eligibility ceases, the benefit described above ceases.

Also inside, you will learn about our new workshops to help you cope with stress and break bad habits as part of our ongoing Protecting Our Health program. Also, back by popular demand is our “Supporting Healthy Marriages” program, a 10-week interactive workshop series just for

This summary only highlights the key changes made to the 1199SEIU/League Registered Nurse Training and Job Security Fund. Summaries of material modifications together with the Summary Plan Description make up your official plan descriptions; please keep them together and refer to them as necessary. We have made every attempt to insure the accuracy of the information in this summary and the Summary Plan Description. However, if there is any discrepancy between them and the plan document, insurance contracts or other legal documents, the legal documents will always govern. If you would like to review the plan document or have any questions, please contact the Fund’s Member Services Representatives at (646) 473-9200.

The plan sponsor of the 1199SEIU/League Registered Nurse Training and Job Security Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the 1199SEIU/League Registered Nurse Training and Job Security Fund, or any part of it, at any time.

1199SEIU members and spouses conducted by Montefiore Medical Center.

And finally, we invite you and your family to join us in September at our family exercise and nutritious cooking demonstration.

Above all, we want you to know that we are here for you. If you have any questions at all about your benefits, call us. We are your Funds, and we are here to help.

Sincerely,

Mitra Behroozi Executive Director 1199SEIU Benefit and Pension Funds

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FOR YOUR BENEFIT

23

1199SEIU NATIONAL BENEFIT FUND FOR HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE EMPLOYEES SUMMARY OF MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS This Summary of Material Modifications describes changes that affect your welfare benefit plan and updates the Summary Plan Description (employee booklet) that was previously distributed to you. You should keep this summary with your current employee booklet until the booklet is updated to reflect the changes discussed herein.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Effective March 1, 2009, the following changes to the 1199SEIU National Benefit Fund for Health and Human Service Employees (“Benefit Fund”) apply: 1.

2.

For the duration of the COBRA continuation coverage subsidy program provided for in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, including any extensions of the provisions thereof by future legislative action (comprehensively, “Act”), the Benefit Fund Continuation Coverage described in Section I.J of the Summary Plan Description shall not be provided to participants who are eligible for both COBRA premium reduction under the Act and for benefits under the 1199SEIU/League Job Security Fund (“Eligible Participants”).

Eligible Participants may continue to be covered by the Benefit Fund through participation in the 1199SEIU/League Job Security Fund, which directs payment of COBRA premiums on behalf of Eligible Participants, subject to the terms and conditions of its plan. For more information, call (212) 629-5505.

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This summary only highlights the key changes made to the 1199SEIU National Benefit Fund for Health and Human Service Employees. Summaries of material modifications together with the Summary Plan Description make up your official plan descriptions; please keep them together and refer to them as necessary. We have made every attempt to insure the accuracy of the information in this summary and the Summary Plan Description. However, if there is any discrepancy between them and the plan document, insurance contracts or other legal documents, the legal documents will always govern. If you would like to review the plan document or have any questions, please contact the Fund’s Member Services Representatives at (646) 473-9200.

The plan sponsor of the 1199SEIU National Benefit Fund for Health and Human Service Employees reserves the right to amend or terminate the 1199SEIU National Benefit Fund for Health and Human Service Employees, or any part of it, at any time.

1199SEIU/LEAGUE JOB SECURITY FUND SUMMARY OF MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS This Summary of Material Modifications describes changes that affect your job security benefit plan and updates the Summary Plan Description (“SPD”) that was previously distributed to you. You should keep this summary with your SPD until the SPD is updated to reflect the changes discussed herein.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Effective March 1, 2009, the following changes to the 1199SEIU/League Job Security Fund apply: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

For the duration of the COBRA continuation coverage subsidy program provided for in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, including any extensions of the provisions thereof by future legislative action (comprehensively, “Act”), the Benefit Fund Continuation Coverage shall not be provided to participants who are eligible for both COBRA premium reduction under the Act and for benefits under the 1199SEIU/League Job Security Fund (“Eligible Participants”).

Eligible Participants shall be entitled to their regular SUB payments through the 1199SEIU/League Job Security Fund, increased by an amount equal to 35% of their COBRA premium to the 1199SEIU National Benefit Fund for Health and Human Service Employees (plus tax gross up)(together “Increased SUB”).

Entitlement to the Increased SUB payments is conditioned on the Eligible Participant’s participation in COBRA and satisfaction of the rules and conditions of the 1199SEIU/League Job Security Fund and of the 1199SEIU National Benefit Fund for Health and Human Service Employees.

Once the Eligible Participant has exhausted the maximum allowable months of COBRA continuation coverage subsidy, the Increased SUB will terminate, but the 1199SEIU/League Job Security Fund will continue to pay the full COBRA premium to the 1199SEIU National Benefit Fund for Health and Human Service Employees on behalf of the Eligible Participant for the lesser of: (a) the remainder, if any, of the period of Continuation Coverage due under the terms of the SPD or (b) the remainder of COBRA entitlement.

Once the Eligible Participant’s 1199SEIU/League Job Security Fund eligibility ceases, the benefit described above ceases.

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This summary only highlights the key changes made to the 1199SEIU/League Job Security Fund. Summaries of material modifications together with the Summary Plan Description make up your official plan descriptions; please keep them together and refer to them as necessary. We have made every attempt to insure the accuracy of the information in this summary and the Summary Plan Description. However, if there is any discrepancy between them and the plan document, insurance contracts or other legal documents, the legal documents will always govern. If you would like to review the plan document or have any questions, please contact the Fund’s Member Services Representatives at (646) 473-9200.

The plan sponsor of 1199SEIU/League Job Security Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the 1199SEIU/League Job Security Fund, or any part of it, at any time.

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Collective Bargainers Stabilize Funds and Protect Benefits As you know, the economic downturn, stock market crash and spiraling healthcare costs took a steep financial toll on our Benefit and Pension Funds, threatening our comprehensive benefit package. In response, your Union and League employers came together and managed – during one of the most difficult economic environments in recent history – to negotiate a new contract that fully protects our health benefits and defined benefit pension plan and still provides modest wage increases. This means we will continue to have comprehensive coverage with no out-of-pocket costs as well as our rare defined benefit pension plan.

The new contract, which runs through 2015, also protects the health and pension benefits of our retirees.

To protect our benefits, the new contract requires everyone to do their part. Employers will increase their contributions to the Health Care Employees Pension Fund from 6.75 to 15.8 percent and increase contributions to the National Benefit Fund from 22.5 to 28.38 percent. This was made possible in part by members agreeing to divert the 3 percent 2009 wage increase and 1 percent of the 2010 wage increase.

The contract also directs our National Benefit Fund to find an additional $150 million in cost-containment over the next five years. Our Fund, with our labor and management trustees, will be looking at more ways to hold the line on costs, and there may be changes again in the way we access some of our benefits going forward – similar to when the Fund introduced other cost-containment programs like using preferred lab and radiology providers, or ordering long-term medications in a three-month supply.

This contract was negotiated during one of the most difficult economic climates ever – a climate in which other union members are being forced to accept higher co-pays and higher deductibles, where employers have stopped contributing to their workers’ pension funds or 401(k) savings and where the cost of healthcare continues to skyrocket. Despite this, the negotiating committees of the Union and the League came together to find a solution, and your health and pension benefits have been protected and preserved for years to come.

The Challenge of Protecting Health Benefits As your Benefit Fund, we work hard to hold down the costs of our healthcare coverage and leverage every contributed dollar so we can protect our access to quality care. We manage to provide our comprehensive coverage at far less than the national average. We set lean administrative budgets, sending every available dollar toward paying for your healthcare. And through our cost-containment programs, you have helped to save millions of Benefit Fund dollars without limiting your access to the care you need.

Yet despite our best efforts, we, like the industry at large, cannot withstand the ever-rising costs of healthcare. As healthcare costs rise faster than the rate of inflation, it becomes more and more difficult to provide the level of benefits you have earned.

That’s why your Union’s Negotiating Committee agreed to commit to finding ways to preserve our health benefit package. To hold down costs, our Benefit Fund will be introducing new cost-containment programs developed with our labor-management Cost Containment Committee of Trustees. As in the past, there will be changes in the way we access our benefits, but not in the level of benefits we enjoy. So, let’s all do our part and keep an eye out for upcoming changes.

FOR YOUR BENEFIT

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How Your Pension Benefits Are Invested

pooled separate accounts, master trust investment accounts, or 103-12 investment entities — contact Michael Kaiser, Chief Pension Officer, (646) 473-9200 or write to the 1199SEIU Benefit and Pension Funds at 330 West 42nd Street, New York NY, 10036-6977.

With all the information you’ve been getting about the effects of the stock market crash on our Pension Fund’s assets, you may be wondering how our Fund invests the contributions that employers make into the Fund on your behalf.

Critical or Endangered Status Under federal pension law a plan generally will be considered to be in “endangered” status if, at the beginning of the plan year, the funded percentage of the plan is less than 80 percent, or in “critical” status if the percentage is less than 65 percent (other factors may also apply). If a pension plan enters endangered status, the trustees of the plan are required to adopt a funding improvement plan. Similarly, if a pension plan enters critical status, the trustees of the plan are required to adopt a rehabilitation plan.

Rehabilitation and funding improvement plans establish steps and benchmarks for pension plans to improve their funding status over a specified period of time.

The Trustees of our Fund oversee and monitor the work of our Investment staff, which handles the dayto-day management of the Fund’s investments. The staff works with a variety of investment managers to ensure that the Fund’s assets are invested in a broad array of investment opportunities within the allocation policy set by the Trustees, maximizing returns while protecting against losses. This disciplined and diversified investment strategy served us and other funds well for many years. But the economy’s dramatic plunge in 2008 hit all areas across the board, and no asset class and therefore no pension fund was immune.

In the spring, you received an “Annual Funding Notice” in the mail as part of the information we are required to send you under the Pension Protection Act. The Funding Notice is a snapshot of where our Fund stood at the beginning of 2008, before the stock market’s crash, and it includes some information on how our Fund’s investments are allocated. In fact, we have a correction to that information, so please refer to the updated funding notice included on page 20.

What is a defined benefit pension plan?

With defined benefit pension plans like ours, once you are vested you have the right to a pension when you retire. You’ll get a set amount each month for the rest of your life. Your employer pays into the Pension Fund for your retirement, and those contributions are pooled. These assets are managed collectively and invested, pursuant to a disciplined policy, to support pension benefits for all of our members.

How is that different from a 401(k) or 403(b)?

The people we all know who have lost so much of their individual retirement savings had defined contribution plans – 401(k)s and 403(b)s. With those plans, workers put their own money into an individual account. Employers sometimes match these contributions, but often they do not. There is no set, fixed monthly amount that the worker can count on at the time of retirement. Workers manage their own money, and if the stock market fails, whatever money is lost is difficult to recoup, unless they can wait a very long time to retire.

The Defined Benefit Difference Defined Benefit Pension Plan:

•

79 percent of Union defined benefit pension plans are now underfunded – four times as many as last year.

• • • •

Employer pays Contributions are pooled in a single fund You get monthly pension checks Fixed amount – regardless of how the market performs

401(k)/403(b) Plan:

•

4

In just the first five months of 2009, 20 of some of the largest Fortune 500 companies announced plans to freeze their defined benefit pensions – compared to 18 for all of 2008.

• • • • •

Individual account Worker pays and manages Employer may or may not contribute No guaranteed amount of pension payment Worker bears all risk of loss: A worker with $50,000* in a 401(k) account in 2007 had less than $36,000 at the end of 2008. * Fidelity and Vanguard plan averages

The Plan was not in endangered or critical status in the Plan Year.

Events with Material Effect on Assets or Liabilities Federal law requires trustees to provide in this notice a written explanation of events, taking effect in the current plan year, which are expected to have a material effect on plan liabilities or assets. For the plan year beginning on January 1, 2008 and ending on December 31, 2008, the following events are expected to have such an effect: benefits to participants in pay status increased from 3% effective April 1, 2008 due to a negotiated cost of living adjustment. The effect is to increase plan liabilities by 1.49%.

Right to Request a Copy of the Annual Report A pension plan is required to file with the US Department of Labor an annual report (i.e., Form 5500) containing financial and other information about the plan. Copies of the annual report are available from the US Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration’s Public Disclosure Room at 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room N-1513, Washington, DC 20210, or by calling (202) 693-8673. Or you may obtain a copy of the Plan’s annual report by making a written request to the plan administrator. The Plan’s annual report for the 2008 plan year will not be available until mid-October 2009.

Summary of Rules Governing Plans in Reorganization and Insolvent Plans Federal law has a number of special rules that apply to financially troubled multiemployer plans. Under so-called “plan reorganization rules,” a plan with adverse financial experience may need to increase required contributions and may, under certain circumstances, reduce benefits that are not eligible for the PBGC’s guarantee (generally, benefits that have been in effect for less than 60 months). If a plan is in reorganization status, it must provide notification that the plan is in reorganization status and that, if contributions are not increased, accrued benefits under the plan may be reduced or an excise tax may be imposed (or both). The law requires the plan to furnish this notification to each contributing employer and the labor organization.

Despite the special plan reorganization rules, a plan in reorganization nevertheless could become insolvent. A plan is insolvent for a plan year if its available financial resources are not sufficient to pay benefits when due for the plan year. An insolvent plan must reduce benefit payments to the highest level that can be paid from the plan’s available financial resources. If such resources are not enough to pay benefits at a level specified by law (see Benefit Payments Guaranteed by the PBGC, below), the plan must apply to the PBGC for financial assistance. The PBGC, by law, will loan the plan the amount necessary to pay benefits at the guaranteed level. Reduced benefits may be restored if the plan’s financial condition improves.

vency to participants and beneficiaries, contributing employers, labor unions representing participants, and PBGC. In addition, participants and beneficiaries also must receive information regarding whether, and how, their benefits will be reduced or affected as a result of the insolvency, including loss of a lump sum option. This information will be provided for each year the plan is insolvent.

Benefit Payments Guaranteed by the PBGC The maximum benefit that the PBGC guarantees is set by law. Only vested benefits are guaranteed. Specifically, the PBGC guarantees a monthly benefit payment equal to 100 percent of the first $11 of the Plan’s monthly benefit accrual rate, plus 75 percent of the next $33 of the accrual rate, times each year of credited service. The PBGC’s maximum guarantee, therefore, is $35.75 per month times a participant’s years of credited service.

Example 1: If a participant with 10 years of credited service has an accrued monthly benefit of $500, the accrual rate for purposes of determining the PBGC guarantee would be determined by dividing the monthly benefit by the participant’s years of service ($500/10), which equals $50. The guaranteed amount for a $50 monthly accrual rate is equal to the sum of $11 plus $24.75 (.75 x $33), or $35.75. Thus, the participant’s guaranteed monthly benefit is $357.50 ($35.75 x 10).

Example 2: If the participant in Example 1 has an accrued monthly benefit of $200, the accrual rate for purposes of determining the guarantee would be $20 (or $200/10). The guaranteed amount for a $20 monthly accrual rate is equal to the sum of $11 plus $6.75 (.75 x $9), or $17.75. Thus, the participant’s guaranteed monthly benefit would be $177.50 ($17.75 x 10).

The PBGC guarantees pension benefits payable at normal retirement age and some early retirement benefits. In calculating a person’s monthly payment, the PBGC will disregard any benefit increases that were made under the plan within 60 months before the earlier of the plan’s termination or insolvency (or benefits that were in effect for less than 60 months at the time of termination or insolvency). Similarly, the PBGC does not guarantee pre-retirement death benefits to a spouse or beneficiary (e.g., a qualified pre-retirement survivor annuity) if the participant dies after the plan terminates, benefits above the normal retirement benefit, disability benefits not in pay status, or nonpension benefits, such as health insurance, life insurance, death benefits, vacation pay or severance pay.

Where to Get More Information For more information about this notice, you may contact Michael Kaiser, Chief Pension Officer, (646) 473-9200 or write to the 1199SEIU Benefit and Pension Funds at 330 West 42nd Street, New York NY, 10036-6977.

For identification purposes, the official plan number is 001 and the plan sponsor’s employer identification number or “EIN” is 13-3604862. For more information about the PBGC and benefit guarantees, go to PBGC's website, www.pbgc.gov, or call PBGC toll-free at 1-800-400-7242 (TTY/TDD users may call the Federal relay service toll free at 1-800-877-8339 and ask to be connected to 1-800-400-7242).

A plan that becomes insolvent must provide prompt notification of the insol-

FOR YOUR BENEFIT

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ANNUAL FUNDING NOTICE For 1199SEIU Health Care Employees Pension Plan Introduction This notice includes important funding information about your pension plan (“the Plan”). This notice also provides a summary of federal rules governing multiemployer plans in reorganization and insolvent plans and benefit payments guaranteed by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), a federal agency. This notice is for the plan year beginning January 1, 2008 and ending December 31, 2008 (“Plan Year”).

Funded Percentage The funded percentage of a plan is a measure of how well that plan is funded. This percentage is obtained by dividing the Plan’s assets by its liabilities on the valuation date for the plan year. In general, the higher the percentage, the better funded the plan. The Plan’s funded percentage for the Plan Year and 2 preceding plan years is set forth in the chart below, along with a statement of the value of the Plan’s assets and liabilities for the same period.

2008 Plan Year 2007 Plan Year 2006 Plan Year Valuation Date January 1, 2008 NA NA Funded Percentage 119.6% NA NA Value of Assets $8,849,031,831 NA NA Value of Liabilities $7,399,726,878 NA NA

Transition Data For a brief transition period, the Plan is not required by law to report certain funding related information because such information may not exist for plan years before 2008. The plan has entered “not applicable” in the chart above to identify the information it does not have. In lieu of that information, however, the Plan is providing you with comparable information that reflects the funding status of the Plan under the law then in effect. Using the same calculations that the current law requires, the “funded percentage” was 124% for the 2007 Plan Year and 129% for the 2006 Plan Year. However, when calculating the funding status of the Plan under the law then in effect for the 2007 Plan Year, the Plan’s “funded current liability percentage” was 90.1%, the Plan’s assets were $8,334,853,576, and Plan liabilities were $9,247,995,033. For the 2006 Plan Year, the Plan’s “funded current liability percentage” was 97.5%, the Plan’s assets were $7,777,661,099, and Plan liabilities were $7,979,721,658.

Fair Market Value of Assets Asset values in the chart above are actuarial values, not market values.

Market values tend to show a clearer picture of a plan’s funded status as of a given point in time. However, because market values can fluctuate daily based on factors in the marketplace, such as changes in the stock market, pension law allows plans to use actuarial values for funding purposes. While actuarial values fluctuate less than market values, they are estimates. As of December 31, 2008,* the fair market value of the Plan’s assets was $6,043,766,127. As of December 31, 2007, the fair market value of the Plan’s assets was $9,082,662,956. As of December 31, 2006, the fair market value of the Plan’s assets was $8,743,762,876. *2008 assets values are preliminary and subject to confirmation when the yearly audit is finalized.

Participant Information The total number of participants in the plan as of the Plan’s valuation date was 204,594. Of this number, 114,014 were active participants, 47,514 were retired or separated from service and receiving benefits, and 43,066 were

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Member Profile:

retired or separated from service and entitled to future benefits.

Funding & Investment Policies The law requires that every pension plan have a procedure for establishing a funding policy to carry out the plan objectives. A funding policy relates to the level of contributions needed to pay for benefits promised under the plan currently and over the years. The plan is funded by contributions made by employers pursuant to collective bargaining agreements with the union that represents the plan’s participants.

“My Benefits Are Important to Me!” This group of younger workers at the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases knows we can’t take our 1199SEIU benefit package for granted.

Once money is contributed to the Plan, the money is invested by plan officials called fiduciaries. Specific investments are made in accordance with the Plan’s investment policy. Generally speaking, an investment policy is a written statement that provides the fiduciaries who are responsible for plan investments with guidelines or general instructions concerning various types or categories of investment management decisions. The investment policy of the Plan is to ensure the solvency of the Pension Plan over time and to meet the Fund’s pension obligations as required. To meet this goal the Fund has established a target allocation among asset classes and acceptable ranges around that target.

In accordance with the Plan’s investment policy, the Plan’s assets were allocated among the following categories of investments, as of the end of the Plan Year. These allocations are percentages of total assets: Asset Allocations* 1. Interest-bearing cash 2. U.S. government securities 3. Corporate debt instruments (other than employer securities): Preferred All other 4. Corporate stocks (other than employer securities): Preferred Common 5. Partnership/joint venture interests 6. Real estate (other than employer real property) 7. Loans (other than to participants) 8. Participant loans 9. Value of interest in common/collective trusts 10. Value of interest in pooled separate accounts 11. Value of interest in master trust investment accounts 12. Value of interest in 103-12 investment entities 13. Value of interest in registered investment companies (e.g., mutual funds) 14. Value of funds held in insurance co. general account (unallocated contracts) 15. Employer-related investments: Employer Securities Employer real property 16. Buildings and other property used in plan operation 17. Other (Bank Loans/Derivatives/Sec lending cash collateral)

Percentage 7.23% 10.36% 13.48% ________ ________ 0.10% 28.14% 19.94% 10.82% ________ ________ 5.11% ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ 4.82%

*The asset values are preliminary and subject to confirmation when the yearly audit is finalized.

For information about the plan’s investment in any of the following types of investments as described in the chart above — common/collective trusts,

Jana Auguste

(L to R): Juan Escalera, Thyery Mercier, Judy Volpi, Jaclyn Bodon, Jana Auguste, Marcelle Moncrieffe, Claire Callender, Jessica Fung

Over the past few years, employers across the country have been shifting the burden of paying for healthcare and retirement benefits to their workers.

So, it’s no surprise that protecting our pensions and comprehensive health benefits was a priority in the recent contract negotiations. And even though this group of young 1199SEIU members at the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases is healthy and years away from retirement, they understand just how much their 1199SEIU benefits set them apart.

“Everyone I know has to pay out of pocket for their care,” agreed Jessica Fung, a Radiology Technologist who came straight off her parents’ health insurance to her Benefit Fund coverage.

“I just can’t get over the fact that we don’t have any co-pays or deductibles.”

“I think young members especially understand the importance of preserving our benefits,” said Special Procedures Technologist Jana Auguste. In fact, Jana feels so strongly about her benefits that she agreed to join the Union’s negotiating team to help protect them. “We’re fortunate, given the current economic climate, to have such a plan. We see and read constantly about employers scaling back at the expense of their workers’ benefits.” During negotiations, she spoke out passionately about protecting our benefits and how fortunate we are to have a hasslefree health plan. “Accessing my benefits is so easy.

I never have to worry about filling out complicated forms, getting reimbursed or paying the doctor.

I just show up and present my Health ID card.”

CAT Scan Technician Judy Volpi came from a non1199SEIU job with health coverage that just didn’t match the benefits she has now. “I paid for my health benefits out of every paycheck, and there was no such thing as a defined benefit pension plan. You were completely on your own for retirement savings.”

“A few years ago I had to get my knee scoped, and not once did I pay for anything,” said Juan Escalera, an X-ray Technician. “I know so many people who don’t have the benefits we have.”

“As a single mother, I couldn’t have made it without these benefits!” added Jaclyn Bodon, a Lead Technologist. “I would have struggled tremendously if I didn’t have the coverage I need for my child. It’s a nice, secure feeling to know that we’re covered.”

FOR YOUR BENEFIT

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Learn to Cope with Stress through a New Workshop Managing Stress Workshop Wednesday, September 16 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm 330 W. 42nd Street, Penthouse, Manhattan

Call (646) 473-6910 to register

Consejos saludables para usted y su bebé, y preparación para el parto Inscríbase para asistir a un día de talleres prácticos que cubren los temas que todos los padres que esperan un bebé necesitan saber (ya sea el primer o el quinto bebé) durante el embarazo, el parto y después del nacimiento de su bebé. Estas clases incluyen todo, desde cómo mantenerse saludable y en forma durante el embarazo hasta información sobre cómo cambiar pañales, amamantamiento y alimentación con biberón, y otros temas. Su pareja será bienvenida también. Se servirán un desayuno y almuerzo ligeros.

sábado 12 de septiembre de 10:00 a. m. a 2:30 p. m.

330 W. 42 Street, Penthouse Sírvase llamar para obtener más información o para dejarnos saber que va asistir al 646-473-8960, opción 2.

We all suffer from stress, and it’s no wonder, given the economy, working and raising a family and all the other daily issues we come up against. Our Member Assistance Program (MAP) staff will be visiting institutions to offer a quick and stress-free workshop that will show you how to identify and deal with stress in several easy and healthy ways.

The workshop is just 15 minutes long, so it’s easy to fit in during a break or lunch. Ask your Benefit Fund Outreach Coordinator if there is a workshop coming up at your institution, and if not, ask them to schedule one!

You can also attend our full-length stress management workshop at the Benefit Fund’s Manhattan office.

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Don’t Want to Wait for a Workshop?

Try These Tips Now Move the stress out of your muscles with a stretching activity.

Stand and reach your arms overhead, stretching from the waist.

Breathe deeply in and out. Now, bend from your waist and let your arms, neck and head go loose. Breathe deeply in and out.

Set Realistic Goals •

Start the day by making a list of what you need to do, and setting reasonable priorities. Check off tasks as you finish them.

•

Divide big tasks into smaller, manageable ones.

•

Don’t over-schedule or try to do everything on your own. It’s okay to ask for help or to say “no” to people once in a while.

¿Quiere Hacerse Ciudadano de los Estados Unidos?

Asista a uno de nuestros talleres gratuitos de Ciudadanía para enterarse acerca de los servicios que ofrece nuestro Programa de Ciudadanía de los Fondos para usted y su familia, desde la preparación de la solicitud, trabajo preliminar y clases de Inglés como Segundo Idioma, y mucho más.

Sábado, 26 de septiembre 9:30 a.m. a 2:30 p.m.

Sábado, 24 de octubre 9:30 a.m. a 2:30 p.m.

Use Our Benefit Fund’s Resources Let our Benefit Fund help if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just call our: •

Member Assistance Program: (646) 473-9200

•

24-Hour Nurse Helpline/Health Coaching Service: (866) 935-1199

¡Debe inscribirse para asistir! Llame al (646) 473-8915 para inscribirse y obtener más información.

PA R A S U B E N E F I C I O

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Cuando su Médico no Está Disponible y Usted Necesita Atención Médica en el Momento

Call Now to Register

Para obtener información adicional o encontrar un Centro de Atención de Urgencia o un Centro de Salud Ambulatoria cercano a usted, llame a Servicios para Miembros al (646) 473-9200, o visite nuestro sitio web en www.1199SEIUBenefits.org.

For the Healthy Marriage Program for 1199SEIU Couples

Las salas de emergencia son para verdaderas emergencias médicas y nunca debemos acudir a la sala de emergencia para cuidados que no sean de emergencia. Las salas de emergencia están atiborradas de gente, el servicio es costoso e implica largas esperas cuando nuestro estado no es crítico, porque se nos atenderá al final. Por ello, cuando necesitemos atención médica que no sea de emergencia y no podamos ubicar a nuestro médico, nuestro Fondo de Beneficios cubre muchas otras formas de obtener la atención inmediata que necesitamos.

Utilice un Capacitador de Salud si usted o algún miembro de su familia sufren de síntomas relacionados a una enfermedad crónica, como por ejemplo asma, diabetes o presión arterial alta. Tiene a su disposición un Capacitador de Salud por teléfono en el (866) 935-1199 para ayudarlo a controlar mejor la enfermedad. Si usted o su familia no están trabajando ya con un capacitador, llame hoy mismo.

O quizás se siente enfermo, con síntomas de la gripe, una fiebre o alergias. Entonces puede llamar a nuestra Línea de Ayuda de Enfermería de 1199SEIU al (866) 935-1199 para obtener apoyo por teléfono las 24 horas del día, los siete días de la semana, por parte de enfermeros que pueden responder a muchas de sus preguntas sobre la atención de la salud.

Los Centros de Atención de Urgencia y los Centros de Salud Ambulatoria también son dos opciones con las que contamos donde podemos acudir y recibir cuidados sin necesidad de una cita. Estos locales en nuestra red ofrecen horarios de atención prolongados con servicio de alta calidad, lo cual es especialmente importante cuando no puede acudir a su médico o necesita cuidados fuera del horario de atención.

Estos centros tratan una amplia variedad de problemas médicos, tales como la gripe, dolor de garganta, reacciones alérgicas, lesiones menores y quemaduras, hasta el cuidado de enfermedades crónicas como por ejemplo el asma.

Y, por supuesto que tenemos acceso a la Sala de Emergencias para cuidados de emergencia cuando lo necesitemos. Pero debemos reservar el uso de la Sala de Emergencias sólo para verdaderas emergencias médicas.

Utilice las muchas otras opciones de cuidados que ofrece nuestro Fondo de Beneficios. Además de obtener los mejores cuidados, estará protegiendo sus beneficios para el futuro.

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Nuestra Red de Atención de Urgencia Sigue Creciendo Nuestro Fondo de Beneficios está dedicado a brindarle los cuidados que necesita, cuando los necesita. Por ello le brindamos acceso a los Centros de Atención de Urgencia y de Salud Ambulatoria que sean más convenientes para usted.

Entre sus opciones se incluyen las muchas instalaciones del Beth Israel Medical Center (anteriormente denominado DOCS) en Manhattan y Westchester. Además, ahora en el local de Chelsea del Beth Israel Medical Center puede obtener cuidados las 24 horas del día, en cualquier momento que lo necesite.

También puede visitar el nuevo Montefiore Urgent Care Center ubicado en el local del Bronx East Montefiore Medical Group en 2300 Westchester Avenue, en el Bronx. El Centro está abierto los siete días de la semana — de lunes a viernes de 3:00 p. m. a 10:00 p. m., y los sábados, domingos y la mayoría de feriados de 9:00 a. m. a 5:00 p. m.

Para obtener una lista completa de los Centros de Atención de Urgencia, visite www.1199SEIUBenefits.org.

Siempre estamos trabajando para aumentar nuestra red. Por ello, si hay un Centro de Atención de Urgencia en su vecindario que usted quisiera que se una a nuestra red, sírvase llamar al Fondo de Beneficios al (646) 473-9200 para informarnos, y nos pondremos en contacto con ellos.

Last year’s Supporting Healthy Marriage program for 1199SEIU couples at Montefiore Medical Center was so successful that we’re bringing it back.

Supporting Healthy Marriage is 10 weeks of fun and interactive workshops, where couples learn simple communication skills and effective ways to handle conflict and stress. If you’re selected, you’ll watch videos, participate in group discussions and practice the new communication skills you will develop along the way. You will also have the opportunity to work with a Family Support Coordinator, who will help you learn to cope with everyday family stresses like money, employment and housing.

In addition to learning all sorts of valuable relationship tips and techniques, you’ll be served dinner and given the chance to be paid up to $1,000 in emergency cash, gift cards and MetroCards if you attend every workshop session.

Research shows that people in healthy marriages live longer, have fewer illnesses and earn and save more money. And the children of these marriages have fewer behavioral problems and perform better in school.

Space is limited and the sessions start soon, so call right away if you’re interested!

Call the Montefiore Medical Center at (718) 401-5050 and tell the receptionist you are interested in the Supporting Healthy Marriage program for 1199SEIU couples, and that you read about it in this newsletter.

Supporting Healthy Marriages 1199SEIU Session Schedule: Week 1

Saturday, Oct. 3

9:30 am – 4:00 pm

Week 2

Monday, Oct. 5

5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Week 3

Monday, Oct.12

5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Week 4

Monday, Oct. 19

5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Week 5

Monday, Oct. 26

5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Week 6

Monday, Nov. 2

5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Week 7

Monday, Nov. 9

5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Week 8

Monday, Nov. 16

5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Week 9

Monday, Nov. 23

5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Week 10

Monday, Nov. 30

5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

FOR YOUR BENEFIT

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Breaking Bad Habits Breaking bad habits and replacing them with new, healthy ones isn’t easy. It takes time, planning and hard work. But the satisfaction of knowing you’ve kicked a habit that’s had you controlled for years makes all the work worth it.

Keep an eye out for workshops coming up at your institution. Or, talk to your Outreach Coordinator about bringing a Protecting Our Health workshop to you.

No es fácil quitarse los malos hábitos y reemplazarlos con hábitos nuevos y saludables. Toma tiempo, planificación y mucho empeño. Pero la satisfacción de que se ha quitado un hábito que lo tenía controlado por años hace que valga la pena todo el esfuerzo.

Esté atento a más talleres que se programen en su institución. O, hable con su Coordinador de Ayuda para que programe un taller de Protección de Nuestra Salud para usted.

Por ello es que nuestro Fondo de Beneficios le brinda nuevos talleres de Protección de Nuestra Salud que le darán el apoyo y las herramientas que necesita para mejorar su salud. Aprenderá a fijarse metas realistas y a tomar pasos medibles para alcanzarlos hasta que el hábito que desea dejar atrás, por ejemplo, fumar, comer demasiado, inactividad, desaparezca para siempre. Y, cuando asista a un taller obtendrá una copia de nuestra herramienta más reciente de Protección de Nuestra Salud, un diario de comidas y estado físico diseñado especialmente para los miembros de 1199SEIU que lo ayudará a hacer un seguimiento de sus progresos.

That’s why our Benefit Fund is bringing you new Protecting Our Health workshops that will give you the support and tools you need to turn your health around.

You’ll learn to set realistic goals and measurable steps for achieving them until that habit you want to break – for example, smoking, overeating, inactivity – is gone for good. And, when you attend a workshop you’ll get a copy of our newest Protecting Our Health tool – a food and fitness journal designed just for 1199SEIU members to help you keep track of your progress.

Staying Healthy Is Fun When It’s a Family Affair!

¡Mantenerse Saludable es Divertido Cuando se Trata de un Asunto Familiar!

Join us for a special nutrition workshop and cooking demonstration that will help you plan and cook nutritious, low-fat meals for your family. You’ll work with trained dietitians who can answer your questions, and after the workshop, join other 1199SEIU families for an all-ages yoga class. So, bring the whole family!

Únase a nosotros en un taller especial sobre nutrición y una demostración de cocina que lo ayudarán a planificar y preparar comidas nutritivas con bajo contenido de grasa para su familia. Trabajará con dietistas capacitados que pueden responder a sus preguntas y luego del taller, únase a otras familias de 1199SEIU para una clase de yoga para todas las edades. ¡Así que traiga a toda la familia!

Saturday, September 26 Healthy Meals in 30 Minutes

Sábado 26 de septiembre Comidas saludables en 30 minutos

Family Nutrition Workshop and Cooking Demonstration

Taller de nutrición familiar y demostración de cocina

11:00 am to 12:30 pm

11:00 a.m. a 12:30 p.m.

All-Ages Yoga Class 12:45 pm to 1:30 pm

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Cómo Quitarse los Malos Hábitos

Please RSVP to (646) 473-8960, option 2.

Clase de yoga para todas las edades Confirme su presencia llamando 12:45 p.m. a 1:30 p.m. al (646) 473-8960, opción 2.

PA R A S U B E N E F I C I O

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Llame Ahora para Inscribirse En el Programa para Matrimonios Saludables para las Parejas de 1199SEIU El programa Apoyo a Matrimonios Saludables (Supporting Healthy Marriage) del año pasado para las parejas de 1199SEIU llevado a cabo en el Montefiore Medical Center tuvo tanto éxito que se va a volver a realizar.

Emergency rooms are for real medical emergencies, and we should never go to the ER for non-emergency care.

ERs are crowded, costly and mean long waits when our condition isn’t critical, because we will get taken care of last. So, when we need non-emergency medical attention and can’t get ahold of our doctor, our Benefit Fund covers many other ways to get the immediate care we need.

El programa Apoyo a Matrimonios Saludables consta de 10 semanas de talleres entretenidos e interactivos, donde las parejas aprenden habilidades de comunicación simples y formas efectivas de manejar el conflicto y el estrés. Si usted es seleccionado, verá videos, participará en discusiones en grupo y practicará las nuevas habilidades de comunicación que desarrollará a lo largo del trayecto. También tendrá la oportunidad de trabajar con un Coordinador de Apoyo a la Familia, que lo ayudará a aprender a afrontar las tensiones cotidianas de la familia como las finanzas, el empleo y la vivienda.

Además de aprender todo tipo de valiosos consejos y técnicas sobre relaciones, le servirán una cena y le darán la oportunidad de que le paguen hasta $1,000 en dinero en efectivo para emergencias, tarjetas de regalo y MetroCards si asiste a cada sesión del taller.

Las investigaciones han demostrado que las personas que tienen un matrimonio sano viven más tiempo, se enferman menos, y ganan y ahorran más dinero. Y los hijos de estos matrimonios presentan menos problemas de comportamiento y tienen mejor rendimiento en la escuela. ¡El cupo es limitado y las sesiones comienzan pronto, así que llame de inmediato si está interesado!

Llame al Montefiore Medical Center al (718) 401-5050 y dígale a la recepcionista que está interesado en el programa Apoyo a Matrimonios Saludables (Supporting Healthy Marriage) para las parejas de 1199SEIU, y que se enteró acerca de este programa en este boletín.

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When Your Doctor Isn’t Available and You Need Care Now

Use a Health Coach if you or anyone in your family suffers from symptoms related to a chronic condition, such as asthma, diabetes or high blood pressure. A Health Coach is available by phone at (866) 935-1199 to help you better manage the condition. If you or your family is not working with a coach already, call today.

Or maybe you’re feeling sick, with flu symptoms, a fever or allergies. Then you can call our 1199SEIU Nurse Helpline at (866) 935-1199 for around-the-clock support over the phone, seven days a week, from nurses who can answer many of your healthcare questions.

Horario del taller Apoyo a Matrimonios Saludables de 1199SEIU Semana 1

Sábado 3 de octubre

9:30 a.m. a 4:00 p.m.

Semana 2

Lunes 5 de octubre

5:30 p.m. a 8:00 p.m.

Semana 3

Lunes 12 de octubre

5:30 p.m. a 8:00 p.m.

Semana 4

Lunes 19 de octubre

5:30 p.m. a 8:00 p.m.

Semana 5

Lunes 26 de octubre

5:30 p.m. a 8:00 p.m.

Semana 6

Lunes 2 de noviembre 5:30 p.m. a 8:00 p.m.

Semana 7

Lunes 9 de noviembre 5:30 p.m. a 8:00 p.m.

Semana 8

Lunes 16 de noviembre 5:30 p.m. a 8:00 p.m.

Semana 9

Lunes 23 de noviembre 5:30 p.m. a 8:00 p.m.

Semana 10 Lunes 30 de noviembre 5:30 p.m. a 8:00 p.m.

Urgent Care Centers and Walk-In Health Centers are also two choices we have where we can just walk in and receive care without an appointment. These facilities in our network offer extended hours with high-quality service, which is especially important when you can’t get in to see your doctor or need care after hours. These centers treat a wide range of medical problems – from the flu, sore throats, allergic reactions, minor injuries and burns – to care for chronic conditions like asthma.

And, of course we have access to the ER for emergency care when we need it. But we must reserve ERs for true medical emergencies only. Use the many other care choices our Benefit Fund offers. In addition to getting the best care, you’ll be protecting your benefits into the future.

For more information or to find an Urgent Care Center or Walk-In Health Center near you, call Member Services at (646) 473-9200, or visit our website at www.1199SEIUBenefits.org.

Our Urgent Care Network Keeps Growing Our Benefit Fund is dedicated to getting you the care you need, when you need it. So we give you access to Urgent Care and Walk-In Health Centers that are convenient to you.

Your choices include the many Beth Israel Medical Center facilities (formerly known as DOCS) throughout Manhattan and Westchester. In fact, at Beth Israel Medical Center’s Chelsea location, you can now get care 24 hours a day, whenever you need it.

You can also visit the new Montefiore Urgent Care Center located at the Bronx East Montefiore Medical Group practice at 2300 Westchester Avenue, in the Bronx. The Center is open seven days a week – Monday through Friday from 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm, and Saturday, Sunday and most holidays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

For a full list of Urgent Care Centers, visit www.1199SEIUBenefits.org.

We’re always working to keep building our network. So, if there’s an Urgent Care center in your neighborhood that you’d like to join our network, call the Benefit Fund at (646) 473-9200 and let us know, and we’ll reach out to them.

FOR YOUR BENEFIT

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Healthy Tips for Your Baby and You and Preparing for Childbirth Join us for a fun day of practical workshops as we cover the topics all expecting parents need to know (whether it’s your first or fifth baby) during pregnancy, childbirth and after your baby is born. These classes cover everything from how to keep healthy and fit during your pregnancy to information on diapering, bottle- and breast-feeding and more. Partners are welcome. A light breakfast and lunch will be served.

Aprenda a Lidiar con el Estrés con la Ayuda de un Nuevo Taller Taller de Control del Estrés Miércoles 16 de septiembre 6:00 p.m. a 7:30 p.m.

330 W. 42nd Street, Penthouse, Manhattan

Para inscribirse llame al (646) 473-6910

Saturday, September 12 10:00 am – 2:30 pm 330 W. 42 Street, Penthouse Please call to get more information or to let us know that you will be attending at (646) 473-8960, option 2.

Do You Want to Become a U.S. Citizen?

Come to one of our free Citizenship workshops to learn about the services our Funds’ Citizenship Program offers for you and your family, from application preparation, preparatory and ESL classes and more.

Saturday, September 26 9:30 am – 2:30 pm

Saturday, October 24 9:30 am – 2:30 pm You must be registered to attend!

Call (646) 473-8915 to register and get more information.

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Todos sufrimos del estrés, y no debe de sorprendernos, si consideramos la economía, el trabajo y criar una familia, y todos los demás asuntos cotidianos a los que nos enfrentamos. El personal de nuestro Programa de Asistencia a los Miembros (Member Assistance Program, MAP) estará visitando instituciones para ofrecer un taller rápido y sin estrés que le mostrará cómo identificar y lidiar con el estrés en varias formas fáciles y saludables.

El taller dura sólo 15 minutos y por ello es fácil de acomodar durante un receso o almuerzo. Pregunte a su Coordinador de Ayuda del Fondo de Beneficios si hay un taller programado para su institución, y si no, pídales que programen uno.

También puede asistir a nuestro taller de control del estrés de duración completa en la oficina del Fondo de Beneficios ubicada en Manhattan.

¿No quiere esperar por un taller?

Pruebe estos consejos ahora Saque el estrés de sus músculos con una actividad de estiramiento.

Párese y extienda sus brazos por encima de la cabeza, estirándose desde la cintura. Aspire profundamente y exhale. Ahora, dóblese desde la cintura y deje sueltos los brazos, el cuello y la cabeza. Aspire profundamente y exhale.

Fíjese metas realistas • Comience el día haciendo una lista de lo que necesita hacer, y fijando prioridades razonables. Marque las tareas a medida que las termina.

• Divida las grandes tareas en otras que sean más pequeñas y más controlables.

• No programe cosas en exceso ni intente hacer todo por su propia cuenta. Está bien pedir ayuda o decir "no" a la gente de vez en cuando.

Use los recursos de nuestro Fondo de Beneficios Deje que nuestro Fondo de Beneficios lo ayude si se siente abrumado. Sólo tiene que llamar al: • Programa de Asistencia a los Miembros: (646) 473-9200 • Servicio de capacitación de salud y línea de ayuda de enfermería las 24 horas: (866) 935-1199

PA R A S U B E N E F I C I O

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Perfil del Miembro:

DE NUESTROS FONDOS DE BENEFICIOS Y PENSIONES DE 1199SEIU

"¡Mis beneficios son importantes para mí!"

Este grupo de trabajadores jóvenes en el NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases sabe que debemos valorar nuestro paquete de beneficios de 1199SEIU.

~ OTONO DE 2009

Para Su Beneficio Un boletín dedicado a la salud y al bienestar de los miembros de 1199SEIU

Carta De La Directora Ejecutiva ¡Han ocurrido muchas cosas desde la última vez que tuvo noticias de nuestros Fondos! Pero quizás lo más importante es que tiene un nuevo contrato que protege su cobertura integral de salud y un plan de pensiones de beneficios definido; un significativo logro considerando estos difíciles tiempos económicos.

Jana Auguste

(L to R): Juan Escalera, Thyery Mercier, Judy Volpi, Jaclyn Bodon, Jana Auguste, Marcelle Moncrieffe, Claire Callender, Jessica Fung

En los últimos años, los empleadores en todo el país han estado transfiriendo la carga de pagar por la atención de salud y los beneficios de jubilación a sus trabajadores. Por ello, no causa sorpresa que la protección de nuestras pensiones y de los beneficios de salud integrales fuese una prioridad en la reciente negociaciones del contrato. Y aunque este grupo de jóvenes miembros de 1199SEIU en el NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases es saludable y está a muchos años de su jubilación, comprende la gran ventaja de sus beneficios de 1199SEIU.

“Todos los que conozco tienen que pagar costos a su cargo por sus cuidados”, afirmó Jessica Fung, una Tecnóloga de Radiología que pasó directo del seguro de salud de sus padres a la cobertura del Fondo de Beneficios. "No deja de llamarme la atención el hecho de que no tengamos que pagar copagos ni deducibles".

“Pienso que los miembros jóvenes comprenden especialmente la importancia de conservar nuestros beneficios”, dijo la Tecnóloga de Procedimientos Especiales, Jana Auguste. De hecho, Jana tiene convicciones tan firmes sobre sus beneficios que se unió al equipo de negociación del Sindicato para ayudar a protegerlos. "Considerando la situación económica actual, somos afortunados de tener un plan como éste. Vemos y leemos constantemente sobre empleadores que hacen recortes a costas de los beneficios de sus trabajadores". Durante las negociaciones, habló con mucha pasión sobre la protección de nuestros beneficios y lo afortunados que somos de tener un plan de salud sin complicaciones. "Acceder a mis beneficios es tan fácil. Nunca me tengo que preocupar de llenar formularios complicados, pedir reembolsos ni pagar al médico. Simplemente voy y presento mi tarjeta de identificación de salud".

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Judy Volpi, Técnico de CAT Scan, proviene de un trabajo que no pertenece a 1199SEIU con una cobertura de salud que no se compara a los beneficios con los que cuenta ahora. "Pagué por mis beneficios de salud en cada cheque de paga, y no existía nada parecido a un plan de pensiones de beneficios definidos. Tenías que arreglártelas por tu cuenta para los ahorros de jubilación".

"Hace unos años tuve que someterme a una laparoscopia de rodilla y no tuve que pagar ni una sola vez", afirmó Juan Escalera, un Técnico de Rayos X. "Conozco a tanta gente que no tiene los beneficios con los que contamos nosotros...".

En el interior de este ejemplar de For Your Benefit (Para su beneficio), podrá leer sobre lo que se ha hecho para estabilizar nuestros fondos de salud y pensiones, los retos que enfrentamos y cómo se han invertido nuestros activos de pensiones. Y podrá escuchar de primera mano a algunos de nuestros miembros y a sus compañeros de trabajo decir por qué son tan importantes los beneficios para ellos.

Usted tiene un nuevo contrato que protege su cobertura integral de salud y un plan de pensiones de beneficios definido; un significativo logro considerando estos difíciles tiempos económicos.

En un momento en el que es de importancia fundamental proteger nuestra salud y nuestros beneficios de salud, podrá informarse sobre las muchas opciones de atención que usted y su familia tienen cuando requieran atención médica pero no puedan contactar a su médico, y por qué es tan importante para usted que el uso de las salas de emergencia sea exclusivamente para emergencias.

También en el interior podrá informarse sobre los nuevos talleres para ayudarle a lidiar con el estrés y a terminar con malos hábitos como parte de nuestro programa continuo de Protección de Nuestra Salud (Protecting Our Health). Asimismo, nuestro programa "Apoyo a Matrimonios Saludables" (Supporting Healthy Marriages) ha regresado por demanda popular. Se trata de una serie de talleres interactivos de 10 semanas de duración sólo para miembros de 1199SEIU y sus cónyuges, realizado por el Montefiore Medical Center. Y finalmente, lo invitamos a usted y a su familia a unirse a nosotros en septiembre en nuestra demostración de ejercicios familiares y cocina nutritiva.

Sobre todo, queremos hacerle saber que estamos aquí para apoyarlo. Si tiene alguna pregunta sobre sus beneficios, llámenos. Somos sus Fondos, y estamos aquí para ayudarlo.

Atentamente,

"Como madre soltera, no habría sobrevivido sin estos beneficios", agregó Jaclyn Bodon, una Tecnóloga del Plomo. "Habría tenido muchísimos problemas si no contase con la cobertura que necesitaba para mi hijo. Es fantástico tener la seguridad de saber que estamos cubiertos".

Mitra Behroozi Directora ejecutiva Fondos de Beneficios y Pensiones de 1199SEIU

PA R A S U B E N E F I C I O

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Los Negociadores Colectivos Estabilizan los Fondos Como es de su conocimiento, el empeoramiento de la y Protegen los Beneficios economía, la caída de la bolsa de valores y la subida vertiginosa de los costos de atención de la salud ha tenido un agudo efecto financiero en nuestros Fondos de Beneficios y Pensiones, poniendo en riesgo nuestro paquete integral de beneficios. En respuesta, su Sindicato y los empleadores de la Liga se reunieron y lograron, durante uno de los más difíciles entornos económicos en la historia reciente, negociar un contrato que protege plenamente nuestros beneficios de salud, define el plan de pensión de beneficios y aún brinda modestos aumentos salariales. Esto significa que continuaremos teniendo una cobertura integral sin costos a su cargo así como nuestro plan poco común de pensión de beneficios definidos. El nuevo contrato que dura hasta el año 2015 también protege los beneficios de salud y pensión de nuestros jubilados.

Para proteger nuestros beneficios, el nuevo contrato requiere que todos cumplan con su parte. Los empleadores aumentarán sus contribuciones al Fondo de Pensiones para los Trabajadores de la Salud del 6.75% al 15.8% y aumentarán sus contribuciones al Fondo Nacional de Beneficios del 22.5% al 28.38%. Esto fue posible en parte por la aceptación de los miembros en reasignar el incremento salarial del 3% de 2009 y un 1 por ciento del incremento salarial de 2010.

El contrato también instruye a nuestro Fondo Nacional de Beneficios a encontrar un monto adicional de $150 millones en reducción de costos durante los cinco años siguientes. Nuestro Fondo, con nuestros agentes fiduciarios de los trabajadores y la gerencia, estarán buscando formas adicionales de bajar los costos, y es posible que haya cambios nuevamente en la forma en que accederemos a algunos de nuestros beneficios en el futuro, en forma similar a cuando el Fondo introdujo otros programas de ahorro de costos como el uso de laboratorios y proveedores de radiología preferidos, o los pedidos de medicamentos a largo plazo en un suministro para tres meses.

Este contrato fue negociado durante uno de los climas económicos más difíciles que hayamos tenido nunca, un clima en el que otros miembros de sindicatos están siendo forzados a aceptar copagos y deducibles más elevados, donde los empleadores han dejado de contribuir a los fondos de pensiones de sus trabajadores o a los ahorros del 401(k), y donde el costo de la atención de la salud continúa disparándose. Pese a todo esto, los comités de negociación del Sindicato y de la Liga se reunieron para encontrar una solución, y sus beneficios de salud y pensión han sido protegidos y conservados para los años venideros.

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El Reto de Proteger los Beneficios de Salud Como su Fondo de Beneficios, trabajamos mucho para reducir los costos de nuestra cobertura de salud y aprovechar cada dólar contribuido para que podamos proteger nuestro acceso a cuidados de calidad. Estamos en condiciones de brindar nuestra cobertura integral a un costo muy inferior al promedio nacional. Establecemos presupuestos administrativos eficientes, enviando cada dólar disponible hacia el pago de su atención de salud. Y a través de nuestros programas de contención de costos, usted ha ayudado a ahorrar millones de dólares del Fondo de Beneficios sin limitar su acceso a la atención que necesita.

Pero pese a nuestros mejores esfuerzos, nosotros, al igual que la industria en general, no podemos soportar los costos crecientes de la atención de salud. A medida que los costos de la atención de la salud aumentan más rápido que la tasa de inflación, resulta cada vez más difícil brindar el nivel de beneficios que usted merece.

Por ello es que su Comité de Negociación del Sindicato aceptó comprometerse a encontrar formas de mantener nuestro paquete de beneficios de salud. Para contener los costos, nuestro Fondo de Beneficios introducirá nuevos programas de ahorros de costos desarrollados con el Comité de Agentes Fiduciarios para el Control de Costos integrado por los trabajadores y la gerencia. Al igual que en el pasado, habrá cambios en la forma en que accedemos a nuestros beneficios, pero no en el nivel de beneficios que gozamos. Por ello, pongamos de nuestra parte y estemos al tanto de cambios venideros.

Cómo se Invierten sus Beneficios de Pensión Con toda la información que ha estado recibiendo sobre los efectos de la caída de la bolsa de valores en los activos de nuestro Fondo de Pensión, usted se estará preguntando cómo invierte nuestro Fondo las contribuciones que los empleadores aportan al Fondo en su representación.

El Consejo de Administración de nuestro Fondo supervisa y monitorea el trabajo de nuestro personal de inversiones, el cual maneja la administración diaria de las inversiones del Fondo. El personal trabaja con una diversidad de administradores de inversiones para garantizar que los activos de los Fondos sean invertidos en una amplia variedad de oportunidades de inversión dentro de la política de asignación establecida por el Consejo de Administración, maximizando las ganancias mientras se protege contra las pérdidas. Esta estrategia de inversión disciplinada y diversificada nos ha beneficiado tanto a nosotros como a otros fondos durante muchos años. Pero la caída dramática de la economía en 2008 afectó a todas las áreas en general, y no fue inmune a ella ninguna clase de activos ni por lo tanto ningún fondo de pensiones.

En la primavera, usted recibió por correo un "Aviso Anual de Financiamiento" como parte de la información que estamos obligados a enviarle bajo la Ley de Protección de Pensiones. El Aviso de Financiamiento es una instantánea de dónde se encontraba nuestro Fondo al comienzo de 2008, antes de la caída de la bolsa de valores, e incluye alguna información sobre cómo se asignan las inversiones de nuestro Fondo.

De hecho, tenemos una corrección a esa información, así que por favor consulte el aviso de financiamiento actualizado que se incluye en la página 20.

•

•

El 79% de los planes de pensión de beneficios definidos de sindicatos tienen ahora un financiamiento insuficiente, cuatro veces más que en el último año.

En sólo los primeros cinco meses de 2009, 20 de algunas de las compañías más grandes de Fortune 500 han anunciado planes para congelar sus pensiones de beneficios definidos, en comparación a 18 para todo el año 2008.

¿Qué es un plan de pensión de beneficios definidos?

Con planes de pensión de beneficios definidos como los nuestros, una vez que adquiere los derechos, gana el derecho a una pensión cuando se jubila. Recibirá una suma establecida cada mes, por el resto de su vida. Su empleador paga al Fondo de Pensiones para su jubilación y esas contribuciones forman un pozo común. Esos activos son administrados en forma conjunta e invertidos, según una política disciplinada, para sostener los beneficios de pensión para todos nuestros miembros.

¿En qué se diferencia de un 401(k) ó 403(b)?

Las personas a quienes todos conocemos que han perdido tanto de sus ahorros de jubilación individuales tenían planes de aportes definidos, 401(k) y 403(b). Con esos planes, los trabajadores ponen de su propio dinero a una cuenta individual.

A veces los Empleadores igualan esos aportes, pero con frecuencia no lo hacen. No existe una cantidad fija, establecida, mensual con la que pueda contar el trabajador en el momento de la jubilación. Los trabajadores administran su propio dinero, y si la bolsa de valores cae, es difícil recuperar la cantidad de dinero que sea que se pierda, salvo que puedan esperar un tiempo largo para jubilarse.

La Diferencia de Beneficios Definidos Plan de Pensión de Beneficios Definidos: • El empleador paga • Las contribuciones forman un pozo común en un solo fondo • Usted recibe cheques de pensión mensuales • Monto fijo, sin considerar el rendimiento del mercado

Planes 401(k)/403(b): • • • • •

Cuenta individual El trabajador paga y administra El empleador puede o no contribuir No hay un monto garantizado de pago de pensión El trabajador asume todo el riesgo de la pérdida: un trabajador con $50,000* en una cuenta 401(k) en el año 2007 tenía menos de $36,000 al final de 2008. * Promedios de planes Fidelity y Vanguard

PA R A S U B E N E F I C I O

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Los Negociadores Colectivos Estabilizan los Fondos Como es de su conocimiento, el empeoramiento de la y Protegen los Beneficios economía, la caída de la bolsa de valores y la subida vertiginosa de los costos de atención de la salud ha tenido un agudo efecto financiero en nuestros Fondos de Beneficios y Pensiones, poniendo en riesgo nuestro paquete integral de beneficios. En respuesta, su Sindicato y los empleadores de la Liga se reunieron y lograron, durante uno de los más difíciles entornos económicos en la historia reciente, negociar un contrato que protege plenamente nuestros beneficios de salud, define el plan de pensión de beneficios y aún brinda modestos aumentos salariales. Esto significa que continuaremos teniendo una cobertura integral sin costos a su cargo así como nuestro plan poco común de pensión de beneficios definidos. El nuevo contrato que dura hasta el año 2015 también protege los beneficios de salud y pensión de nuestros jubilados.

Para proteger nuestros beneficios, el nuevo contrato requiere que todos cumplan con su parte. Los empleadores aumentarán sus contribuciones al Fondo de Pensiones para los Trabajadores de la Salud del 6.75% al 15.8% y aumentarán sus contribuciones al Fondo Nacional de Beneficios del 22.5% al 28.38%. Esto fue posible en parte por la aceptación de los miembros en reasignar el incremento salarial del 3% de 2009 y un 1 por ciento del incremento salarial de 2010.

El contrato también instruye a nuestro Fondo Nacional de Beneficios a encontrar un monto adicional de $150 millones en reducción de costos durante los cinco años siguientes. Nuestro Fondo, con nuestros agentes fiduciarios de los trabajadores y la gerencia, estarán buscando formas adicionales de bajar los costos, y es posible que haya cambios nuevamente en la forma en que accederemos a algunos de nuestros beneficios en el futuro, en forma similar a cuando el Fondo introdujo otros programas de ahorro de costos como el uso de laboratorios y proveedores de radiología preferidos, o los pedidos de medicamentos a largo plazo en un suministro para tres meses.

Este contrato fue negociado durante uno de los climas económicos más difíciles que hayamos tenido nunca, un clima en el que otros miembros de sindicatos están siendo forzados a aceptar copagos y deducibles más elevados, donde los empleadores han dejado de contribuir a los fondos de pensiones de sus trabajadores o a los ahorros del 401(k), y donde el costo de la atención de la salud continúa disparándose. Pese a todo esto, los comités de negociación del Sindicato y de la Liga se reunieron para encontrar una solución, y sus beneficios de salud y pensión han sido protegidos y conservados para los años venideros.

12

El Reto de Proteger los Beneficios de Salud Como su Fondo de Beneficios, trabajamos mucho para reducir los costos de nuestra cobertura de salud y aprovechar cada dólar contribuido para que podamos proteger nuestro acceso a cuidados de calidad. Estamos en condiciones de brindar nuestra cobertura integral a un costo muy inferior al promedio nacional. Establecemos presupuestos administrativos eficientes, enviando cada dólar disponible hacia el pago de su atención de salud. Y a través de nuestros programas de contención de costos, usted ha ayudado a ahorrar millones de dólares del Fondo de Beneficios sin limitar su acceso a la atención que necesita.

Pero pese a nuestros mejores esfuerzos, nosotros, al igual que la industria en general, no podemos soportar los costos crecientes de la atención de salud. A medida que los costos de la atención de la salud aumentan más rápido que la tasa de inflación, resulta cada vez más difícil brindar el nivel de beneficios que usted merece.

Por ello es que su Comité de Negociación del Sindicato aceptó comprometerse a encontrar formas de mantener nuestro paquete de beneficios de salud. Para contener los costos, nuestro Fondo de Beneficios introducirá nuevos programas de ahorros de costos desarrollados con el Comité de Agentes Fiduciarios para el Control de Costos integrado por los trabajadores y la gerencia. Al igual que en el pasado, habrá cambios en la forma en que accedemos a nuestros beneficios, pero no en el nivel de beneficios que gozamos. Por ello, pongamos de nuestra parte y estemos al tanto de cambios venideros.

Cómo se Invierten sus Beneficios de Pensión Con toda la información que ha estado recibiendo sobre los efectos de la caída de la bolsa de valores en los activos de nuestro Fondo de Pensión, usted se estará preguntando cómo invierte nuestro Fondo las contribuciones que los empleadores aportan al Fondo en su representación.

El Consejo de Administración de nuestro Fondo supervisa y monitorea el trabajo de nuestro personal de inversiones, el cual maneja la administración diaria de las inversiones del Fondo. El personal trabaja con una diversidad de administradores de inversiones para garantizar que los activos de los Fondos sean invertidos en una amplia variedad de oportunidades de inversión dentro de la política de asignación establecida por el Consejo de Administración, maximizando las ganancias mientras se protege contra las pérdidas. Esta estrategia de inversión disciplinada y diversificada nos ha beneficiado tanto a nosotros como a otros fondos durante muchos años. Pero la caída dramática de la economía en 2008 afectó a todas las áreas en general, y no fue inmune a ella ninguna clase de activos ni por lo tanto ningún fondo de pensiones.

En la primavera, usted recibió por correo un "Aviso Anual de Financiamiento" como parte de la información que estamos obligados a enviarle bajo la Ley de Protección de Pensiones. El Aviso de Financiamiento es una instantánea de dónde se encontraba nuestro Fondo al comienzo de 2008, antes de la caída de la bolsa de valores, e incluye alguna información sobre cómo se asignan las inversiones de nuestro Fondo.

De hecho, tenemos una corrección a esa información, así que por favor consulte el aviso de financiamiento actualizado que se incluye en la página 20.

•

•

El 79% de los planes de pensión de beneficios definidos de sindicatos tienen ahora un financiamiento insuficiente, cuatro veces más que en el último año.

En sólo los primeros cinco meses de 2009, 20 de algunas de las compañías más grandes de Fortune 500 han anunciado planes para congelar sus pensiones de beneficios definidos, en comparación a 18 para todo el año 2008.

¿Qué es un plan de pensión de beneficios definidos?

Con planes de pensión de beneficios definidos como los nuestros, una vez que adquiere los derechos, gana el derecho a una pensión cuando se jubila. Recibirá una suma establecida cada mes, por el resto de su vida. Su empleador paga al Fondo de Pensiones para su jubilación y esas contribuciones forman un pozo común. Esos activos son administrados en forma conjunta e invertidos, según una política disciplinada, para sostener los beneficios de pensión para todos nuestros miembros.

¿En qué se diferencia de un 401(k) ó 403(b)?

Las personas a quienes todos conocemos que han perdido tanto de sus ahorros de jubilación individuales tenían planes de aportes definidos, 401(k) y 403(b). Con esos planes, los trabajadores ponen de su propio dinero a una cuenta individual.

A veces los Empleadores igualan esos aportes, pero con frecuencia no lo hacen. No existe una cantidad fija, establecida, mensual con la que pueda contar el trabajador en el momento de la jubilación. Los trabajadores administran su propio dinero, y si la bolsa de valores cae, es difícil recuperar la cantidad de dinero que sea que se pierda, salvo que puedan esperar un tiempo largo para jubilarse.

La Diferencia de Beneficios Definidos Plan de Pensión de Beneficios Definidos: • El empleador paga • Las contribuciones forman un pozo común en un solo fondo • Usted recibe cheques de pensión mensuales • Monto fijo, sin considerar el rendimiento del mercado

Planes 401(k)/403(b): • • • • •

Cuenta individual El trabajador paga y administra El empleador puede o no contribuir No hay un monto garantizado de pago de pensión El trabajador asume todo el riesgo de la pérdida: un trabajador con $50,000* en una cuenta 401(k) en el año 2007 tenía menos de $36,000 al final de 2008. * Promedios de planes Fidelity y Vanguard

PA R A S U B E N E F I C I O

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Perfil del Miembro:

DE NUESTROS FONDOS DE BENEFICIOS Y PENSIONES DE 1199SEIU

"¡Mis beneficios son importantes para mí!"

Este grupo de trabajadores jóvenes en el NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases sabe que debemos valorar nuestro paquete de beneficios de 1199SEIU.

~ OTONO DE 2009

Para Su Beneficio Un boletín dedicado a la salud y al bienestar de los miembros de 1199SEIU

Carta De La Directora Ejecutiva ¡Han ocurrido muchas cosas desde la última vez que tuvo noticias de nuestros Fondos! Pero quizás lo más importante es que tiene un nuevo contrato que protege su cobertura integral de salud y un plan de pensiones de beneficios definido; un significativo logro considerando estos difíciles tiempos económicos.

Jana Auguste

(L to R): Juan Escalera, Thyery Mercier, Judy Volpi, Jaclyn Bodon, Jana Auguste, Marcelle Moncrieffe, Claire Callender, Jessica Fung

En los últimos años, los empleadores en todo el país han estado transfiriendo la carga de pagar por la atención de salud y los beneficios de jubilación a sus trabajadores. Por ello, no causa sorpresa que la protección de nuestras pensiones y de los beneficios de salud integrales fuese una prioridad en la reciente negociaciones del contrato. Y aunque este grupo de jóvenes miembros de 1199SEIU en el NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases es saludable y está a muchos años de su jubilación, comprende la gran ventaja de sus beneficios de 1199SEIU.

“Todos los que conozco tienen que pagar costos a su cargo por sus cuidados”, afirmó Jessica Fung, una Tecnóloga de Radiología que pasó directo del seguro de salud de sus padres a la cobertura del Fondo de Beneficios. "No deja de llamarme la atención el hecho de que no tengamos que pagar copagos ni deducibles".

“Pienso que los miembros jóvenes comprenden especialmente la importancia de conservar nuestros beneficios”, dijo la Tecnóloga de Procedimientos Especiales, Jana Auguste. De hecho, Jana tiene convicciones tan firmes sobre sus beneficios que se unió al equipo de negociación del Sindicato para ayudar a protegerlos. "Considerando la situación económica actual, somos afortunados de tener un plan como éste. Vemos y leemos constantemente sobre empleadores que hacen recortes a costas de los beneficios de sus trabajadores". Durante las negociaciones, habló con mucha pasión sobre la protección de nuestros beneficios y lo afortunados que somos de tener un plan de salud sin complicaciones. "Acceder a mis beneficios es tan fácil. Nunca me tengo que preocupar de llenar formularios complicados, pedir reembolsos ni pagar al médico. Simplemente voy y presento mi tarjeta de identificación de salud".

14

Judy Volpi, Técnico de CAT Scan, proviene de un trabajo que no pertenece a 1199SEIU con una cobertura de salud que no se compara a los beneficios con los que cuenta ahora. "Pagué por mis beneficios de salud en cada cheque de paga, y no existía nada parecido a un plan de pensiones de beneficios definidos. Tenías que arreglártelas por tu cuenta para los ahorros de jubilación".

"Hace unos años tuve que someterme a una laparoscopia de rodilla y no tuve que pagar ni una sola vez", afirmó Juan Escalera, un Técnico de Rayos X. "Conozco a tanta gente que no tiene los beneficios con los que contamos nosotros...".

En el interior de este ejemplar de For Your Benefit (Para su beneficio), podrá leer sobre lo que se ha hecho para estabilizar nuestros fondos de salud y pensiones, los retos que enfrentamos y cómo se han invertido nuestros activos de pensiones. Y podrá escuchar de primera mano a algunos de nuestros miembros y a sus compañeros de trabajo decir por qué son tan importantes los beneficios para ellos.

Usted tiene un nuevo contrato que protege su cobertura integral de salud y un plan de pensiones de beneficios definido; un significativo logro considerando estos difíciles tiempos económicos.

En un momento en el que es de importancia fundamental proteger nuestra salud y nuestros beneficios de salud, podrá informarse sobre las muchas opciones de atención que usted y su familia tienen cuando requieran atención médica pero no puedan contactar a su médico, y por qué es tan importante para usted que el uso de las salas de emergencia sea exclusivamente para emergencias.

También en el interior podrá informarse sobre los nuevos talleres para ayudarle a lidiar con el estrés y a terminar con malos hábitos como parte de nuestro programa continuo de Protección de Nuestra Salud (Protecting Our Health). Asimismo, nuestro programa "Apoyo a Matrimonios Saludables" (Supporting Healthy Marriages) ha regresado por demanda popular. Se trata de una serie de talleres interactivos de 10 semanas de duración sólo para miembros de 1199SEIU y sus cónyuges, realizado por el Montefiore Medical Center. Y finalmente, lo invitamos a usted y a su familia a unirse a nosotros en septiembre en nuestra demostración de ejercicios familiares y cocina nutritiva.

Sobre todo, queremos hacerle saber que estamos aquí para apoyarlo. Si tiene alguna pregunta sobre sus beneficios, llámenos. Somos sus Fondos, y estamos aquí para ayudarlo.

Atentamente,

"Como madre soltera, no habría sobrevivido sin estos beneficios", agregó Jaclyn Bodon, una Tecnóloga del Plomo. "Habría tenido muchísimos problemas si no contase con la cobertura que necesitaba para mi hijo. Es fantástico tener la seguridad de saber que estamos cubiertos".

Mitra Behroozi Directora ejecutiva Fondos de Beneficios y Pensiones de 1199SEIU

PA R A S U B E N E F I C I O

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Healthy Tips for Your Baby and You and Preparing for Childbirth Join us for a fun day of practical workshops as we cover the topics all expecting parents need to know (whether it’s your first or fifth baby) during pregnancy, childbirth and after your baby is born. These classes cover everything from how to keep healthy and fit during your pregnancy to information on diapering, bottle- and breast-feeding and more. Partners are welcome. A light breakfast and lunch will be served.

Aprenda a Lidiar con el Estrés con la Ayuda de un Nuevo Taller Taller de Control del Estrés Miércoles 16 de septiembre 6:00 p.m. a 7:30 p.m.

330 W. 42nd Street, Penthouse, Manhattan

Para inscribirse llame al (646) 473-6910

Saturday, September 12 10:00 am – 2:30 pm 330 W. 42 Street, Penthouse Please call to get more information or to let us know that you will be attending at (646) 473-8960, option 2.

Do You Want to Become a U.S. Citizen?

Come to one of our free Citizenship workshops to learn about the services our Funds’ Citizenship Program offers for you and your family, from application preparation, preparatory and ESL classes and more.

Saturday, September 26 9:30 am – 2:30 pm

Saturday, October 24 9:30 am – 2:30 pm You must be registered to attend!

Call (646) 473-8915 to register and get more information.

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Todos sufrimos del estrés, y no debe de sorprendernos, si consideramos la economía, el trabajo y criar una familia, y todos los demás asuntos cotidianos a los que nos enfrentamos. El personal de nuestro Programa de Asistencia a los Miembros (Member Assistance Program, MAP) estará visitando instituciones para ofrecer un taller rápido y sin estrés que le mostrará cómo identificar y lidiar con el estrés en varias formas fáciles y saludables.

El taller dura sólo 15 minutos y por ello es fácil de acomodar durante un receso o almuerzo. Pregunte a su Coordinador de Ayuda del Fondo de Beneficios si hay un taller programado para su institución, y si no, pídales que programen uno.

También puede asistir a nuestro taller de control del estrés de duración completa en la oficina del Fondo de Beneficios ubicada en Manhattan.

¿No quiere esperar por un taller?

Pruebe estos consejos ahora Saque el estrés de sus músculos con una actividad de estiramiento.

Párese y extienda sus brazos por encima de la cabeza, estirándose desde la cintura. Aspire profundamente y exhale. Ahora, dóblese desde la cintura y deje sueltos los brazos, el cuello y la cabeza. Aspire profundamente y exhale.

Fíjese metas realistas • Comience el día haciendo una lista de lo que necesita hacer, y fijando prioridades razonables. Marque las tareas a medida que las termina.

• Divida las grandes tareas en otras que sean más pequeñas y más controlables.

• No programe cosas en exceso ni intente hacer todo por su propia cuenta. Está bien pedir ayuda o decir "no" a la gente de vez en cuando.

Use los recursos de nuestro Fondo de Beneficios Deje que nuestro Fondo de Beneficios lo ayude si se siente abrumado. Sólo tiene que llamar al: • Programa de Asistencia a los Miembros: (646) 473-9200 • Servicio de capacitación de salud y línea de ayuda de enfermería las 24 horas: (866) 935-1199

PA R A S U B E N E F I C I O

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Llame Ahora para Inscribirse En el Programa para Matrimonios Saludables para las Parejas de 1199SEIU El programa Apoyo a Matrimonios Saludables (Supporting Healthy Marriage) del año pasado para las parejas de 1199SEIU llevado a cabo en el Montefiore Medical Center tuvo tanto éxito que se va a volver a realizar.

Emergency rooms are for real medical emergencies, and we should never go to the ER for non-emergency care.

ERs are crowded, costly and mean long waits when our condition isn’t critical, because we will get taken care of last. So, when we need non-emergency medical attention and can’t get ahold of our doctor, our Benefit Fund covers many other ways to get the immediate care we need.

El programa Apoyo a Matrimonios Saludables consta de 10 semanas de talleres entretenidos e interactivos, donde las parejas aprenden habilidades de comunicación simples y formas efectivas de manejar el conflicto y el estrés. Si usted es seleccionado, verá videos, participará en discusiones en grupo y practicará las nuevas habilidades de comunicación que desarrollará a lo largo del trayecto. También tendrá la oportunidad de trabajar con un Coordinador de Apoyo a la Familia, que lo ayudará a aprender a afrontar las tensiones cotidianas de la familia como las finanzas, el empleo y la vivienda.

Además de aprender todo tipo de valiosos consejos y técnicas sobre relaciones, le servirán una cena y le darán la oportunidad de que le paguen hasta $1,000 en dinero en efectivo para emergencias, tarjetas de regalo y MetroCards si asiste a cada sesión del taller.

Las investigaciones han demostrado que las personas que tienen un matrimonio sano viven más tiempo, se enferman menos, y ganan y ahorran más dinero. Y los hijos de estos matrimonios presentan menos problemas de comportamiento y tienen mejor rendimiento en la escuela. ¡El cupo es limitado y las sesiones comienzan pronto, así que llame de inmediato si está interesado!

Llame al Montefiore Medical Center al (718) 401-5050 y dígale a la recepcionista que está interesado en el programa Apoyo a Matrimonios Saludables (Supporting Healthy Marriage) para las parejas de 1199SEIU, y que se enteró acerca de este programa en este boletín.

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When Your Doctor Isn’t Available and You Need Care Now

Use a Health Coach if you or anyone in your family suffers from symptoms related to a chronic condition, such as asthma, diabetes or high blood pressure. A Health Coach is available by phone at (866) 935-1199 to help you better manage the condition. If you or your family is not working with a coach already, call today.

Or maybe you’re feeling sick, with flu symptoms, a fever or allergies. Then you can call our 1199SEIU Nurse Helpline at (866) 935-1199 for around-the-clock support over the phone, seven days a week, from nurses who can answer many of your healthcare questions.

Horario del taller Apoyo a Matrimonios Saludables de 1199SEIU Semana 1

Sábado 3 de octubre

9:30 a.m. a 4:00 p.m.

Semana 2

Lunes 5 de octubre

5:30 p.m. a 8:00 p.m.

Semana 3

Lunes 12 de octubre

5:30 p.m. a 8:00 p.m.

Semana 4

Lunes 19 de octubre

5:30 p.m. a 8:00 p.m.

Semana 5

Lunes 26 de octubre

5:30 p.m. a 8:00 p.m.

Semana 6

Lunes 2 de noviembre 5:30 p.m. a 8:00 p.m.

Semana 7

Lunes 9 de noviembre 5:30 p.m. a 8:00 p.m.

Semana 8

Lunes 16 de noviembre 5:30 p.m. a 8:00 p.m.

Semana 9

Lunes 23 de noviembre 5:30 p.m. a 8:00 p.m.

Semana 10 Lunes 30 de noviembre 5:30 p.m. a 8:00 p.m.

Urgent Care Centers and Walk-In Health Centers are also two choices we have where we can just walk in and receive care without an appointment. These facilities in our network offer extended hours with high-quality service, which is especially important when you can’t get in to see your doctor or need care after hours. These centers treat a wide range of medical problems – from the flu, sore throats, allergic reactions, minor injuries and burns – to care for chronic conditions like asthma.

And, of course we have access to the ER for emergency care when we need it. But we must reserve ERs for true medical emergencies only. Use the many other care choices our Benefit Fund offers. In addition to getting the best care, you’ll be protecting your benefits into the future.

For more information or to find an Urgent Care Center or Walk-In Health Center near you, call Member Services at (646) 473-9200, or visit our website at www.1199SEIUBenefits.org.

Our Urgent Care Network Keeps Growing Our Benefit Fund is dedicated to getting you the care you need, when you need it. So we give you access to Urgent Care and Walk-In Health Centers that are convenient to you.

Your choices include the many Beth Israel Medical Center facilities (formerly known as DOCS) throughout Manhattan and Westchester. In fact, at Beth Israel Medical Center’s Chelsea location, you can now get care 24 hours a day, whenever you need it.

You can also visit the new Montefiore Urgent Care Center located at the Bronx East Montefiore Medical Group practice at 2300 Westchester Avenue, in the Bronx. The Center is open seven days a week – Monday through Friday from 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm, and Saturday, Sunday and most holidays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

For a full list of Urgent Care Centers, visit www.1199SEIUBenefits.org.

We’re always working to keep building our network. So, if there’s an Urgent Care center in your neighborhood that you’d like to join our network, call the Benefit Fund at (646) 473-9200 and let us know, and we’ll reach out to them.

FOR YOUR BENEFIT

9

Breaking Bad Habits Breaking bad habits and replacing them with new, healthy ones isn’t easy. It takes time, planning and hard work. But the satisfaction of knowing you’ve kicked a habit that’s had you controlled for years makes all the work worth it.

Keep an eye out for workshops coming up at your institution. Or, talk to your Outreach Coordinator about bringing a Protecting Our Health workshop to you.

No es fácil quitarse los malos hábitos y reemplazarlos con hábitos nuevos y saludables. Toma tiempo, planificación y mucho empeño. Pero la satisfacción de que se ha quitado un hábito que lo tenía controlado por años hace que valga la pena todo el esfuerzo.

Esté atento a más talleres que se programen en su institución. O, hable con su Coordinador de Ayuda para que programe un taller de Protección de Nuestra Salud para usted.

Por ello es que nuestro Fondo de Beneficios le brinda nuevos talleres de Protección de Nuestra Salud que le darán el apoyo y las herramientas que necesita para mejorar su salud. Aprenderá a fijarse metas realistas y a tomar pasos medibles para alcanzarlos hasta que el hábito que desea dejar atrás, por ejemplo, fumar, comer demasiado, inactividad, desaparezca para siempre. Y, cuando asista a un taller obtendrá una copia de nuestra herramienta más reciente de Protección de Nuestra Salud, un diario de comidas y estado físico diseñado especialmente para los miembros de 1199SEIU que lo ayudará a hacer un seguimiento de sus progresos.

That’s why our Benefit Fund is bringing you new Protecting Our Health workshops that will give you the support and tools you need to turn your health around.

You’ll learn to set realistic goals and measurable steps for achieving them until that habit you want to break – for example, smoking, overeating, inactivity – is gone for good. And, when you attend a workshop you’ll get a copy of our newest Protecting Our Health tool – a food and fitness journal designed just for 1199SEIU members to help you keep track of your progress.

Staying Healthy Is Fun When It’s a Family Affair!

¡Mantenerse Saludable es Divertido Cuando se Trata de un Asunto Familiar!

Join us for a special nutrition workshop and cooking demonstration that will help you plan and cook nutritious, low-fat meals for your family. You’ll work with trained dietitians who can answer your questions, and after the workshop, join other 1199SEIU families for an all-ages yoga class. So, bring the whole family!

Únase a nosotros en un taller especial sobre nutrición y una demostración de cocina que lo ayudarán a planificar y preparar comidas nutritivas con bajo contenido de grasa para su familia. Trabajará con dietistas capacitados que pueden responder a sus preguntas y luego del taller, únase a otras familias de 1199SEIU para una clase de yoga para todas las edades. ¡Así que traiga a toda la familia!

Saturday, September 26 Healthy Meals in 30 Minutes

Sábado 26 de septiembre Comidas saludables en 30 minutos

Family Nutrition Workshop and Cooking Demonstration

Taller de nutrición familiar y demostración de cocina

11:00 am to 12:30 pm

11:00 a.m. a 12:30 p.m.

All-Ages Yoga Class 12:45 pm to 1:30 pm

8

Cómo Quitarse los Malos Hábitos

Please RSVP to (646) 473-8960, option 2.

Clase de yoga para todas las edades Confirme su presencia llamando 12:45 p.m. a 1:30 p.m. al (646) 473-8960, opción 2.

PA R A S U B E N E F I C I O

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Cuando su Médico no Está Disponible y Usted Necesita Atención Médica en el Momento

Call Now to Register

Para obtener información adicional o encontrar un Centro de Atención de Urgencia o un Centro de Salud Ambulatoria cercano a usted, llame a Servicios para Miembros al (646) 473-9200, o visite nuestro sitio web en www.1199SEIUBenefits.org.

For the Healthy Marriage Program for 1199SEIU Couples

Las salas de emergencia son para verdaderas emergencias médicas y nunca debemos acudir a la sala de emergencia para cuidados que no sean de emergencia. Las salas de emergencia están atiborradas de gente, el servicio es costoso e implica largas esperas cuando nuestro estado no es crítico, porque se nos atenderá al final. Por ello, cuando necesitemos atención médica que no sea de emergencia y no podamos ubicar a nuestro médico, nuestro Fondo de Beneficios cubre muchas otras formas de obtener la atención inmediata que necesitamos.

Utilice un Capacitador de Salud si usted o algún miembro de su familia sufren de síntomas relacionados a una enfermedad crónica, como por ejemplo asma, diabetes o presión arterial alta. Tiene a su disposición un Capacitador de Salud por teléfono en el (866) 935-1199 para ayudarlo a controlar mejor la enfermedad. Si usted o su familia no están trabajando ya con un capacitador, llame hoy mismo.

O quizás se siente enfermo, con síntomas de la gripe, una fiebre o alergias. Entonces puede llamar a nuestra Línea de Ayuda de Enfermería de 1199SEIU al (866) 935-1199 para obtener apoyo por teléfono las 24 horas del día, los siete días de la semana, por parte de enfermeros que pueden responder a muchas de sus preguntas sobre la atención de la salud.

Los Centros de Atención de Urgencia y los Centros de Salud Ambulatoria también son dos opciones con las que contamos donde podemos acudir y recibir cuidados sin necesidad de una cita. Estos locales en nuestra red ofrecen horarios de atención prolongados con servicio de alta calidad, lo cual es especialmente importante cuando no puede acudir a su médico o necesita cuidados fuera del horario de atención.

Estos centros tratan una amplia variedad de problemas médicos, tales como la gripe, dolor de garganta, reacciones alérgicas, lesiones menores y quemaduras, hasta el cuidado de enfermedades crónicas como por ejemplo el asma.

Y, por supuesto que tenemos acceso a la Sala de Emergencias para cuidados de emergencia cuando lo necesitemos. Pero debemos reservar el uso de la Sala de Emergencias sólo para verdaderas emergencias médicas.

Utilice las muchas otras opciones de cuidados que ofrece nuestro Fondo de Beneficios. Además de obtener los mejores cuidados, estará protegiendo sus beneficios para el futuro.

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Nuestra Red de Atención de Urgencia Sigue Creciendo Nuestro Fondo de Beneficios está dedicado a brindarle los cuidados que necesita, cuando los necesita. Por ello le brindamos acceso a los Centros de Atención de Urgencia y de Salud Ambulatoria que sean más convenientes para usted.

Entre sus opciones se incluyen las muchas instalaciones del Beth Israel Medical Center (anteriormente denominado DOCS) en Manhattan y Westchester. Además, ahora en el local de Chelsea del Beth Israel Medical Center puede obtener cuidados las 24 horas del día, en cualquier momento que lo necesite.

También puede visitar el nuevo Montefiore Urgent Care Center ubicado en el local del Bronx East Montefiore Medical Group en 2300 Westchester Avenue, en el Bronx. El Centro está abierto los siete días de la semana — de lunes a viernes de 3:00 p. m. a 10:00 p. m., y los sábados, domingos y la mayoría de feriados de 9:00 a. m. a 5:00 p. m.

Para obtener una lista completa de los Centros de Atención de Urgencia, visite www.1199SEIUBenefits.org.

Siempre estamos trabajando para aumentar nuestra red. Por ello, si hay un Centro de Atención de Urgencia en su vecindario que usted quisiera que se una a nuestra red, sírvase llamar al Fondo de Beneficios al (646) 473-9200 para informarnos, y nos pondremos en contacto con ellos.

Last year’s Supporting Healthy Marriage program for 1199SEIU couples at Montefiore Medical Center was so successful that we’re bringing it back.

Supporting Healthy Marriage is 10 weeks of fun and interactive workshops, where couples learn simple communication skills and effective ways to handle conflict and stress. If you’re selected, you’ll watch videos, participate in group discussions and practice the new communication skills you will develop along the way. You will also have the opportunity to work with a Family Support Coordinator, who will help you learn to cope with everyday family stresses like money, employment and housing.

In addition to learning all sorts of valuable relationship tips and techniques, you’ll be served dinner and given the chance to be paid up to $1,000 in emergency cash, gift cards and MetroCards if you attend every workshop session.

Research shows that people in healthy marriages live longer, have fewer illnesses and earn and save more money. And the children of these marriages have fewer behavioral problems and perform better in school.

Space is limited and the sessions start soon, so call right away if you’re interested!

Call the Montefiore Medical Center at (718) 401-5050 and tell the receptionist you are interested in the Supporting Healthy Marriage program for 1199SEIU couples, and that you read about it in this newsletter.

Supporting Healthy Marriages 1199SEIU Session Schedule: Week 1

Saturday, Oct. 3

9:30 am – 4:00 pm

Week 2

Monday, Oct. 5

5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Week 3

Monday, Oct.12

5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Week 4

Monday, Oct. 19

5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Week 5

Monday, Oct. 26

5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Week 6

Monday, Nov. 2

5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Week 7

Monday, Nov. 9

5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Week 8

Monday, Nov. 16

5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Week 9

Monday, Nov. 23

5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Week 10

Monday, Nov. 30

5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

FOR YOUR BENEFIT

7

Learn to Cope with Stress through a New Workshop Managing Stress Workshop Wednesday, September 16 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm 330 W. 42nd Street, Penthouse, Manhattan

Call (646) 473-6910 to register

Consejos saludables para usted y su bebé, y preparación para el parto Inscríbase para asistir a un día de talleres prácticos que cubren los temas que todos los padres que esperan un bebé necesitan saber (ya sea el primer o el quinto bebé) durante el embarazo, el parto y después del nacimiento de su bebé. Estas clases incluyen todo, desde cómo mantenerse saludable y en forma durante el embarazo hasta información sobre cómo cambiar pañales, amamantamiento y alimentación con biberón, y otros temas. Su pareja será bienvenida también. Se servirán un desayuno y almuerzo ligeros.

sábado 12 de septiembre de 10:00 a. m. a 2:30 p. m.

330 W. 42 Street, Penthouse Sírvase llamar para obtener más información o para dejarnos saber que va asistir al 646-473-8960, opción 2.

We all suffer from stress, and it’s no wonder, given the economy, working and raising a family and all the other daily issues we come up against. Our Member Assistance Program (MAP) staff will be visiting institutions to offer a quick and stress-free workshop that will show you how to identify and deal with stress in several easy and healthy ways.

The workshop is just 15 minutes long, so it’s easy to fit in during a break or lunch. Ask your Benefit Fund Outreach Coordinator if there is a workshop coming up at your institution, and if not, ask them to schedule one!

You can also attend our full-length stress management workshop at the Benefit Fund’s Manhattan office.

6

Don’t Want to Wait for a Workshop?

Try These Tips Now Move the stress out of your muscles with a stretching activity.

Stand and reach your arms overhead, stretching from the waist.

Breathe deeply in and out. Now, bend from your waist and let your arms, neck and head go loose. Breathe deeply in and out.

Set Realistic Goals •

Start the day by making a list of what you need to do, and setting reasonable priorities. Check off tasks as you finish them.

•

Divide big tasks into smaller, manageable ones.

•

Don’t over-schedule or try to do everything on your own. It’s okay to ask for help or to say “no” to people once in a while.

¿Quiere Hacerse Ciudadano de los Estados Unidos?

Asista a uno de nuestros talleres gratuitos de Ciudadanía para enterarse acerca de los servicios que ofrece nuestro Programa de Ciudadanía de los Fondos para usted y su familia, desde la preparación de la solicitud, trabajo preliminar y clases de Inglés como Segundo Idioma, y mucho más.

Sábado, 26 de septiembre 9:30 a.m. a 2:30 p.m.

Sábado, 24 de octubre 9:30 a.m. a 2:30 p.m.

Use Our Benefit Fund’s Resources Let our Benefit Fund help if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just call our: •

Member Assistance Program: (646) 473-9200

•

24-Hour Nurse Helpline/Health Coaching Service: (866) 935-1199

¡Debe inscribirse para asistir! Llame al (646) 473-8915 para inscribirse y obtener más información.

PA R A S U B E N E F I C I O

19

ANNUAL FUNDING NOTICE For 1199SEIU Health Care Employees Pension Plan Introduction This notice includes important funding information about your pension plan (“the Plan”). This notice also provides a summary of federal rules governing multiemployer plans in reorganization and insolvent plans and benefit payments guaranteed by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), a federal agency. This notice is for the plan year beginning January 1, 2008 and ending December 31, 2008 (“Plan Year”).

Funded Percentage The funded percentage of a plan is a measure of how well that plan is funded. This percentage is obtained by dividing the Plan’s assets by its liabilities on the valuation date for the plan year. In general, the higher the percentage, the better funded the plan. The Plan’s funded percentage for the Plan Year and 2 preceding plan years is set forth in the chart below, along with a statement of the value of the Plan’s assets and liabilities for the same period.

2008 Plan Year 2007 Plan Year 2006 Plan Year January 1, 2008 NA NA Valuation Date Funded Percentage 119.6% NA NA Value of Assets $8,849,031,831 NA NA Value of Liabilities $7,399,726,878 NA NA

Transition Data For a brief transition period, the Plan is not required by law to report certain funding related information because such information may not exist for plan years before 2008. The plan has entered “not applicable” in the chart above to identify the information it does not have. In lieu of that information, however, the Plan is providing you with comparable information that reflects the funding status of the Plan under the law then in effect. Using the same calculations that the current law requires, the “funded percentage” was 124% for the 2007 Plan Year and 129% for the 2006 Plan Year. However, when calculating the funding status of the Plan under the law then in effect for the 2007 Plan Year, the Plan’s “funded current liability percentage” was 90.1%, the Plan’s assets were $8,334,853,576, and Plan liabilities were $9,247,995,033. For the 2006 Plan Year, the Plan’s “funded current liability percentage” was 97.5%, the Plan’s assets were $7,777,661,099, and Plan liabilities were $7,979,721,658.

Fair Market Value of Assets Asset values in the chart above are actuarial values, not market values.

Market values tend to show a clearer picture of a plan’s funded status as of a given point in time. However, because market values can fluctuate daily based on factors in the marketplace, such as changes in the stock market, pension law allows plans to use actuarial values for funding purposes. While actuarial values fluctuate less than market values, they are estimates. As of December 31, 2008,* the fair market value of the Plan’s assets was $6,043,766,127. As of December 31, 2007, the fair market value of the Plan’s assets was $9,082,662,956. As of December 31, 2006, the fair market value of the Plan’s assets was $8,743,762,876. *2008 assets values are preliminary and subject to confirmation when the yearly audit is finalized.

Participant Information The total number of participants in the plan as of the Plan’s valuation date was 204,594. Of this number, 114,014 were active participants, 47,514 were retired or separated from service and receiving benefits, and 43,066 were

20

Member Profile:

retired or separated from service and entitled to future benefits.

Funding & Investment Policies The law requires that every pension plan have a procedure for establishing a funding policy to carry out the plan objectives. A funding policy relates to the level of contributions needed to pay for benefits promised under the plan currently and over the years. The plan is funded by contributions made by employers pursuant to collective bargaining agreements with the union that represents the plan’s participants.

“My Benefits Are Important to Me!” This group of younger workers at the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases knows we can’t take our 1199SEIU benefit package for granted.

Once money is contributed to the Plan, the money is invested by plan officials called fiduciaries. Specific investments are made in accordance with the Plan’s investment policy. Generally speaking, an investment policy is a written statement that provides the fiduciaries who are responsible for plan investments with guidelines or general instructions concerning various types or categories of investment management decisions. The investment policy of the Plan is to ensure the solvency of the Pension Plan over time and to meet the Fund’s pension obligations as required. To meet this goal the Fund has established a target allocation among asset classes and acceptable ranges around that target.

In accordance with the Plan’s investment policy, the Plan’s assets were allocated among the following categories of investments, as of the end of the Plan Year. These allocations are percentages of total assets: Asset Allocations* 1. Interest-bearing cash 2. U.S. government securities 3. Corporate debt instruments (other than employer securities): Preferred All other 4. Corporate stocks (other than employer securities): Preferred Common 5. Partnership/joint venture interests 6. Real estate (other than employer real property) 7. Loans (other than to participants) 8. Participant loans 9. Value of interest in common/collective trusts 10. Value of interest in pooled separate accounts 11. Value of interest in master trust investment accounts 12. Value of interest in 103-12 investment entities 13. Value of interest in registered investment companies (e.g., mutual funds) 14. Value of funds held in insurance co. general account (unallocated contracts) 15. Employer-related investments: Employer Securities Employer real property 16. Buildings and other property used in plan operation 17. Other (Bank Loans/Derivatives/Sec lending cash collateral)

Percentage 7.23% 10.36% 13.48% ________ ________ 0.10% 28.14% 19.94% 10.82% ________ ________ 5.11% ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ ________ 4.82%

*The asset values are preliminary and subject to confirmation when the yearly audit is finalized.

For information about the plan’s investment in any of the following types of investments as described in the chart above — common/collective trusts,

Jana Auguste

(L to R): Juan Escalera, Thyery Mercier, Judy Volpi, Jaclyn Bodon, Jana Auguste, Marcelle Moncrieffe, Claire Callender, Jessica Fung

Over the past few years, employers across the country have been shifting the burden of paying for healthcare and retirement benefits to their workers.

So, it’s no surprise that protecting our pensions and comprehensive health benefits was a priority in the recent contract negotiations. And even though this group of young 1199SEIU members at the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases is healthy and years away from retirement, they understand just how much their 1199SEIU benefits set them apart.

“Everyone I know has to pay out of pocket for their care,” agreed Jessica Fung, a Radiology Technologist who came straight off her parents’ health insurance to her Benefit Fund coverage.

“I just can’t get over the fact that we don’t have any co-pays or deductibles.”

“I think young members especially understand the importance of preserving our benefits,” said Special Procedures Technologist Jana Auguste. In fact, Jana feels so strongly about her benefits that she joined the Union’s negotiating team to help protect them.

“We’re fortunate, given the current economic climate, to have such a plan. We see and read constantly about employers scaling back at the expense of their workers’ benefits.” During negotiations, she spoke out passionately about protecting our benefits and how fortunate we are to have a hassle-free health plan. “Accessing my benefits is so easy. I never have to worry about filling out complicated forms, getting reimbursed or paying the doctor. I just show up and present my Health ID card.”

CAT Scan Technician Judy Volpi came from a non1199SEIU job with health coverage that just didn’t match the benefits she has now. “I paid for my health benefits out of every paycheck, and there was no such thing as a defined benefit pension plan. You were completely on your own for retirement savings.”

“A few years ago I had to get my knee scoped, and not once did I pay for anything,” said Juan Escalera, an X-ray Technician. “I know so many people who don’t have the benefits we have.”

“As a single mother, I couldn’t have made it without these benefits!” added Jaclyn Bodon, a Lead Technologist. “I would have struggled tremendously if I didn’t have the coverage I need for my child. It’s a nice, secure feeling to know that we’re covered.”

FOR YOUR BENEFIT

5

How Your Pension Benefits Are Invested

pooled separate accounts, master trust investment accounts, or 103-12 investment entities — contact Michael Kaiser, Chief Pension Officer, (646) 473-9200 or write to the 1199SEIU Benefit and Pension Funds at 330 West 42nd Street, New York NY, 10036-6977.

With all the information you’ve been getting about the effects of the stock market crash on our Pension Fund’s assets, you may be wondering how our Fund invests the contributions that employers make into the Fund on your behalf.

Critical or Endangered Status Under federal pension law a plan generally will be considered to be in “endangered” status if, at the beginning of the plan year, the funded percentage of the plan is less than 80 percent, or in “critical” status if the percentage is less than 65 percent (other factors may also apply). If a pension plan enters endangered status, the trustees of the plan are required to adopt a funding improvement plan. Similarly, if a pension plan enters critical status, the trustees of the plan are required to adopt a rehabilitation plan.

Rehabilitation and funding improvement plans establish steps and benchmarks for pension plans to improve their funding status over a specified period of time.

The Trustees of our Fund oversee and monitor the work of our Investment staff, which handles the dayto-day management of the Fund’s investments. The staff works with a variety of investment managers to ensure that the Fund’s assets are invested in a broad array of investment opportunities within the allocation policy set by the Trustees, maximizing returns while protecting against losses. This disciplined and diversified investment strategy served us and other funds well for many years. But the economy’s dramatic plunge in 2008 hit all areas across the board, and no asset class and therefore no pension fund was immune.

In the spring, you received an “Annual Funding Notice” in the mail as part of the information we are required to send you under the Pension Protection Act. The Funding Notice is a snapshot of where our Fund stood at the beginning of 2008, before the stock market’s crash, and it includes some information on how our Fund’s investments are allocated. In fact, we have a correction to that information, so please refer to the updated funding notice included on page 20.

What is a defined benefit pension plan?

With defined benefit pension plans like ours, once you are vested you have the right to a pension when you retire. You’ll get a set amount each month for the rest of your life. Your employer pays into the Pension Fund for your retirement, and those contributions are pooled. These assets are managed collectively and invested, pursuant to a disciplined policy, to support pension benefits for all of our members.

How is that different from a 401(k) or 403(b)?

The people we all know who have lost so much of their individual retirement savings had defined contribution plans – 401(k)s and 403(b)s. With those plans, workers put their own money into an individual account. Employers sometimes match these contributions, but often they do not. There is no set, fixed monthly amount that the worker can count on at the time of retirement. Workers manage their own money, and if the stock market fails, whatever money is lost is difficult to recoup, unless they can wait a very long time to retire.

The Defined Benefit Difference Defined Benefit Pension Plan:

•

79 percent of Union defined benefit pension plans are now underfunded – four times as many as last year.

• • • •

Employer pays Contributions are pooled in a single fund You get monthly pension checks Fixed amount – regardless of how the market performs

401(k)/403(b) Plan:

•

4

In just the first five months of 2009, 20 of some of the largest Fortune 500 companies announced plans to freeze their defined benefit pensions – compared to 18 for all of 2008.

• • • • •

Individual account Worker pays and manages Employer may or may not contribute No guaranteed amount of pension payment Worker bears all risk of loss: A worker with $50,000* in a 401(k) account in 2007 had less than $36,000 at the end of 2008. * Fidelity and Vanguard plan averages

The Plan was not in endangered or critical status in the Plan Year.

Events with Material Effect on Assets or Liabilities Federal law requires trustees to provide in this notice a written explanation of events, taking effect in the current plan year, which are expected to have a material effect on plan liabilities or assets. For the plan year beginning on January 1, 2008 and ending on December 31, 2008, the following events are expected to have such an effect: benefits to participants in pay status increased from 3% effective April 1, 2008 due to a negotiated cost of living adjustment. The effect is to increase plan liabilities by 1.49%.

Right to Request a Copy of the Annual Report A pension plan is required to file with the US Department of Labor an annual report (i.e., Form 5500) containing financial and other information about the plan. Copies of the annual report are available from the US Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration’s Public Disclosure Room at 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room N-1513, Washington, DC 20210, or by calling (202) 693-8673. Or you may obtain a copy of the Plan’s annual report by making a written request to the plan administrator. The Plan’s annual report for the 2008 plan year will not be available until mid-October 2009.

Summary of Rules Governing Plans in Reorganization and Insolvent Plans Federal law has a number of special rules that apply to financially troubled multiemployer plans. Under so-called “plan reorganization rules,” a plan with adverse financial experience may need to increase required contributions and may, under certain circumstances, reduce benefits that are not eligible for the PBGC’s guarantee (generally, benefits that have been in effect for less than 60 months). If a plan is in reorganization status, it must provide notification that the plan is in reorganization status and that, if contributions are not increased, accrued benefits under the plan may be reduced or an excise tax may be imposed (or both). The law requires the plan to furnish this notification to each contributing employer and the labor organization.

Despite the special plan reorganization rules, a plan in reorganization nevertheless could become insolvent. A plan is insolvent for a plan year if its available financial resources are not sufficient to pay benefits when due for the plan year. An insolvent plan must reduce benefit payments to the highest level that can be paid from the plan’s available financial resources. If such resources are not enough to pay benefits at a level specified by law (see Benefit Payments Guaranteed by the PBGC, below), the plan must apply to the PBGC for financial assistance. The PBGC, by law, will loan the plan the amount necessary to pay benefits at the guaranteed level. Reduced benefits may be restored if the plan’s financial condition improves.

vency to participants and beneficiaries, contributing employers, labor unions representing participants, and PBGC. In addition, participants and beneficiaries also must receive information regarding whether, and how, their benefits will be reduced or affected as a result of the insolvency, including loss of a lump sum option. This information will be provided for each year the plan is insolvent.

Benefit Payments Guaranteed by the PBGC The maximum benefit that the PBGC guarantees is set by law. Only vested benefits are guaranteed. Specifically, the PBGC guarantees a monthly benefit payment equal to 100 percent of the first $11 of the Plan’s monthly benefit accrual rate, plus 75 percent of the next $33 of the accrual rate, times each year of credited service. The PBGC’s maximum guarantee, therefore, is $35.75 per month times a participant’s years of credited service.

Example 1: If a participant with 10 years of credited service has an accrued monthly benefit of $500, the accrual rate for purposes of determining the PBGC guarantee would be determined by dividing the monthly benefit by the participant’s years of service ($500/10), which equals $50. The guaranteed amount for a $50 monthly accrual rate is equal to the sum of $11 plus $24.75 (.75 x $33), or $35.75. Thus, the participant’s guaranteed monthly benefit is $357.50 ($35.75 x 10).

Example 2: If the participant in Example 1 has an accrued monthly benefit of $200, the accrual rate for purposes of determining the guarantee would be $20 (or $200/10). The guaranteed amount for a $20 monthly accrual rate is equal to the sum of $11 plus $6.75 (.75 x $9), or $17.75. Thus, the participant’s guaranteed monthly benefit would be $177.50 ($17.75 x 10).

The PBGC guarantees pension benefits payable at normal retirement age and some early retirement benefits. In calculating a person’s monthly payment, the PBGC will disregard any benefit increases that were made under the plan within 60 months before the earlier of the plan’s termination or insolvency (or benefits that were in effect for less than 60 months at the time of termination or insolvency). Similarly, the PBGC does not guarantee pre-retirement death benefits to a spouse or beneficiary (e.g., a qualified pre-retirement survivor annuity) if the participant dies after the plan terminates, benefits above the normal retirement benefit, disability benefits not in pay status, or nonpension benefits, such as health insurance, life insurance, death benefits, vacation pay or severance pay.

Where to Get More Information For more information about this notice, you may contact Michael Kaiser, Chief Pension Officer, (646) 473-9200 or write to the 1199SEIU Benefit and Pension Funds at 330 West 42nd Street, New York NY, 10036-6977.

For identification purposes, the official plan number is 001 and the plan sponsor’s employer identification number or “EIN” is 13-3604862. For more information about the PBGC and benefit guarantees, go to PBGC's website, www.pbgc.gov, or call PBGC toll-free at 1-800-400-7242 (TTY/TDD users may call the Federal relay service toll free at 1-800-877-8339 and ask to be connected to 1-800-400-7242).

A plan that becomes insolvent must provide prompt notification of the insol-

FOR YOUR BENEFIT

21

1199SEIU NATIONAL BENEFIT FUND FOR HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE EMPLOYEES SUMMARY OF MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS This Summary of Material Modifications describes changes that affect your welfare benefit plan and updates the Summary Plan Description (employee booklet) that was previously distributed to you. You should keep this summary with your current employee booklet until the booklet is updated to reflect the changes discussed herein.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Effective March 1, 2009, the following changes to the 1199SEIU National Benefit Fund for Health and Human Service Employees (“Benefit Fund”) apply: 1.

2.

For the duration of the COBRA continuation coverage subsidy program provided for in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, including any extensions of the provisions thereof by future legislative action (comprehensively, “Act”), the Benefit Fund Continuation Coverage described in Section I.J of the Summary Plan Description shall not be provided to participants who are eligible for both COBRA premium reduction under the Act and for benefits under the 1199SEIU/League Job Security Fund (“Eligible Participants”).

Eligible Participants may continue to be covered by the Benefit Fund through participation in the 1199SEIU/League Job Security Fund, which directs payment of COBRA premiums on behalf of Eligible Participants, subject to the terms and conditions of its plan. For more information, call (212) 629-5505.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

This summary only highlights the key changes made to the 1199SEIU National Benefit Fund for Health and Human Service Employees. Summaries of material modifications together with the Summary Plan Description make up your official plan descriptions; please keep them together and refer to them as necessary. We have made every attempt to insure the accuracy of the information in this summary and the Summary Plan Description. However, if there is any discrepancy between them and the plan document, insurance contracts or other legal documents, the legal documents will always govern. If you would like to review the plan document or have any questions, please contact the Fund’s Member Services Representatives at (646) 473-9200.

The plan sponsor of the 1199SEIU National Benefit Fund for Health and Human Service Employees reserves the right to amend or terminate the 1199SEIU National Benefit Fund for Health and Human Service Employees, or any part of it, at any time.

1199SEIU/LEAGUE JOB SECURITY FUND SUMMARY OF MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS This Summary of Material Modifications describes changes that affect your job security benefit plan and updates the Summary Plan Description (“SPD”) that was previously distributed to you. You should keep this summary with your SPD until the SPD is updated to reflect the changes discussed herein.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Effective March 1, 2009, the following changes to the 1199SEIU/League Job Security Fund apply: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

For the duration of the COBRA continuation coverage subsidy program provided for in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, including any extensions of the provisions thereof by future legislative action (comprehensively, “Act”), the Benefit Fund Continuation Coverage shall not be provided to participants who are eligible for both COBRA premium reduction under the Act and for benefits under the 1199SEIU/League Job Security Fund (“Eligible Participants”).

Eligible Participants shall be entitled to their regular SUB payments through the 1199SEIU/League Job Security Fund, increased by an amount equal to 35% of their COBRA premium to the 1199SEIU National Benefit Fund for Health and Human Service Employees (plus tax gross up)(together “Increased SUB”).

Entitlement to the Increased SUB payments is conditioned on the Eligible Participant’s participation in COBRA and satisfaction of the rules and conditions of the 1199SEIU/League Job Security Fund and of the 1199SEIU National Benefit Fund for Health and Human Service Employees.

Once the Eligible Participant has exhausted the maximum allowable months of COBRA continuation coverage subsidy, the Increased SUB will terminate, but the 1199SEIU/League Job Security Fund will continue to pay the full COBRA premium to the 1199SEIU National Benefit Fund for Health and Human Service Employees on behalf of the Eligible Participant for the lesser of: (a) the remainder, if any, of the period of Continuation Coverage due under the terms of the SPD or (b) the remainder of COBRA entitlement.

Once the Eligible Participant’s 1199SEIU/League Job Security Fund eligibility ceases, the benefit described above ceases.

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This summary only highlights the key changes made to the 1199SEIU/League Job Security Fund. Summaries of material modifications together with the Summary Plan Description make up your official plan descriptions; please keep them together and refer to them as necessary. We have made every attempt to insure the accuracy of the information in this summary and the Summary Plan Description. However, if there is any discrepancy between them and the plan document, insurance contracts or other legal documents, the legal documents will always govern. If you would like to review the plan document or have any questions, please contact the Fund’s Member Services Representatives at (646) 473-9200.

The plan sponsor of 1199SEIU/League Job Security Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the 1199SEIU/League Job Security Fund, or any part of it, at any time.

22

Collective Bargainers Stabilize Funds and Protect Benefits As you know, the economic downturn, stock market crash and spiraling healthcare costs took a steep financial toll on our Benefit and Pension Funds, threatening our comprehensive benefit package. In response, your Union and League employers came together and managed – during one of the most difficult economic environments in recent history – to negotiate a new contract that fully protects our health benefits and defined benefit pension plan and still provides modest wage increases. This means we will continue to have comprehensive coverage with no out-of-pocket costs as well as our rare defined benefit pension plan.

The new contract, which runs through 2015, also protects the health and pension benefits of our retirees.

To protect our benefits, the new contract requires everyone to do their part. Employers will increase their contributions to the Health Care Employees Pension Fund from 6.75 to 15.8 percent and increase contributions to the National Benefit Fund from 22.5 to 28.38 percent. This was made possible in part by members agreeing to divert the 3 percent 2009 wage increase and 1 percent of the 2010 wage increase.

The contract also directs our National Benefit Fund to find an additional $150 million in cost-containment over the next five years. Our Fund, with our labor and management trustees, will be looking at more ways to hold the line on costs, and there may be changes again in the way we access some of our benefits going forward – similar to when the Fund introduced other cost-containment programs like using preferred lab and radiology providers, or ordering long-term medications in a three-month supply.

This contract was negotiated during one of the most difficult economic climates ever – a climate in which other union members are being forced to accept higher co-pays and higher deductibles, where employers have stopped contributing to their workers’ pension funds or 401(k) savings and where the cost of healthcare continues to skyrocket. Despite this, the negotiating committees of the Union and the League came together to find a solution, and your health and pension benefits have been protected and preserved for years to come.

The Challenge of Protecting Health Benefits As your Benefit Fund, we work hard to hold down the costs of our healthcare coverage and leverage every contributed dollar so we can protect our access to quality care. We manage to provide our comprehensive coverage at far less than the national average. We set lean administrative budgets, sending every available dollar toward paying for your healthcare. And through our cost-containment programs, you have helped to save millions of Benefit Fund dollars without limiting your access to the care you need.

Yet despite our best efforts, we, like the industry at large, cannot withstand the ever-rising costs of healthcare. As healthcare costs rise faster than the rate of inflation, it becomes more and more difficult to provide the level of benefits you have earned.

That’s why your Union’s Negotiating Committee agreed to commit to finding ways to preserve our health benefit package. To hold down costs, our Benefit Fund will be introducing new cost-containment programs developed with our labor-management Cost Containment Committee of Trustees. As in the past, there will be changes in the way we access our benefits, but not in the level of benefits we enjoy. So, let’s all do our part and keep an eye out for upcoming changes.

FOR YOUR BENEFIT

3

1199SEIU/League Registered Nurse Training and Job Security Fund SUMMARY OF MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS

L E T T E R F R O M T H E E X E C U T I V E D I R E C TO R

This Summary of Material Modifications describes changes that affect your job security benefit plan and updates the Summary Plan Description (“SPD”) that was previously distributed to you. You should keep this summary with your SPD until the SPD is updated to reflect the changes discussed herein.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

A lot has happened since you last heard from our Funds! Perhaps most importantly, you have a new contract that protects your comprehensive health coverage and defined benefit pension plan – a remarkable achievement given these difficult economic times.

Inside this issue of For Your Benefit, you’ll read about what was done to

Effective March 1, 2009, the following changes to the 1199SEIU/League Registered Nurse Training and Job Security Fund apply: 1.

2.

stabilize our health and pension funds, the challenges we faced and how our pension assets are invested. And you’ll hear firsthand from some of

3.

our members and your co-workers about how important the benefits are to them.

You have a new

And at a time when it is so critical to protect our health and our health

contract that protects

benefits, you will read about the many care choices you and your family

your comprehensive

have when you need medical attention but cannot reach your doctor, and

pension plan – a remarkable achievement given these difficult economic times.

5.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

why it is so important to you to use emergency rooms for emergencies only.

health coverage and defined benefit

4.

For the duration of the COBRA continuation coverage subsidy program provided for in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, including any extensions of the provisions thereof by future legislative action (comprehensively, “Act”), the Benefit Fund Continuation Coverage shall not be provided to participants who are eligible for both COBRA premium reduction under the Act and for benefits under the 1199SEIU/League Registered Nurse Training and Job Security Fund (“Eligible Participants”).

In addition to any SUB to which they may or may not otherwise be entitled, Eligible Participants shall be entitled to their regular SUB payments through the 1199SEIU/League Registered Nurse Training and Job Security Fund, increased by an amount equal to 35% of their COBRA premium to the 1199SEIU National Benefit Fund for Health and Human Service Employees (plus tax gross up)(together “Increased SUB”).

Entitlement to the Increased SUB payments is conditioned on the Eligible Participant’s participation in COBRA and satisfaction of the rules and conditions of the 1199SEIU/League Registered Nurse Training and Job Security Fund and of the 1199SEIU National Benefit Fund for Health and Human Service Employees.

Once the Eligible Participant has exhausted the maximum allowable months of COBRA continuation coverage subsidy, the Increased SUB will terminate, but the 1199SEIU/League Registered Nurse Training and Job Security Fund will continue to pay the full COBRA premium to the 1199SEIU National Benefit Fund for Health & Human Service Employees on behalf of the Eligible Participant for the lesser of: (a) the remainder, if any, of the period of Continuation Coverage due under the terms of the SPD or (b) the remainder of COBRA entitlement.

Once the Eligible Participant’s 1199SEIU/League Registered Nurse Training and Job Security Fund eligibility ceases, the benefit described above ceases.

Also inside, you will learn about our new workshops to help you cope with stress and break bad habits as part of our ongoing Protecting Our Health program. Also, back by popular demand is our “Supporting Healthy Marriages” program, a 10-week interactive workshop series just for

This summary only highlights the key changes made to the 1199SEIU/League Registered Nurse Training and Job Security Fund. Summaries of material modifications together with the Summary Plan Description make up your official plan descriptions; please keep them together and refer to them as necessary. We have made every attempt to insure the accuracy of the information in this summary and the Summary Plan Description. However, if there is any discrepancy between them and the plan document, insurance contracts or other legal documents, the legal documents will always govern. If you would like to review the plan document or have any questions, please contact the Fund’s Member Services Representatives at (646) 473-9200.

The plan sponsor of the 1199SEIU/League Registered Nurse Training and Job Security Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the 1199SEIU/League Registered Nurse Training and Job Security Fund, or any part of it, at any time.

1199SEIU members and spouses conducted by Montefiore Medical Center.

And finally, we invite you and your family to join us in September at our family exercise and nutritious cooking demonstration.

Above all, we want you to know that we are here for you. If you have any questions at all about your benefits, call us. We are your Funds, and we are here to help.

Sincerely,

Mitra Behroozi Executive Director 1199SEIU Benefit and Pension Funds

2

FOR YOUR BENEFIT

23

1199SEIU Benefit and Pension Funds 330 West 42nd Street New York, NY 10036-6977 www.1199SEIUBenefits.org CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-Profit U.S. POSTAGE PAID New York, NY Permit No. 3700

FROM OUR 1199SEIU BENEFIT & PENSION FUNDS

SUMMER/FALL 2009

For Your Benefit

A Magazine Devoted to the Health & Well-Being of 1199SEIU Members

EN ESPAÑOL p11

(L to R): Judy Volpi, Jaclyn Bodon, Jana Auguste, Marcelle Moncrieffe, Claire Callender, Jessica Fung

In This Issue . . .

5 Collective Bargainers Stabilize Funds and Protect Benefits p3

5 Register For the Healthy Marriage Program p7 5 Breaking Bad Habits and Staying Healthy p8

5 How Your Pension Benefits Are Invested p4 5 Member Profile p5

5 When Your Doctor Isn’t Available and You Need Care Now p9