for your benefit magazine - summer/fall

FROM OUR 1199SEIU BENEFIT & PENSION FUNDS SUMMER/FALL 2009

A Magazine Devoted to the Health & Well-Being of 1199SEIU MembersFor Your Benefit

In This Issue . . .

1199SEIU Benefit and Pension Funds330 West 42nd StreetNew York, NY 10036-6977

www.1199SEIUBenefits.org

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Permit No. 3700

EN ESPAÑOL p11

5 Collective Bargainers Stabilize Funds and Protect Benefits p3

5 How Your Pension Benefits Are Invested p4

5 Member Profile p5

5 Register For the Healthy Marriage Program p7

5 Breaking Bad Habits and Staying Healthy p8

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

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

2 FOR YOUR BENEFIT 23

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

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

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

to them.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You have a new

contract that protects

your comprehensive

health coverage and

defined benefit

pension plan –

a remarkable

achievement given

these difficult

economic times.

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

1. 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 Coverageshall 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”).

2. In addition to any SUB to which they may or may not otherwise be entitled, Eligible Participants shall be entitled to their regular SUB paymentsthrough 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”).

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

4. Once the Eligible Participant has exhausted the maximum allowable months of COBRA continuation coverage subsidy, the Increased SUB willterminate, 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.

5. Once the Eligible Participant’s 1199SEIU/League Registered Nurse Training and 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 Registered Nurse Training and Job Security Fund. Summaries of material modifica-tions together with the Summary Plan Description make up your official plan descriptions; please keep them together and refer to them as necessary. We havemade every attempt to insure the accuracy of the information in this summary and the Summary Plan Description. However, if there is any discrepancy betweenthem and the plan document, insurance contracts or other legal documents, the legal documents will always govern. If you would like to review the plan docu-ment 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/LeagueRegistered Nurse Training and Job Security Fund, or any part of it, at any time.

As you know, the economic downturn, stock marketcrash and spiraling healthcare costs took a steep financial toll on our Benefit and Pension Funds, threatening our comprehensive benefit package. Inresponse, your Union and League employers cametogether and managed – during one of the most difficulteconomic environments in recent history – to negotiatea new contract that fully protects our health benefitsand defined benefit pension plan and still provides modest wage increases. This means we will continue tohave comprehensive coverage with no out-of-pocketcosts 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 requireseveryone to do their part. Employers will increase theircontributions to the Health Care Employees PensionFund 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 bymembers agreeing to divert the 3 percent 2009 wageincrease and 1 percent of the 2010 wage increase.

The contract also directs our National Benefit Fund tofind an additional $150 million in cost-containment over the next five years. Our Fund, with our labor andmanagement trustees, will be looking at more ways tohold the line on costs, and there may be changes againin the way we access some of our benefits going forward – similar to when the Fund introduced othercost-containment programs like using preferred laband 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 whichother union members are being forced to accept higherco-pays and higher deductibles, where employers havestopped contributing to their workers’ pension funds or 401(k) savings and where the cost of healthcare continues to skyrocket. Despite this, the negotiatingcommittees of the Union and the League came togetherto find a solution, and your health and pension benefitshave been protected and preserved for years to come.


Collective Bargainers Stabilize Funds and Protect Benefits1199SEIU 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 (employeebooklet) that was previously distributed to you. You should keep this summary with your current employee booklet until the booklet is updated to reflect thechanges discussed herein.

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

1. 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 Coveragedescribed 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”).

2. 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 materialmodifications together with the Summary Plan Description make up your official plan descriptions; please keep them together and refer to them asnecessary. We have made every attempt to insure the accuracy of the information in this summary and the Summary Plan Description. However, if thereis any discrepancy between them and the plan document, insurance contracts or other legal documents, the legal documents will always govern. If youwould 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 1199SEIUNational Benefit Fund for Health and Human Service Employees, or any part of it, at any time.

1199SEIU/LEAGUE JOB SECURITY FUNDSUMMARY OF MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS

This Summary of Material Modifications describes changes that affect your job security benefit plan and updates the Summary Plan Description (“SPD”) thatwas 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. 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 Coverageshall 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”).

2. 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”).

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

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

5. 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 SummaryPlan Description make up your official plan descriptions; please keep them together and refer to them as necessary. We have made every attempt to insure theaccuracy of the information in this summary and the Summary Plan Description. However, if there is any discrepancy between them and the plan document, insur-ance contracts or other legal documents, the legal documents will always govern. If you would like to review the plan document or have any questions, pleasecontact 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.

As your Benefit Fund, we work hard to hold down thecosts of our healthcare coverage and leverage every contributed dollar so we can protect our access to quality care. We manage to provide our comprehensivecoverage at far less than the national average. We set

lean administrative budgets, sending every available dollar toward paying for your healthcare. And throughour 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. Ashealthcare costs rise faster than the rate of inflation, itbecomes 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 benefitpackage. To hold down costs, our Benefit Fund will be introducing new cost-containment programs developedwith our labor-management Cost Containment Committeeof Trustees. As in the past, there will be changes in theway we access our benefits, but not in the level of benefitswe enjoy. So, let’s all do our part and keep an eye out forupcoming changes.

The Challenge of ProtectingHealth Benefits


How Your Pension Benefits Are InvestedWith 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.

The Trustees of our Fund oversee and monitor the

work of our Investment staff, which handles the day-

to-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.

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

• 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.

What is a defined benefit pension plan?

With defined benefit pension plans like ours, onceyou are vested you have the right to a pensionwhen you retire. You’ll get a set amount eachmonth for the rest of your life. Your employer paysinto the Pension Fund for your retirement, andthose contributions are pooled. These assets aremanaged collectively and invested, pursuant to adisciplined policy, to support pension benefits forall of our members.

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

The people we all know who have lost so much oftheir individual retirement savings had definedcontribution plans – 401(k)s and 403(b)s. Withthose plans, workers put their own money into anindividual account. Employers sometimes matchthese contributions, but often they do not. There isno set, fixed monthly amount that the worker cancount on at the time of retirement. Workers man-age their own money, and if the stock market fails,whatever money is lost is difficult to recoup, unlessthey can wait a very long time to retire.

pooled separate accounts, master trust investment accounts, or 103-12investment entities — contact Michael Kaiser, Chief Pension Officer, (646)473-9200 or write to the 1199SEIU Benefit and Pension Funds at 330 West42nd Street, New York NY, 10036-6977.

Critical or Endangered StatusUnder federal pension law a plan generally will be considered to be in“endangered” status if, at the beginning of the plan year, the funded percent-age of the plan is less than 80 percent, or in “critical” status if the percent-age is less than 65 percent (other factors may also apply). If a pension planenters endangered status, the trustees of the plan are required to adopt afunding 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 bench-marks for pension plans to improve their funding status over a specified peri-od of time.

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

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

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

Summary of Rules Governing Plans in Reorganization and Insolvent PlansFederal law has a number of special rules that apply to financially troubledmultiemployer plans. Under so-called “plan reorganization rules,” a plan withadverse financial experience may need to increase required contributions andmay, under certain circumstances, reduce benefits that are not eligible for thePBGC’s guarantee (generally, benefits that have been in effect for less than60 months). If a plan is in reorganization status, it must provide notificationthat the plan is in reorganization status and that, if contributions are notincreased, accrued benefits under the plan may be reduced or an excise taxmay be imposed (or both). The law requires the plan to furnish this notifica-tion to each contributing employer and the labor organization.

Despite the special plan reorganization rules, a plan in reorganization never-theless could become insolvent. A plan is insolvent for a plan year if its avail-able financial resources are not sufficient to pay benefits when due for theplan year. An insolvent plan must reduce benefit payments to the highestlevel that can be paid from the plan’s available financial resources. If suchresources are not enough to pay benefits at a level specified by law (seeBenefit Payments Guaranteed by the PBGC, below), the plan must apply tothe PBGC for financial assistance. The PBGC, by law, will loan the plan theamount necessary to pay benefits at the guaranteed level. Reduced benefitsmay be restored if the plan’s financial condition improves.

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

vency to participants and beneficiaries, contributing employers, labor unionsrepresenting participants, and PBGC. In addition, participants and beneficiar-ies also must receive information regarding whether, and how, their benefitswill be reduced or affected as a result of the insolvency, including loss of alump sum option. This information will be provided for each year the plan isinsolvent.

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

Example 1: If a participant with 10 years of credited service has an accruedmonthly benefit of $500, the accrual rate for purposes of determining thePBGC guarantee would be determined by dividing the monthly benefit by theparticipant’s years of service ($500/10), which equals $50. The guaranteedamount 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 isequal to the sum of $11 plus $6.75 (.75 x $9), or $17.75. Thus, the partici-pant’s guaranteed monthly benefit would be $177.50 ($17.75 x 10).

The PBGC guarantees pension benefits payable at normal retirement age andsome early retirement benefits. In calculating a person’s monthly payment,the PBGC will disregard any benefit increases that were made under the planwithin 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 termi-nation or insolvency). Similarly, the PBGC does not guarantee pre-retirementdeath benefits to a spouse or beneficiary (e.g., a qualified pre-retirement sur-vivor annuity) if the participant dies after the plan terminates, benefits abovethe normal retirement benefit, disability benefits not in pay status, or non-pension benefits, such as health insurance, life insurance, death benefits,vacation pay or severance pay.

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

For identification purposes, the official plan number is 001 and the plan spon-sor’s employer identification number or “EIN” is 13-3604862. For more infor-mation 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 maycall the Federal relay service toll free at 1-800-877-8339 and ask to be con-nected to 1-800-400-7242).

Defined Benefit Pension Plan:• 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:• 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 Defined Benefit Difference


IntroductionThis notice includes important funding information about your pension plan(“the Plan”). This notice also provides a summary of federal rules governingmultiemployer plans in reorganization and insolvent plans and benefit pay-ments guaranteed by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), afederal agency. This notice is for the plan year beginning January 1, 2008 andending December 31, 2008 (“Plan Year”).

Funded PercentageThe funded percentage of a plan is a measure of how well that plan is fund-ed. This percentage is obtained by dividing the Plan’s assets by its liabilitieson 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 Yearand 2 preceding plan years is set forth in the chart below, along with a state-ment of the value of the Plan’s assets and liabilities for the same period.

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

Transition DataFor a brief transition period, the Plan is not required by law to report certainfunding related information because such information may not exist for planyears before 2008. The plan has entered “not applicable” in the chart aboveto identify the information it does not have. In lieu of that information, how-ever, the Plan is providing you with comparable information that reflects thefunding status of the Plan under the law then in effect. Using the same cal-culations that the current law requires, the “funded percentage” was 124%for the 2007 Plan Year and 129% for the 2006 Plan Year. However, when cal-culating the funding status of the Plan under the law then in effect for the2007 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 liabilitypercentage” was 97.5%, the Plan’s assets were $7,777,661,099, and Planliabilities were $7,979,721,658.

Fair Market Value of AssetsAsset 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 ofa given point in time. However, because market values can fluctuate dailybased on factors in the marketplace, such as changes in the stock market,pension law allows plans to use actuarial values for funding purposes. Whileactuarial values fluctuate less than market values, they are estimates. As ofDecember 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’sassets was $9,082,662,956. As of December 31, 2006, the fair market valueof the Plan’s assets was $8,743,762,876.

*2008 assets values are preliminary and subject to confirmation when theyearly audit is finalized.

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

retired or separated from service and entitled to future benefits.

Funding & Investment PoliciesThe law requires that every pension plan have a procedure for establishing afunding policy to carry out the plan objectives. A funding policy relates to thelevel of contributions needed to pay for benefits promised under the plan cur-rently and over the years. The plan is funded by contributions made byemployers pursuant to collective bargaining agreements with the union thatrepresents the plan’s participants.

Once money is contributed to the Plan, the money is invested by plan officialscalled fiduciaries. Specific investments are made in accordance with thePlan’s investment policy. Generally speaking, an investment policy is a writ-ten statement that provides the fiduciaries who are responsible for planinvestments with guidelines or general instructions concerning various typesor categories of investment management decisions. The investment policy ofthe Plan is to ensure the solvency of the Pension Plan over time and to meetthe Fund’s pension obligations as required. To meet this goal the Fund hasestablished a target allocation among asset classes and acceptable rangesaround that target.

In accordance with the Plan’s investment policy, the Plan’s assets were allo-cated among the following categories of investments, as of the end of thePlan Year. These allocations are percentages of total assets:

Asset Allocations* Percentage1. Interest-bearing cash 7.23%2. U.S. government securities 10.36%3. Corporate debt instruments

(other than employer securities): 13.48%Preferred ________All other ________

4. Corporate stocks (other than employer securities):Preferred 0.10%Common 28.14%

5. Partnership/joint venture interests 19.94%6. Real estate (other than employer real property) 10.82%7. Loans (other than to participants) ________8. Participant loans ________9. Value of interest in common/collective trusts 5.11%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 4.82%

cash collateral)

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

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

ANNUAL FUNDING NOTICEFor 1199SEIU Health Care Employees Pension Plan Member Profile:

“My Benefits Are Important to Me!”

Over the past few years, employers across the country have been shifting the burden of paying forhealthcare and retirement benefits to their workers.So, it’s no surprise that protecting our pensions andcomprehensive health benefits was a priority in therecent contract negotiations. And even though thisgroup of young 1199SEIU members at the NYUHospital for Joint Diseases is healthy and yearsaway from retirement, they understand just howmuch their 1199SEIU benefits set them apart.

“I think young members especially understand theimportance of preserving our benefits,” said SpecialProcedures Technologist Jana Auguste. In fact, Janafeels so strongly about her benefits that she agreedto join the Union’s negotiating team to help protectthem. “We’re fortunate, given the current economicclimate, to have such a plan. We see and read con-stantly about employers scaling back at the expenseof their workers’ benefits.” During negotiations,she spoke out passionately about protecting ourbenefits 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 complicatedforms, getting reimbursed or paying the doctor. I just show up and present my Health ID card.”

“Everyone I know has to pay out of pocket fortheir care,” agreed Jessica Fung, a RadiologyTechnologist 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 haveany co-pays or deductibles.”

CAT Scan Technician Judy Volpi came from a non-1199SEIU job with health coverage that just didn’t match the benefits she has now. “I paid for myhealth benefits out of every paycheck, and therewas no such thing as a defined benefit pensionplan. You were completely on your own for retirement savings.”

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

“As a single mother, I couldn’t have made itwithout these benefits!” added Jaclyn Bodon, aLead Technologist. “I would have struggledtremendously if I didn’t have the coverage I needfor my child. It’s a nice, secure feeling to knowthat we’re covered.”

This group of younger workers at the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseasesknows we can’t take our 1199SEIU benefit package for granted.

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

6 PARA SU BENEFICIO 19

Learn to Cope with Stress through a New Workshop

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 yourarms, 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.

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

We all suffer from stress, and it’s no wonder, given the economy, workingand raising a family and all the otherdaily issues we come up against. OurMember Assistance Program (MAP)staff will be visiting institutions tooffer a quick and stress-free workshopthat will show you how to identify anddeal with stress in several easy andhealthy ways.

The workshop is just 15 minutes long,so it’s easy to fit in during a break orlunch. Ask your Benefit Fund OutreachCoordinator if there is a workshopcoming up at your institution, and ifnot, ask them to schedule one!

You can also attend our full-lengthstress management workshop at theBenefit Fund’s Manhattan office.

Managing Stress WorkshopWednesday, September 16

6:00 pm – 7:30 pm330 W. 42nd Street, Penthouse, Manhattan

Call (646) 473-6910 to register

¿Quiere Hacerse Ciudadano de los Estados Unidos?

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

Sábado, 24 de octubre9:30 a.m. a 2:30 p.m.

Asista a uno de nuestros talleres gratuitos de Ciudadanía para enterarseacerca de los servicios que ofrece nuestro Programa de Ciudadanía de los

Fondos para usted y su familia, desde la preparación de la solicitud, trabajopreliminar y clases de Inglés como Segundo Idioma, y mucho más.

Consejos saludables para usted y su bebé,y preparación para el parto

Inscríbase para asistir a un día de talleres prácticos que cubren los temasque todos los padres que esperan un bebé necesitan saber (ya sea elprimer o el quinto bebé) durante el embarazo, el parto y después delnacimiento de su bebé. Estas clases incluyen todo, desde cómo mantenersesaludable y en forma durante el embarazo hasta información sobre cómocambiar pañales, amamantamiento y alimentación con biberón, y otrostemas. Su pareja será bienvenida también. Se servirán un desayuno yalmuerzo ligeros.

sábado 12 de septiembrede 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.

¡Debe inscribirse para asistir! Llameal (646) 473-8915 para inscribirse y

obtener más información.


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 callright 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.

Call Now to RegisterFor the Healthy Marriage Program for 1199SEIU Couples

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 6 Monday, Nov. 2 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm





Supporting Healthy Marriages1199SEIU Session Schedule:

Las salas de emergencia son para verdaderas emergenciasmédicas y nunca debemos acudir a la sala de emergenciapara cuidados que no sean de emergencia. Las salas deemergencia están atiborradas de gente, el servicio es costoso e implica largas esperas cuando nuestro estado noes crítico, porque se nos atenderá al final. Por ello, cuandonecesitemos 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 miembrode su familia sufren de síntomas relacionados a una enfermedad crónica, como por ejemplo asma, diabetes opresión arterial alta. Tiene a su disposición un Capacitadorde Salud por teléfono en el (866) 935-1199 para ayudarlo acontrolar mejor la enfermedad. Si usted o su familia noestán 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 deAyuda de Enfermería de 1199SEIU al (866) 935-1199 paraobtener apoyo por teléfono las 24 horas del día, los siete díasde 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 deSalud Ambulatoria también son dos opciones con las quecontamos donde podemos acudir y recibir cuidados sinnecesidad de una cita. Estos locales en nuestra red ofrecenhorarios de atención prolongados con servicio de alta calidad,lo cual es especialmente importante cuando no puede acudir asu 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, reaccionesalérgicas, 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 deEmergencias sólo para verdaderas emergencias médicas.Utilice las muchas otras opciones de cuidados que ofrece nuestro Fondo de Beneficios. Además de obtener los mejorescuidados, estará protegiendo sus beneficios para el futuro.

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

Nuestra Red de Atención deUrgencia Sigue CreciendoNuestro Fondo de Beneficios está dedicado a brindarle loscuidados que necesita, cuando los necesita. Por ello lebrindamos acceso a los Centros de Atención de Urgencia y deSalud Ambulatoria que sean más convenientes para usted.

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

También puede visitar el nuevo Montefiore Urgent Care Centerubicado en el local del Bronx East Montefiore Medical Group en2300 Westchester Avenue, en el Bronx. El Centro está abiertolos 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 feriadosde 9:00 a. m. a 5:00 p. m.

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

Siempre estamos trabajando para aumentar nuestra red. Porello, si hay un Centro de Atención de Urgencia en su vecindarioque usted quisiera que se una a nuestra red, sírvase llamar alFondo de Beneficios al (646) 473-9200 para informarnos, y nospondremos en contacto con ellos.

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


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.

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.

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.

Breaking Bad Habits

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

Staying Healthy Is FunWhen It’s a Family Affair!

Saturday, September 26Healthy Meals in 30 Minutes

Family Nutrition Workshop and Cooking Demonstration

11:00 am to 12:30 pm

All-Ages Yoga Class12:45 pm to 1:30 pm

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

No es fácil quitarse los malos hábitos y reemplazarloscon hábitos nuevos y saludables. Toma tiempo, planificación y mucho empeño. Pero la satisfacciónde que se ha quitado un hábito que lo tenía controladopor años hace que valga la pena todo el esfuerzo.

Por ello es que nuestro Fondo de Beneficios le brindanuevos talleres de Protección de Nuestra Salud que ledarán el apoyo y las herramientas que necesita paramejorar su salud. Aprenderá a fijarse metas realistas y atomar pasos medibles para alcanzarlos hasta que elhábito que desea dejar atrás, por ejemplo, fumar, comerdemasiado, inactividad, desaparezca para siempre. Y,cuando asista a un taller obtendrá una copia de nuestraherramienta más reciente de Protección de NuestraSalud, un diario de comidas y estado físico diseñadoespecialmente para los miembros de 1199SEIU que loayudará a hacer un seguimiento de sus progresos.

Esté atento a más talleres que se programen en suinstitución. O, hable con su Coordinador de Ayudapara que programe un taller de Protección de NuestraSalud para usted.

Cómo Quitarse los Malos Hábitos

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

¡Mantenerse Saludable es DivertidoCuando se Trata de un Asunto Familiar!

Sábado 26 de septiembreComidas saludables en 30 minutosTaller de nutrición familiar y demostración de cocina

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

Clase de yoga para todas las edades12:45 p.m. a 1:30 p.m.

Confirme su presencia llamandoal (646) 473-8960, opción 2.


Emergency rooms are for real medical emergencies, andwe should never go to the ER for non-emergency care.ERs are crowded, costly and mean long waits when ourcondition isn’t critical, because we will get taken care oflast. So, when we need non-emergency medical attentionand can’t get ahold of our doctor, our Benefit Fund coversmany other ways to get the immediate care we need.

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. AHealth Coach is available by phone at (866) 935-1199 tohelp you better manage the condition. If you or yourfamily is not working with a coach already, call today.

Or maybe you’re feeling sick, with flu symptoms, a feveror allergies. Then you can call our 1199SEIU NurseHelpline at (866) 935-1199 for around-the-clock supportover the phone, seven days a week, from nurses whocan answer many of your healthcare questions.

Urgent Care Centers and Walk-In Health Centers arealso two choices we have where we can just walk in andreceive care without an appointment. These facilities in ournetwork offer extended hours with high-quality service,which is especially important when you can’t get in tosee your doctor or need care after hours. These centerstreat 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 emergencycare when we need it. But we must reserve ERs for truemedical emergencies only. Use the many other care choicesour Benefit Fund offers. In addition to getting the bestcare, you’ll be protecting your benefits into the future.

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

Our Urgent Care NetworkKeeps GrowingOur Benefit Fund is dedicated to getting you the careyou need, when you need it. So we give you access toUrgent Care and Walk-In Health Centers that are convenient to you.

Your choices include the many Beth Israel MedicalCenter facilities (formerly known as DOCS) throughoutManhattan and Westchester. In fact, at Beth IsraelMedical Center’s Chelsea location, you can now get care24 hours a day, whenever you need it.

You can also visit the new Montefiore Urgent CareCenter located at the Bronx East Montefiore MedicalGroup practice at 2300 Westchester Avenue, in theBronx. The Center is open seven days a week – Mondaythrough Friday from 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm, andSaturday, Sunday and most holidays from 9:00 am to5:00 pm.

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

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

When Your Doctor Isn’t Availableand You Need Care Now

El programa Apoyo a Matrimonios Saludables(Supporting Healthy Marriage) del año pasadopara las parejas de 1199SEIU llevado a cabo en elMontefiore Medical Center tuvo tanto éxito que se vaa volver a realizar.

El programa Apoyo a Matrimonios Saludables constade 10 semanas de talleres entretenidos e interactivos,donde las parejas aprenden habilidades de comunicaciónsimples y formas efectivas de manejar el conflicto y elestrés. Si usted es seleccionado, verá videos, participaráen discusiones en grupo y practicará las nuevashabilidades de comunicación que desarrollará a lo largodel trayecto. También tendrá la oportunidad de trabajarcon un Coordinador de Apoyo a la Familia, que lo ayudará a aprender a afrontar las tensiones cotidianasde 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 personasque tienen un matrimonio sano viven más tiempo, seenferman menos, y ganan y ahorran más dinero. Y loshijos de estos matrimonios presentan menos problemasde comportamiento y tienen mejor rendimiento en laescuela.

¡El cupo es limitado y las sesiones comienzanpronto, así que llame de inmediato si está interesado!

Llame al Montefiore Medical Center al (718) 401-5050 ydígale a la recepcionista que está interesado en el pro-grama Apoyo a Matrimonios Saludables (SupportingHealthy Marriage) para las parejas de 1199SEIU, y que seenteró acerca de este programa en este boletín.

Llame Ahora para InscribirseEn el Programa para Matrimonios Saludables para las Parejas 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 6 Lunes 2 de noviembre 5:30 p.m. a 8:00 p.m.





Horario del taller Apoyo aMatrimonios Saludables

de 1199SEIU


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

Saturday, September 269:30 am – 2:30 pm

Saturday, October 249:30 am – 2:30 pm

You must be registered to attend!Call (646) 473-8915 to register and

get more information.

Come to one of our free Citizenship workshops to learn about the servicesour Funds’ Citizenship Program offers for you and your family, from

application preparation, preparatory and ESL classes and more.

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



Please call to get more information or to let us know that you will be attending

at (646) 473-8960, option 2.

Aprenda a Lidiar con el Estréscon la Ayuda de un Nuevo Taller

¿No quiere esperar por un taller?Pruebe estos consejos ahoraSaque el estrés de sus músculos con una actividad de estiramiento.Párese y extienda sus brazos por encima de la cabeza, estirándosedesde la cintura. Aspire profundamente y exhale. Ahora, dóblesedesde la cintura y deje sueltos los brazos, el cuello y la cabeza. Aspireprofundamente 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. Sólotiene 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

Todos sufrimos del estrés, y no debe desorprendernos, si consideramos laeconomía, el trabajo y criar una familia,y todos los demás asuntos cotidianos alos que nos enfrentamos. El personal denuestro Programa de Asistencia a losMiembros (Member Assistance Program,MAP) estará visitando institucionespara ofrecer un taller rápido y sinestrés que le mostrará cómo identificary lidiar con el estrés en varias formasfáciles y saludables.

El taller dura sólo 15 minutos y por elloes fácil de acomodar durante un recesoo almuerzo. Pregunte a su Coordinadorde Ayuda del Fondo de Beneficios si hayun taller programado para su institución,y si no, pídales que programen uno.

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

Taller de Control del EstrésMiércoles 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


C a r t a D e L a D i r e c t o r a E j e c u t i v a

Para Su BeneficioDE NUESTROS FONDOS DE BENEFICIOS Y PENSIONES DE 1199SEIU

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

OTONO DE 2009

¡Han ocurrido muchas cosas desde la última vez que tuvo noticias de nuestrosFondos! Pero quizás lo más importante es que tiene un nuevo contrato que protegesu cobertura integral de salud y un plan de pensiones de beneficios definido; unsignificativo logro considerando estos difíciles tiempos económicos.

En el interior de este ejemplar de For Your Benefit (Para su beneficio), podrá leersobre lo que se ha hecho para estabilizar nuestros fondos de salud y pensiones, losretos que enfrentamos y cómo se han invertido nuestros activos de pensiones. Ypodrá 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.

En un momento en el que es de importancia fundamental proteger nuestra salud ynuestros beneficios de salud, podrá informarse sobre las muchas opciones de aten-ción que usted y su familia tienen cuando requieran atención médica pero nopuedan contactar a su médico, y por qué es tan importante para usted que el usode las salas de emergencia sea exclusivamente para emergencias.

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

Sobre todo, queremos hacerle saber que estamos aquí para apoyarlo. Si tiene algu-na pregunta sobre sus beneficios, llámenos. Somos sus Fondos, y estamos aquí paraayudarlo.

Atentamente,

Mitra BehrooziDirectora ejecutivaFondos de Beneficios y Pensiones de 1199SEIU

Usted tiene unnuevo contratoque protege su

cobertura integralde salud y un plan

de pensiones de beneficiosdefinido; un

significativo logroconsiderando estos

difíciles tiemposeconómicos.

En los últimos años, los empleadores en todo elpaís han estado transfiriendo la carga de pagar porla atención de salud y los beneficios de jubilación asus trabajadores. Por ello, no causa sorpresa que laprotección de nuestras pensiones y de los beneficiosde salud integrales fuese una prioridad en lareciente negociaciones del contrato. Y aunque estegrupo de jóvenes miembros de 1199SEIU en el NYUHospital for Joint Diseases es saludable y está amuchos años de su jubilación, comprende la granventaja de sus beneficios de 1199SEIU.

“Pienso que los miembros jóvenes comprendenespecialmente la importancia de conservar nuestrosbeneficios”, dijo la Tecnóloga de ProcedimientosEspeciales, Jana Auguste. De hecho, Jana tiene convicciones tan firmes sobre sus beneficios que seunió al equipo de negociación del Sindicato paraayudar a protegerlos. "Considerando la situacióneconómica actual, somos afortunados de tener unplan como éste. Vemos y leemos constantementesobre empleadores que hacen recortes a costasde los beneficios de sus trabajadores". Durantelas negociaciones, habló con mucha pasión sobrela protección de nuestros beneficios y lo afortunados que somos de tener un plan desalud sin complicaciones. "Acceder a mis beneficioses tan fácil. Nunca me tengo que preocupar dellenar formularios complicados, pedir reembolsosni pagar al médico. Simplemente voy y presentomi tarjeta de identificación de salud".

“Todos los que conozco tienen que pagar costosa su cargo por sus cuidados”, afirmó JessicaFung, una Tecnóloga de Radiología que pasódirecto del seguro de salud de sus padres a lacobertura del Fondo de Beneficios. "No deja dellamarme la atención el hecho de que no tengamosque pagar copagos ni deducibles".

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

"Hace unos años tuve que someterme a unalaparoscopia de rodilla y no tuve que pagar niuna sola vez", afirmó Juan Escalera, un Técnicode Rayos X. "Conozco a tanta gente que notiene los beneficios con los que contamosnosotros...".

"Como madre soltera, no habría sobrevivido sinestos beneficios", agregó Jaclyn Bodon, unaTecnóloga del Plomo. "Habría tenido muchísimosproblemas si no contase con la cobertura quenecesitaba para mi hijo. Es fantástico tener laseguridad de saber que estamos cubiertos".

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

~

Perfil del Miembro: "¡Mis beneficios son importantes para mí!"



Como es de su conocimiento, el empeoramiento de laeconomía, la caída de la bolsa de valores y la subida vertiginosa de los costos de atención de la salud hatenido un agudo efecto financiero en nuestros Fondosde Beneficios y Pensiones, poniendo en riesgo nuestropaquete integral de beneficios. En respuesta, suSindicato y los empleadores de la Liga se reunieron ylograron, durante uno de los más difíciles entornoseconómicos en la historia reciente, negociar un contratoque protege plenamente nuestros beneficios desalud, define el plan de pensión de beneficios y aúnbrinda modestos aumentos salariales. Esto significaque continuaremos teniendo una cobertura integralsin costos a su cargo así como nuestro plan poco comúnde pensión de beneficios definidos. El nuevo contratoque dura hasta el año 2015 también protege los beneficios de salud y pensión de nuestros jubilados.

Para proteger nuestros beneficios, el nuevo contratorequiere que todos cumplan con su parte. Losempleadores aumentarán sus contribuciones al Fondo dePensiones para los Trabajadores de la Salud del 6.75% al15.8% y aumentarán sus contribuciones al FondoNacional de Beneficios del 22.5% al 28.38%. Esto fueposible en parte por la aceptación de los miembros enreasignar el incremento salarial del 3% de 2009 y un 1por ciento del incremento salarial de 2010.

El contrato también instruye a nuestro Fondo Nacionalde Beneficios a encontrar un monto adicional de $150millones en reducción de costos durante los cinco añossiguientes. Nuestro Fondo, con nuestros agentes fiduciarios de los trabajadores y la gerencia, estarán buscando formas adicionales de bajar los costos, y esposible que haya cambios nuevamente en la formaen que accederemos a algunos de nuestros beneficiosen el futuro, en forma similar a cuando el Fondointrodujo otros programas de ahorro de costos comoel uso de laboratorios y proveedores de radiologíapreferidos, o los pedidos de medicamentos a largoplazo en un suministro para tres meses.

Este contrato fue negociado durante uno de los climaseconómicos más difíciles que hayamos tenido nunca, unclima 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 trabajadoreso a los ahorros del 401(k), y donde el costo de la atención de la salud continúa disparándose. Pese a todoesto, los comités de negociación del Sindicato y de laLiga se reunieron para encontrar una solución, y susbeneficios de salud y pensión han sido protegidos y conservados para los años venideros.

Los Negociadores Colectivos Estabilizan los Fondos y Protegen los Beneficios

Como su Fondo de Beneficios, trabajamos mucho parareducir los costos de nuestra cobertura de salud yaprovechar cada dólar contribuido para que podamosproteger nuestro acceso a cuidados de calidad. Estamosen condiciones de brindar nuestra cobertura integral a uncosto muy inferior al promedio nacional. Establecemospresupuestos administrativos eficientes, enviando cadadólar disponible hacia el pago de su atención de salud. Ya través de nuestros programas de contención de costos,usted ha ayudado a ahorrar millones de dólares delFondo de Beneficios sin limitar su acceso a la atenciónque necesita.

Pero pese a nuestros mejores esfuerzos, nosotros, al igualque la industria en general, no podemos soportar los costos crecientes de la atención de salud. A medida quelos 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 Sindicatoaceptó comprometerse a encontrar formas de mantenernuestro paquete de beneficios de salud. Para contener loscostos, nuestro Fondo de Beneficios introducirá nuevosprogramas de ahorros de costos desarrollados con elComité de Agentes Fiduciarios para el Control de Costosintegrado por los trabajadores y la gerencia. Al igual queen el pasado, habrá cambios en la forma en queaccedemos a nuestros beneficios, pero no en el nivel debeneficios que gozamos. Por ello, pongamos de nuestraparte y estemos al tanto de cambios venideros.

El Reto de Proteger los Beneficios de Salud

Cómo se Invierten sus Beneficios de PensiónCon toda la información que ha estado recibiendosobre los efectos de la caída de la bolsa de valores enlos activos de nuestro Fondo de Pensión, usted seestará preguntando cómo invierte nuestro Fondo lascontribuciones que los empleadores aportan al Fondoen su representación.

El Consejo de Administración de nuestro Fondosupervisa y monitorea el trabajo de nuestro personalde inversiones, el cual maneja la administración diariade las inversiones del Fondo. El personal trabaja conuna diversidad de administradores de inversionespara garantizar que los activos de los Fondos seaninvertidos en una amplia variedad de oportunidadesde inversión dentro de la política de asignaciónestablecida por el Consejo de Administración, maxi-mizando las ganancias mientras se protege contra laspérdidas. Esta estrategia de inversión disciplinada ydiversificada nos ha beneficiado tanto a nosotroscomo a otros fondos durante muchos años. Pero lacaída dramática de la economía en 2008 afectó atodas las áreas en general, y no fue inmune a ellaninguna clase de activos ni por lo tanto ningúnfondo de pensiones.

En la primavera, usted recibió por correo un "AvisoAnual de Financiamiento" como parte de la informa-ción que estamos obligados a enviarle bajo la Ley deProtección de Pensiones. El Aviso de Financiamientoes una instantánea de dónde se encontraba nuestroFondo al comienzo de 2008, antes de la caída de labolsa de valores, e incluye alguna información sobrecómo se asignan las inversiones de nuestro Fondo.De hecho, tenemos una corrección a esa informa-ción, así que por favor consulte el aviso de finan-ciamiento 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 elúltimo 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 definidoscomo los nuestros, una vez que adquiere los derechos, gana el derecho a una pensión cuando sejubila. Recibirá una suma establecida cada mes, porel resto de su vida. Su empleador paga al Fondo dePensiones para su jubilación y esas contribucionesforman un pozo común. Esos activos son administrados en forma conjunta e invertidos,según una política disciplinada, para sostener losbeneficios 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 trabajadoresponen de su propio dinero a una cuenta individual.A veces los Empleadores igualan esos aportes, perocon frecuencia no lo hacen. No existe una cantidadfija, establecida, mensual con la que pueda contarel trabajador en el momento de la jubilación. Lostrabajadores administran su propio dinero, y si labolsa de valores cae, es difícil recuperar la cantidadde dinero que sea que se pierda, salvo que puedanesperar un tiempo largo para jubilarse.

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

La Diferencia de Beneficios Definidos


C a r t a D e L a D i r e c t o r a E j e c u t i v a

Para Su BeneficioDE NUESTROS FONDOS DE BENEFICIOS Y PENSIONES DE 1199SEIU

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

OTONO DE 2009

¡Han ocurrido muchas cosas desde la última vez que tuvo noticias de nuestrosFondos! Pero quizás lo más importante es que tiene un nuevo contrato que protegesu cobertura integral de salud y un plan de pensiones de beneficios definido; unsignificativo logro considerando estos difíciles tiempos económicos.

En el interior de este ejemplar de For Your Benefit (Para su beneficio), podrá leersobre lo que se ha hecho para estabilizar nuestros fondos de salud y pensiones, losretos que enfrentamos y cómo se han invertido nuestros activos de pensiones. Ypodrá 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.

En un momento en el que es de importancia fundamental proteger nuestra salud ynuestros beneficios de salud, podrá informarse sobre las muchas opciones de aten-ción que usted y su familia tienen cuando requieran atención médica pero nopuedan contactar a su médico, y por qué es tan importante para usted que el usode las salas de emergencia sea exclusivamente para emergencias.

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

Sobre todo, queremos hacerle saber que estamos aquí para apoyarlo. Si tiene algu-na pregunta sobre sus beneficios, llámenos. Somos sus Fondos, y estamos aquí paraayudarlo.

Atentamente,

Mitra BehrooziDirectora ejecutivaFondos de Beneficios y Pensiones de 1199SEIU

Usted tiene unnuevo contratoque protege su

cobertura integralde salud y un plan

de pensiones de beneficiosdefinido; un

significativo logroconsiderando estos

difíciles tiemposeconómicos.

En los últimos años, los empleadores en todo elpaís han estado transfiriendo la carga de pagar porla atención de salud y los beneficios de jubilación asus trabajadores. Por ello, no causa sorpresa que laprotección de nuestras pensiones y de los beneficiosde salud integrales fuese una prioridad en lareciente negociaciones del contrato. Y aunque estegrupo de jóvenes miembros de 1199SEIU en el NYUHospital for Joint Diseases es saludable y está amuchos años de su jubilación, comprende la granventaja de sus beneficios de 1199SEIU.

“Pienso que los miembros jóvenes comprendenespecialmente la importancia de conservar nuestrosbeneficios”, dijo la Tecnóloga de ProcedimientosEspeciales, Jana Auguste. De hecho, Jana tiene convicciones tan firmes sobre sus beneficios que seunió al equipo de negociación del Sindicato paraayudar a protegerlos. "Considerando la situacióneconómica actual, somos afortunados de tener unplan como éste. Vemos y leemos constantementesobre empleadores que hacen recortes a costasde los beneficios de sus trabajadores". Durantelas negociaciones, habló con mucha pasión sobrela protección de nuestros beneficios y lo afortunados que somos de tener un plan desalud sin complicaciones. "Acceder a mis beneficioses tan fácil. Nunca me tengo que preocupar dellenar formularios complicados, pedir reembolsosni pagar al médico. Simplemente voy y presentomi tarjeta de identificación de salud".

“Todos los que conozco tienen que pagar costosa su cargo por sus cuidados”, afirmó JessicaFung, una Tecnóloga de Radiología que pasódirecto del seguro de salud de sus padres a lacobertura del Fondo de Beneficios. "No deja dellamarme la atención el hecho de que no tengamosque pagar copagos ni deducibles".

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

"Hace unos años tuve que someterme a unalaparoscopia de rodilla y no tuve que pagar niuna sola vez", afirmó Juan Escalera, un Técnicode Rayos X. "Conozco a tanta gente que notiene los beneficios con los que contamosnosotros...".

"Como madre soltera, no habría sobrevivido sinestos beneficios", agregó Jaclyn Bodon, unaTecnóloga del Plomo. "Habría tenido muchísimosproblemas si no contase con la cobertura quenecesitaba para mi hijo. Es fantástico tener laseguridad de saber que estamos cubiertos".

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

~

Perfil del Miembro: "¡Mis beneficios son importantes para mí!"



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


Saturday, October 249:30 am – 2:30 pm

You must be registered to attend!Call (646) 473-8915 to register and

get more information.

Come to one of our free Citizenship workshops to learn about the servicesour Funds’ Citizenship Program offers for you and your family, from

application preparation, preparatory and ESL classes and more.

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



Please call to get more information or to let us know that you will be attending

at (646) 473-8960, option 2.

Aprenda a Lidiar con el Estréscon la Ayuda de un Nuevo Taller

¿No quiere esperar por un taller?Pruebe estos consejos ahoraSaque el estrés de sus músculos con una actividad de estiramiento.Párese y extienda sus brazos por encima de la cabeza, estirándosedesde la cintura. Aspire profundamente y exhale. Ahora, dóblesedesde la cintura y deje sueltos los brazos, el cuello y la cabeza. Aspireprofundamente 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. Sólotiene 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

Todos sufrimos del estrés, y no debe desorprendernos, si consideramos laeconomía, el trabajo y criar una familia,y todos los demás asuntos cotidianos alos que nos enfrentamos. El personal denuestro Programa de Asistencia a losMiembros (Member Assistance Program,MAP) estará visitando institucionespara ofrecer un taller rápido y sinestrés que le mostrará cómo identificary lidiar con el estrés en varias formasfáciles y saludables.

El taller dura sólo 15 minutos y por elloes fácil de acomodar durante un recesoo almuerzo. Pregunte a su Coordinadorde Ayuda del Fondo de Beneficios si hayun taller programado para su institución,y si no, pídales que programen uno.

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

Taller de Control del EstrésMiércoles 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


Emergency rooms are for real medical emergencies, andwe should never go to the ER for non-emergency care.ERs are crowded, costly and mean long waits when ourcondition isn’t critical, because we will get taken care oflast. So, when we need non-emergency medical attentionand can’t get ahold of our doctor, our Benefit Fund coversmany other ways to get the immediate care we need.

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. AHealth Coach is available by phone at (866) 935-1199 tohelp you better manage the condition. If you or yourfamily is not working with a coach already, call today.

Or maybe you’re feeling sick, with flu symptoms, a feveror allergies. Then you can call our 1199SEIU NurseHelpline at (866) 935-1199 for around-the-clock supportover the phone, seven days a week, from nurses whocan answer many of your healthcare questions.

Urgent Care Centers and Walk-In Health Centers arealso two choices we have where we can just walk in andreceive care without an appointment. These facilities in ournetwork offer extended hours with high-quality service,which is especially important when you can’t get in tosee your doctor or need care after hours. These centerstreat 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 emergencycare when we need it. But we must reserve ERs for truemedical emergencies only. Use the many other care choicesour Benefit Fund offers. In addition to getting the bestcare, you’ll be protecting your benefits into the future.

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

Our Urgent Care NetworkKeeps GrowingOur Benefit Fund is dedicated to getting you the careyou need, when you need it. So we give you access toUrgent Care and Walk-In Health Centers that are convenient to you.

Your choices include the many Beth Israel MedicalCenter facilities (formerly known as DOCS) throughoutManhattan and Westchester. In fact, at Beth IsraelMedical Center’s Chelsea location, you can now get care24 hours a day, whenever you need it.

You can also visit the new Montefiore Urgent CareCenter located at the Bronx East Montefiore MedicalGroup practice at 2300 Westchester Avenue, in theBronx. The Center is open seven days a week – Mondaythrough Friday from 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm, andSaturday, Sunday and most holidays from 9:00 am to5:00 pm.

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

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

When Your Doctor Isn’t Availableand You Need Care Now

El programa Apoyo a Matrimonios Saludables(Supporting Healthy Marriage) del año pasadopara las parejas de 1199SEIU llevado a cabo en elMontefiore Medical Center tuvo tanto éxito que se vaa volver a realizar.

El programa Apoyo a Matrimonios Saludables constade 10 semanas de talleres entretenidos e interactivos,donde las parejas aprenden habilidades de comunicaciónsimples y formas efectivas de manejar el conflicto y elestrés. Si usted es seleccionado, verá videos, participaráen discusiones en grupo y practicará las nuevashabilidades de comunicación que desarrollará a lo largodel trayecto. También tendrá la oportunidad de trabajarcon un Coordinador de Apoyo a la Familia, que lo ayudará a aprender a afrontar las tensiones cotidianasde 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 personasque tienen un matrimonio sano viven más tiempo, seenferman menos, y ganan y ahorran más dinero. Y loshijos de estos matrimonios presentan menos problemasde comportamiento y tienen mejor rendimiento en laescuela.

¡El cupo es limitado y las sesiones comienzanpronto, así que llame de inmediato si está interesado!

Llame al Montefiore Medical Center al (718) 401-5050 ydígale a la recepcionista que está interesado en el pro-grama Apoyo a Matrimonios Saludables (SupportingHealthy Marriage) para las parejas de 1199SEIU, y que seenteró acerca de este programa en este boletín.

Llame Ahora para InscribirseEn el Programa para Matrimonios Saludables para las Parejas de 1199SEIU

Semana 1 Sábado 3 de octubre 9:30 a.m. a 4:00 p.m.










Horario del taller Apoyo aMatrimonios Saludables

de 1199SEIU


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.

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.

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.

Breaking Bad Habits

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

Staying Healthy Is FunWhen It’s a Family Affair!

Saturday, September 26Healthy Meals in 30 Minutes

Family Nutrition Workshop and Cooking Demonstration

11:00 am to 12:30 pm

All-Ages Yoga Class12:45 pm to 1:30 pm

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

No es fácil quitarse los malos hábitos y reemplazarloscon hábitos nuevos y saludables. Toma tiempo, planificación y mucho empeño. Pero la satisfacciónde que se ha quitado un hábito que lo tenía controladopor años hace que valga la pena todo el esfuerzo.

Por ello es que nuestro Fondo de Beneficios le brindanuevos talleres de Protección de Nuestra Salud que ledarán el apoyo y las herramientas que necesita paramejorar su salud. Aprenderá a fijarse metas realistas y atomar pasos medibles para alcanzarlos hasta que elhábito que desea dejar atrás, por ejemplo, fumar, comerdemasiado, inactividad, desaparezca para siempre. Y,cuando asista a un taller obtendrá una copia de nuestraherramienta más reciente de Protección de NuestraSalud, un diario de comidas y estado físico diseñadoespecialmente para los miembros de 1199SEIU que loayudará a hacer un seguimiento de sus progresos.

Esté atento a más talleres que se programen en suinstitución. O, hable con su Coordinador de Ayudapara que programe un taller de Protección de NuestraSalud para usted.

Cómo Quitarse los Malos Hábitos

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

¡Mantenerse Saludable es DivertidoCuando se Trata de un Asunto Familiar!

Sábado 26 de septiembreComidas saludables en 30 minutosTaller de nutrición familiar y demostración de cocina

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

Clase de yoga para todas las edades12:45 p.m. a 1:30 p.m.

Confirme su presencia llamandoal (646) 473-8960, opción 2.


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 callright 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.

Call Now to RegisterFor the Healthy Marriage Program for 1199SEIU Couples

Week 1 Saturday, Oct. 3 9:30 am – 4:00 pm


Week 3 Monday, Oct.12 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm








Supporting Healthy Marriages1199SEIU Session Schedule:

Las salas de emergencia son para verdaderas emergenciasmédicas y nunca debemos acudir a la sala de emergenciapara cuidados que no sean de emergencia. Las salas deemergencia están atiborradas de gente, el servicio es costoso e implica largas esperas cuando nuestro estado noes crítico, porque se nos atenderá al final. Por ello, cuandonecesitemos 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 miembrode su familia sufren de síntomas relacionados a una enfermedad crónica, como por ejemplo asma, diabetes opresión arterial alta. Tiene a su disposición un Capacitadorde Salud por teléfono en el (866) 935-1199 para ayudarlo acontrolar mejor la enfermedad. Si usted o su familia noestán 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 deAyuda de Enfermería de 1199SEIU al (866) 935-1199 paraobtener apoyo por teléfono las 24 horas del día, los siete díasde 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 deSalud Ambulatoria también son dos opciones con las quecontamos donde podemos acudir y recibir cuidados sinnecesidad de una cita. Estos locales en nuestra red ofrecenhorarios de atención prolongados con servicio de alta calidad,lo cual es especialmente importante cuando no puede acudir asu 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, reaccionesalérgicas, 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 deEmergencias sólo para verdaderas emergencias médicas.Utilice las muchas otras opciones de cuidados que ofrece nuestro Fondo de Beneficios. Además de obtener los mejorescuidados, estará protegiendo sus beneficios para el futuro.

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

Nuestra Red de Atención deUrgencia Sigue CreciendoNuestro Fondo de Beneficios está dedicado a brindarle loscuidados que necesita, cuando los necesita. Por ello lebrindamos acceso a los Centros de Atención de Urgencia y deSalud Ambulatoria que sean más convenientes para usted.

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

También puede visitar el nuevo Montefiore Urgent Care Centerubicado en el local del Bronx East Montefiore Medical Group en2300 Westchester Avenue, en el Bronx. El Centro está abiertolos 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 feriadosde 9:00 a. m. a 5:00 p. m.

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

Siempre estamos trabajando para aumentar nuestra red. Porello, si hay un Centro de Atención de Urgencia en su vecindarioque usted quisiera que se una a nuestra red, sírvase llamar alFondo de Beneficios al (646) 473-9200 para informarnos, y nospondremos en contacto con ellos.

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


Learn to Cope with Stress through a New Workshop

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 yourarms, 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.

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

We all suffer from stress, and it’s no wonder, given the economy, workingand raising a family and all the otherdaily issues we come up against. OurMember Assistance Program (MAP)staff will be visiting institutions tooffer a quick and stress-free workshopthat will show you how to identify anddeal with stress in several easy andhealthy ways.

The workshop is just 15 minutes long,so it’s easy to fit in during a break orlunch. Ask your Benefit Fund OutreachCoordinator if there is a workshopcoming up at your institution, and ifnot, ask them to schedule one!

You can also attend our full-lengthstress management workshop at theBenefit Fund’s Manhattan office.

Managing Stress WorkshopWednesday, September 16

6:00 pm – 7:30 pm330 W. 42nd Street, Penthouse, Manhattan

Call (646) 473-6910 to register

¿Quiere Hacerse Ciudadano de los Estados Unidos?

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

Sábado, 24 de octubre9:30 a.m. a 2:30 p.m.

Asista a uno de nuestros talleres gratuitos de Ciudadanía para enterarseacerca de los servicios que ofrece nuestro Programa de Ciudadanía de los

Fondos para usted y su familia, desde la preparación de la solicitud, trabajopreliminar y clases de Inglés como Segundo Idioma, y mucho más.

Consejos saludables para usted y su bebé,y preparación para el parto

Inscríbase para asistir a un día de talleres prácticos que cubren los temasque todos los padres que esperan un bebé necesitan saber (ya sea elprimer o el quinto bebé) durante el embarazo, el parto y después delnacimiento de su bebé. Estas clases incluyen todo, desde cómo mantenersesaludable y en forma durante el embarazo hasta información sobre cómocambiar pañales, amamantamiento y alimentación con biberón, y otrostemas. Su pareja será bienvenida también. Se servirán un desayuno yalmuerzo ligeros.

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


Sírvase llamar para obtener más información o para dejarnos saber que va asistir

al 646-473-8960, opción 2.

¡Debe inscribirse para asistir! Llameal (646) 473-8915 para inscribirse y

obtener más información.


IntroductionThis notice includes important funding information about your pension plan(“the Plan”). This notice also provides a summary of federal rules governingmultiemployer plans in reorganization and insolvent plans and benefit pay-ments guaranteed by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), afederal agency. This notice is for the plan year beginning January 1, 2008 andending December 31, 2008 (“Plan Year”).

Funded PercentageThe funded percentage of a plan is a measure of how well that plan is fund-ed. This percentage is obtained by dividing the Plan’s assets by its liabilitieson 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 Yearand 2 preceding plan years is set forth in the chart below, along with a state-ment of the value of the Plan’s assets and liabilities for the same period.

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

Transition DataFor a brief transition period, the Plan is not required by law to report certainfunding related information because such information may not exist for planyears before 2008. The plan has entered “not applicable” in the chart aboveto identify the information it does not have. In lieu of that information, how-ever, the Plan is providing you with comparable information that reflects thefunding status of the Plan under the law then in effect. Using the same cal-culations that the current law requires, the “funded percentage” was 124%for the 2007 Plan Year and 129% for the 2006 Plan Year. However, when cal-culating the funding status of the Plan under the law then in effect for the2007 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 liabilitypercentage” was 97.5%, the Plan’s assets were $7,777,661,099, and Planliabilities were $7,979,721,658.

Fair Market Value of AssetsAsset 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 ofa given point in time. However, because market values can fluctuate dailybased on factors in the marketplace, such as changes in the stock market,pension law allows plans to use actuarial values for funding purposes. Whileactuarial values fluctuate less than market values, they are estimates. As ofDecember 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’sassets was $9,082,662,956. As of December 31, 2006, the fair market valueof the Plan’s assets was $8,743,762,876.

*2008 assets values are preliminary and subject to confirmation when theyearly audit is finalized.

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

retired or separated from service and entitled to future benefits.

Funding & Investment PoliciesThe law requires that every pension plan have a procedure for establishing afunding policy to carry out the plan objectives. A funding policy relates to thelevel of contributions needed to pay for benefits promised under the plan cur-rently and over the years. The plan is funded by contributions made byemployers pursuant to collective bargaining agreements with the union thatrepresents the plan’s participants.

Once money is contributed to the Plan, the money is invested by plan officialscalled fiduciaries. Specific investments are made in accordance with thePlan’s investment policy. Generally speaking, an investment policy is a writ-ten statement that provides the fiduciaries who are responsible for planinvestments with guidelines or general instructions concerning various typesor categories of investment management decisions. The investment policy ofthe Plan is to ensure the solvency of the Pension Plan over time and to meetthe Fund’s pension obligations as required. To meet this goal the Fund hasestablished a target allocation among asset classes and acceptable rangesaround that target.

In accordance with the Plan’s investment policy, the Plan’s assets were allo-cated among the following categories of investments, as of the end of thePlan Year. These allocations are percentages of total assets:

Asset Allocations* Percentage1. Interest-bearing cash 7.23%2. U.S. government securities 10.36%3. Corporate debt instruments

(other than employer securities): 13.48%Preferred ________All other ________

4. Corporate stocks (other than employer securities):Preferred 0.10%Common 28.14%

5. Partnership/joint venture interests 19.94%6. Real estate (other than employer real property) 10.82%7. Loans (other than to participants) ________8. Participant loans ________9. Value of interest in common/collective trusts 5.11%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 4.82%

cash collateral)

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

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

ANNUAL FUNDING NOTICEFor 1199SEIU Health Care Employees Pension Plan Member Profile:

“My Benefits Are Important to Me!”

Over the past few years, employers across the country have been shifting the burden of paying forhealthcare and retirement benefits to their workers.So, it’s no surprise that protecting our pensions andcomprehensive health benefits was a priority in therecent contract negotiations. And even though thisgroup of young 1199SEIU members at the NYUHospital for Joint Diseases is healthy and yearsaway from retirement, they understand just howmuch their 1199SEIU benefits set them apart.

“I think young members especially understand theimportance of preserving our benefits,” said SpecialProcedures Technologist Jana Auguste. In fact, Janafeels 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 constantlyabout employers scaling back at the expense oftheir workers’ benefits.” During negotiations, shespoke out passionately about protecting our benefitsand how fortunate we are to have a hassle-free healthplan. “Accessing my benefits is so easy. I never have to worry about filling out complicated forms, gettingreimbursed or paying the doctor. I just show up andpresent my Health ID card.”

“Everyone I know has to pay out of pocket fortheir care,” agreed Jessica Fung, a RadiologyTechnologist 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 haveany co-pays or deductibles.”

CAT Scan Technician Judy Volpi came from a non-1199SEIU job with health coverage that just didn’t match the benefits she has now. “I paid for myhealth benefits out of every paycheck, and therewas no such thing as a defined benefit pensionplan. You were completely on your own for retirement savings.”

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

“As a single mother, I couldn’t have made itwithout these benefits!” added Jaclyn Bodon, aLead Technologist. “I would have struggledtremendously if I didn’t have the coverage I needfor my child. It’s a nice, secure feeling to knowthat we’re covered.”

This group of younger workers at the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseasesknows we can’t take our 1199SEIU benefit package for granted.



How Your Pension Benefits Are InvestedWith 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.

The Trustees of our Fund oversee and monitor the

work of our Investment staff, which handles the day-

to-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.

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

• 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.

What is a defined benefit pension plan?

With defined benefit pension plans like ours, onceyou are vested you have the right to a pensionwhen you retire. You’ll get a set amount eachmonth for the rest of your life. Your employer paysinto the Pension Fund for your retirement, andthose contributions are pooled. These assets aremanaged collectively and invested, pursuant to adisciplined policy, to support pension benefits forall of our members.

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

The people we all know who have lost so much oftheir individual retirement savings had definedcontribution plans – 401(k)s and 403(b)s. Withthose plans, workers put their own money into anindividual account. Employers sometimes matchthese contributions, but often they do not. There isno set, fixed monthly amount that the worker cancount on at the time of retirement. Workers man-age their own money, and if the stock market fails,whatever money is lost is difficult to recoup, unlessthey can wait a very long time to retire.

pooled separate accounts, master trust investment accounts, or 103-12investment entities — contact Michael Kaiser, Chief Pension Officer, (646)473-9200 or write to the 1199SEIU Benefit and Pension Funds at 330 West42nd Street, New York NY, 10036-6977.

Critical or Endangered StatusUnder federal pension law a plan generally will be considered to be in“endangered” status if, at the beginning of the plan year, the funded percent-age of the plan is less than 80 percent, or in “critical” status if the percent-age is less than 65 percent (other factors may also apply). If a pension planenters endangered status, the trustees of the plan are required to adopt afunding 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 bench-marks for pension plans to improve their funding status over a specified peri-od of time.

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

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

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

Summary of Rules Governing Plans in Reorganization and Insolvent PlansFederal law has a number of special rules that apply to financially troubledmultiemployer plans. Under so-called “plan reorganization rules,” a plan withadverse financial experience may need to increase required contributions andmay, under certain circumstances, reduce benefits that are not eligible for thePBGC’s guarantee (generally, benefits that have been in effect for less than60 months). If a plan is in reorganization status, it must provide notificationthat the plan is in reorganization status and that, if contributions are notincreased, accrued benefits under the plan may be reduced or an excise taxmay be imposed (or both). The law requires the plan to furnish this notifica-tion to each contributing employer and the labor organization.

Despite the special plan reorganization rules, a plan in reorganization never-theless could become insolvent. A plan is insolvent for a plan year if its avail-able financial resources are not sufficient to pay benefits when due for theplan year. An insolvent plan must reduce benefit payments to the highestlevel that can be paid from the plan’s available financial resources. If suchresources are not enough to pay benefits at a level specified by law (seeBenefit Payments Guaranteed by the PBGC, below), the plan must apply tothe PBGC for financial assistance. The PBGC, by law, will loan the plan theamount necessary to pay benefits at the guaranteed level. Reduced benefitsmay be restored if the plan’s financial condition improves.

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

vency to participants and beneficiaries, contributing employers, labor unionsrepresenting participants, and PBGC. In addition, participants and beneficiar-ies also must receive information regarding whether, and how, their benefitswill be reduced or affected as a result of the insolvency, including loss of alump sum option. This information will be provided for each year the plan isinsolvent.

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

Example 1: If a participant with 10 years of credited service has an accruedmonthly benefit of $500, the accrual rate for purposes of determining thePBGC guarantee would be determined by dividing the monthly benefit by theparticipant’s years of service ($500/10), which equals $50. The guaranteedamount 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 isequal to the sum of $11 plus $6.75 (.75 x $9), or $17.75. Thus, the partici-pant’s guaranteed monthly benefit would be $177.50 ($17.75 x 10).

The PBGC guarantees pension benefits payable at normal retirement age andsome early retirement benefits. In calculating a person’s monthly payment,the PBGC will disregard any benefit increases that were made under the planwithin 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 termi-nation or insolvency). Similarly, the PBGC does not guarantee pre-retirementdeath benefits to a spouse or beneficiary (e.g., a qualified pre-retirement sur-vivor annuity) if the participant dies after the plan terminates, benefits abovethe normal retirement benefit, disability benefits not in pay status, or non-pension benefits, such as health insurance, life insurance, death benefits,vacation pay or severance pay.

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

For identification purposes, the official plan number is 001 and the plan spon-sor’s employer identification number or “EIN” is 13-3604862. For more infor-mation 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 maycall the Federal relay service toll free at 1-800-877-8339 and ask to be con-nected to 1-800-400-7242).

Defined Benefit Pension Plan:• 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:• 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 Defined Benefit Difference

As you know, the economic downturn, stock marketcrash and spiraling healthcare costs took a steep financial toll on our Benefit and Pension Funds, threatening our comprehensive benefit package. Inresponse, your Union and League employers cametogether and managed – during one of the most difficulteconomic environments in recent history – to negotiatea new contract that fully protects our health benefitsand defined benefit pension plan and still provides modest wage increases. This means we will continue tohave comprehensive coverage with no out-of-pocketcosts 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 requireseveryone to do their part. Employers will increase theircontributions to the Health Care Employees PensionFund 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 bymembers agreeing to divert the 3 percent 2009 wageincrease and 1 percent of the 2010 wage increase.

The contract also directs our National Benefit Fund tofind an additional $150 million in cost-containment over the next five years. Our Fund, with our labor andmanagement trustees, will be looking at more ways tohold the line on costs, and there may be changes againin the way we access some of our benefits going forward – similar to when the Fund introduced othercost-containment programs like using preferred laband 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 whichother union members are being forced to accept higherco-pays and higher deductibles, where employers havestopped contributing to their workers’ pension funds or 401(k) savings and where the cost of healthcare continues to skyrocket. Despite this, the negotiatingcommittees of the Union and the League came togetherto find a solution, and your health and pension benefitshave been protected and preserved for years to come.


Collective Bargainers Stabilize Funds and Protect Benefits1199SEIU 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 (employeebooklet) that was previously distributed to you. You should keep this summary with your current employee booklet until the booklet is updated to reflect thechanges 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. 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 Coveragedescribed 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”).

2. 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 materialmodifications together with the Summary Plan Description make up your official plan descriptions; please keep them together and refer to them asnecessary. We have made every attempt to insure the accuracy of the information in this summary and the Summary Plan Description. However, if thereis any discrepancy between them and the plan document, insurance contracts or other legal documents, the legal documents will always govern. If youwould 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 1199SEIUNational Benefit Fund for Health and Human Service Employees, or any part of it, at any time.

1199SEIU/LEAGUE JOB SECURITY FUNDSUMMARY OF MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS

This Summary of Material Modifications describes changes that affect your job security benefit plan and updates the Summary Plan Description (“SPD”) thatwas 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. 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 Coverageshall 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”).

2. 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”).

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

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

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

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

This summary only highlights the key changes made to the 1199SEIU/League Job Security Fund. Summaries of material modifications together with the SummaryPlan Description make up your official plan descriptions; please keep them together and refer to them as necessary. We have made every attempt to insure theaccuracy of the information in this summary and the Summary Plan Description. However, if there is any discrepancy between them and the plan document, insur-ance contracts or other legal documents, the legal documents will always govern. If you would like to review the plan document or have any questions, pleasecontact 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.

As your Benefit Fund, we work hard to hold down thecosts of our healthcare coverage and leverage every contributed dollar so we can protect our access to quality care. We manage to provide our comprehensivecoverage at far less than the national average. We set

lean administrative budgets, sending every available dollar toward paying for your healthcare. And throughour 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. Ashealthcare costs rise faster than the rate of inflation, itbecomes 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 benefitpackage. To hold down costs, our Benefit Fund will be introducing new cost-containment programs developedwith our labor-management Cost Containment Committeeof Trustees. As in the past, there will be changes in theway we access our benefits, but not in the level of benefitswe enjoy. So, let’s all do our part and keep an eye out forupcoming changes.

The Challenge of ProtectingHealth Benefits


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

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

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

to them.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You have a new

contract that protects

your comprehensive

health coverage and

defined benefit

pension plan –

a remarkable

achievement given

these difficult

economic times.

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

1. 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 Coverageshall 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”).

2. In addition to any SUB to which they may or may not otherwise be entitled, Eligible Participants shall be entitled to their regular SUB paymentsthrough 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”).

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

4. Once the Eligible Participant has exhausted the maximum allowable months of COBRA continuation coverage subsidy, the Increased SUB willterminate, 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.

5. Once the Eligible Participant’s 1199SEIU/League Registered Nurse Training and 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 Registered Nurse Training and Job Security Fund. Summaries of material modifica-tions together with the Summary Plan Description make up your official plan descriptions; please keep them together and refer to them as necessary. We havemade every attempt to insure the accuracy of the information in this summary and the Summary Plan Description. However, if there is any discrepancy betweenthem and the plan document, insurance contracts or other legal documents, the legal documents will always govern. If you would like to review the plan docu-ment 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/LeagueRegistered Nurse Training and Job Security Fund, or any part of it, at any time.

FROM OUR 1199SEIU BENEFIT & PENSION FUNDS SUMMER/FALL 2009

A Magazine Devoted to the Health & Well-Being of 1199SEIU MembersFor Your Benefit

In This Issue . . .

1199SEIU Benefit and Pension Funds330 West 42nd StreetNew York, NY 10036-6977

www.1199SEIUBenefits.org

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-ProfitU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDNew York, NY

Permit No. 3700

EN ESPAÑOL p11

5 Collective Bargainers Stabilize Funds and Protect Benefits p3

5 How Your Pension Benefits Are Invested p4

5 Member Profile p5

5 Register For the Healthy Marriage Program p7

5 Breaking Bad Habits and Staying Healthy p8

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

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

for your benefit magazine - summer/fall

Documents

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