In my pay I currently receive a payment in lieu of insurance. How much of this is for declining dental insurance? None of the payment is for dental declination. All members who decline health insurance should be carrying a family plan for dental insurance. If you are not covered by the dental plan, contact the benefits coordinator at the BOE (ext 5316) and immediately enroll in the dental plan. Your dental plan will be your primary coverage and it will serve as the secondary coverage for your spouse (if they have their own dental).

I notified the BOE of my change of address. Do I need to notify the MTA, NYSUT and AFT? Just alert the MTA and the changes will automatically be forwarded to the state and national levels. You will need to notify the retirement system. There is a form that can be downloaded from www.nystrs.org.

If I retire from teaching in this district can I be re-hired into a different position in the district without affecting my pension? Sections 211 and 212 of the Retirement and Social Security Law govern NYS public employment by service retirees under age 65. Under Section 212, the earnings limit for calendar year 2005 is $27,500. The limit, deter-mined by the State Legislature, will apparently remain the same in 2006. Service retirees can have unlimited earnings in the following cases: a) in private employment; b) in federal employment; c) in public employment outside New York State; d) as an elected official, inspector of elections, poll or ballot clerk, commissioner of deeds, juror or notary public; or, e) in all employment (including NYS public employment) beginning in the calendar year they turn age 65.

Any questions regarding retirement, salary, or the Benefit Fund, may be e-mailed to: questions@middletownteachers.org. All questions will receive a reply and some may appear in future newsletters. Visit our archives at:middletownteachers.org for all the answers!