In this Email:

• A Message from the VRTA President
• Today’s Interest Rates
• What Should I Know About The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period
• Preparing for the Election

September 2023

President’s Message

As the VRTA Fall Conference draws near, we are eager to tie up loose ends. Along the way we were asked to meet deadlines, submit reports and requests, make donations, and participate in displaying banners. In addition, outstanding members, units, and districts were nominated for recognition and awards. 

           September 15^th is the last day to submit extended committee reports to Susan Martin at susanmartin730@gmail.com. The extended reports will be printed and placed in the Fall Conference folders. Committee chairs are also asked to provide Reba Evans, the secretary, with a list of committee members and a summary of their report.

           Those participating in the Marketplace, should have notified President-elect, Karen Whetzel at kswhetzel@gmail.com and requested a table.

           Judy McConville and Rose Ann Burgess, the Prize Patrol ladies, ask members to bring donations from their area of the state to be used as door prizes. Those making donations are asked to sign in at the prize table inside the conference room. 

           Unit and district banners will be on display. Because we are cognizant of the fact that COVID still reigns, a floor mic was added to eliminate the need to pass a microphone from person to person.

           Recognizing outstanding members always brings smiles and collecting various awards is gratifying. VRTA’s Mission is inspired by the work of the district and unit members across the state. Our Mission is: “All retired school personnel will be safe, productive, informed, and financially secure in retirement.”

           Finally, though the Necrology Service is sobering, it offers all of us a moment to reflect on and remember the lives of our friends and colleagues. Phyllis Eastridge, VRTA’s Chaplain, asks that all district presidents send her the number of deceased members from their district.

           VRTA is dedicated to listening to and acting on behalf of the membership. The organization strives to do what is best for its members. We ask that you come to the Fall Conference on September 25-27, 2023, and express your concerns. Together, we can achieve our Mission: “To be the voice, resource and connection for all retired school personnel.”



Jean Marrow

VRTA President

Jean Marrow

VRTA President

Phone: 804-350-7719  

Email: marrow.j@aol.com

Phone (540) 722-2529

Toll-Free (800) 467 5425

Email: savenow@creeksideadvisors.net

What Should I Know About

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period?

(October 15 - December 7, 2023)

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 each year. During this time, you may make changes to your Part D plan, Medicare Advantage Plan, or switch to a new plan altogether. You may also disenroll from a Medicare Advantage Plan and move back into Original Medicare and select a Medicare Supplement plan (underwriting may apply).

Do I Have To Change My Medicare Supplement Plan During The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period? You can change Medicare supplement plans at ANY TIME OF THE YEAR – but most likely you will have to pass medical underwriting to do so. This is a very common misconception because people get confused about the Annual Election Period that Medicare holds each fall. During this time, you can freely change your Medicare Part D drug plan and/or your Medicare Advantage plan. This period DOES NOT, however, apply to Medicare supplements.

What If I DON'T Want To Change My Part D ( Prescription Drug Plan)? Soon you will be receiving your Annual Notice of Change letter from your current Part D Plan. Please review it immediately. First, compare your premium in 2023 to your new premium for 2024. Next, review the plan formulary to see if your current prescriptions are covered and determine the related copayment amounts. If, after a careful review, you are satisfied with the changes, you can keep your plan. You simply do nothing and your current coverage choices stay in place for another year.

PREPARING FOR THE ELECTION

Voting is both a privilege and a duty, and it requires the thoughtful preparation of every citizen. Early voting begins September 22; Election Day is November 7. The following are suggestions for being a prepared voter:

• Check your voter registration and make changes if you have moved, etc. Go to vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation. Also, there are links here to other voting information. Contact your local registrar’s office if you have any questions not answered by this website.
• The website of some localities gives the local districts and candidates for the locality. Some give a sample ballot.
• It is good to vote a few days early in case a problem arises on Election Day. Check with your local registrar’s office for early voting sites.

During the campaign season, much of the rhetoric is propaganda. Campaign material that floods your mailbox is meant to sway your opinion and get your vote. It has sweeping generalizations, hyperbole, and half-truths without documentation. Be skeptical of what candidates say about themselves and their issues as well as what they say about their opponents. Are the assertions in letters to the editor or opinion columns supported by facts? Check the candidate’s record. Read everything you can about the candidates. Are there conflicting points? In the web search bar, type a question to get fact checkers’ answers. Remember that both the integrity and competence of the candidate are important. The party as well as the candidate should be considered, but basing a vote on just one of these is not usually wise. Avoid voting for a candidate because of the stand on one issue. After the election, you get the whole package.

Jeff South, associate professor of journalism at VCU, once wrote an article for VRTA on how to spot fake news, based on a book by John McManus. This mnemonic device is called The Smell Test. It’s pertinent not only during campaign season but any time you read something questionable about a politician or an issue. It bears repeating now.

S-Source – Who is providing the information? Consider not only the publication but also the reporter and the people quoted in the article. What is their reputation for truthfulness?

M-Motivation – Why is someone saying this? To sway your opinion? Is it satire or a joke?

E-Evidence – Does the message cite or link to supporting facts and authoritative data?

L-Logic – Based on everything else you know, do the points make sense, and lead logically to the conclusion?  Is the conclusion based on innuendo and anecdotes rather than facts or data? Be suspicious if it sounds too good to be true or too extreme to be true.

L-Left Out – What’s missing? A false report often has a kernel of fact that can trick you into believing the entire article is accurate.

Online resources can help in applying the SMELL TEST. Google the keywords of a news report to see which publications are carrying the story. If it appears only on fringe websites or publications, it’s probably not legit. Use reputable fact-checking platforms such as Snopes, PolitiFact, and FactCheck.org that have a good track record for unbiased assessments of information.

Let’s vote this fall with confidence that we are prepared to choose our representatives on all levels wisely.

Bea Morris 

VRTA Legislative Chairperson

Email: beam1340@verizon.net

Important VRTA Dates to Remember

Friday, August 11, 2023: deadline for submitting information for the VRTA Fall Newsletter, submit to Susan Martin at susanmartin730@gmail.com

September 26-27, 2023: VRTA Fall Conference at the Doubletree in Richmond, VA

April 16-17, 2024: Spring Delegate Assembly at the Doubletree in Richmond, VA