Our 58th Annual Convention is January 9-12, 2025 - come see your union at work! Check out the recap video from last year's convention. If you are interested in attending convention, reach out to your Chapter Director.
CAL FIRE San Diego shows off latest technology to fight fires
SAN DIEGO -- CAL FIRE has unveiled their latest tool in helping manage wildfires.
It's called a video wall, and it's one of just four used for firefighting in the entire state. The video wall was just installed at CAL FIRE headquarters in Rancho San Diego as part of a partnership with UC San Diego's Alert California program.
Episode 16,Open Enrollment & BenefitsEpisode 17,Retirement & the Union
Episode 18, History of the Union, Part 1
Episode 19, History of the Union, Part 2
Coming in 2025:
Workers Comp, Preparing for the Unexpected, History of the Union Part 3 and more! If you have any suggestions or topics you'd like to hear more about, please email kboyles@l2881.org.
Gennaro Jewelers is celebrating 101 years in business, and all jewelry designs are created in the US with jewelers and diamond setters on their premises. You can personalize all jewelry at no additional cost. Check out their CAL FIRE Local 2881 exclusive jewelry today!
Member Benefit: The IAFF Center of Excellence is hosting an online education series with topics for first responders, health care providers, clinicians and the community at large. Check out these two webinars happening in December. Click the links to sign up today!
Updates from your Retiree Director
If you have added dependents on your health plan without a social security number, they will soon be dropped if one is not provided. The Affordable Care Act requires a Social Security number for health and tax reporting purposes. Additionally, Social Security numbers serve as a unique identifier that helps health plans manage coverage. Read moreHERE.
CalPERS Benefits Education Events (CBEE) provides you the opportunity to learn more about your retirement at every career stage. These informative classes review your retirement and health benefits, retirement options, myCalPERS account and more. Learn more and register for the next event on December 11 & 12HERE.
Get your 1099R Retirement Tax Statement early! You will be able to see your 1099R in your my CalPERS account in early January. Opt in to electronic tax statementsHERE.
**NEW option for Retirees who Divorce After Retiring** One of our retired members, who divorced after he retired, complained to me about the problems he was having trying to name a new beneficiary. CalPERS regulations and the Government code prevented this. Unless the retiree obtained 100% of his pension in the settlement, he could not name a new beneficiary. When I brought this to Aaron Read, he could not believe how unfair this law was and immediately found a sponsor for a new bill, AB1246. After a few hurdles, mainly the large budget deficit, the bill passed thanks to Aaron and Terry’s efforts. As a result, all retirees who find themselves in this position can name a new beneficiary. So, if you retire and later divorce, you can now name a new beneficiary for your share of your remaining pension. Your remaining portion is subject to a new recalculation for the option you choose for the new beneficiary, the same as when you first retired based on both of your ages. The other benefit for your new spouses or RDP is that if they receive any monthly pension, they now qualify for CalPERS health benefits.
**NEW Fitness Program with your Health Plan** All CalPERS Medicare health plans allow you to join the Silver Sneakers fitness program. This gives you unlimited access to many participating small gyms and fitness centers. Sign up and learn moreHERE.
Do you know any retirees that use email but do not receive the Fire Front or other electronic communications from L2881? We need their email address. Please have them email Danielle atdkelsch@l2881.org. If they are not a retired member, encourage them to join for just $7/month! They can complete the Retiree applicationHERE. If you have any retiree questions, please email our State Retiree Director, Brian Burger atbburger@l2881.org.
The CDF Wagon Train was formed in 1983 to foster friendships and enjoy good fellowship among CDF'ers (Cal Fire) by providing organized campouts for its members. Membership in the Wagon Train is a screaming deal at only $5.00 per year! Our campouts are typically filled with optional activities with many group (potluck) style meals and campfire gatherings at night. For those interested in joining the Wagon Train just click on the registration button below:
Have you created an account for the member side of the website? Create your account today to stay up to date on ratification meetings, events and more. Please note, you must use a personal email address to sign up. Your .gov email will not be accepted.
You Local 2881 membership includes Personal Exposure Reporting from CPF. Here you can document exposures to toxins that can produce job-related illness. Learn more below.
There's been an extension of the Free Trust offer through February 1, 2025. So Members enrolled in the PYI+ LTD plan are eligible for a FREE WILL OR TRUST!
Interested in volunteering for the CAL FIRE Museum? You can email admin@calfirehistory.com for more information!
Take advantage of member events and classes to learn about your benefits and plan for retirement. Subscribe to the Member Education Bulletin to be notified of upcoming educational opportunities including upcoming educational videos.
