ContactMAGAZINE - CalRTA - California Retired Teachers Association

MissionCore Purpose: To enhance and protect the benefits of retired educators.CALIFORNIA RETIREDCALIFORNIA RETIREDTEACHERS TEACHERS ASSOCIATIONASSOCIATIONState State Officers OfficersPresident PresidentBetty SoennichsenGeorge AvakPresident-Elect- ElectPolly Betty Bacich SoennichsenSecretary SecretaryNatalie Natalie Guyton GuytonTreasurer TreasurerBeverly Beverly Brennan BrennanImmediate Immediate Past-PresidentGeorge Eva Avak HainParliamentarianWilliam William Jantzen JantzenArea DirectorsArea IBill RuehmannArea IIBill KippArea IIIJoe DionArea IVOrville JohnsonArea VAnn HansenArea VICarol LuhringArea VII Ann SlattenArea VIII Kathryn ZahrtArea IXRalph VillaniArea XLeona WenrickArea XINorma HuhnArea XII Tom ColletteCRTA Business OfficeEditorAngelique HillManaging EditorDebbie Pate-NewberryAssistant EditorSara PooleDesignCarrie Dennis DesignPrintingCopeland PrintingSend address changes to the Business Office.800 Howe Avenue, Suite 370Sacramento, CA 958257:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.916-923-2200E-mail Address: admin@calrta.orgMajor Goal: To be the dominant, authoritative voice for all retired educators.The objectives of this Association shall be:nnnnTo promote, protect and advocate for the interests of retired publicCalifornia educators,To safeguard the State Teachers Retirement System,To study and promote or oppose state and national legislationaffecting the interests of retired educators, andTo promote and safeguard public education systems.ContactM A G A Z I N EFeaturesPresident’s Message 3Legislative Update 4Pension Watch 6CRTA Supports Affordable Health Care 7The Scoop 8New 403 (b) Regulations 11Is Shingles in Your Future? 12Board of Directors Meeting Summary 14Legislative Breakfast Draws Members to Capitol 17Area IX Member Selected for Riverside Hall of Fame 19| JUNE 2008CRTA CONTACT (ISSN O885-0267) is published everyother month February through December by CaliforniaRetired Teachers Association. Annual subscription is $3.50paid by membership dues of $39.00 annually. Periodicalpostage paid at Sacramento, CA. Copyright 2008 CRTA.All rights reserved.POSTMASTER:Send address changes to:CRTA CONTACT800 Howe Avenue, Suite 370Sacramento, CA 95825Unsolicited submissions for CRTA CONTACT become theproperty of CRTA, and can only be returned if accompanied by aself-addressed envelope containing sufficient postage.www.calrta.orgE-mail Address: admin@calrta.orgWeb site AddressesState Teachers Retirement Systemwww.calstrs.comCalifornia Retired Teachers Associationwww.calrta.orgMedicarewww.medicare.gov

Betty SoennichsenCRTA PresidentAs we come to the end of CRTA’s fiscal year,it’s customary to look back over the past yearand assess our challenges, successes and failures,and look to the new year with plans, hope andmore challenges.During the past year our greatest challenge was to defeatthe Richman Initiative. Luckily, we didn’t have toexpend money or effort on that one. It didn’t qualify forthe ballot, so it went away by itself, at least for now.Other wins included two bills that CRTA opposed. Bothwere not passed out of committee and therefore died.One bill that CRTA supported (AB 2390, which wouldextend exemptions on current earnings limitations)continues on its way.Another challenge is the governor’s budget proposal totake $75 million from the SBMA (purchasing powerfund) contribution and vest our purchasing power at80 percent. We are also opposing CalSTRS’ proposal tovest our purchasing power at 82.5 percent and reducethe state’s contribution. CRTA has developed a counterproposalwhich would reduce the state’s contributionin exchange for an increase in purchasing power to 85percent, not vested. Our proposal is looked on favorablyby several important players in the budget process.All of these proposals are being discussed and will notbe finalized until much further in the budget process.We may not know until August or September.Along with the good news there was also some badnews.same period. But we also lost 1,236 members to deathand resignation. (Final figures are not known at thistime — I am writing this in mid-April and our contestdeadline has not yet been reached.)The contest did show us, however, what can be donewith a great deal of dedicated effort. Sonoma CountyDivision recruited 100 new members for a gain of11.8 percent of their membership. After countingthose members lost during the year, their Divisionincreased by 63 members. Several other divisionshad notable increases as well: Nevada County Division,Fremont-Union City-Newark Division, SantaClara County Division, Santa Cruz County Division,Merced-Mariposa Division, Antelope Valley Division,Santa Clarita Division, Corona-Norco Division, ImperialCounty Division, and San Mateo County Division.Even with these increases, our statewide total numberis down from last year.We are going to continue to emphasize membershipgrowth next year. At this time it is too early to knowexactly what shape that effort will take. The Board,officers and state office staff continue our efforts tomake CRTA stronger and more meaningful for you,our members.The membership contest results were a disappointment.As of this writing the contest did enroll 880 newmembers, and in addition we had 686 new membersthat were not part of the contest. There were quite alot of members who did not enroll on the contest form.Together the total new member number is 42.8 percentmore than the previous year’s new members for thewww.calrta.orgBetty Soennichsen, CRTA President| CRTA CONTACT

Legislative UpdateBy David L. Walrath, Legislative Advocate and Ken Hewitt, State Legislation Committee ChairCRTA Keeps LegislativePressure OnKen HewittState Legislation Committee ChairDavid L. WalrathLegislative Advocate| JUNE 2008Earlier this year we highlighted CRTA’s efforts to fightproposals in Governor Schwarzenegger’s budget proposalthat would hurt retired teachers. We asked youto write letters and you have. Thank you!But your work is not done. This year’s budget process will belengthy, and we need you to continue to voice your concern.In addition to letting your legislator know you don’t supportthe Governor’s budget, you also need to tell him/her you dosupport the CRTA alternative. (Note – You can find your legislators’information at www.legislature.ca.gov or by callingyour county registrar of voters.)CRTA Advocates Purchasing Power Protection IncreaseWhile the Governor’s budget contains an effective cap at 80percent Purchasing Power Protection and the CalSTRS Boardproposed an effective cap at 82.5 percent Purchasing PowerProtection, CRTA is advocating for 85 percent PurchasingPower Protection. Here’s the CRTA proposal:CRTA Alternative to Governor’s State Budget Proposaln Allow the Teachers’ Retirement Board to provide up to 85percent purchasing power protectionn Accept the SBMA cash flow contribution change proposedin the Governor’s Budgetn Schedule the $210 million interest payment into fourannual payments starting in 2009-10 (no payment inbudget year)n Reduce the annual state contribution to SBMA to 2.25percent from the current 2.5 percentwww.calrta.orgIn April, both the Assembly and Senate Budget Subcommitteesheard the Governors’ budget proposal, CalSTRS’ proposaland CRTA’s alternative. The Committees had thoroughdiscussions of all three options, as well as the option of retainingcurrent law and making no change. The Committeesindicated that they were concerned with both the Governor’sbudget proposal and the CalSTRS alternative and stated theywere more comfortable with the consideration of current lawor the CRTA alternative.The Department of Finance has indicated they would preferthe CRTA alternative to the CalSTRS’ alternative; consequentlywe are beginning to generate more support for our alternative.CRTA will continue to fight for the highest benefit increasethat can be provided to currently retired teachers, butwe need your help. All CRTA members need to continuewriting and getting petitions signed to protect SBMA andsupport the CRTA budget alternative.For more information on the CRTA alternative please visitwww.calrta.org. And remember that your Division LegislativeChair is an excellent resource for up-to-date information.Active Legislative Session – Positive Results so FarCRTA has had an active legislative session in the first partof 2008. We have been successful with opposed legislationfailing to move forward, and effectively dead, or beingamended to remove CRTA’s opposition. CRTA-supported legislationAB 2390 (Karnette) passed committee and was heardin the Assembly Appropriations Committee in late April.

The following are the CRTA supported and opposed bills andtheir current status:AB 1858 (Jeffries - R)AB 1858 would deny earned public employees retirementbenefits if the employee commits a felony related to his publicposition. The Committee discussed whether it was appropriatefor someone who had provided faithful service for anumber of years to lose all of their retirement or whether theyshould lose only that part of the retirement that was earnedafter the commission of the crime. Status: Failed passage.Position: OpposeAB 1967 (Torrico - D)AB 1967 would prohibit investment or renewal of investmentin certain private equity companies that are owned orhave significant investments from specified sovereign wealthfunds. A sovereign wealth fund is a fund that is created forinvestment purposes by a country. AB 1967 is the continuationof a litany of new bills directing the investment practicesof CalSTRS. This bill, as the other bills, puts the investmentrate of return at-risk which means that payment of currentand future retirement benefits become at-risk. AB 1967 indemnifiesthe state for any problems that may arise from thebill, but does not indemnify the TRF. Rather, current teachers,classroom expenditures and retirees would be at-risk ifthere were investment losses. CalSTRS currently anticipatesthat the bill would result in at least $1.5 billion in investmentlosses. Status: Not heard.Position: Oppose Unless AmendedAB 2150 (Berg - D)Provides that an insurance broker or agent may not use asenior designation unless specified conditions have been met.Provides that in determining whether to approve a seniordesignation for use, the Insurance Commissioner shall ensurethat the organization issuing the senior designation fulfillsspecified requirements. Specifies certain educational contentand number of hours before approval of such designation.Specifies penalties and remedies for violations.Status: From Assembly Committee on Appropriations toConsent Calendar.Position: SupportAB 2390 (Karnette - D)Extends for one year the operation for the current earningslimitation and exemptions.Status: From Assembly Committee on Appropriations toConsent Calendar.Position: SupportContinued on page 16www.calrta.org| CRTA CONTACT

Pension WatchCRTA Helps Defeat Investment BillThe CRTA-opposed AB 1967, which would have limitedCalSTRS investment in certain private equity funds and companies,was not considered in the Assembly Public Employees,Retirement and Social Security Committee in April. Becausethis was the last hearing before deadlines, the act to not considereffectively killed the bill for this session. To that end,Assemblyman Alberto Torrico, D-Newark withdrew the billfor the time being. “This delay will give us time to properlyaddress some of the concerns that have been raised,” he saidin a press release. CalSTRS estimated limitation from this billwould have reduced investment returns by up to $1.5 billion.CRTA, CTA, CalSTRS and many other organizations joined insuccessfully opposing this legislation.Pension Bill Would Let Private Sector Join the StateSystemAssembly Bill 2940 by Assemblyman Kevin de León, D-LosAngeles, would open the California Public Employees’ RetirementSystem to private sector businesses and workers toencourage Californians to save more for retirement. The billwould allow Californians whose employers don’t offer retirementsavings plans to put money into the California EmployeeSavings Program. Employers without retirement plans couldalso participate.The retirement plan, unlike 401(k) plans, could be taken bythe worker from job to job. If the plan is approved by the InternalRevenue Service, CalPERS would administer it with feespaid by the account holders, at no expense to taxpayers. Severalother states have considered similar programs. But de León’soffice said California would be the first to put one in place.The PWG tasked the committees, selected in September 2007and comprised of well-respected asset managers and investors,with collaborating on industry issues and developing a setof best practices for their respective groups of stakeholders.The best practices documents recommend innovative and farreachingpractices that exceed existing industry standards. Therecommendations complement each other by encouragingboth types of market participants to hold the other more accountable.The recommendations will be open for public comment for 60days. The committees then will review and, as necessary, revisethese best practices and standards. Comments may be submittedat the Committees’ website. The committees will continueto meet to discuss raising the standards for industry participantsafter the best practices are complete. For more informationgo online to www.treas.gov/press/releases/hp927.htm.Social Security Board of Trustees Releases AnnualReport on Social Security and MedicareProjected Exhaustion Dates Are UnchangedThe Social Security Board of Trustees recently released itsannual report on the financial health of the Social SecurityTrust Funds. While the key dates for program costs exceedingtax revenues and Trust Fund exhaustion remain unchanged,the 2008 Trustees Report shows improvement in the projectedlong-term financial status of the Social Security program fromlast year — particularly in the latter half of the long-range projectionperiod. This improvement is principally the result ofmethodological changes for projecting certain aspects of immigration.In the 2008 Annual Report to Congress, the Trustees announced:| JUNE 2008As of press time the bill is progressing.PWG Private-Sector Committees Release BestPractices for Hedge Fund ParticipantsTwo blue-ribbon private-sector committees established by thePresident’s Working Group released separate yet complementarysets of best practices for hedge fund investors and assetmanagers, in the most comprehensive public-private effort toincrease accountability for participants in this industry.nnnwww.calrta.orgThe projected point at which tax revenues will fall belowprogram costs comes in 2017 — the same as the estimatein last year’s report.The projected point at which the Trust Funds will be exhaustedcomes in 2041 — the same as the estimate in lastyear’s report.Over the 75-year period, the Trust Funds would requireadditional revenue equivalent to $4.3 trillion in today’sdollars to pay all scheduled benefits.To see the Report online, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/TR/TR08/.

CRTA MakesStatement atCalSTRS BoardMeetingCRTA SupportsAffordable HealthCareBy Angelique Hill, CRTA Executive DirectorRepresentatives of various groups along with concernedindividuals gathered at the Hart Senior Center in Sacramentoon Saturday, April 5 to learn more aboutSenator Sheila Kuhl’s Universal, Single Payer Health Care legislation,SB 840. Based on CRTA’s Legislative Platform of securingaccess to affordable, comprehensive health insurancefor members, CRTA supports this piece of legislation.More than 45 members, all wearing big blueCRTA buttons, converged on the CalSTRS Boardmeeting in April. Members attended the meetingto show support for reaffirming our stand on the value ofthe SBMA fund for retirees. CRTA President Betty Soennichsen,CRTA Legislative Advocate David Walrath and Area Vmember Sandy Healy each read statements.In addition to voicing our concern, CRTA President BettySoennichsen presented CalSTRS CEO Jack Ehnes andCalSTRS Board Chair Dana Dillon with a “check” representingthe value of CRTA members’ volunteer hours for thepast year (magazine cover photo).More than 50 people packed the room, including membersof OWL (the Older Women’s League), the Grey Panthers, theCalifornia Nurses Association, League of Women Voters andCRTA.Participants were greeted by Joe Dion, Chairman of the SacramentoValley Chapter of Health Care for All, which sponsoredthe symposium. Senator Darrell Steinberg, president pro temelect of the California Senate, outlined the many reasons hebelieves SB 840 would help all Californians, including thepoor, the uninsured, under-insured and businesses.Senator Steinberg took the time to answer many questionsfrom the audience, and in doing so, indicated that he willlikely become the champion for the legislation after SenatorKuhl is termed out. Sara Rogers of Senator Kuhl’s staff alsoshared facts about the legislation and how it would affectCalifornians.The day concluded with suggestions and ideas for participantsabout how they can carry the message about SB 840 toothers in their community.www.calrta.org| CRTA CONTACT

- The Scoop -News for California’s Retired Teachers| JUNE 2008Dana Dillon Re-Elected Chair of CalSTRS BoardTrustees of the California State Teachers’ RetirementSystem (CalSTRS) unanimously re-elected Dana Dillonas Chair and Jerilyn Harris as Vice-Chair for the 2008-09term at their April 3 meeting. The 12-member Teachers’Retirement Board nominates and elects their chair andvice-chair annually. Members serve four-year terms. DanaDillon, a teacher/librarian with the Weed Union ElementarySchool District, is the incumbent Teachers RetirementBoard Chair. She has served on the board since 2004, andwas vice-chair in 2005-06 and 2006-07. Jerilyn Harrisis an award-winning science teacher with more than 25years experience teaching in Ukiah and Beverly Hills.U.S. Announces Final Western Hemisphere TravelInitiative RuleJune 1, 2009, New Deadline for Land and Sea TravelThe U.S. government has announced the final rule for theland and sea portion of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative(WHTI), including document requirements for travelersentering the United States who were previously exempt,including citizens of the U.S., Canada and Bermuda. Thesedocument requirements (e.g. proof of both citizenship andidentity) will be effective June 1, 2009. Find more informationonline at www.travel.state.gov/.Report: Health Care System Unprepared for AgingPopulationThe U.S. health care work force is “too small and woefullyunprepared” to meet the geriatric care needs of the78 million aging baby boomers, according to a report releasedrecently by the Institute of Medicine, the Wall StreetJournal reports.The report, titled “Retooling for an Aging America: Buildingthe Health Care Workforce,” estimates that currentlythere is one certified geriatrician for every 2,500 seniors.In three years, the first of the baby boomers will turn 65years old, and by 2030, all 78 million will have reachedthat age. The situation in California could be even moredaunting with only one geriatrician for every 4,000 stateresidents age 65 and older, as well as inadequate educationabout geriatric issues among social workers in the state.www.calrta.orgAlthough the report calls for increasing the number of geriatricians,it also recommends that physicians, nurses andothers receive more geriatric training during their generalmedical education. Find out more online at www.iom.edu/CMS/3809/40113/53452.aspx.Report: Teachers Earn Less Than Workers inComparable ProfessionsIn 40 states, public school teachers fail to make as much asworkers in comparable professions, such as reporters andinsurance underwriters, according to a new report by theEditorial Projects in Education Research Center (EPE). Nationwide,teachers earn only 88 cents for every dollar paidto workers in equivalent jobs.These findings were a new feature of the 12th annual QualityCounts report, published by trade newspaper EducationWeek. The report looked at more than 150 indicators tograde states in six categories: teacher policies; standards, assessmentsand accountability; school funding; K-12 achievement;school transition and alignment policies; and a child’schances for success in life.This year’s report also includes a new analysis comparingteacher salaries to those of 16 jobs that require similar skillsets, such as museum curators, registered nurses and accountants.Teacher pay was found to be deficient in 40states. Find out more online at www.edweek.org/ew/toc/2008/01/10/index.html.Study Finds Nation’s Older Labor Force Is Projected toGrow Five Times Faster Than Overall Labor ForceAs the U.S. population ages, the labor force will grow moreslowly during the next decade; the older labor force is projectedto grow more than 5 times faster than the overalllabor force, which will become ever more racially and ethnicallydiverse. The increase in mature workers can be tracedto, among other things, the fact that older individuals areleading healthier and much longer lives than in the past, andtoday’s older individuals are more educated than their counterpartsof the past. Higher education levels result in higherparticipation in the labor market. Access the full articleonline at www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2007/11/art3full.pdf.

Living With Chronic Illness: Californians’ Perspectiveson Cost and Coordination of CareAbout 40 percent of adult Californians live with at least onechronic medical condition. California Healthcare Foundationhas released a report that takes a close look at chronicillness through the perspectives and experiences of thoseliving with one or more chronic conditions.Survey results provide data on health status; provider servicesand ease of access to health care; satisfaction with services,physician collaboration, and health benefits; types ofinsurance coverage; overall out-of-pocket costs; prescriptiondrug use and costs; the relationship between expensesand neglect of care; and additional concerns about the affordabilityof health care. Find the Report online at www.chcf.org/documents/chronicdisease/ChronicCarePerspectives08.pdf.Baby Boomers/Early Retirees: Pre-Medicare HealthCoverage Gap LoomsEnsuring the availability of health care coverage for babyboomers who retire before they are eligible for Medicare isan emerging challenge for America, according to a whitepaper by Kenneth Sperling, senior vice president, CIGNAHealthcare Senior & Retree Services.In the white paper “The New HealthCare Gap: Sustainingthe Continuum of HealthCare for Early Retirees,” Sperlingdescribes the emerging issue of healthcare gaps for early retireesand how the looming crisis may be addressed by thecreation of integrated health and financial services vehiclesthat meet the needs of both employers and pre- and post-Medicare eligible retirees.The document is available online at http://newsroom.cigna.com/section_display.cfm?section_id=30.www.calrta.org| CRTA CONTACT

Are you inundated with magazine subscriptions?Do you feel like you’re being buried in paper?Would you like to read CRTA Contact online?Each issue of CRTA Contact is available onthe CRTA Web site at www.calrta.org in the“Members Only” section … and it’s availableonline before it reaches your mailbox! All youneed is your identification number (MemberID), located above your name on the addressportion of this issue. Your password will beyour last name. If you’d like to be removedfrom the mailing list and read all your issuesonline, please complete the online form atwww.calrta.org.Send us your “Letters to the Editor”CRTA wants to hear from you, the members! Weencourage “Letters to the Editor” and will printas many as we have room for. Send your letter,limited to 100 words or less, to the CRTA BusinessOffice at 800 Howe Avenue, #370, Sacramento,CA 95825; via e-mail to admin@calrta.org; or via fax to 916-923-1910.A member may have one letter published in a12-month period. Name and address may bewithheld by request, but anonymous letters willbe discarded.| JUNE 200810www.calrta.org

The US Treasury Department and the IRS releasedfinal regulations governing 403 (b) accounts on July23, 2007, and the new rules for tax-free exchangesbecame effective September 24, 2007. School Districts mustnow have Plan Documents governing retirement accountscontributed to by educators while working. These rules applyto retirees too and are under the jurisdiction of the member’slast employer. Some districts have sent out correspondence tocurrent employees but may have overlooked retirees. Not alldistricts have taken action yet as they try to sort out the newrules. The problem is if the districts wait too long, individualsmay not have time to react in a knowledgeable manner andmay end up paying unnecessary taxes.The final regulations makeit clear school districtshave new sets of responsibilitiesas do insurancecompanies and custodians.With responsibilitycome rules, regulationsand control. Technically,the individual no longercontrols his/her accounts.New 403 (b) Regulationsand How They Affect Members With TSAsThe individual can nolonger control investment options and no longer has theability to transfer retirement accounts to new investmentswithout school district approval. This results in a potentialloss of liquidity and privacy not only for the member butalso the member’s beneficiaries. The beneficiary must operatethrough the employer and the company involved.By Reed Montgomery, Western World Marketing“The individual can no longercontrol investment optionsand no longer has the abilityto transfer retirement accountsto new investments withoutschool district approval.”Each category has its own set of complex rules that must befollowed to the letter. Without prior knowledge on the part ofthe member the retirement account could be taxable at up to40 percent to the beneficiary upon the member’s death (Thetaxation could be as high as 85 percent if estate taxes are involved).This part of the code is known as “Income in Respectof a Decedent.”Further, any accounts that are not in compliance by January1, 2009, will be disqualified and taxed in the year of disqualification;i.e. in 2009.There have been reports that some Plan Administrators (organizationsthat process TSAsfor the school districts) aretaking the position thateven withdrawals mustreceive prior approval. Thismeans instead of contactingyour TSA company directlywhen you want to take withdrawalsfrom your account,you must go through theadministrator and followwhatever rules they havedecided are necessary.There are solutions to the new set of rules that will protect themember and the beneficiary. The issues are complex and willdiffer based upon individual situations.The best approach is to get advice from a financial adviserfamiliar with the new regulations.There are three categories of TSA accounts:1. Accounts issued after December 31, 2004, andbefore January 1, 2009, with no current contributions2. Contracts issued prior to January 1, 2005, with nosubsequent contributions3. Pre-January “Orphan” accounts 7 Section 90-24transfers prior to September 24, 2007www.calrta.orgCRTA utilizes Western World Marketing as its’ Preferred Providerin the area of financial counseling. Western World Marketingis making speakers available at CRTA meetings or luncheonsto explain these changes and offer solutions to manyof the problems created by these new rules.If any divisions are interested in having a speaker at anyCRTA functions, please call Western World’s main office at800-323-4032 to reserve a program speaker.| CRTA CONTACT11

Is Shingles in Your Future?By Michelle McKenzie| JUNE 200812Miki’s back hurt so badly that she thought she waspassing a kidney stone. The doctor at the urgentcare clinic thought so too, but when nothingshowed up on the x-rays, and he couldn’t diagnose anythingfrom her pain, she went home to suffer. Five dayslater and feeling worse, she went to her own doctor.“I felt like I was beat with a bat, and rolled in prickly pear,”said Miki Elizondo, 59. By this time Miki had a blisteryrash growing along her spine. Her doctor immediately recognizedit and diagnosed shingles. Over the next few daysthe rash grew to wrap around the right side of her torso,reaching from her navel toher spine.One million people in theU.S. will develop shingles,or herpes zoster, thisyear. Although it’s mostprevalent in people over50, anyone can find themselveswith shingles. SueK., 39, found herself witha case of shingles.“I got this really painful rash on my left buttock,” Sue said.“The doctor said I had shingles and he gave me ointmentto put on it. I had to change bandages on my butt twice aday for three weeks. I work at a desk, and as painful as thiswas, I had to sit on it!”What is shingles?If you had chicken pox, then you have the herpes zostervirus dormant in your system, which may become shingleslater in your life. It’s not clear why shingles develops afterbeing dormant for so many years, or why it hits primarilypeople over 50, but researchers believe a weakenedimmune system is the catalyst behind an outbreak, andimmune systems do typically decline with age. Shingles isso named because of the manner in which the rash presentsitself—in rows—giving an appearance much like shingleson a roof.www.calrta.orgWhat are the symptoms? Diagnosis?“One million people in theU.S. will develop shingles, orherpes zoster, this year. ”“Achy, achy, achy,” Miki said. Your first symptoms mightinclude chills, a tingling on your skin, fever, a headache,upset stomach or back pain. Before the rash outbreak, theseearly symptoms can be mistaken for the flu, ulcers, heartattack, migraine, or appendicitis among other ailments.A few days later the rash begins to develop and diagnosisis simpler. These fluid-filled blisters are very painful,and people describe them as an itchy, burning, stabbingsensation. The affected skin becomes highly sensitive andpainful, due to the inflammation of the nerve fibers travelingto the skin. Theherpes zoster virus canattack the face, trunk,arms, legs, and eyes, butseems to primarily affectthe torso.What’s the treatment?“I took Valtrex, andMotrin helped quite abit,” Miki said. “Tylenoldidn’t help at all, and Vicodin was my new best friend atnight.” Antiviral agents (such as acyclovir, famciclovir orvalacyclovir) are the most commonly prescribed treatmentand can speed the healing process and reduce pain andswelling. It’s recommended that treatment begin within 72hours of the onset of symptoms because it might preventnerve damage. Ibuprophen and acetaminophen (Motrin,Advil and Tylenol) are also used for pain; and topical orlocal treatments include calamine-containing lotions andAspercreme and, as is Sue’s case, wet dressings are prescribedto prevent rubbing the painful lesions againstclothing.How long does this last?“It’s been three weeks, and the pain has greatly diminished,but I’m still really itchy and fatigued,” Miki said. Miki’scase is typical. An outbreak normally runs its course inthree to five weeks. The older you are, the longer the rashwill last. But once the rash is gone complications may arisewhich can result in long term pain, scarring, bacterial skin

infections, paralysis on one side of the face, muscle weakness,and even loss of hearing or vision.Long-term pain is known as postherpetic neuralgia pain(PHN) and can range from tenderness, burning or throbbingpain, to shooting, or stabbing pain, and can last formonths after the rash has healed. Sheila Bolton, 70, hadshingles five years ago. Her outbreak lasted around threeweeks. Then she developed PHN on her back; the site ofher rash.“It was so painful that I had no appetite, and I couldn’tsleep at night; I was constantly waking up from the pain.”Sheila said. She couldn’t bear for her sheets or nightgownto touch her skin, and of course she couldn’t lie on herback. Sheila had to sleep without covers or clothes to getany rest at all. Ultimately, she decided to try a pain managementclinic.“The trip in the car was so painful that the clinic visitwasn’t even worth it. I had to sit sideways to keep frommy back from touching the car seat. People in the otherlane must have looked at my grimacing face and figuredmy husband and I were having an awful fight.” Sheilatried many options, but found that Oxycotin helpedmore than anything else she tried—it lasted 12 hours andhelped her get some sleep.The treatment options available for PHN can be complexand certain cases might require more than one medication.Treatment may include anticonvulsants, narcotics,topical non-steroids, and local anesthetic agents, all ofwhich you will discuss with your doctor. PHN is morecommon in older adults, and the risk increases with age.What causes the pain? It’s believed to be caused by anamino acid, Substance P, which is normally released bynerve fibers after there has been nerve damage. Researchersbelieve that a leak of Substance P by the shinglesdamagednerve fiber causes the persistent pain. This isthe reason doctors encourage early treatment— it mightprevent or lessen the effects of this condition. Sheila’spain lasted six months.“One day I realized I wasn’t in pain anymore. It was over!”Sheila said. People with compromised immune systemsare at a greater risk of developing complications such asSheila experienced, but most healthy people heal with nocomplications.Continued on page 15www.calrta.org| CRTA CONTACT13

Board of Directors Meeting SummaryBy Natalie Guyton, SecretaryThe March 2008 board meeting was held at the EmbassySuites Hotel in Sacramento. All Board members werein attendance.The following actions were taken:(1) A change to the Standing Rules was approved:S. R. ARTICLE VIII / C. / d) by February 15, the Chairmanshall declare the nominations closed for State Officers andshall prepare a list of all the eligible candidates to be sentto the members of the N&E Committee, to each candidateand to the Board.(2) The board approved of CRTA’s participation in NRTA’s“Brain Health Ambassadors” Program.(3) A 2008-09 budget was approved and will be presented tothe Delegate Assembly in May.(4) The mileage reimbursement rate for 2008-09 was set at48¢ per mile.5. No campaign information or materials may be distributedby candidates or their representatives in themeeting hall before or during the general sessions.6. Should any of the above guidelines be violated, theExecutive Committee shall make a determination asto whether the candidate is in violation of the guidelinesand may run.(7) Ann Hansen was appointed Chair of the N & E Committeefor the remainder of this fiscal year.(8) The board took the following positions on four bills asrecommended by the Legislation Committee: SUPPORTposition on AB 2390; OPPOSE positions on AB 1967, SB1385 and AB 1858.David Walrath advocates continued pressure on legislators!No action on the budget is expected before August or September.| JUNE 200814(5) An 80th Anniversary Committee was appointed: Joe Dion,Ann Slatten, George Avak, Elaine Avak, Eva Hain, TomCollette and Norma Huhn. Joe Dion was named Chair.(6) Campaign Guidelines were established:1. No campaigning of any sort shall be engaged inbefore the N&E Chair has declared the nominationsclosed (February 15) and distributed a list of candidates.2. No campaign materials shall be sent to membersor delegates before the candidates’ biographies areprinted in the CRTA April Contact magazine.3. Each candidate may be provided a table at Conventionon which to display campaign informationand from which campaign materials (brochures,buttons, etc.) may be distributed to members.4. No campaign materials are to be posted on walls,doors, etc. at the convention hotel.www.calrta.orgThe Insurance Committee is studying a number of bills andwill send some to the Legislative Committee for review. Thecommittee has found no new medical plans they would bewilling to endorse.Dianne Feinstein is to be honored at the Convention in May.Angelique Hill asks that we send her names of members whoare affected by the issues with which we are involved as reportersare asking for true stories they can use.CalSTRS Meeting Summary OnlineIf you’d like to read the summary from the AprilCalSTRS meetings, go online to the CRTA Web siteat www.calrta.org and look under “Member Download”once you log in as a member. Our thanks toPat Geyer, CRTA Liaison, for supplying the information.

Continued from page 13What are the risk factors? Who is at risk?Anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk for developingshingles. It’s also important to keep in mind that, while youhave shingles you can pass the virus to a child or adult whohasn’t had chickenpox. (However, they will get chickenpox,not shingles.) Nine out of 10 adults in the U.S. have hadchickenpox, and about 20 percent of them will be affectedby herpes zoster at some time in their lives; with men andwoman affected equally. Of the one million shingles caseswhich will occur this year, 40 to 50 percent will be peopleover 60; and one out of two people 85 years or older willhave shingles.Is there a vaccine?A vaccine, Zostavax, approved in 2006, reduces the risk ofdeveloping shingles. Zostavax contains a weakened chickenpoxvirus which creates antibodies to help your immunesystem fight off shingles. However, some people over 70 stilldeveloped shingles after receiving the vaccine. Fortunately,the frequency of PHN appears to have been reduced in thesecases.Who is the vaccine recommended for? People 60 and older,who had chickenpox. This vaccine is not recommended forpeople under 60, or for those who’ve had shingles. Nor is itrecommended for those with a compromised immune systemor who are taking medication that affects the immune system,those taking high doses of steroids, those who are pregnantor plan to become pregnant, or people with allergies to anyvaccine components. The duration of the vaccine’s efficacybeyond four years is unknown, and the need for revaccinationhas not yet been defined. Research for shingles treatmentcontinues and if you would like to view informationon the latest clinic trials go to www.clinicaltrials.gov andsearch for shingles clinical trials. You might even choose toparticipate in one.Can there an upside to all this? As unlikely as that seems,there was for Miki; she got some much needed rest fromwork.“I got to spend time in bed with all the Chihuahuas and readall the Lonesome Dove series, from start to finish, and I certainlyidentified with all the references to cactus!”Questions to ask your doctor if you are beginningtreatment:n Are there any diagnostic tests to be done?n Will medicines be prescribed? Why or why not?n If so, what are their side effects?n Will pain medication be prescribed?n What can you do to prevent irreversible nervedamage?n What should you do to prevent spreading shinglesto others?Have You Logged on Lately?Go to www.calrta.org for updates,members-only documents youcan download, and access tomember discounts at preferredproviders.To log-in as a member, useyour member ID printed onthe mailing label of this magazine.Your password is your lastname. Contact the CRTA BusinessOffice with questions.| CRTA CONTACTwww.calrta.org 15

Continued from page 5AB 2910 (Huffman - D)Amends existing law, the Knox-Keene Health Care ServicePlan Act, that provides for the regulation of health careservice plans by the Department of Managed Health Careand authorizes the director of the department to waive anyrequirement of those rules or forms to carry out the provisionsof the act. Requires that the waiver of a requirementof a rule or form, and the adoption of rules or issuance oforders exempting persons from the act, be made in accordancewith the Administrative Procedure Act.Status: Assembly Committee on Appropriations.Position: OpposeSB 1300 (Corbett - D)Prohibits a contractbetween a health careprovider and a healthcare service plan ora health insurer fromcontaining a provisionthat restricts the abilityof the plan or insurerto furnish health carepricing of health care quality information to subscribers,enrollees, or insureds of the plan or insurer. Requires healthcare service plans and health insurers to involve providersin the development of information prior to furnishing it tosubscribers, enrollees or insureds.Status: Senate Third Reading.Position: SupportSB 1522 (Steinberg - D)Requires the Department of Managed Health Care and theDepartment of Insurance to develop a way to categorizeindividual health care service plan contracts and healthinsurance policies into five coverage choice categories.Requires individual health care service plan contracts andindividual health insurance policies to contain a maximumlimit on out-of-pocket costs for covered benefits. Requireshealth care service plans and health insurers to offer at leastone policy in each coverage choice category.Status: Senate Appropriations.Position: SupportFederal Update“CRTA anticipates that after the2009 November election, therewill be more action on Medicareand Social Security issues.”As we move closer to the national election season, we loseour opportunity for action on the repeal of the Social Securitypenalties. While CRTA, authors, co-sponsors and coalitionmembers all hoped that we could have a vote in the House ofRepresentatives on this issuethis year, that hope is beginningto fade as time expiresand the national politicalsituation begins to dominatethe legislative action in Congress.CRTA appreciates allthe work our members havedone on this issue and urgeyou to continue to fight. If weare not successful this yearwe will start again next year. CRTA will never give up onthis issue until equity and earned benefits are funded.CRTA anticipates that after the 2009 November election, therewill be more action on Medicare and Social Security issues.The CRTA Insurance Committee will be looking at developingprincipals by which CRTA can judge any new Medicare andSocial Security proposals. We will be using those principalsto develop support, oppose or suggest amendment positionsfor the expectation that 2009 will be the year for both SocialSecurity and Medicare changes. Both are becoming unfundedand consequently CRTA expects there will be Congressionalaction on both programs in 2009.Special Thanks to Members Who’ve Contributed to the PAC Fund!Have You Sent in Your PAC Contribution?| JUNE 200816Help CRTA be prepared for political action on ballot propositions by making a contribution to the CRTA Political ActionCommittee (PAC). CRTA is a non-partisan organization so it only takes a position on ballot propositions, not candidates.To be effective in supporting or opposing an issue, CRTA needs to communicate its position to the general public, notjust CRTA members. By law CRTA needs to use PAC funds for such activities. And that takes resources. You shouldhave received a PAC donation request in the mail. If you didn’t, contact the CRTA Business Office at 916-923-2200 fora donation form. Remember that donations must be made by a check from an individual and the check must be for thePAC donation ONLY. Checks combining dues payments and PAC donations are not acceptable.www.calrta.org

Legislative BreakfastDraws Members to CapitolOn March 26 CRTA Area III held their third annualLegislative Breakfast in Sacramento at the Capitol.The event gives CRTA members the opportunityto meet with legislators and staff members to explain howcertain issues affect retired educators.| CRTA CONTACTwww.calrta.org 17

| JUNE 200818www.calrta.org

Area IX MemberSelected for RiversideCounty Hall of FameBy Dr. Ralph R. Villani, Area IX DirectorLucille Stewart, aCRTA member since2000, has been selectedfor induction into theRiverside County Hall ofFame. She is being honoredfor her extraordinary contributionsto students inthe Palm Springs UnifiedSchool District.Lucille was already 75-years-old when she retired in 2000.She wanted to continue to make a difference, so she beganworking as a volunteer two days a week with groups of difficult,angry and tough students. She’s had great success. Whenasked how she succeeds with these students, Lucille replied,“It’s because I don’t accept anything but the best from them.”The students also learned very quickly that if they were willingto work, they had a person in their corner forever.Last year, Lucille suffered a stroke. She was devastated bythe thought that she wouldn’t be able to continue workingwith the kids she loved. She feared she might let them down.Amazingly it took only one semester for her to make it backto work.Lucille also now serves as a “Special Education Surrogate” forthe Palm Springs Unified School District. When a parent ofa student who requires special education services cannot befound, Lucille is appointed as the surrogate parent for thepurpose of making educational decisions. She assumes the responsibilityfor making sure the child receives all the servicesthe student needs to succeed.Now at 83 years young, Lucille sets an example for all peopleand especially retired educators. She says, “If you wish to contributeto this world, the old adage is true. Where there is awill, there is a way.”Lucille is an inspiration to her fellow retired CRTA membersin Division 89 in Palm Springs. She attends monthly meetingsand is a vital part of CRTA.| CRTA CONTACTwww.calrta.org 19

800 Howe Avenue, Suite 370Sacramento, CA 95825California Retired Teachers Association: Serving Retired Educators for Over 75 Years