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RETIRED MEMBERS NJREA past, present and future MEDICARE PART B PREMIUMS FOR 2016 The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have announced the 2016 premiums for Medicare Part B programs. For most Medicare beneficiaries who are already collecting Medicare benefits, there will be no increase in Medicare Part B monthly premiums from 2015. There will also be no Social Security cost of living increase for 2016. As a result, by law, most people with Medicare Part B will be “held harmless” from any increase in premiums in 2016 and will pay the same monthly premium as last year. The Medicare Part B monthly premium will remain $104.90 — the same as in 2015, 2014, and 2013 — for most retirees who are currently receiving benefits and made below a certain amount in 2014. Retirees will pay a different premium amount in 2016 if they meet one of these four conditions: • You enroll in Part B for the first time in 2016. • You do not get Social Security benefits. • You have Medicare and Medicaid, and Medicaid pays your premiums. • Your modified adjusted gross income as reported on your IRS tax return from two years ago is above a certain amount. If you’re in one of the above groups, to determine how much your Medicare Part B premium will be, find the scenario that best describes your 2014 tax return filing below: File individual tax return File joint tax return You pay in 2016 $85,000 or below $170,000 or below $121.80 $85,001–$107,000 $170,001–$214,000 $170.50 $107,001–$160,000 $214,001–$320,000 $243.60 $160,001–$214,000 $320,001–$428,000 $316.70 above $214,000 above $428,000 $389.80 The Social Security Administration uses the income reported two years ago to determine a Part B beneficiary’s premiums. So, the income reported on a beneficiary’s 2014 tax return is used to determine whether the beneficiary must pay a higher monthly Part B premium in 2016. If a beneficiary’s income decreased significantly in the past two years, he/she may request that information from more recent years be used to calculate the premium. For those members receiving post-retirement medical benefits paid for by the State of New Jersey, the standard Medicare Part B premium for them and their dependents is reimbursed in the member’s pension check. Any incomerelated adjustment that a member or his/her dependent pays is reimbursed at the end of the year in which the adjustment is paid, after the proper paperwork is filed with the Division of Pensions and Benefits. If you have questions about your Medicare Part B premium, call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227). Any questions regarding the reimbursement process should be directed to the Division of Pensions and Benefits at 609- 292-7524. At the convention in Atlantic City, NJEA Secretary-Treasurer and NJREA liaison Sean M. Spiller shows a recent issue of the NEA Today for NEA- Retired Members, which featured an article on NJREA. 2016 MEDICARE PART D PREMIUMS All Medicare-eligible retirees enrolled in the School Employees’ Health Benefits Program (SEHBP) are automatically enrolled in Express Scripts Medicare Prescription Plan. This program includes the Medicare-eligible retiree becoming automatically enrolled in Medicare Part D. While there is no standard Medicare Part D cost associated with the program, enrollees whose incomes exceeded the legislated threshold amounts ($85,000 in 2016 for a beneficiary filing an individual income tax return or married and filing a separate return, and $170,000 for a beneficiary filing a joint tax return) will pay a monthly income-related payment. To determine your payment, find the 2014 scenario that best describes your situation: File individual You pay You pay tax return File joint tax return in 2015 in 2016 $85,000 or below $170,000 or below $0.00 $0.00 $85,001–$107,000 $170,001–$214,000 $12.30 $12.70 $107,001–$160,000 $214,001–$320,000 $31.80 $32.80 $160,001–$214,000 $320,001–$428,000 $51.30 $52.80 above $214,000 above $428,000 $70.80 $72.90 The Social Security Administration uses the income reported two years ago to determine a Part D beneficiary’s monthly income-related payment. In other words, the income reported on a beneficiary’s 2014 tax return is used to determine whether the beneficiary must pay a monthly income-related payment in 2016. If a beneficiary’s income decreased significantly in the past two years, he/she may request that information from more recent years be used to calculate the payment. For those members receiving post-retirement medical benefits paid by the State of New Jersey, the monthly income-related payment for them and their dependents is reimbursed at the end of the year in which the payment is paid, after the proper paperwork is filed with the Division of Pensions and Benefits. If you have questions about your Medicare Part D monthly income related payment, call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227). Any questions regarding the reimbursement process should be directed to the Division of Pensions and Benefits at 609- 292-7524. 48 NJEA REVIEW
RETIRED MEMBERS Around the counties For questions, call your county REA. For trip details, check the county newsletter. ESSEX COUNTY REA welcomes you to its annual winter luncheon/meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 17, at the Hanover Manor in East Hanover. The cost is $25. For more information and to reserve, contact Beverly Johnson Showers at 862-955-4133. MIDDLESEX COUNTY REA’S spring luncheon/meeting will be held on Thursday, March 10, at the Grand Marquis in Old Bridge. The cost is $30. To attend, contact Susan Jaysnovitch at 732-925-1606. MORRIS COUNTY REA welcomes you to its upcoming spring luncheon/meeting on Wednesday, March 9, at the Zeris Inn in Mountain Lakes. The cost is $26. To attend, contact Nancy Condit at 973-335-0990. SALEM COUNTY REA’S upcoming luncheon/meeting will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 17, at the St. John’s Episcopal Parish in Salem. The cost is $15. To attend, contact Pam McNamee at 856- 293-1808. NJRE-CENTRAL FLORIDA invites you to its next luncheon/ meeting on Wednesday, March 2, at the Chesapeake Bay Grille at the Arlington Ridge Golf Club in Leesburg, Fla. To attend or learn more, contact Steve Mockus at 352-638-2609. J<strong>AN</strong>UARY 2016 49
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