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retirement resources
CALL THE RETIREE HELPLINE | 202.303.8779
Retiree News
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Retirement income: with annuities, protections shift from federal to state agencies | How to Negotiate Car Price: Expert Strategies for Getting the Best Deal From Bottom Line Inc. | Natural Ways to Lower Blood Pressure: Expert-Backed Strategies From Bottom Line Inc. | 10 Surprising Things Medicare Doesn’t Cover From AARP |
By Dave Therkelsen, in response to 2026 changes to Red Cross pension management Over the last 10 years the majority of American Red Cross employees and retirees who were in the Red Cross pension plan have had their retirement income shifted to insurance company annuities. When the plan termination now underway is complete, all employees and retirees will have their benefits paid from annuities. Beneficiaries of virtually all private sector pensions and annuities are protected from failure by either federal or state mechanisms. But when retirement benefit payments are shifted from a pension to an annuity, the protection also shifts, from the federal Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation to state Guarantee Associations. | Cars are costly these days, but consumers do have some say over how much they pay—if they negotiate. “Buyers almost assuredly have more negotiating power than they realize,” says Karl Brauer, executive analyst at automotive research firm iSeeCars. We asked Brauer to share his car-price negotiation tips… Do Your Homework Before You Shop Before visiting any dealerships, identify several vehicles that seem likely to suit your needs. If you’re shopping for a new car, tab at least two to three makes and models. | Over time, the force of blood pushing against your artery walls will damage your arteries, greatly increasing your risk of stroke, heart attack, and many other serious events. You can prevent these outcomes, however, using natural ways to lower blood pressure. Lowering your systolic blood pressure to less than 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) has been shown to reduce the risk of:
Why Choose Natural Ways to Lower Blood Pressure? “Blood pressure management is 70% lifestyle and 30% medications,” Dr. Laffin says. | Though great strides were made in recent years on paying for prescriptions, whether you have a Part D plan with original Medicare or drug coverage tucked into a Medicare Advantage plan, you should be prepared to pay $2,100 in 2026 for your covered medications before the limit kicks in. The federal government will help you finance that amount over time if you sign up for the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan. You’ll still have to foot the bill for out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles and copayments if you’re hospitalized, see a doctor or get medical tests. But some needs and wants aren’t part of the program. Here’s how you might pay for those: 1. Dental work, such as a root canal, is rarely covered Original Medicare covers some dental-related expenses in very specific situations. |
retiree helpline
The RETIREE HELPLINE is a call-back service by ARCAN that assists American Red Cross retirees with questions about pensions, including those administered by the annuity companies, as well as retiree medical benefits, the ARC Savings Plan (401-k) and more. The Retiree Helpline also helps with ARCAN membership questions.
The Retiree Helpline is staffed by Red Cross retiree/volunteers, called “Links”, who stay up to date on benefits and steer retirees in the right direction. Many callers will need to contact the American Red Cross Benefit Service Center (BSC) and/or one of the annuity companies to resolve their question or issue and Links will help them prepare for these calls.
The Helpline is also a point of Connection for Red Cross retirees who often stay on the call with Links after getting the info they were seeking just because they enjoy talking with another Red Crosser; something Links enjoy as well.
RETIREE HELPLINE | 202.303.8779
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BECOME A MEMBERARCAN is independent from the American Red Cross but it is our Red Cross experiences that connect us. Our vision is to unite around the ideals, the humanitarian mission and all the other things we value most about being a part of the Red Cross: the service, the global perspective, the learning and most of all, the people. Membership is open to former and current American Red Cross employees and volunteers. | CONTACT202-303-8779 PO Box 21004 Washington, DC 20009 © 2024 American Red Cross Alumni Network All rights reserved |