State Universities Annuitants Association
                                       Mini Briefing
                                                                      December 18, 2009

                                  

This is the last Mini Briefing for 2009.  Before year’s end, it is important to bring to you awareness of some important dates and a bit of other information during this busy time of year.

First, the General Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010.  Besides being an early date to hold an election, the weather will most likely be cold and icy not-to-mention the number of people who will be in warmer climates.  Therefore, the following dates become quite important for the SUAA audience to be aware of:

Thursday, December 24, 2009 – First day to make application for an absentee ballot
Tuesday, January 5, 2010 – Last day to register to vote or make an address change (excluding grace period)
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 – Last day for deputy registrars (including Precinct Committeemen) to return used and unused voter
                                                                 registrations to the Election Office
                                                         First day of grace period registration or change of address in the office of the election authority
                                                         First day of grace period voting at the election authority’s office
Monday, January 11, 2010 – First day for early voting at the office of the election authority
Tuesday, January 19, 2010 – First day a voter admitted to hospital, nursing home or rehab center not more than 14 days before
                                                                an election may apply for absentee ballot by personal delivery
Tuesday, January 26, 2010 –  Last day of grace period registration or change of address in the office of the election authority
                                                      Last day for grace period voting at the election authority’s office
Thursday, January 28, 2010 – Last day to apply for an absentee ballot by mail
                                                      Last day for early voting at the office of the election authority
Monday, February 1, 2010 – Last day to vote absentee in person
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 –  GENERAL PRIMARY ELECTION DAY
Thursday, February 4, 2010 – Voter registration re-opens

Abbreviated Dates: 
Absentee Voting In-Person:  December 24th – February 1st
Absentee Voting by Mail:      December 24th – January 28th
Grace Period Voting:              January 6th – January 26th
Early Voting:                             January 11th - January 28th


We urge you to vote in the General Primary Election.  For information about who is a candidate in your district visit www.suaa.org.
We also are preparing a “scoop sheet” that we will be glad to share with anyone.  However, it will be sent by regular mail due to the size and formatting.  If you have any information about any of the candidates or incumbents, please be sure to share it with us.

If you cannot find specific information about where to vote or how to find an election authority office, please call the SUAA State Office at 217.585.2370.  We will be glad to assist you.   

We want to make sure the General Primary Election gets your attention.

 


Just in case you don’t have enough to read over the holidays follow this link: http://www.taxpayfedil.org/secure/reveal/admin/uploads/documents/December%202009%20Tax%20Facts.PDF                  The Taxpayers’ Federation of Illinois just published a December Tax Facts. The lead article is “State of Illinois Retirement Income Tax Policy – A Review.”  It was written by Jim Nowlan who is a former president of the Federation.  He is now a senior fellow with the University of Illinois Institute of Government and Public Affairs.  The article is about 4.5 pages and contains a review on policy, its history and trends (with graphs).  

This is most likely a step towards convincing Governor Quinn that it is time to tax retirement income.  Through a conversation in the Governor’s office, it is known that this issue is definitely on the Governor’s mind.  This past fall, the threshold discussed was $40,000. 

A message was received in the office this past week about an increase in Medicare Part B Premiums.  The thought on the callers mind was that this has something to do with the Pension Offset or Windfall Elimination.  SUAA’s accountant’s office had also received a call from a client regarding the increase.  Upon investigation the following was found:
Medicare Part B Premiums:  Rules For Beneficiaries With Higher Incomes
SSA Publication No. 05-10161, December 2009 ICN 468800

                                                Wishing you much joy!
 
“The Medicare Modernization Act changed how Medicare part B premiums are calculated for some higher income beneficiaries.  The majority of Medicare beneficiaries are not affected.  Part B (medical insurance) helps pay for doctors’ services and outpatient care.  It also covers other medical services, such as physical and occupational therapy, and some home health care.  For most beneficiaries, the government pays a substantial portion – about 75% – of the Part B premium based on income they reported to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  In 2010, higher income beneficiaries will pay a monthly premium equal to 35, 50, 65 or 80 percent of the total cost, depending on what they reported to the IRS.  However, the law affects less than 5 percent of Medicare beneficiaries, so most people will pay the standard premium without an income-related adjustment.”
For more information visit:  http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10161.html

Lastly, on December 9th, Representative David Winters (R-68) filed with the clerk HB 4706 – HIGHER ED-REP-TUITON WAVIERS.  The synopsis reads:  Amends various Acts concerning State universities.  Repeals provisions that permit the children of employees of an Illinois college or university who have been employed by any one or by more than one Illinois   college or university for an aggregate period of at least 7 years to receive a 50% tuition waiver.  Effective immediately.

SUAA only has 62 members in Rep. Winters’ district.  They will need help in getting significant communication to him.  His address is 3444 N. Main Street, Suite 80, Rockford, IL  61103 or repwinters@aol.com .  His phone number is 815.282.0083 or if you are inclined to fax 815.282.0085.  A heads up had been given earlier; possibly to be an amendment on another piece of legislation already introduced during Veto Session.  Now it has appeared as a new bill.  SUAA needs to be active to derail HB 4706.

Each year legislators can provide tuition scholarships to students.  There are no merits or any type of scholastic measurement to be followed.  This cost the higher education schools money.  There is supposed to be payment from the State, however it has been determined that the schools are not receiving any type of payment for these students.  Where is the legislation to take this benefit away?  It has been introduced previously, but it has yet to make it very far through the legislative process.  Newspapers did cover this topic during this past legislative session.  Watch for it again!

We look forward to a successful New Year!  Legislatively, it will keep us all busy.  You will be called into action; there can be no silent voices going forward.  Find others to join SUAA – currently working and retired!  People can become members by visiting www.suaa.org.  It is so easy.  Pass information on to those without email and urge the others to share their email with us.