MARCH 2015

Spring

FOR RETIRED MEMBERS

Serving the People Who Serve Our Schools®School Employees Retirement System of Ohio®

®

Payment ScheduleYour payment from SERS is directly deposited into your bank account on the dates listed in the Payment Schedule. Payments are usually deposited on the first day of the month. ■

Payment StubsYou receive quarterly payment stubs from SERS. Your first stub is enclosed with this issue of Focus. You also receive a payment stub anytime there is a change in your benefit. You receive your quarterly payment stubs in the months of March, June, September, and December. ■

March Feb. 27, 2015April April 1, 2015May May 1, 2015June June 1, 2015July July 1, 2015August July 31, 2015September Sept. 1, 2015October Oct. 1, 2015November Oct. 30, 2015December Dec. 1, 2015

David Hamilton is living the dreamHamilton is out of Clermont County, onto the playing fields, and into the water. He has been living the dream since 2004. That is when he retired from the Milford Exempted Village School District where he worked as a custodian for 24 years. After he retired, he still wanted work with kids, so he became a certified sports official for the Ohio High School Athletic Association. He officiated baseball, softball, volleyball, football, and basketball games. He also became interested in water sports, including fishing and scuba diving. A few years ago, he decided to pursue water sports even

further, and he became certified as a Professional Association of Diving Instructors scuba diver. “It is a different world under the water,” he said.His scuba excursions have taken him to Florida, the U.S. Virgin Islands, including St. Thomas, the Turks and Caicos Islands, St. Lucia in the eastern Caribbean Sea, and Catalina Island off the California coast. His diving partner is his goddaughter.“I am living the dream,” he said. ■

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Published by the School Employees Retirement System

of Ohio

300 E. Broad St., Suite 100 Columbus, OH 43215-3746

614-222-5853 Toll-Free 800-878-5853

www.ohsers.org

RETIREMENT BOARD

Daniel L. Wilson Chair, Appointed Member

Catherine P. Moss Vice-Chair, Retiree-

Member

Debra Basham Employee-Member

Nancy Edwards Appointed Member

Madonna D. Faragher Employee-Member

Christine D. Holland Employee-Member

Barbra M. Phillips Employee-Member

James A. Rossler, Jr. Appointed Member

Frank A. Weglarz Retiree-Member

Lisa J. Morris Executive Director

SERS by the Numbers: Annual Reports are AvailableKeeping track of SERS’ finances and publicly sharing the results is required by law. SERS publishes two documents that summarize the financial health, investment performance, and key accomplishments of the last fiscal year (July 1-June 30): the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) and the Summary Annual Financial Report

(SAFR). Both documents are available

on the SERS website at www.ohsers.org/financial-reports-1.For people who want to review detailed financial statements along with an in-depth explanation of the numbers, the 102-page CAFR is the document to read. For those who only want the year’s financial highlights, basic descriptions of SERS’ investments, pension funding, membership, and health care, and a brief description of SERS’ economic impact to the state of Ohio, the 8-page SAFR is the appropriate choice. ■

SCHOOL EMPLOYEESRETIREMENT SYSTEM OF OHIO

COMPREHENSIVEANNUAL

FINANCIALREPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDEDJUNE 30, 2014

Serving the People Who Serve Our Schools®

ElectionIf you have SERS voting rights, you should already have received your ballot for the open retiree-member seat on the SERS Retirement Board of Trustees. Election ballots are due by Monday, March 2. ■

Tax Time is Around the Bend 1099-R FormsSERS recently mailed your 2014 IRS Form 1099-R and an income tax guide to federal and Ohio laws that affect your SERS payments.Your 1099-R for 2014, and those for previous years, also are available online. To set up an online account, visit our website at www.ohsers.org for step-by-step instructions. Once you have created an online account, you can access all your personal retirement information, including your annual 1099-R forms.If you need help setting up an account or need a reprint of your 1099-R, call us toll-free at 800-878-5853. ■

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You Earned It: Years Add Up to Perks You put in the years, now reap the rewards. Your decades of experience have not only earned you wisdom, they entitle you to a number of freebies and discounts. Wherever you go, remember, you have to ask for these senior discounts. You also might need to show your driver’s license as proof of your seniority.

Restaurants• Arby’s: 10% off (55+)• Boston Market: 10% off (65+)• Burger King: 10% off (60+)• CiCi’s Pizza: 10% off (60+)• Dunkin’ Donuts: 10% off or free donut with

coffee (55+)• Einstein’s Bagels: 10% off baker’s dozen of

bagels (60+)• Golden Corral: 10% off (60+) / $7.49 Early Bird

Special Monday-Friday, 2 p.m.-4 p.m.• IHOP: 10% off (55+); 55+ menu offers smaller

portions and lower prices• KFC: free small drink with any meal (55+)• Krispy Kreme: 10% off (50+)• McDonald’s: discounts on coffee everyday (55+)• Steak ‘n Shake: 10% off every Monday and

Tuesday (50+)• Taco Bell : 5% off; free beverages for seniors (65+)• Waffle House: 10% off every Monday (60+)• Wendy’s: 10% off (55 +)• White Castle: 10% off (62+)Retail and Apparel• C.J. Banks: 10% off every Wednesday (50+)• Dress Barn: 20% off (55+)• Goodwill: 10% off one day a week (date varies

by location)• Hallmark: 10% off one day a week (date varies

by location)• Kohl’s: 15% off on Wednesdays (60+) please

bring ID• Rite Aid: 10% off on Tuesdays • The Salvation Army Thrift Stores: up to 50% off (55+)• Stein Mart: 20% off red dot/clearance items first

Monday of every month (55+)

Grocery• Kroger: 10% off (date varies by location)Airline Travel• American Airlines: various discounts

for off non-peak periods (Tuesdays – Thursdays) for ages 62 and up (call before booking for discount)

• Southwest Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)

• United Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)

• U.S. Airways: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)

Bus Travel• Greyhound: 15% off (62+)• Trailways Transportation System: various

discounts for ages 50+Accommodations• Holiday Inn: 15-40% off depending on

location (62+)• Econo Lodge: 40% off (60+)• Hampton Inns/Suites: 40% off when

booked 72 hours in advance• La Quinta Hotels: 30% off and free

breakfast (55+)• Quality Inn: 40%-50% off (60+)Entertainment• AMC Theaters: up to 30% off (55+)• Cinemark/Century Theaters: up to

35% offMiscellaneous• Great Clips: $3 off haircuts, days and

times vary (60+) ■

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Health Care NewsHealth Coverage Question Appears on Tax Forms Due to Affordable Care ActA new line on the 2014 federal tax form asks if you and your family had health care coverage in the past year. If you were enrolled in SERS’ health care coverage during each month of 2014, answer “yes” to the question by checking the box. If you didn’t have coverage during 2014 or didn’t qualify for an exemption, you need to make an Individual Shared Responsibility payment with your return. Generally, the Individual Shared Responsibility payment is either a percentage of your income or a flat dollar amount, whichever is greater. To determine

this amount, see the explanation in your tax instructions.If you do not file an income tax return because your income is below the minimum threshold, you are exempt from the Individual Shared Responsibility payment. SERS cannot help you complete your tax return. If you have questions when preparing your tax return, please contact the IRS or a qualified tax advisor. For more information, visit www.irs.gov. Type “Individual Shared Responsibility” in the search window. ■

Back to School: Fun at Any Age Retirement is the prime time to ignite the fire of learning and go back to school. Many educational institutions of higher learning offer “Lifelong Learning” opportunities through a Senior Citizens’ 60-Plus Program or Program 60. These programs give seniors over 60 access to college courses, minus the tuition and enrollment fees. If you feel like you didn’t get your fill of American literature, or maybe you just want to know about sociology, photography, or art history, feed your mind and hit the books for free by tapping into these programs. For more information, visit the Ohio Department of Aging at aging.ohio.gov. If you hover over the “Information” tab, then click on the “Lifelong Learning” dropdown, you will find a list of Ohio universities that offer free courses to seniors. You also can call the Ohio Department of Aging toll-free at 800-266-4346. ■

“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty

or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.”

– Henry Ford

Partners IN HEALTH & WELLNESS March 1, 2015

®

Lifelong Love of Swimming Adds a Liveliness to Her StepIrene Graham ofWadsworth fell inlove with swimmingwhile working as aschool bus driver forthe Wadsworth CitySchool District.

Her regular routinewas getting up at5:30 a.m. so by 6 a.m. she wasswimming laps at thecity pool. By 7 a.m.,she was starting hermorning bus route.

“I had some friends who were doing this,” saysIrene, “so I decided to join in.” The year was 1984.Thirty-one years later, the now 80-year-old great-grandmother is still dipping her toes in a pool.

Irene retired from driving bus in 1997. At that time,all retiring school district employees received a“free-for-life” swim pass to the city pool. “I loved thepeople I worked with,” says Irene. “You hate toleave them but you just move on.”

When the city decided to tear down the aging pool,swimming had become too important to Irene togive it up. “(The pool) was down about two years,”says Irene, “I was going to another town nearbyand using their pool.”

Later, when the Wadsworth YMCA opened, Irenedidn’t hesitate to buy a membership despite thecost. She no longer has to pay the membership feeherself since SilverSneakers has been added toher Aetna Medicare plan.

“I am so thankful to have SilverSneakers throughmy SERS’ insurance,” says Irene.

Irene does lap swimming two to three times aweek. “Swimming is just a great exercise – you’rebuoyant in warm water,” she says.

On a typical day, she swims 36 laps or just morethan a half a mile. Irene says she finds swimmingvery relaxing.

However, the day isn’t complete until she gets in atwo-mile walk either at the YMCA or at home.“That’s just part of my day --- swimming or walkingor doing both,” says Irene.

Irene said her husband, Andy, doesn’t share herpassion for swimming, but sometimes walks withher.

The couple, who will celebrate 61 years of marriagethis month, owned Graham’s Sport Spot inWadsworth.

“It’s very important that I be independent and that Ican get up and go,” says Irene. “I have beenblessed.” ■

The Shingles Vaccine is Now Easier to GetA doctor’s prescription is no longer required to get ashingles vaccination in Ohio. A pharmacist can give thevaccine at your request.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)recommends adults 60 or older receive the shinglesvaccine once in their lifetime. However, the CDC does nothave a recommendation for people aged 50 through 59years old. Consult with your doctor if you are under 60and would like to receive the vaccine.

If you are younger than 65, you should also contact yourinsurance plan to verify coverage.

If you are 65 or older, contact your Medicare Part D plan.

With SERS’ Medicare coverage, you do not have to payfor the vaccine when you use a network pharmacy. Justshow your prescription drug card to the pharmacist.

You can locate pharmacy providers by calling thetelephone number on the back of your Express Scripts,HealthSpan, or PrimeTime ID card.

If you receive the vaccine at the doctor’s office, you maybe asked for payment. When you pay the bill, ask for areceipt so you can request reimbursement from yourprescription drug plan. ■

What is Shingles?Shingles is a disease that affectsnerves and causes pain and blisters.The same virus that causeschickenpox causes shingles.

The virus does not leave your body,but continues to live in some nervecells after you recover fromchickenpox. The virus can becomeactive again at any time. When it'sactivated in adults, it producesshingles.

The Centers for Disease Control andPrevention recommends anyone 60years of age or older get the shinglesvaccine, regardless of whether theyrecall having had chickenpox or not.Studies show that more than 99% ofAmericans ages 40 and older havehad chickenpox, even if they don'tremember getting the disease.

Talk with your healthcare professionalif you have questions about getting theshingles vaccine. ■

“Where is my ID card?” A common question asked by SERS’ retirees withvision and dental coverage. VISION SERVICE PLAN (VSP)

VSP does not issue ID cards.

Tell your provider you have Vision Service Plan (VSP) coveragewhen making an appointment. When the provider is in the VSPnetwork, they have access to your benefit information.

If you see a non-network provider, you may be responsible forpaying the bill and then submitting the claim to VSP forreimbursement.

Find VSP providers online at www.vsp.com or call 800-877-7195.

DELTA DENTAL

Delta Dental of Ohio only mails an ID card when you first enroll. Ifyou had the plan last year, continue to use the card that you have.

You should also tell your dentist’s office that you have Delta Dental.The office staff can access Delta’s benefits information to confirmyour coverage.

To find a network provider, go to www.deltadental.com and completethe information in the “Find a Dentist” box.

If you select the Advanced Search option, the networks you selectare for Delta Dental PPO and Delta Dental Premier.

Dentists in the Delta Dental PPO network provide you the bestbenefit.■

Tai Chi is a Perfect Exercise for Older AdultsTai chi (pronounced tie-chee) is an ancientChinese practice that started as a martial art andmeans of self-defense.

Over time, it has been modified and is practicedfor better health. It remains very popular in Chinawhere large groups of people practice it daily inparks and open spaces..

Tai chi has caught on with older adults across theUnited States who practice it for stress relief,flexibility and better balance.

It requires no special equipment. Tai chi is aseries of gentle, slow-motion body movementsthat brings your attention to what you are doingand thinking. It also has a mental aspect thatfocuses on relaxation and breathing.

Lucy Bartimole, the owner of Shift in GrandviewHeights, Ohio, teaches a tai chi class designed to

improve balance, coordination and mobility inolder adults, which helps prevent falls.

Lucy’s class is part of a balance study beingconducted by Judy Hirschfeld, a trauma injuryprevention specialist at Mount Carmel HealthSystem.

Mount Carmel is using a grant from the OhioOlder Adults Falls Prevention Coalition to traininstructors, like Lucy, to lead the tai chi classesfor older adults.

Several organizations, including the NationalParkinson Foundation and the ArthritisFoundation, promote Tai Chi as complementarytherapy used along with conventional medicine.

One of the best-selling DVDs at the ArthritisFoundation store is “Tai Chi for Arthritis.” It isavailable at www.afstore.org ■

We want to hear

from you. Please

send comments or

story suggestions to:

SERS Health Care Services

300 E. Broad St., Suite 100

Columbus, Ohio, 43215-3746

Or email:

healthcare@ohsers.org

The information in this

newsletter is intended to

complement – not take the

place of – your health care

provider’s recommendations.

Consult your physician before

making major changes in your

lifestyle or health care

regimen.

®

Instructor Lucy Bartimole demonstrates various tai chi movements.