{"id":88,"date":"2017-08-16T15:50:41","date_gmt":"2017-08-16T19:50:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/maineretirees.org\/?page_id=88"},"modified":"2020-08-13T20:51:41","modified_gmt":"2020-08-14T00:51:41","slug":"faqs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/maineretirees.org\/faqs\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong><div  class=\"ewd-ufaq-faq-list ewd-ufaq-page-type-load_more\" id='ewd-ufaq-faq-list'>\n\n\t<input type='hidden' name='show_on_load' value='' id='ewd-ufaq-show-on-load' \/>\n<input type='hidden' name='include_category' value='' id='ewd-ufaq-include-category' \/>\n<input type='hidden' name='exclude_category' value='' id='ewd-ufaq-exclude-category' \/>\n<input type='hidden' name='orderby' value='date' id='ewd-ufaq-orderby' \/>\n<input type='hidden' name='order' value='asc' id='ewd-ufaq-order' \/>\n<input type='hidden' name='post_count' value='-1' id='ewd-ufaq-post-count' \/>\n<input type='hidden' name='current_url' value='\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/88\/' id='ewd-ufaq-current-url' \/>\n\t\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faqs'>\n\n\t\t<div id='ewd-ufaq-faq-category-cola' class='ewd-ufaq-faq-category'>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-category-title ewd-ufaq-faq-category-title-toggle' tabindex=\"0\" >\n\t\t\n\t\t<h4 title=\"Click here to open Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)\">\n\t\t\tCost of Living Adjustment (COLA)\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-category-inner ewd-ufaq-faq-category-body-hidden' >\n<div  class=\"ewd-ufaq-faq-div ewd-ufaq-faq-column-count-one ewd-ufaq-faq-responsive-columns- ewd-ufaq-faq-display-style-default\" id='ewd-ufaq-post-470-RJp0eJTPxp' data-post_id='470'>\n\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title '>\n\t\n\t<a class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin'  href='https:\/\/maineretirees.org\/ufaqs\/what-is-a-cola\/' >\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin-symbol ewd-ufaq-square'>\n\t\t\t<span >A<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title-text'>\n\n\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\tWhat is a COLA?\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-clear'><\/div>\n\n\t<\/a>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-body ' >\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin ewd-ufaq-faq-post'>\n\t\r\n<p>COLA is a cost of living adjustment to wages, pension, etc. based on a standard.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>For Maine Public Service Retirees who have a pension from Maine Public Service Retirement System (MainePERS), the COLA is based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The CPI is a measure that examines the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.investopedia.com\/terms\/w\/weightedaverage.asp\">weighted average<\/a> of prices of a basket of consumer goods and services, such as transportation, food, and medical care. It is calculated by taking price changes for each item in the predetermined <a href=\"https:\/\/www.investopedia.com\/terms\/b\/basket_of_goods.asp\">basket of goods<\/a> and averaging them. Changes in the CPI are used to assess price changes associated with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.investopedia.com\/terms\/c\/cost-of-living.asp\">cost of living<\/a>; the CPI is one of the most frequently used statistics for identifying periods of inflation or deflation.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>For retired public service educators and State retirees, the COLA is calculated on the first $20,000 of the pension indexed, which is now $23,635.32.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>For the majority of participating local districts (PLD-municipalities) the COLA is calculated on the full pension benefit.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-custom-fields'>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><div  class=\"ewd-ufaq-faq-div ewd-ufaq-faq-column-count-one ewd-ufaq-faq-responsive-columns- ewd-ufaq-faq-display-style-default\" id='ewd-ufaq-post-471-jmXeb4k6oZ' data-post_id='471'>\n\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title '>\n\t\n\t<a class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin'  href='https:\/\/maineretirees.org\/ufaqs\/what-is-the-cola-for-this-year\/' >\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin-symbol ewd-ufaq-square'>\n\t\t\t<span >A<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title-text'>\n\n\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\tWhat is the COLA for this year?\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-clear'><\/div>\n\n\t<\/a>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-body ' >\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin ewd-ufaq-faq-post'>\n\t\r\n<p>In 2021, eligible State, Educator, Judicial, and Legislative retirement plan retirees received a 3% COLA on their benefit up to $22,947.11 (which is the 2020 base), or a maximum increase of $57.37\/month.\u00a0 The amount of the COLA for 2021 was determined during the summer of 2021 and appeared in the 2021 September pension benefit.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mainepers.org\/retirement\/colas\/\">https:\/\/www.mainepers.org\/retirement\/colas\/<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Regarding COLA with respect to Social Security wages:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/cola\/\">https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/cola\/<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-custom-fields'>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><div  class=\"ewd-ufaq-faq-div ewd-ufaq-faq-column-count-one ewd-ufaq-faq-responsive-columns- ewd-ufaq-faq-display-style-default\" id='ewd-ufaq-post-469-yTtWUNWzdd' data-post_id='469'>\n\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title '>\n\t\n\t<a class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin'  href='https:\/\/maineretirees.org\/ufaqs\/what-am-i-going-to-get-as-a-cost-of-living-cola-on-my-mepers-pension\/' >\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin-symbol ewd-ufaq-square'>\n\t\t\t<span >A<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title-text'>\n\n\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\tWhen am I going to get  a Cost of Living (COLA) on my MainePERS pension?\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-clear'><\/div>\n\n\t<\/a>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-body ' >\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin ewd-ufaq-faq-post'>\n\t\n<p>If there is a COLA increase, it is added to the September pension each year. The September pension is distributed near the end of the month<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-custom-fields'>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<div id='ewd-ufaq-faq-category-homecare' class='ewd-ufaq-faq-category'>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-category-title ewd-ufaq-faq-category-title-toggle' tabindex=\"0\" >\n\t\t\n\t\t<h4 title=\"Click here to open In Home Care\">\n\t\t\tIn Home Care\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-category-inner ewd-ufaq-faq-category-body-hidden' >\n<div  class=\"ewd-ufaq-faq-div ewd-ufaq-faq-column-count-one ewd-ufaq-faq-responsive-columns- ewd-ufaq-faq-display-style-default\" id='ewd-ufaq-post-480-lup2j9jZ2e' data-post_id='480'>\n\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title '>\n\t\n\t<a class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin'  href='https:\/\/maineretirees.org\/ufaqs\/what-type-of-assistance-is-available-for-in-home-care\/' >\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin-symbol ewd-ufaq-square'>\n\t\t\t<span >A<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title-text'>\n\n\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\tWhat type of assistance is available for in home care?\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-clear'><\/div>\n\n\t<\/a>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-body ' >\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin ewd-ufaq-faq-post'>\n\t\n<p><strong>What type of assistance is available for in home care?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are many different types of home care assistance however not ever areas of the State of Maine have access to all the services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Nursing care.\u00a0<\/strong> In consultation with the doctor, nursing care may include wound dressing, ostomy care, intravenous therapy, administering medication, monitoring the general health of the patient, pain control, and other health support.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Physical, occupational, and\/or speech therapy.\u00a0<\/strong>.A physical therapist can help a patient regain or strengthen use of muscles and joints. An occupational therapist can help a patient with physical, developmental, social, or emotional disabilities relearn how to perform such daily functions as eating, bathing, dressing, and more. A speech therapist can help a patient with impaired speech regain the ability to communicate clearly.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Medical social services.\u00a0<\/strong>Medical social workers provide various services to the patient, including counseling and locating community resources to help the patient in his or her recovery. Some social workers are also the patient&#8217;s case manager&#8211;if the patient&#8217;s medical condition is very complex and requires coordination of many services.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Care from home health aides.\u00a0<\/strong>Home health aides can help the patient with his or her basic personal needs such as getting out of bed, walking, bathing, and dressing. Some aides have received specialized training to assist with more specialized care under the supervision of a nurse.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Homemaker or basic assistance care.<\/strong>, Homemaker or person who helps with chores or tasks can maintain the household with meal preparation, laundry, grocery shopping, and other housekeeping items.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Nutritional support.\u00a0<\/strong>Dietitians can come to a patient&#8217;s home to provide dietary assessments and guidance to support the treatment plan.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Home-delivered meals.\u00a0<\/strong>Often called Meals-on-Wheels, many communities offer this service to patients at home who are unable to cook for themselves. Depending on the person&#8217;s needs, hot meals can be delivered several times a week. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org\/\">https:\/\/www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org\/<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Pharmaceutical services.\u00a0<\/strong>Medicine and medical equipment can be delivered at home. If the patient needs it, training can be provided on how to take medicines or use of the equipment, including intravenous therapy.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Transportation.\u00a0<\/strong>There are companies that provide transportation to patients who require transportation to and from a medical facility for treatment or physical exams.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-custom-fields'>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><div  class=\"ewd-ufaq-faq-div ewd-ufaq-faq-column-count-one ewd-ufaq-faq-responsive-columns- ewd-ufaq-faq-display-style-default\" id='ewd-ufaq-post-481-wUiduagsmH' data-post_id='481'>\n\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title '>\n\t\n\t<a class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin'  href='https:\/\/maineretirees.org\/ufaqs\/what-type-of-financial-assistance-is-available-for-in-home-care\/' >\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin-symbol ewd-ufaq-square'>\n\t\t\t<span >A<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title-text'>\n\n\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\tWhat type of financial assistance is available for in home care?\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-clear'><\/div>\n\n\t<\/a>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-body ' >\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin ewd-ufaq-faq-post'>\n\t\n<p>Financial assistance for home care is predominately provided by health insurance plans, Medicaid, Veterans Services or private pay.\u00a0 Under most circumstances, financial assistance is dependent on the determination of a physician there is a medical need or a home care assessment by an agency.\u00a0\u00a0 The amount of service can also be determined by the physician or home care assessment.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Maine, home-delivered meals and transportation are generally provided through the local Area Agency on Aging.\u00a0 These agencies can be found at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.maine4a.org\">www.maine4a.org<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-custom-fields'>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<div id='ewd-ufaq-faq-category-legal' class='ewd-ufaq-faq-category'>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-category-title ewd-ufaq-faq-category-title-toggle' tabindex=\"0\" >\n\t\t\n\t\t<h4 title=\"Click here to open Legal Issues\">\n\t\t\tLegal Issues\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-category-inner ewd-ufaq-faq-category-body-hidden' >\n<div  class=\"ewd-ufaq-faq-div ewd-ufaq-faq-column-count-one ewd-ufaq-faq-responsive-columns- ewd-ufaq-faq-display-style-default\" id='ewd-ufaq-post-482-GsisXrKP9I' data-post_id='482'>\n\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title '>\n\t\n\t<a class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin'  href='https:\/\/maineretirees.org\/ufaqs\/are-there-any-legal-services-for-elder-assistance-and-who-do-i-call\/' >\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin-symbol ewd-ufaq-square'>\n\t\t\t<span >A<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title-text'>\n\n\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\tAre there any legal services for elder assistance and who do I call?\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-clear'><\/div>\n\n\t<\/a>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-body ' >\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin ewd-ufaq-faq-post'>\n\t\n<p>Legal Services for the Elderly (LSE) is a nonprofit organization that has been helping Maine seniors since 1974.\u00a0 Their mission is to provide free, high quality legal services to Maine residents who are aged 60 and over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You may reach an attorney by calling their Helpline at 1-800-750-5353 or the Maine State Bar Association Lawyer Referral Services at 1-800-860-1460.\u00a0 You may also reach LSE at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainelse.org\">www.mainelse.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, there may be benefits available from your former employer.\u00a0 For example, State retirees only may contact the Living Resources Program which offers among other services legal\/financial information and support at 1-844-207-5465.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-custom-fields'>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><div  class=\"ewd-ufaq-faq-div ewd-ufaq-faq-column-count-one ewd-ufaq-faq-responsive-columns- ewd-ufaq-faq-display-style-default\" id='ewd-ufaq-post-492-8obb8dNgth' data-post_id='492'>\n\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title '>\n\t\n\t<a class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin'  href='https:\/\/maineretirees.org\/ufaqs\/what-are-the-benefits-of-having-a-will\/' >\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin-symbol ewd-ufaq-square'>\n\t\t\t<span >A<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title-text'>\n\n\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\tWhat are the benefits of having a will?\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-clear'><\/div>\n\n\t<\/a>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-body ' >\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin ewd-ufaq-faq-post'>\n\t\n<p>A will protects your interests after you are gone.\u00a0 If you want to make sure a certain person gets a special item, leave money to a favorite charity, or you want to have your close friend instead of a relative to receive most of your money or property, make a will.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you do not have a will, state law will determine where your things go.\u00a0 A will can prevent family and others from fighting about your property in court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/estate.findlaw.com\/wills\/top-ten-reasons-to-have-a-will.html\">https:\/\/estate.findlaw.com\/wills\/top-ten-reasons-to-have-a-will.html<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-custom-fields'>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<div id='ewd-ufaq-faq-category-mepers' class='ewd-ufaq-faq-category'>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-category-title ewd-ufaq-faq-category-title-toggle' tabindex=\"0\" >\n\t\t\n\t\t<h4 title=\"Click here to open Maine Public Service Retirement System (MainePERS)\">\n\t\t\tMaine Public Service Retirement System (MainePERS)\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-category-inner ewd-ufaq-faq-category-body-hidden' >\n<div  class=\"ewd-ufaq-faq-div ewd-ufaq-faq-column-count-one ewd-ufaq-faq-responsive-columns- ewd-ufaq-faq-display-style-default\" id='ewd-ufaq-post-466-tCMKAe2wI1' data-post_id='466'>\n\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title '>\n\t\n\t<a class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin'  href='https:\/\/maineretirees.org\/ufaqs\/what-is-mepers\/' >\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin-symbol ewd-ufaq-square'>\n\t\t\t<span >A<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title-text'>\n\n\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\tWhat is MainePERS\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-clear'><\/div>\n\n\t<\/a>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-body ' >\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin ewd-ufaq-faq-post'>\n\t\n<p><strong>What You Should Know<\/strong> <br><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mainepers.org\/\">Maine Public Employees Retirement System<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Organization and Structure.<\/strong>\u00a0 The Legislature established Maine\u2019s State Retirement System in 1942 for State Employees. Over time, more public sector workers joined the System, including educators, municipal workers, Governors, judges, and legislators. \u00a0In 2007, the Legislature changed the name to \u201cMaine Public Employees Retirement System\u201d (MainePERS) to better reflect the diverse membership. \u00a0MainePERS also determines eligibility for medical disability benefits, administers death benefits, group life insurance benefits and a defined contribution plan for Participating Local District members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Maine law outlines the powers and duties of the Retirement System, and a Board of Trustees oversees its ongoing operations. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Governor appoints four Trustees:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(2) With relevant training or experience in finance or investments<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(1) Recommended by Maine Education Association -Retired<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(1) Recommended by retired state employees, retired participating local district employees or a committee comprised of representatives of these groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The remaining three Trustees are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(1)Elected by Maine Education Association<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(1)Elected by Maine State Employees Association<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(1)Representing Maine Municipal Association<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The State Treasurer or Deputy serves as an <em>ex officio<\/em> Trustee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Operations and Responsibilities<\/strong>.\u00a0 MainePERS primary function is to administer a \u201cdefined benefit\u201d plan, meaning members can expect a particular monthly income when they retire.\u00a0 MainePERS\u00a0is responsible \u00a0to ensure the financial capacity to fund the system by collecting necessary contributions from employee members, employers (State, municipal or school district) and investing those funds for the long-term. In addition, most plans include an annual cost-of-living adjustment to retiree benefits so the rate of inflation will not erode the buying power of benefits. The System relies on skilled investment and actuarial staff, as well as outside consultants, to accomplish this important responsibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How is the Defined Benefit Determined? <\/strong>The member\u2019s Plan, and choice of payment \u201coption,\u201d determines how the System calculates the monthly benefit. Generally, most members are entitled to receive retirement benefits at age 60, 62 or 65 using a formula based on (average of 3 years highest annual wages) X (years of service) X (2%) divided by 12\u00a0 for the amount of the monthly benefit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What Happens\u00a0When Investments Fail to Perform?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>MainePERS invests in a broad mix of stocks, bonds, and other equities to meet the goals of earning consistent investment returns over time, stable employee and employer contribution rates, and minimizing risk. By definition, retirees in a Defined Benefit plan are entitled to a guaranteed benefit, i.e. the benefit is \u201cdefined.\u201d Since periods of low returns are cyclical and inevitable, the Maine Constitution allows the System to amortize losses over a 20-year period, again to avoid spikes in employer and employee contribution rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>For More Detailed inf<\/strong>ormation<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00a0You can find member and retiree handbooks on the MainePERS website:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mainepers.org\/Publications\/Publications.htm\">https:\/\/www.mainepers.org\/Publications\/Publications.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>For applicable statutory provisions, see: <\/strong>Title 5 MRSA Part 20, Chapters 421, 423, 425, and 427.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-custom-fields'>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><div  class=\"ewd-ufaq-faq-div ewd-ufaq-faq-column-count-one ewd-ufaq-faq-responsive-columns- ewd-ufaq-faq-display-style-default\" id='ewd-ufaq-post-468-KRIB6bQUm3' data-post_id='468'>\n\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title '>\n\t\n\t<a class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin'  href='https:\/\/maineretirees.org\/ufaqs\/what-is-the-mepers-pension\/' >\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin-symbol ewd-ufaq-square'>\n\t\t\t<span >A<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title-text'>\n\n\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\tWhat is the MainePERS pension?\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-clear'><\/div>\n\n\t<\/a>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-body ' >\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin ewd-ufaq-faq-post'>\n\t\n<p>Your MainePERS pension is determined by your years of service, the average of your highest three years of earnings and your age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>MainePERS has different percentage reductions in your benefit if you have not reached the retirement age of your plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can contact MainePERS for your specific information and estimated benefit amounts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-custom-fields'>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><div  class=\"ewd-ufaq-faq-div ewd-ufaq-faq-column-count-one ewd-ufaq-faq-responsive-columns- ewd-ufaq-faq-display-style-default\" id='ewd-ufaq-post-478-KiS4ShxPrm' data-post_id='478'>\n\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title '>\n\t\n\t<a class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin'  href='https:\/\/maineretirees.org\/ufaqs\/do-i-have-a-life-insurance-policy-through-maine-public-employee-retirement-system-mepers\/' >\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin-symbol ewd-ufaq-square'>\n\t\t\t<span >A<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title-text'>\n\n\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\tDo I have a Life Insurance policy through Maine Public Employee Retirement System (MainePERS)?\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-clear'><\/div>\n\n\t<\/a>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-body ' >\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin ewd-ufaq-faq-post'>\n\t\n<p>You may have Life Insurance through MainePERS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>State retirees have the minimum amount of Life Insurance through MainePERS and the value decreases over time to a lower amount.\u00a0 During employment and at retirement you may have increased the life insurance plan.\u00a0 To determine your life insurance benefit, contact MainePERS at (207) 512-3100 or 1-800-451-9800.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As for Educators and Participating Local District retirees, this depends on if your former employer offered this benefit.\u00a0 You can contact MainePERS at (207) 512-3100 or 1-800-451-9800 to determine your benefit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another information source is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mainepers.org\/Group%20Life%20Insurance\/Group_Life_Insurance.htm\">https:\/\/www.mainepers.org\/Group%20Life%20Insurance\/Group_Life_Insurance.htm<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-custom-fields'>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<div id='ewd-ufaq-faq-category-mar' class='ewd-ufaq-faq-category'>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-category-title ewd-ufaq-faq-category-title-toggle' tabindex=\"0\" >\n\t\t\n\t\t<h4 title=\"Click here to open MAR\">\n\t\t\tMAR\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-category-inner ewd-ufaq-faq-category-body-hidden' >\n<div  class=\"ewd-ufaq-faq-div ewd-ufaq-faq-column-count-one ewd-ufaq-faq-responsive-columns- ewd-ufaq-faq-display-style-default\" id='ewd-ufaq-post-485-8yGTgYH6KI' data-post_id='485'>\n\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title '>\n\t\n\t<a class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin'  href='https:\/\/maineretirees.org\/ufaqs\/does-mar-endorse-political-candidates\/' >\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin-symbol ewd-ufaq-square'>\n\t\t\t<span >A<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title-text'>\n\n\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\tDoes MAR endorse political candidates?\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-clear'><\/div>\n\n\t<\/a>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-body ' >\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin ewd-ufaq-faq-post'>\n\t\n<p>MAR is a non-partisan organization, therefore, MAR does not endorse any political candidates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>MAR provides information to the membership on candidates\u2019 positions and encourage members to make their decisions based on the information.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-custom-fields'>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><div  class=\"ewd-ufaq-faq-div ewd-ufaq-faq-column-count-one ewd-ufaq-faq-responsive-columns- ewd-ufaq-faq-display-style-default\" id='ewd-ufaq-post-486-d1ijTct55L' data-post_id='486'>\n\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title '>\n\t\n\t<a class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin'  href='https:\/\/maineretirees.org\/ufaqs\/does-mar-take-partisan-positions-on-issues\/' >\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin-symbol ewd-ufaq-square'>\n\t\t\t<span >A<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title-text'>\n\n\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\tDoes MAR take partisan positions on issues?\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-clear'><\/div>\n\n\t<\/a>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-body ' >\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin ewd-ufaq-faq-post'>\n\t\n<p>MAR does not take positions on partisan issues.\u00a0 MAR does take positions on items affecting Maine public service retirees.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-custom-fields'>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><div  class=\"ewd-ufaq-faq-div ewd-ufaq-faq-column-count-one ewd-ufaq-faq-responsive-columns- ewd-ufaq-faq-display-style-default\" id='ewd-ufaq-post-487-ftUMt152Yn' data-post_id='487'>\n\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title '>\n\t\n\t<a class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin'  href='https:\/\/maineretirees.org\/ufaqs\/does-mar-provide-financial-support-to-political-candidates\/' >\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin-symbol ewd-ufaq-square'>\n\t\t\t<span >A<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title-text'>\n\n\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\tDoes MAR provide financial support to political candidates?\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-clear'><\/div>\n\n\t<\/a>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-body ' >\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin ewd-ufaq-faq-post'>\n\t\n<p>MAR does not provide financial support to political candidates.\u00a0 The membership dues and the organization\u2019s earnings are used for MAR operations and supporting members.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-custom-fields'>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><div  class=\"ewd-ufaq-faq-div ewd-ufaq-faq-column-count-one ewd-ufaq-faq-responsive-columns- ewd-ufaq-faq-display-style-default\" id='ewd-ufaq-post-494-OfLRGueyXr' data-post_id='494'>\n\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title '>\n\t\n\t<a class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin'  href='https:\/\/maineretirees.org\/ufaqs\/upon-a-persons-demise-notification-of-death-is-needed-to-whom\/' >\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin-symbol ewd-ufaq-square'>\n\t\t\t<span >A<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title-text'>\n\n\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\tUpon a person&#8217;s demise, notification of death is needed to whom?\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-clear'><\/div>\n\n\t<\/a>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-body ' >\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin ewd-ufaq-faq-post'>\n\t\n<p>Upon someone\u2019s death, depending on the individual circumstances, multiple organizations and agencies may need to be contacted. \u00a0Each organization may need a copy of the person\u2019s death certificate. \u00a0A general checklist is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><u>Government Agencies<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Social Security Administration <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/planners\/survivors\/howtoapply.html#h1\">www.ssa.gov\/planners\/survivors\/howtoapply.html#h1<\/a><\/li><li>Veteran\u2019s Administration\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.va.gov\">www.va.gov<\/a><\/li><li>Defense Finance and Accounting Services\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.dfas.mil\/\">www.dfas.mil\/<\/a><\/li><li>Office of Personnel Management\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.opm.gov\">www.opm.gov<\/a><\/li><li>U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.uscis.gov\">www.uscis.gov<\/a><\/li><li>Maine Department of Motor Vehicle\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/sos\/bmv\/\">www.maine.gov\/sos\/bmv\/<\/a><\/li><li>Local Town Office<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em><u>Financial Institutions<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Maine Public Employees Retirement System\u00a0 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mepers.org\">www.m<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.mainepers.org\">aine<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.mepers.org\">pers.org<\/a><\/li><li>Credit Card companies<\/li><li>Banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions<\/li><li>Mortgage companies and Lenders<\/li><li>Stockbrokers<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em><u>Insurance and Annity Companies<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Life insurers and Annuity companies<\/li><li>Health, medical and dental insurers<\/li><li>Automotive insurers<\/li><li>Home insurers<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-custom-fields'>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><div  class=\"ewd-ufaq-faq-div ewd-ufaq-faq-column-count-one ewd-ufaq-faq-responsive-columns- ewd-ufaq-faq-display-style-default\" id='ewd-ufaq-post-495-Ql8jicre8T' data-post_id='495'>\n\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title '>\n\t\n\t<a class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin'  href='https:\/\/maineretirees.org\/ufaqs\/when-a-mar-member-passes-can-the-surviving-spouse-continue-mar-membership\/' >\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin-symbol ewd-ufaq-square'>\n\t\t\t<span >A<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title-text'>\n\n\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\tWhen a MAR member passes, can the surviving spouse continue MAR membership?\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-clear'><\/div>\n\n\t<\/a>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-body ' >\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin ewd-ufaq-faq-post'>\n\t\n<p>Yes. Anyone who receives a Maine Public Employee Retirement System (MainePERS) pension may be a member of MAR.\u00a0 If your spouse was a member of MAR and you receive a MainePERS pension on your own or are a beneficiary of the spouse\u2019s MainePERS pension, you can be a member of MAR.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-custom-fields'>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><div  class=\"ewd-ufaq-faq-div ewd-ufaq-faq-column-count-one ewd-ufaq-faq-responsive-columns- ewd-ufaq-faq-display-style-default\" id='ewd-ufaq-post-496-gF3lnqS3Kh' data-post_id='496'>\n\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title '>\n\t\n\t<a class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin'  href='https:\/\/maineretirees.org\/ufaqs\/who-do-i-need-to-contact-to-provide-demographic-changes-phone-address-name-change\/' >\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin-symbol ewd-ufaq-square'>\n\t\t\t<span >A<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title-text'>\n\n\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\tWho do I need to contact to provide demographic changes (phone, address, name change)?\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-clear'><\/div>\n\n\t<\/a>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-body ' >\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin ewd-ufaq-faq-post'>\n\t\n<p>You can contact Maine Association of Retirees (MAR) at 207-582-1960, or email <a href=\"mailto:mar@maineretirees.org\">mar@maineretirees.org<\/a> or mail 280 Maine Avenue, Farmingdale, Maine 04344 to change demographic information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other organizations you may want to contact are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Social Security Administration<\/li><li>Veteran\u2019s Administration<\/li><li>Maine Department of Motor Vehicle<\/li><li>Local Town Office<\/li><li>Maine Public Employees Retirement System<\/li><li>Credit card companies<\/li><li>Banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions<\/li><li>Mortgage companies and Lenders<\/li><li>Stockbrokers<\/li><li>Utility companies<\/li><li>Insurance companies<\/li><li>Medical Coverage<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-custom-fields'>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<div id='ewd-ufaq-faq-category-medical' class='ewd-ufaq-faq-category'>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-category-title ewd-ufaq-faq-category-title-toggle' tabindex=\"0\" >\n\t\t\n\t\t<h4 title=\"Click here to open Medical Coverage\">\n\t\t\tMedical Coverage\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-category-inner ewd-ufaq-faq-category-body-hidden' >\n<div  class=\"ewd-ufaq-faq-div ewd-ufaq-faq-column-count-one ewd-ufaq-faq-responsive-columns- ewd-ufaq-faq-display-style-default\" id='ewd-ufaq-post-488-Tyl3tTRtKB' data-post_id='488'>\n\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title '>\n\t\n\t<a class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin'  href='https:\/\/maineretirees.org\/ufaqs\/whom-do-i-contact-for-specific-medical-rx-benefit-questions\/' >\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin-symbol ewd-ufaq-square'>\n\t\t\t<span >A<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title-text'>\n\n\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\tWhom do I contact for specific medical\/Rx benefit questions?\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-clear'><\/div>\n\n\t<\/a>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-body ' >\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin ewd-ufaq-faq-post'>\n\t\n<p>State government retirees (including judicial, legislative, and ancillary groups) may contact the Office of Employee Health and Benefits at 207-624-7380 or go to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.maine.gov\/bhr\/oeh\/benefits\/health-prescriptions\/medicare-advantage-plan\">www.maine.gov\/bhr\/oeh\/benefits\/health-prescriptions\/medicare-advantage-plan<\/a>.\u00a0 You may also contact Aetna Medicare Advantage Customer Service at 1-888-267-2637.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Retired educators may contact MEA Benefits Trust at 1-888-622-4418 or find more information at <a href=\"http:\/\/meabt.org\/contact\">http:\/\/meabt.org\/contact<\/a>.\u00a0 You may also contact Anthem First Impressions Customer Service at 1-844-951-0624.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Municipal retirees may contact Maine Municipal Employees Health Trust at 1-800-852-8300 or get further information at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mmeht.org\/medical-plans\/retiree-group-companion-plan\/\">https:\/\/www.mmeht.org\/medical-plans\/retiree-group-companion-plan\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You may contact Anthem Customer Service at the number on the back of your medical ID card.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-custom-fields'>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<div id='ewd-ufaq-faq-category-medicare' class='ewd-ufaq-faq-category'>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-category-title ewd-ufaq-faq-category-title-toggle' tabindex=\"0\" >\n\t\t\n\t\t<h4 title=\"Click here to open Medicare\">\n\t\t\tMedicare\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-category-inner ewd-ufaq-faq-category-body-hidden' >\n<div  class=\"ewd-ufaq-faq-div ewd-ufaq-faq-column-count-one ewd-ufaq-faq-responsive-columns- ewd-ufaq-faq-display-style-default\" id='ewd-ufaq-post-476-FQ3Yj8wzzP' data-post_id='476'>\n\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title '>\n\t\n\t<a class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin'  href='https:\/\/maineretirees.org\/ufaqs\/do-i-have-to-purchase-medicare\/' >\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin-symbol ewd-ufaq-square'>\n\t\t\t<span >A<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title-text'>\n\n\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\tDo I have to purchase Medicare?\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-clear'><\/div>\n\n\t<\/a>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-body ' >\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin ewd-ufaq-faq-post'>\n\t\r\n<p>Federal Medicare has four parts:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Medicare Part A:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hospitalization<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Medicare Part B:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Surgery, Physicians, etc.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Medicare Part C:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Companion Plan or Advantage Plan<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Medicare Part D:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Prescription Drug Coverage<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The majority of Public Service Retirees have to apply for Medicare Parts A &#038; B at age 65.\u00a0 There will be a monthly cost based on your individual circumstances.\u00a0 In general, the cost for 2022 is $170.10 per month per person.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>For the majority of Public Service Retirees, the State Employee Health Commission (SEHC), Maine Education Association (MEA) Benefits Trust, and the Maine Municipal Association (MMA) Employees Health Trust provide retirees with Medicare Part C.\u00a0 Medicare Part C benefits includes prescription drug coverage. Therefore, there is NO need to purchase a separate Medicare Part D plan.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Specific information on the Medicare Part C plans can be provided by:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>State Retirees<\/td>\r\n<td>Employee Health and Benefits <a href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/bhr\/oeh\/benefits\">https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/bhr\/oeh\/benefits<\/a> (207) 624-7380<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Retired Educators<\/td>\r\n<td>Maine Education Association Benefit Trust <a href=\"http:\/\/meabt.org\/benefits\">http:\/\/meabt.org\/benefits<\/a> (207) 622-4418\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Participating Local District Retirees<\/td>\r\n<td>Maine Municipal Association Employees Health Trust <a href=\"https:\/\/memun.org\/Insurance-Services\/Maine-Municipal-Employees-Health-Trust\">https:\/\/memun.org\/Insurance-Services\/Maine-Municipal-Employees-Health-Trust<\/a> (207) 623-8428<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/pubs\/EN-05-10530.pdf\">https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/pubs\/EN-05-10530.pdf<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-custom-fields'>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><div  class=\"ewd-ufaq-faq-div ewd-ufaq-faq-column-count-one ewd-ufaq-faq-responsive-columns- ewd-ufaq-faq-display-style-default\" id='ewd-ufaq-post-477-bS6n80MgRP' data-post_id='477'>\n\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title '>\n\t\n\t<a class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin'  href='https:\/\/maineretirees.org\/ufaqs\/do-i-have-to-purchase-medicare-part-d\/' >\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin-symbol ewd-ufaq-square'>\n\t\t\t<span >A<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title-text'>\n\n\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\tDo I have to purchase Medicare Part D?\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-clear'><\/div>\n\n\t<\/a>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-body ' >\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin ewd-ufaq-faq-post'>\n\t\r\n<p>NO.\u00a0 Your Companion Plan or Medicare Advantage Plan includes prescription drug coverage.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicare.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.medicare.gov\/<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/medicare-qa-tool\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/medicare-qa-tool\/<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/pubs\/EN-05-10043.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/pubs\/EN-05-10043.pdf<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-custom-fields'>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><div  class=\"ewd-ufaq-faq-div ewd-ufaq-faq-column-count-one ewd-ufaq-faq-responsive-columns- ewd-ufaq-faq-display-style-default\" id='ewd-ufaq-post-490-X6Z3JgTPTT' data-post_id='490'>\n\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title '>\n\t\n\t<a class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin'  href='https:\/\/maineretirees.org\/ufaqs\/how-does-medicare-coordinate-with-companion-plan-coverage\/' >\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin-symbol ewd-ufaq-square'>\n\t\t\t<span >A<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title-text'>\n\n\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\tHow does Medicare coordinate with Companion Plan coverage?\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-clear'><\/div>\n\n\t<\/a>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-body ' >\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin ewd-ufaq-faq-post'>\n\t\n<p>According to Medicare rules, retiree insurance pays secondary to Medicare. This means that Medicare pays first for your health care, and then your retiree coverage pays for some or all of the costs that Medicare did not cover. The secondary payer only pays if there are costs the primary insurer didn&#8217;t cover.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-custom-fields'>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><div  class=\"ewd-ufaq-faq-div ewd-ufaq-faq-column-count-one ewd-ufaq-faq-responsive-columns- ewd-ufaq-faq-display-style-default\" id='ewd-ufaq-post-491-JN2RyqfrdH' data-post_id='491'>\n\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title '>\n\t\n\t<a class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin'  href='https:\/\/maineretirees.org\/ufaqs\/what-if-i-or-my-spouse-need-nursing-home-care-and-we-dont-have-long-term-care-insurance\/' >\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin-symbol ewd-ufaq-square'>\n\t\t\t<span >A<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title-text'>\n\n\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\tWhat if I or my spouse need nursing home care and we don&#8217;t have Long Term Care Insurance?\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-clear'><\/div>\n\n\t<\/a>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-body ' >\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin ewd-ufaq-faq-post'>\n\t\n<p>Neither Medicare or your retiree insurance will pay for nursing home care.\u00a0 MaineCare (Medicaid) may pay for nursing home care if a person meets MaineCare\u2019s financial eligibility requirements and other\u00a0 eligibility conditions.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For additional information on MaineCare nursing home requirements, contact:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Department of Health &#038; Human Services<br>                                    11 State House Station<br>                                    Augusta, ME 04333<br>                                    Phone: (207) 287-9200<br>                                    Website: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.maine.gov\/dhhs\/oads\/\">www.maine.gov\/dhhs\/oads\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/longtermcare.acl.gov\/index.html\">https:\/\/longtermcare.acl.gov\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.familyassets.com\/nursing-homes\/resources\/skilled-nursing-vs-nursing-home\">https:\/\/www.familyassets.com\/nursing-homes\/resources\/skilled-nursing-vs-nursing-home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nia.nih.gov\/health\/paying-care\">https:\/\/www.nia.nih.gov\/health\/paying-care<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nia.nih.gov\/health\/what-long-term-care\">https:\/\/www.nia.nih.gov\/health\/what-long-term-care<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maineombudsman.org\/\">https:\/\/www.maineombudsman.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/eldercare.acl.gov\/Public\/Index.aspx\">https:\/\/eldercare.acl.gov\/Public\/Index.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-custom-fields'>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<div id='ewd-ufaq-faq-category-retirement' class='ewd-ufaq-faq-category'>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-category-title ewd-ufaq-faq-category-title-toggle' tabindex=\"0\" >\n\t\t\n\t\t<h4 title=\"Click here to open Retirement\">\n\t\t\tRetirement\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-category-inner ewd-ufaq-faq-category-body-hidden' >\n<div  class=\"ewd-ufaq-faq-div ewd-ufaq-faq-column-count-one ewd-ufaq-faq-responsive-columns- ewd-ufaq-faq-display-style-default\" id='ewd-ufaq-post-483-vgi30oyOeB' data-post_id='483'>\n\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title '>\n\t\n\t<a class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin'  href='https:\/\/maineretirees.org\/ufaqs\/how-will-my-retirement-decisions-affect-my-spouse\/' >\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin-symbol ewd-ufaq-square'>\n\t\t\t<span >A<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title-text'>\n\n\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\tHow will my retirement decisions affect my spouse?\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-clear'><\/div>\n\n\t<\/a>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-body ' >\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin ewd-ufaq-faq-post'>\n\t\n<p>What the impact of your retirement on your spouse depends on many factors.\u00a0 Some of the factors to evaluate are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Does your spouse have their own employer sponsored pension?<\/li><li>Is your spouse eligible or in receipt of federal Social Security Retirement Benefits? Federal Social Security Disability Benefits?<\/li><li>Is your spouse eligible or will be eligible for Medicare based on their own employment history?<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The answer to each of these questions will lead you into a different direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example:\u00a0 Your spouse is also a public service retire with a MainePERS pension, eligible for employer sponsored Medicare Advantage program and are not eligible for federal Social Security benefits, your retirement will have little financial impact on your spouse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another example:\u00a0 Your spouse has had very little employment history, a very small federal Social Security benefit (under $100 per month), and is not, on their own, eligible for Medicare.\u00a0 Their eligibility for Medicare is tied to your work history and their financial security is based on your MainePERS pension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In a case such as above, choosing a MainePERS pension option which distributes a larger portion to your spouse on your passing may be a valid option.\u00a0 Evaluating the cost of dependent care through your employer\u2019s Medicare Advantage program may be necessary to determine is the cost is doable with your pension benefit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each situation has to be individually evaluated depending of your circumstance.\u00a0There is NO one answer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-custom-fields'>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><div  class=\"ewd-ufaq-faq-div ewd-ufaq-faq-column-count-one ewd-ufaq-faq-responsive-columns- ewd-ufaq-faq-display-style-default\" id='ewd-ufaq-post-484-aBqwoNvMbm' data-post_id='484'>\n\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title '>\n\t\n\t<a class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin'  href='https:\/\/maineretirees.org\/ufaqs\/when-contemplating-retirement-what-items-should-i-consider\/' >\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin-symbol ewd-ufaq-square'>\n\t\t\t<span >A<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title-text'>\n\n\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\tWhen contemplating retirement, what items should I consider?\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-clear'><\/div>\n\n\t<\/a>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-body ' >\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin ewd-ufaq-faq-post'>\n\t\n<p>Deciding when to retire is a life altering decision with many items to consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Financial security is a large part of the decision.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Are you Social Security eligible?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Under the federal Social Security System, you can retire at age 62, however, there are financial reductions if you retire before your specific \u201cage of retirement.\u201d\u00a0 The \u201cage of retirement\u201d for federal Social Security is based on your birthdate.<\/li><li>If you retire before your \u201cage of retirement\u201d there is an amount of earnings you are allowed before it impacts your Social Security.<\/li><li>The federal Social Security Administration can provide you with the information specific to you.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Are you Medicare eligible?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Most individuals are required to enroll in Medicare at age 65.<\/li><li>If you are receiving Social Security benefits, the cost of Medicare Part B will be deducted from your Social Security benefit.<\/li><li>If you do not receive Social Security or you do not receive enough Social Security benefit to cover the cost of Medicare, you will be billed for Medicare Part B.\u00a0 Some retirees are bills quarterly and some monthly.<\/li><li>If you are not Medicare eligible or not of age to receive Medicare, what is the cost of health care coverage?\u00a0 Your health care coverage may be through your former employer or you may need to enroll in a health care plan through the market.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>What will be your MainePERS pension?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Your MainePERS pension is determined by your years of service, the average of your highest three years of earnings and your age.<\/li><li>MainePERS has different percentage reductions in your benefit if you have not reached the retirement age of your plan.<\/li><li>You can contact MainePERS for your specific information and estimated benefit amounts.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/pubs\/EN-05-10377.pdf\">https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/pubs\/EN-05-10377.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.socialsecurity.gov\/planners\/retire\">https:\/\/www.socialsecurity.gov\/planners\/retire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/planners\/retire\/otherthings.html\">https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/planners\/retire\/otherthings.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.socialsecurity.gov\/pubs\/EN-05-10147.pdf\">https:\/\/www.socialsecurity.gov\/pubs\/EN-05-10147.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.merrilledge.com\/article\/ready-set-retire-8-deadlines-you-need-to-know\">https:\/\/www.merrilledge.com\/article\/ready-set-retire-8-deadlines-you-need-to-know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/retirement\/planning-for-retirement\/\">https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/retirement\/planning-for-retirement\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-custom-fields'>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<div id='ewd-ufaq-faq-category-socsec' class='ewd-ufaq-faq-category'>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-category-title ewd-ufaq-faq-category-title-toggle' tabindex=\"0\" >\n\t\t\n\t\t<h4 title=\"Click here to open Social Security\">\n\t\t\tSocial Security\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-category-inner ewd-ufaq-faq-category-body-hidden' >\n<div  class=\"ewd-ufaq-faq-div ewd-ufaq-faq-column-count-one ewd-ufaq-faq-responsive-columns- ewd-ufaq-faq-display-style-default\" id='ewd-ufaq-post-472-1HOQV0Tp13' data-post_id='472'>\n\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title '>\n\t\n\t<a class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin'  href='https:\/\/maineretirees.org\/ufaqs\/what-is-the-social-security-windfall-elimination-provision-wep\/' >\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin-symbol ewd-ufaq-square'>\n\t\t\t<span >A<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title-text'>\n\n\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\tWhat is the Social Security Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP)?\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-clear'><\/div>\n\n\t<\/a>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-body ' >\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin ewd-ufaq-faq-post'>\n\t\n<p>In 1983, the Maine Legislature and Administration choose not to participate in the federal Social Security System for Public Service Employees (Legislators, Judges, Troopers, State Employees, Educators and some Municipal Employees) and choose to participate in the Maine Public Service Retirement System (MainePERS).\u00a0 This decision impacts the method the federal Social Security System uses to determine the Social Security retirement benefits for MainePERS retirees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Federal Social Security benefits are calculated based on the average monthly earnings over thirty-five years (AIME).\u00a0 Once the AIME is determined, a three tiered formula is used to calculate the monthly Social Security retirement benefit.\u00a0 The first $826 of the AIME provides 90% of the AIME as part of the Social Security benefit; the AIME amount between $827 and $4,980 provides 32% of the AIME as part of the Social Security benefit; and the AIME over $4,980 provides 15% of the Social Security benefit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><u>SOCIAL SECURITY CALCULATION <\/u><\/strong><strong><u>WITHOUT<\/u><\/strong><strong><u> THE WINDFALL PROVISION<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>AIME<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Percentage<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>SS Benefit Amount<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Up to $826<\/td><td>90%<\/td><td>$\u00a0 743.40 Maximum<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>$827 to $4,980<\/td><td>32%<\/td><td>$1,593.60 Maximum<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>$4,980 and up<\/td><td>15%<\/td><td>$\u00a0\u00a0 747.00 Maximum<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Total<\/td><td>\u00a0<\/td><td>$3,083.00<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong><u>WINDFALL ELIMINATION PROVISION (WEP)<\/u><\/strong> changes the formula for determining the Social Security benefit with the intent to take into account the years someone was not paying Social Security because of another public pension versus no Social Security due to no employment.\u00a0 For MainePERS retirees, the formula changes the percentage in the first tier of the formula from 90% to 40%.\u00a0 The remaining two tiers are unchanged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><u>SOCIAL SECURITY CALCULATION <\/u><\/strong><strong><u>WITH<\/u><\/strong><strong><u> WINDFALL ELIMINATION PROVISION<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>AIME<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Percentage<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>SS Benefit Amount<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Up to $826<\/td><td>40%<\/td><td>$\u00a0 330.40 Maximum<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>$827 to $4,980<\/td><td>32%<\/td><td>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 $1,593.60 Maximum<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>$4,980 and up<\/td><td>15%<\/td><td>\u00a0$\u00a0\u00a0 747.00 Maximum<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Total<\/td><td>\u00a0<\/td><td>$2,670.40<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/pubs\/EN-05-10045.pdf\">https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/pubs\/EN-05-10045.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/benefits\/retirement\/planner\/wep.html\">https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/benefits\/retirement\/planner\/wep.html<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-custom-fields'>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><div  class=\"ewd-ufaq-faq-div ewd-ufaq-faq-column-count-one ewd-ufaq-faq-responsive-columns- ewd-ufaq-faq-display-style-default\" id='ewd-ufaq-post-473-eGfr5xCvwC' data-post_id='473'>\n\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title '>\n\t\n\t<a class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin'  href='https:\/\/maineretirees.org\/ufaqs\/how-am-i-going-to-be-impacted-by-the-wep\/' >\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin-symbol ewd-ufaq-square'>\n\t\t\t<span >A<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title-text'>\n\n\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\tHow am I going to be impacted by the WEP?\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-clear'><\/div>\n\n\t<\/a>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-body ' >\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin ewd-ufaq-faq-post'>\n\t\n<p>When determining the impact of the WEP, the number of years a MainePERS retiree participated in the federal Social Security System with substantial earnings impacts the percentage formula in the first tier of the calculation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When a MainePERS retiree has between 20 and 30 years of participation in the federal Social Security System, the percentage in the first tier of the calculation is as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td>SS Years<\/td><td>20<\/td><td>21<\/td><td>22<\/td><td>23<\/td><td>24<\/td><td>25<\/td><td>26<\/td><td>27<\/td><td>28<\/td><td>29<\/td><td>30<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Percentage<\/td><td>0.4<\/td><td>0.45<\/td><td>0.5<\/td><td>0.55<\/td><td>0.6<\/td><td>0.65<\/td><td>0.7<\/td><td>0.75<\/td><td>0.8<\/td><td>0.85<\/td><td>0.9<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>$826<\/td><td>$330.40<\/td><td>$371.70<\/td><td>$413<\/td><td>$454.30<\/td><td>$495.60<\/td><td>$536.90<\/td><td>$578.20<\/td><td>$619.50<\/td><td>$660.80<\/td><td>$702.10<\/td><td>$743.40<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If a MainePERS retiree has 30 + years substantial participation in the federal Social Security System, there is no WEP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/pubs\/EN-05-10045.pdf\">https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/pubs\/EN-05-10045.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/benefits\/retirement\/planner\/wep.html\">https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/benefits\/retirement\/planner\/wep.html<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-custom-fields'>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><div  class=\"ewd-ufaq-faq-div ewd-ufaq-faq-column-count-one ewd-ufaq-faq-responsive-columns- ewd-ufaq-faq-display-style-default\" id='ewd-ufaq-post-474-dRHNkkQeD7' data-post_id='474'>\n\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title '>\n\t\n\t<a class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin'  href='https:\/\/maineretirees.org\/ufaqs\/what-is-the-social-security-government-pension-offset-gpo\/' >\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin-symbol ewd-ufaq-square'>\n\t\t\t<span >A<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title-text'>\n\n\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\tWhat is the Social Security Government Pension Offset (GPO)?\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-clear'><\/div>\n\n\t<\/a>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-body ' >\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin ewd-ufaq-faq-post'>\n\t\n<p>The federal Social Security Government Pension Offset (GPO) is the method Social Security uses to determine the level of Social Security survivors benefits for retirees who receive a pension from an entity which did not participate in the Social Security System.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/planners\/retire\/gpo.html\">http:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/planners\/retire\/gpo.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/pubs\/EN-05-10007.pdf\">https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/pubs\/EN-05-10007.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/benefits\/retirement\/planner\/gpo-calc.html\">https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/benefits\/retirement\/planner\/gpo-calc.html<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-custom-fields'>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><div  class=\"ewd-ufaq-faq-div ewd-ufaq-faq-column-count-one ewd-ufaq-faq-responsive-columns- ewd-ufaq-faq-display-style-default\" id='ewd-ufaq-post-475-4fwCJzVoPX' data-post_id='475'>\n\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title '>\n\t\n\t<a class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin'  href='https:\/\/maineretirees.org\/ufaqs\/how-am-i-going-to-be-impacted-by-the-gpo\/' >\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin-symbol ewd-ufaq-square'>\n\t\t\t<span >A<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title-text'>\n\n\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\tHow am I going to be impacted by the GPO?\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-clear'><\/div>\n\n\t<\/a>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-body ' >\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin ewd-ufaq-faq-post'>\n\t\n<p>MainePERS retirees are impacted by the GPO due to the fact that the State of Maine does not participate in the federal Social Security System.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The GPO impacts spouses, widowers, and widowers who receive monthly MainePERS pensions they have earned.\u00a0 <strong>If the person is a beneficiary, the GPO does not apply to them.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For survivors who are MainePERS recipients based on their earnings (not a spouse)\u00a02\/3 of your MainePERS pension amount will be reduced from your Social Security survivor\u2019s benefit.\u00a0 Social Security survivor\u2019s benefits are \u00bd of the Social Security worker\u2019s benefit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><u>EXAMPLE 1:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Spouse receives $1,500 in Social Security benefit<\/li><li>Your MainePERS pension is $1,000 per month<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Spouse passes away<ul><li>Social Security survivor\u2019s benefit would be $750 per month<\/li><li>Minus 2\/3 of MainePERS pension ($1,000 x .67) = $660<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <strong>SS Survivors Benefit = $90<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><u>EXAMPLE 2:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Spouse receives $1,500 in Social Security benefit<\/li><li>Your MainePERS pension is $1,750 per month<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Spouse passes away<ul><li>Social Security benefit would be $750 per month<\/li><li>Minus 2\/3 of MainePERS pension ($1,750 x .67) = $1,155<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <strong>SS Survivors Benefit = $0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>If the MainePERS pension was \u201cearned\u201d by your spouse, the GPO does not affect your Social Security benefit.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/planners\/retire\/gpo.html\">http:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/planners\/retire\/gpo.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/pubs\/EN-05-10007.pdf\">https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/pubs\/EN-05-10007.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/benefits\/retirement\/planner\/gpo-calc.html\">https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/benefits\/retirement\/planner\/gpo-calc.html<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-custom-fields'>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><div  class=\"ewd-ufaq-faq-div ewd-ufaq-faq-column-count-one ewd-ufaq-faq-responsive-columns- ewd-ufaq-faq-display-style-default\" id='ewd-ufaq-post-489-yGXE4WMOvG' data-post_id='489'>\n\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title '>\n\t\n\t<a class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin'  href='https:\/\/maineretirees.org\/ufaqs\/how-do-i-calculate-when-it-is-most-beneficial-to-take-social-security\/' >\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin-symbol ewd-ufaq-square'>\n\t\t\t<span >A<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title-text'>\n\n\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\tHow do I calculate when it is most beneficial to take Social Security?\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-clear'><\/div>\n\n\t<\/a>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-body ' >\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin ewd-ufaq-faq-post'>\n\t\n<p>There is NO best age for everyone to take Social Security.\u00a0 The most financially beneficial age to draw Social Security benefits is based on individual and family circumstances.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most individuals (if they have worked under Social Security for 40 quarters with substantial earnings) can start receiving Social Security benefits at age 62.\u00a0 However, your full benefit is dependent on your year of birth.\u00a0 Your full retirement age can be found on<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/benefits\/retirement\/learn.html#h3\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/benefits\/retirement\/learn.html#h3\">https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/benefits\/retirement\/learn.html#h3<\/a>.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Drawing Social Security benefits prior to reaching your full retirement age will result in a reduction of benefits, however you will be drawing the benefit for a longer period of time.\u00a0 If you delay drawing Social Security to after your full retirement age, the benefit level will be larger however you will be drawing the benefit for less years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Individuals can meet with their local Social Security Office to obtain specific information on their situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Individuals need to evaluate the following issues:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Current cash needs<\/li><li>Current health<\/li><li>Family longevity<\/li><li>Plan to work or not in retirement<\/li><li>Future financial needs<\/li><li>Future financial obligations<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to the impact on the amount of Social Security benefits, most individuals are required to enroll in Medicare at age 65.\u00a0 If you are receiving Social Security benefit, under federal law, your Medicare Part B premium cannot increase more than the Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment.\u00a0 However, if you are not in receipt of Social Security Benefits, there is no protection for the potential increase in Medicare Part B premium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.investopedia.com\/retirement\/when-take-social-security-complete-guide\/\">https:\/\/www.investopedia.com\/retirement\/when-take-social-security-complete-guide\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-custom-fields'>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><div  class=\"ewd-ufaq-faq-div ewd-ufaq-faq-column-count-one ewd-ufaq-faq-responsive-columns- ewd-ufaq-faq-display-style-default\" id='ewd-ufaq-post-497-fWBxhcmM94' data-post_id='497'>\n\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title '>\n\t\n\t<a class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin'  href='https:\/\/maineretirees.org\/ufaqs\/what-is-the-impact-on-my-pension-and-or-social-security-if-i-go-to-work\/' >\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin-symbol ewd-ufaq-square'>\n\t\t\t<span >A<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title-text'>\n\n\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\tWhat is the impact on my pension and\/or social security if I go to work?\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-clear'><\/div>\n\n\t<\/a>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-body ' >\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin ewd-ufaq-faq-post'>\n\t\n<p>If you are receiving Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS) pension, going to work at a position not covered by MainePERS, there is no impact on your MainePERS pension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are in receipt of Social Security retirement benefits, going to work may impact your Social Security retirement benefits.\u00a0 The federal Social Security Administration has an \u201cofficial age of retirement\u201d based on your birth date.\u00a0 If you receive Social Security retirement benefits prior to reaching your \u201cofficial age of retirement\u201d according to the Social Security Administration, your earnings can impact your Social Security retirement benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The first step when deciding if you want to return to work, you need to ask the Social Security Administration your personal \u201cofficial age of retirement.\u201d\u00a0 The Social Security Administration can provide you the amount you can earn before your Social Security retirement benefit is impacted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you reach your \u201cofficial age of retirement,\u201d there is NO offset to your Social Security retirement benefit due to earnings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you return to public service covered by MainePERS, the state law has changed.\u00a0 There was a state law that limited state retirees and educators\u2019 wages and benefits if they returned to employment covered by MainePERS.\u00a0\u00a0 Those limitations have been removed.\u00a0 The one limit is employment time after retirement will not be added to your MainePERS calculation for pension purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mainepers.org\/Retired%20Members\/Retired_Return_to_Work.htm\">https:\/\/www.mainepers.org\/Retired%20Members\/Retired_Return_to_Work.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.investopedia.com\/articles\/personal-finance\/120715\/how-does-my-parttime-job-affect-social-security.asp\">https:\/\/www.investopedia.com\/articles\/personal-finance\/120715\/how-does-my-parttime-job-affect-social-security.asp<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.investopedia.com\/ask\/answers\/020215\/can-i-collect-social-security-if-i-still-have-job.asp\">https:\/\/www.investopedia.com\/ask\/answers\/020215\/can-i-collect-social-security-if-i-still-have-job.asp<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-custom-fields'>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<div id='ewd-ufaq-faq-category-veterans' class='ewd-ufaq-faq-category'>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-category-title ewd-ufaq-faq-category-title-toggle' tabindex=\"0\" >\n\t\t\n\t\t<h4 title=\"Click here to open Veterans\">\n\t\t\tVeterans\t\t\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-category-inner ewd-ufaq-faq-category-body-hidden' >\n<div  class=\"ewd-ufaq-faq-div ewd-ufaq-faq-column-count-one ewd-ufaq-faq-responsive-columns- ewd-ufaq-faq-display-style-default\" id='ewd-ufaq-post-493-IMHs5dBLZj' data-post_id='493'>\n\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title '>\n\t\n\t<a class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin'  href='https:\/\/maineretirees.org\/ufaqs\/where-do-i-find-out-information-about-veterans-benefits\/' >\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin-symbol ewd-ufaq-square'>\n\t\t\t<span >A<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-title-text'>\n\n\t\t\t<h4>\n\t\t\t\tWhere do I find out information about Veterans benefits?\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-clear'><\/div>\n\n\t<\/a>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-body ' >\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-post-margin ewd-ufaq-faq-post'>\n\t\n<p>There are many different types of Veterans\u2019 benefits from employment, finances, housing to memorialization.\u00a0 To access benefits, different eligibility factors are considered such as service history, medical need, income level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In order to determine the benefits you may be eligible for due to your military service gathering your DD 214, your military history with the branch of service you participate in, and any medical information related to your military service will be helpful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Maine, the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management, Bureau of Veterans Affairs is a place to start.\u00a0 You can contact the Bureau at 207-430-6035 or on-line at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/dvem\/\">https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/dvem\/<\/a>. or download the Welcome-kit at: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.va.gov\/welcome-kit\/\">https:\/\/www.va.gov\/welcome-kit\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Below are other on-line information sites:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.va.gov\/service-member-benefits\/#time-sensitive-va-benefits-to-consider-when-separating-or-retiring\">https:\/\/www.va.gov\/service-member-benefits\/#time-sensitive-va-benefits-to-consider-when-separating-or-retiring<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.va.gov\/service-member-benefits\/#va-benefits-you-can-use-during-and-after-service\">https:\/\/www.va.gov\/service-member-benefits\/#va-benefits-you-can-use-during-and-after-service<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.va.gov\/opa\/persona\/dependent_survivor.asp\">https:\/\/www.va.gov\/opa\/persona\/dependent_survivor.asp<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/veterans\/faq\/index.html\">https:\/\/www.maine.gov\/veterans\/faq\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class='ewd-ufaq-faq-custom-fields'>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A Where do I find out information about Veterans benefits? There are many different types of Veterans\u2019 benefits from employment, finances, housing to memorialization.\u00a0 To access benefits, different eligibility factors are considered such as service history, medical need, income level. In order to determine the benefits you may be eligible for due to your military &#8230; <a title=\"Where do I find out information about Veterans benefits?\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/maineretirees.org\/ufaqs\/where-do-i-find-out-information-about-veterans-benefits\/\" aria-label=\"More on Where do I find out information about Veterans benefits?\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"generate_page_header":"","footnotes":""},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>FAQs - Maine Association of Retirees | Farmingdale<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/maineretirees.org\/faqs\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"FAQs - Maine Association of Retirees | Farmingdale\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A Where do I find out information about Veterans benefits? There are many different types of Veterans\u2019 benefits from employment, finances, housing to memorialization.\u00a0 To access benefits, different eligibility factors are considered such as service history, medical need, income level. In order to determine the benefits you may be eligible for due to your military ... 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