International President Bob Scardelletti has announced the good news that the lifetime maximum under the negotiated medical plans for early retirees will increase by $5,300 from $107,700 to $113,000, effective January 1, 2009, due to automatic adjustments based on medical cost inflation. The change affects members enrolled in the Railroad Employees National Early Retirement Major Medical Plan (United Healthcare Policy GA-46000) or in AmPlan, the identical plan for retired Amtrak employees.
These plans provide a bridge of medical insurance coverage for those members who have retired before age 65 and therefore do not yet qualify for Medicare. The plans are available to qualified retirees and eligible dependents at no cost to the individual. Generally, retirees between ages 60 and 65 with at least 360 months (30 years) of railroad service can participate in the plans as long as they had coverage on the day before their retirement under the Railroad Employees National Health and Welfare Plan or under AmPlan.
