PAX Centurion - Fall 2017

www.bppa.org PAX CENTURION • Fall 2017 • Page 9 Officers & EMS Personnel were recognized for their heroic actions during the 52 nd BPPA Appreciation Banquet at Venezia’s in Dorchester. See more photos on pages 12-23. Treasury Notes: Robert P. Colburn, BPPA Treasurer Congratulations and thanks for the service of all of the recent retirees Dear Brothers and Sisters, I t was another successful retirement dinner celebration at Venezia Restaurant on September 15, where we recognized the years of service and dedication that our brothers and sisters have put on this job – each of you will be sorely missed. I again recognize fellow officers AndrewWest, Roger Converse, HectorAlicea, Stephen Carrio, Robert Muller, James Davis, Anne Corcoran, Edward Hamilton, Michael Curry, Gail Tompkins, Joseph Fisher, Dino Gonzalez, John Burke, Susan Reed, Dianne Lashley, Francis Deary, Michael J. Griffin, David Roberto, Carlos Lara, Antonio Dimaggio, Perry Roy, Patrick Butler, William Carroll, Edward Spencer, John Fitzpatrick, Mario Lozano, RoseannAtkins-Tyler, Terry Cotton, Richard McCormack, Basil Buchanan, Claudio McKenzie, Laverne Cameron, Denise Reed, Martin Ryan, Gary Lewis, Mary Bowes, Katherine Gaines, Kenneth Peters, Vatchel Younger, Anthony Green, William Cullinane, Robert Ward, JustinaWard, and Christopher Sullivan. If any of you were unable to make it out to the event, your plaques are waiting for you at the Hall. If you are local, please let me know and I will drop it off to you if you would like. Remarks were given by Governor Charlie Baker, Mayor MartyWalsh, Police Commissioner William Evans, and Chief of EMS JimHooley. Each of them appropriately expressed words of thanks and appreciation to this group of brave men and women that had put their lives on the line every day to protect this great city of Boston. The BPPA also recognized the eight officers that almost lost their lives in 2016 in East Boston when officers responded to a call for a domestic disturbance between roommates. Secretary Chris Broderick presented Officer Rich Cintolo, Officer Matt Morris, Officer Eric Schmidt, Officer Joe Greco, Officer Joe McSorley, Officer Cliff Singletary, Officer Lenin Ortiz, and Sergeant Norberto Perez with plaques in recognition of their exemplary service. This was a night to remember – a night spent among the only people that can relate to what it means to put on that uniform every day, a night to give credit where credit’s due. I salute each and every one of you. Retirement information S peaking of retirement, if you are receiving a retirement or pension allowance from the Boston Retirement Board, you and your family members are still eligible to participate in City of Boston health insurance. Family members generally include spouses, children until they reach age 26, and disabled children over age 26 (if they who depend on you for principal support and are unable to earn a living on their own due to a mental or physical condition, provided the disability began before age 19 or prior to age 26 while dependent on you for principal support). Retirees pay the same percentage of the health insurance premiums as active employees – they are withheld from your monthly retirement/pension check and are collected one month in advance. If you are enrolled in Flexible Spending (the program that allows you to set aside a portion of your paycheck tax free to pay for expenses such as dependent care, medical/dental care, and work related parking fees and mass transit), make sure you don’t lose any money the year you retire.You can only use your Flexible Spending debit card up to your retirement date. After you retire, you have until the end of the plan year (December 31) to submit paper claims for services that you incurred prior to your retirement date. If there’s money on that account and you don’t use it up, you don’t get it back – so plan accordingly. Also, remember that the BPPA also provides the option for retirees to continue dental coverage. Any dental coverage plans available to active members are available to retirees. As always, stay safe and protected.