A NOTE FROM OUR NEW PRESIDENT, JOHN HISSERICH

It is indeed an honor for me to be selected as the new president of the USC Staff Retirement Association (SRA).  Having said that, I hasten to point out that outgoing president, Carole Gustin, is a very tough act to follow.  It is apparent that Carole has devoted considerable attention to her responsibilities as president for the past four years.  The enthusiasm and active participation I see among the members are in large part the result of her dedication to the work of the organization.

Carole has very kindly agreed to show me the ropes, and I will frequently look to her for guidance.  A wonderful group of new SRA officers have offered to carry a major share of the workload during my term.  I am confident that with such a great team we will be able to build on the accomplishments of our predecessors.

The nicest part of being asked to serve the SRA is the realization that friends and acquaintances you made during 34 years at USC still think well of you and feel you have more to contribute.  The Emeriti Center, the Retired Faculty Association, and the Staff Retirement Association are tangible evidence that those of us who have had the privilege of working at the University of Southern California are as much a part of the Trojan Family for life as are alumni.  I look forward to the opportunity to serve the community of retirees.


THE REST OF THE "NEWS"

This newsletter comes to you from Minnesota.  I am happy to welcome John Hisserich as our new SRA President.  I trust you will all treat him kindly and assure him that I only write every other issue, so there is Len's next issue to look forward to.

Coming back to the once small town where I grew up brings back fond memories.  I recall that there were no buildings taller then two stories until Penney's came to town.  I was a small boy when my Dad and I went to see this brand new thing, a three-story building.  We went into the entrance-way to look around.  There was a woman facing the wall.  She was past middle age, some overweight, and obviously had a tough life working on a farm.  Suddenly, the wall opened, she stepped forward, the wall closed, and she was gone.  My Dad and I stood there dumbfounded.  A few minutes later, the wall opened, and a very pretty young woman stepped out.  My Dad just gasped and said to me, "Quick, go get your ma, and we will run her through this machine."


UPCOMING SRA EVENTS

SRA DAY TRIP: NETHERCUTT COLLECTION, Thursday, 9 July 2009, 10:00 a.m.
As you have been previously informed, the next SRA Field Trip will be to the Nethercutt Collection in Sylmar on Thursday, July 9, at 10:00 a.m.  Dick Martin informed me a few days ago that there are a few tickets left.  You can contact Dick at (323) 343-1146 or <dickmar@msn.com>.


HOPEFULLY HELPFUL TIPS

SCAMS IN FACEBOOK AND MY SPACE:  I am not a member of either Facebook or MySpace, so I will leave any checking up that may be required to you.  ID thieves are now attacking social network sites.  There is an article in the AARP Bulletin, June 2009, page 16, that has an example of an actual fraud and more information about this problem.  If you are a member of one of these social networks, you may want to check it out.

MEDICARE ACCOUNT MONITORING:  Here is a suggestion from one of our members, Elaine Steward.  By going to <www.medicare.gov/coverage/home.asp>, you can sign up for on-line monitoring of your Medicare account.  Elaine says that it took only 2–3 minutes for Part 1 of the sign-up.  This includes getting a temporary password emailed to you.  There are good step-by-step instructions also e-mailed to you.  Account information includes processed claims by time period or claim number, a list of preventive services to which one may be entitled, health and drug plans, account maintenance, and publications and tools options.

HEALTH SAVING ACCOUNTS:  If you have a health saving account, or are considering one, and have questions, you can go to <www.treasury.gov> and click on "Health Savings Accounts."  There you can download an updated brochure of HSA Basics.

ARE YOU INTO GARAGE SALES?  You can get tips for buyers and sellers as well as buy signs and price stickers at <www.yardsaleportal.com>.

PLANNING AHEAD:  MetLife's Mature Market Institute has a free workbook and DVD called "Discovering What Matters" which includes self-assessment tools, advice, and resources.  It aims to help older people like us figure out how to achieve good health and spend more time with family and friends.  You can order a copy at <www.maturemarketinstitute.com>.  (Kiplinger's Retirement Report, March 2009, Page 11)

CHECKS YOU PROBABLY DON'T WANT:  I expect that most of you have received checks that come with your credit card statements.  If you ever think of cashing one, find out about them before cashing.  The interest starts immediately and often at an exorbitant interest rate.

CHECKING OUT A DOCTOR:  If you want to check out a doctor, give <www.vitals.com> a try.  You can get information on about 720,000 doctors nationwide.  You don't have to scroll through all 720,000, however.  You can put in a name and some area information and get considerable information on a specific doctor.  There is no charge.

INVESTMENT RECOVERY:  If your nest egg has suffered a big loss, as many have, you can get a feel for how long it may take to recover your investment losses by going to Kiplinger's "Recoup Your Savings Calculator."  It is simple to use and can be found at <www.kiplinger.com/tools/recoup_your_savings_calculator>.

USED CAR INFORMATION:  The federal government has a new tool to provide information on used car histories.  It comes from the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System.  For information, go to <www.nmvtis.gov>.  You likely will find some information on a used car you are thinking of buying.  (Kiplinger's Retirement Report, June 2009, page 14)

A DIET FOR THE COLA:  The Congressional Budget Office forecasts that there will be no cost of living adjustment for Social Security in 2010, and there may not be any in 2011 or 2012, either.

PASSPORT CHANGES:  As of June 1, all Americans reentering the U.S. need a single document that shows citizenship and identity.  A regular passport will do of course, or, for $45.00, you can get for a passport card that is valid only for land or sea travel from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean.  (AARP Bulletin, May, 2009, page 23)

NEW-CAR SALES TAX DEDUCTION:  "The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009" calls for a new-car-sales-tax deduction if you buy a qualified vehicle after February 16, 2009, and before January 1, 2010.  I won't go into details here, but if you have bought, or will buy, a new motor vehicle during that time period, be sure to check into it.

WHEN TO START TAKING SOCIAL SECURITY?  For most of the readers of this rag, I expect it is too late to change this.  If you happen to be one of the "young readers," this may be of interest.  Go to MetLife's free calculator at <www.metlife.com/fileassets/sscalc> for a possible answer for you.  You answer three questions, and you will get the age at which you'll have the best chance of maximizing your Social Security take.  It also offers a clear explanation.  (Money, May 2009, page 75)


INFORMATION YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR

I ran into my old friends Ole and Sven the other day, and things were not good between them.  Sven decided to carpet his bathroom, and Ole vas angry with him.  "Now," he sezs, "Lena wants me to not only carpet ours, but also carpet all the way to the house."

There was almost a catastrophe in the life of Ole, Sven, and Lena the other day, but I will save that for my next shot at the newsletter.  I have to decide if you all would be up to hearing the story.


HAPPY 233d BIRTHDAY OF THE UNITED STATES

Be sure to fly your flag.  If you don't have a flag, there is still time to get one.


C L A S S I F I E D  A D S
(Listed in order of receipt)

None this month.

[To have your free ad appear (for things to give away, to sell, to buy, etc.) in the next issue, please send to <len@winesland.net> before the first of the month.]


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*The content of this E-mail Newsletter is for the information of the members of the USC SRA.  It is not a University of Southern California official publication.  There is no intent to promote any particular product or point of view.  Personal decisions regarding health, finance, exercise, or other matters should be made after consulting with the reader’s own professional advisors.