Medicare elections upcoming

Some SIUC employees will have a chance starting later this year to make contributions to Medicare.

Recently many employees received information from the State Universities Retirement System (SURS) and the Social Security Administration regarding an upcoming Medicare referendum.

Only SURS employees who have been continuously employed with the same SURS employer on or before March 31, 1986, are potentially affected by the new Medicare referendum. Any employee hired after March 31, 1986, already contributes to Medicare and should not expect to receive information regarding the referendum

Employees who qualify based on the dates listed above will be allowed to make a one-time decision on whether to make Medicare contributions. Those choosing to participate will have 1.45 percent deducted from their paychecks and employers will match that contribution. The deductions will begin for salaries earned on or after Sept. 1, 2006. Members voting "no," or who do not vote, will not contribute to Medicare.

The Medicare referendum is not a vote on Social Security.

Eligible employees should receive an election ballot from SURS in the next month. The election period is from April 19 through May 31.

Once a decision is made it is irrevocable. The election is the only chance to participate in Medicare as a part of an employee’s SURS-covered employment. Retroactive contributions are not allowed.

SURS has scheduled informational meetings to help employees obtain additional information. Meetings are scheduled at 11 a.m., Wednesday, March 22, in the theater at Rend Lake College near Ina, and at 3 p.m., Wednesday, March 22, in the theater at Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville.