The Human Resources (HR) department is redesigning its website. Retirees are urged to review the “sneak peek” redesign by May 15 and provide suggestions for improvement. This will help ensure that the new website is user friendly, easy to navigate, and has all the information retirees need.

Attend a retiree focus group on campus Friday, May 10 at 10:30 a.m. Email Christine Costa at costac5@mcmaster.ca to join. Christine will confirm and provide the location.

Give your feedback online. The “sneak peek” website has a link to an online survey form.

• “Sneak peek” website: hr.mcmaster.ca
• Current HR website - Retiree page:  workingatmcmaster.ca/retirees

HR’s goal is to go live with the new website in early June.

Do you act as the primary caregiver for an older adult every day? Have you been frustrated with finding the information and supports you need?

The McMaster Centre for Continuing Education (CCE), the McMaster Institute for Research on Aging (MIRA) and Thrive Group, with their partners from Hamilton Council on Aging and the City of Hamilton, have created a free, self-paced, 7 week primarily online course for people who are caregivers to older adults.

The online course launches in February 2019.

Participants will access information over the internet at their own pace, as well as meet others who are in a similar position.

Topics will include:

Detailed description and course schedule

For more information email Alix at: crgvr@mcmaster.ca or phone 905-525-9140, ext. 22559

Respite, transportation, and technological support will be provided as needed.

We are pleased to inform you that the Board of Governors has approved the following increases to pensions effective January 2019:

For retirees of the Salaried Pension Plan, there will be a regular pension increase of 1.89% for retirees who were receiving a pension on June 30, 2018. Those who retired between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018 will receive a pro-rated increase. There will be no supplementary increase this year. Details can be found at: http://www.workingatmcmaster.ca/pensions/increase/salaried.

For retirees of the Hourly Pension Plan, there will be a regular pension increase of 1.89% for retirees who were receiving a pension on June 30, 2018. Those who retired between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018 will receive a pro-rated increase. Details can be found at: http://www.workingatmcmaster.ca/pensions/increase/salaried.

The Class of ’69 will host their 50th anniversary celebrations on Saturday, June 1, 2019, and would enjoy seeing their former faculty at this gathering.

The McMaster Alumni Association is looking for faculty from a variety of areas of study to attend this celebration as special guests. There will be activities throughout the day and a 50th anniversary dinner in the evening. Retired faculty members from this era are welcome to participate as they are able. Please contact Laura Escalante at escalan@mcmaster.ca or 905-525-9140 ext. 21314 for more information.

- from McMaster's Department of  Human Resources

McMaster has partnered with Venngo to offer the ‘WorkPerks’ employee discount program to all employees and retirees of McMaster University.

This program gives access to special deals and discounts – or perks – from over 1,700 brand name merchants across Canada and trusted local businesses. Discounts are available for employees and retirees and their family members on everything from clothing and shoes to tickets and restaurants, using location-based services and in-store or online redemptions. Employees and retirees can access the perks using the WorkPerks website that has been set up exclusively for McMaster University, or by using an Apple or Android mobile app.

Please visit the website to learn more about the program and to create an account using your McMaster email address.

Please note that you must use an active McMaster email address to sign up for this offer. Email addresses other than those ending with  "@mcmaster.ca" cannot be used for WorkPerks. Information about McMaster retiree email accounts is available at UTS retiree email.

This past July, McMaster University implemented a new process for updating Sun Life Financial with member and dependent benefit enrolment information. Since this change some retirees have experienced issues with their claims coverage.

In the majority of cases, retirees should expect to continue to receive the same coverage and reimbursements as they have had since they retired, and should also experience no change to the process used to submit claims and receive reimbursements.

If you encounter changes to your usual coverage or denial of coverage by Sun Life, Sun Life’s decision should be compared with the provisions of your particular retiree group benefit plan. If there is a discrepancy:

1. Check with Sun Life 1-877-786-7227 for an explanation.
2. If you believe there may be an error in your enrolment information, please call the Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 22247, and ask them to check your enrolment information with Sun Life to validate you are set up in the correct plan with the correct coverage
3. If these steps do not resolve your issue, please let MURA know by email to mura@mcmaster.ca or by leaving a phone message at 905-525-9140, extension 23171. Council members will assist as far as possible in finding a resolution.
   

MURA has requested that Human Resources audit all retiree benefit records to ensure that Sun Life has the correct information for every retiree and dependent spouse.

For more information, see Retirees experiencing issues with Sun Life health & dental claims, in the Fall 2017 issue of MURAnews.

MURA is looking for a trips & special events coordinator to arrange day trips for MURA members and friends. If you like to go on day trips with other retirees, please consider taking on this role.

You would work with other members of MURA’s Trips & Special Events Committee to plan and coordinate one or more day trips per year. These might be trips to concerts, theatres or art galleries, outdoor activities, walking tours, dining out, lectures or workshops, and could include any activities that might be of interest to our members.

If you would like to volunteer or to find out more, please send us an email or leave a message at 905-525-9140 ext. 23171.