Canadians are reporting increased stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. The City of Hamilton Public Health Services has launched a campaign to support the mental health and well-being of Hamilton residents.
 
Take it one step at a time. Check in with yourself. Take care of yourself. Support your mental health.

• COAST Hamilton: 905-972-8338
• www.hamilton.ca/covidmentalhealth#COVID19

Summer 2020 -- in HTML / in PDF

Online Caregiver Education Series “From Stress to Strength”
Learn how to manage stressful caregiving situations; regain control; practice self-care; and navigate community resources in this FREE 4-part online caregiver series. Programs are hosted through Zoom.
Registration is required! Renate.Fries@von.ca

• Tuesday, August 4th, 2020 from 2:00-3:30pm
• Tuesday, August 11th, 2020 from 2:00-3:30pm
• Tuesday, August 18th, 2020 from 2:00-3:30pm
• Tuesday, August 25th, 2020 from 2:00-3:30pm

Wellness Wednesdays with VON
FREE bi-weekly caregiver discussion groups provide an outlet for caregivers to express their thoughts and feelings while learning how to decompress and practice relaxation. Programs are hosted through Zoom.
Registration is required, Renate.Fries@von.ca

Next meetings:

• Wednesday, August 12th, 2020 from 2:00-3:00pm
• Wednesday, August 26th, 2020 from 2:00-3:00pm

RBC and the Alzheimer Society of Brant, Haldimand Norfolk, Hamilton and Halton are collaborating to present this series of free online events.

Wills & Powers of Attorney

• How they work and how to choose who to act on your behalf
• Date: Wed. August 12th; 2-3pm

Tax Efficient Investing in Retirement

• What you need to know
• Date: Wed. September 9th, 2-3pm

Planning and Administration

• Planning, choosing an executor & responsibilities of being an executor
• Date: Wed. October 14th, 2-3pm

Register by clicking here or visit https://athome.alzhn.ca/education.

The CURAC Benefits Committee has released the report on its triennial survey of CURAC member associations regarding non-medical benefits available to their retirees 2019/20. The report is available at the CURAC web site.

MURA Members and Friends –

The Hamilton Council on Aging has released its April 27 version of:

‘Staying Connected! Information & Resources for Older Adults to Stay Connected, Safe & Healthy at a Distance’

This is a useful summary of resources for older adults in Hamilton. Much of the information is also relevant to those living in other communities.

The resources you'll find there cover these topics:

• sources of online news & information

• St. Matthew’s House Seniors First Response Team

• Healthcare

• Housing insecurity

• Transportation

• Shopping

• Meals on Wheels

• Education & support

• Seniors’ abuse & neglect

• Financial

• Maintaining social connections

• Other useful resources for older adults in Hamilton during COVID-19

MURA Members:

This message is from CURAC, the College and University Retiree Associations of Canada. MURA is a member of CURAC. Thus children and grandchildren of MURA members qualify for this scholarship program.
 -  Your MURA Council

To CURAC/ARUCC Member Associations:
 
Johnson Insurance, a company that partners with CURAC to provide travel insurance to our members, is offering scholarships to students with a parent/guardian or grandparent who is  a CURAC member.
 
Johnson will award 50 scholarships, valued at $1000 each, to eligible students completing high school in 2020 and starting post-secondary education in the fall of 2020.  Please see the attached poster and visit https://www.johnson.ca/scholarship for more information. Under the eligibility criteria, CURAC qualifies as a Johnson recognized group.
 
Please pass this message on to your members. It would be great to see a CURAC member’s grandchild win one of these scholarships.
 
Bev Stefureak
Chair, Benefits Committee
College and University Retiree Associations of Canada /Associations de retraités des universités et collèges du Canada (CURAC/ARUCC)

Greetings Retirees, 

MURA Council has received a reassuring response from the University to the question “Could there be a disruption or decrease to McMaster retiree defined pension benefit payments as a result of the dramatic impact of COVID-19 on the economy?” The main take away from the response is as follows:

“Benefits payable from the [Defined Benefit] pension plans are not impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on financial markets. The plan assets are held in trust, separate from the University’s general revenues. The plans are, and will continue to be, funded in accordance with applicable legislation. The University’s pensioner payroll, delivered by CIBC Mellon Trust Company, remains fully functional and the University does not anticipate payment delays at this time.”

The full response from the University, including contact information, is below.
 
Take good care.
       - your MURA Council
 
Full University response:

In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on financial markets, it is understandable that those in receipt of a pension benefit may have questions about what effect the present situation will have on their pension. The University continues to closely monitor the current economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and any impact that this will have on the University and its pension plans.

McMaster has three defined benefit (DB) pension arrangements:

Under a DB pension plan, pension benefits are based on a member’s years of service in the pension plan and pensionable earnings, as defined within the applicable pension plan text.

Benefits payable from the DB pension plans are not impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on financial markets. The plan assets are held in trust, separate from the University’s general revenues.  The plans are, and will continue to be, funded in accordance with applicable legislation. The University’s pensioner payroll, delivered by CIBC Mellon Trust Company, remains fully functional and the University does not anticipate payment delays at this time.

Questions about your pension benefit can be directed to hr.mcmaster@mcmaster.ca.

On March 22, your MURA Council passed a motion that the MURA 2020 annual general meeting, originally scheduled to be held on May 28, 2020, will be postponed until further notice, due to limitations imposed by Covid-19. It will be re-scheduled as soon as is feasible. As stipulated by Article 5.06 of the MURA constitution, the current Council and Executive will remain in office until an AGM can be held.