May 8, 2025
Final Day of the 2025 UAW Region 8 Retiree Conference
text by John Davis photos by David Firkins

The final day of the 2025 Retiree Conference kicked off with the Director’s Breakfast, followed by updates on benefits.

Tony Vultaggio from the Ford Department gave an update on the National Ford Benefits. Vince Precopio gave a report on the Stellantis National Benefits.

The UAW Social Security report was presented by Renee Turner-Baley, Director of the UAW Social Security Department.

International UAW Vice President of the GM Department Mike Booth, his AA Nicole Current and International Servicing Rep over the GM Benefit Department gave a GM Benefit update.

UAW Region 8 Retiree/CAP Reps Kevin Huddleston, Mark Dowell and Anthony Towner gave an update on CAP issues facing our retirees.

After lunch, UAW Region 8 Assistant Director George Palmer introduced UAW Region 8 Director Tim Smith, who closed out the conference with a report to the retirees.

“Here in Region 8 we understand we are standing on the shoulders of giants,” Director Smith stated. “Our retirees have paved the way for the rest of us and fought for the wages and benefits we all enjoy. Our retirees have built and protected our communities, built the middle class and the nation.

Currently we are seeing vital programs that make up our social safety net attacked. Social Security and Medicare that our retirees have paid into for generations are being threatened. Our public schools are under attack, head start programs, school nutrition programs, special needs programs, all while public funds are funneled to private schools.

Our retirees have played by the rules, worked hard, and prepared for their golden years. Now billionaires want to take what our retirees have worked for. Our members are covered up in the lies and misinformation dumped on them from these same billionaires. We in the UAW will never stop fighting to protect our seniors, our children and the working class.”

 

 

May 7, 2025
Day Two 2025 UAW Region 8 Retiree Conference
text and photos by Region 8 Webmaster John Davis

The second day of the 2025 UAW Region 8 Retiree Conference was kicked off by Assistant Director George Palmer, Jr. Brother Palmer introduced the Region 8 Retiree Reps Kevin Huddleston, Mark Dowell and Anthony Towner. “These guys work hard every day to take care of our retirees and we appreciate them,” Assistant Director Palmer stated. “We have a lot of retirees in Region 8 and these folks are here to see to your needs.”

Today’s agenda includes updates from the UAW Benefits Trust and the various vendors that supply our retirees.

Colleen Allen of the UAW Benefits Trust was introduced by Region 8 Retired Workers/CAP Rep Anthony Towner. “It is such a privilege for the Trust to be able to serve UAW retirees,” Colleen Allen stated. “We value all of our Region 8 retirees and thank Director Smith for allowing us the opportunity to be here with you.” To view their presentation, click here.

Next came John Dowsley and Krysta Silveri of Blue Cross Blue Shield. “Good news is there are few changes between 2024 and 2025,” John Dowsley stated. He then covered the basics for the coverage for Blue Cross Medicare Advantage and Traditional Medicare with traditional Blue Cross. The number for their support is 800-775-2583.To view their presentation click here.

Delta Dental representatives Janel Williams and Lauren Davis covered updates to the dental program for UAW retirees. The current Delta Dental Coverage was explained. One thing that was stressed was to make sure any specialist you may be referred to is in network. The Delta Dental customer service number is 800-524-0149. To view their presentation click here.

Chris Caslin of Davis Vision was the next presenter. Eye coverage has no changes, but Chris Caslin went over the plan and what is and isn’t covered. It is encouraged to register with at the Davis Vision website to have the most up to date information. There Customer Service number is 888-234-5164. To view their presentation, click here.

In some locations (parts of Kentucky), Humana is the provided insurance option. Kayla Tooley of Humana was in attendance to discuss changes and coverages for those with Humana as an option.

Truhearing administers the hearing benefit for members of the trust, with Alisha Shephard and Kim McEnvoy on hand to represent them. Their customer service number is 844-394-5420. To view their presentation, click here.

Optum RX is the prescription drug provider for the trust with Mitchell Herrera and Liz Gomorczak attending on their behalf. The particulars of the plan was covered including the different tiers. Their customer service number is 855-409-0219.To view their presentation, click here.

Colleen McGlamry and Steve Gude updated the conference on United Health Care. To view their presentation, click here.

Colleen McGlamry of the UAW Benefits Trust returned to the front to cover the new HRA Benefit. Currently, anyone with a Medicare Advantage Plan, has one card that covers both medical and pharmaceutical. Anyone in a Traditional Blue Cross plan has two cards now- one medical card and one Optum card for pharmaceuticals. In 2026, the drug plan will be separated from the medical plans for MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS ONLY. In December, Medicare Advantage Plans will move to two cards- one for medical and one for pharmaceuticals. What this means is- IF you are on a Medicare Advantage Plan- you will need new prior authorizations for drugs requiring a prior authorization. The change takes effect, January 1, 2026 so they cant receive new prior authorizations.
The Benefits Trust is establishing a HRA (Health Reimbursement Account). You will receive a card that can be used for medical expenses, such as copays at your doctor. For 2025, the benefit will be $600 per retiree (spouse or other dependents will not receive a card like the OTC benefit). However, the retiree can use the card to cover copays for their legal dependents. Because the benefit if NOT taxed by the IRS, the IRS has set the eligible expenses.
Some of the eligible expenses include:

  • Ambulance service
  • Chiropractic adjustments
  • Copays
  • Hearing Aides
  • Prescription Copays
  • And many other things

There will be more information coming concerning the HRA. Each member of the UAW Benefits Trust will be receiving an informational package – INCLUDING a card to use with the plan. DO NOT THROW THIS CARD AWAY. The card will operate in the same manner as your OTC card, it will be reloaded each year. YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE A NEW CARD EACH YEAR. Please hang on to your card.

To view the presentation on the HRA Rollout, click here.

 

May 6, 2025
2025 UAW Region 8 Retiree Conference
text and photos by
Region 8 Webmaster John Davis

The 2025 UAW Region 8 Retiree Conference kicked off at 8:00 AM on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at the Bilmar Conference Center at Treasure, Island Florida. The conference was called to order by UAW Region 8 Assistant Director George Palmer, Jr followed with opening prayer by Tom Savage of the Region 8 Advisory Council.

Director Smith welcomed all the delegates and thanked them for building this union with their efforts. “Yesterday we were at Local 788 on walking the picket line with our members there,” Director Smith stated. “George and myself have walked every picket line across these 17 states in the past year. We were elected to represent you, our members- we work for you. Last year I was on 48 flights, and I commit to you to always be there when you need us. In Region 8 we have the best staff, the best clerical because we have the best members. We are all proud to represent you and we never forget that.”

The Retiree Conference is held each year to share updates on benefits that impact our retirees and to cover issues that concern all retired Americans. Region has three Retiree Reps including Kevin Huddleston, Anthony Towner and Mark Dowell. They work with our retiree chapters and councils across the region.

The conference Tuesday morning featured remarks from Retired Worker Department Director Lisa Rink. “Voting is vital,” states Director Rink. “In my family if you didn’t vote you didn’t eat. Every election, every office. Our retirees have to vote, even in own UAW elections. Every retiree need to exercise your right to vote. The ballot comes to your house - all you have to do is return. Vote, national, state, county, city and institutionally. People not voting has put us in this position in this country. We have someone wanting to attack benefits you worked hard for. I am asking each of you to write your representatives to tell them to protect working people.

The poor built this nation, my ancestors were Scot-Irish. We have to stop allowing the rich and powerful from separating us.”

International Representative Rebecca Bridgewater also addressed the conference. “Retiree dues are voluntary, and about half of our retirees pay dues,” Rebecca Bridgewater stated. “In 2014, retiree dues were raised from $2 a month to $3 a month. However, most of the retiree paying dues are still paying at $2 a month. If retirees would simply increase it to $3 a month it would help improve our resources for retirees.”
Region Retiree Representative Kevin Huddleston introduced the Retired Worker’s Council. This council represents Region 8 retirees at International UAW Retiree Events. The afternoon of day one was spent in nominations for the Region 8 Retired Worker’s Council and a meeting of the International Advisory Council.

After lunch the International Advisory Council met and the Regional Retiree Council met nominations for offices.

Council met nominations for offices.
The following were elected to the Region 8 Retiree Council:

  • Chair- Steve Stone Local 862
  • Vice-Chair- Ernest Lowery Local 919
  • Recording Secretary – Alena Bandy Local 1183
  • Treasurer – Philip Chatmon Local 15837
  • Sergent of Arms – Jerry Hodge Local 3520
  • Tom Savage Local 1407
  • Delegate to International Union Retired Workers Advisory Council – Jim Stewart Local 171

 

 
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