Director's Message
Welcome to the Retiree Division! The Retiree Division has always provided retirees of CWA Local 1180 with a venue to stay active, informed, and involved throughout their retirement. Since the onset of the pandemic and the limitations of in-person gatherings, the Retiree Division, a leader in retiree health benefit education, now provides virtual seminars to accomplish our mission. Our bi-weekly meetings with guest speakers and question-and-answer periods keep 1180 retirees abreast of important information regarding their benefits and give access to information that might otherwise be missed.
With a highlight on understanding your health benefits, our weekly, live virtual benefit meetings show retirees how to access and utilize the benefits offered by Local 1180 and the NYC Office of Labor Relations. Retirees with active email accounts receive notifications on upcoming benefit seminars and weekly exercise classes, as well as any special events that may occur. The Retiree Division website offers one-click joining of meetings on the Events Page. For retirees who do not use the computer, phone numbers are available to dial in and listen to the meeting. Retirees on the phone and computer are both able to ask questions and interact with the group.
Please check back to this website often for updates. There are several helpful links below. Of special note is a "Who to Call and When" list so you may refer your question to the proper agency. Also, be sure to register your email with us so we can keep you up to date!
WHO TO CALL & WHEN: HELPFUL PHONE NUMBERS
HICAP in NYC
212.AGING.NYC (212.244.6469)
www.nyc.gov/aging
212.602.4180 direct number
Social Security
1.800.772.1213
www.socialsecurity.gov
www.ssa.gov/locator
(information for your local SSA office)
New York City Retirement System (NYCERS)
347.643.3000 OR 877.669.2377
Call with questions about:
Pension Payments/Monthly Checks
Direct Deposit (EFT Statements)
Tax Seductions and/or Withholdings
Health Insurance Deductions and Optional Rider
Medicare Reimbursement
New York City Office of Labor Relations (OLR)
212.513.0470 or healthbenefits@olr.nyc.gov
Call with questions about:
Health Insurance Plans
Empire Blue Cross
Emblem GHI & HIP
Aetna
Optional Rider for Prescription Drugs
Medicare Reimbursement
CWA Local 1180 Retiree Benefit Fund
212.966.5353 or 888.966.5353
Call with questions about:
Supplemental Benefits
Vision
Hearing
Legal
Prescription Card/Capital Rx
Dental
Podiatry
Mental Health
Prescription
General Medical Reimbursement
NOTE: All visits to Local 1180 are by appointment only. Benefit appointments are virtual. To make an appointment, call the Retiree Division at 212.226.5800.
Meet the Retiree Division Staff
Dianne Mason-Smith
Assistant to the Director
Retiree Programs & Events
Amber Mathis
Administrative
Assistant
Indra Subryan
Benefit Assistant
Local 1180 Retiree Division History
In 1996, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to offer a new benefit to retirees that would assist them in transitioning from a worker to a retiree. The age wave was producing a new group of retirees that had shown a greater interest in remaining active. The Retiree Division was born that year and began offering recreational programming, workshops, and educational classes all within a new center housed at 97 Hudson St., on the lower level of the building occupied by Local 1180 (6 Harrison St.).
In 2021, with the changing needs of the union and programmatic changes due to the pandemic, the Division staff offices moved to the 3rd Floor with the staff of the Security Benefits Office. Virtual meetings became standard and Local 1180 continued to be a key player in improving understanding and access to retiree benefits.
The Retiree Division engages retirees in activities that support a long and healthy retirement with dignity and respect.
Retiree Division Contact Information
CWA Local 1180 Retiree Division
6 Harrison St., 3rd Floor | New York, NY 10013-2898
212.
retireedivision@cwa1180.org