DEAR (Detroit Edison Alliance of Retirees) is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to speaking in a uniform and united voice whose purpose is to maintain retirement provisions of all Detroit Edison Company Retirees and MCN Retirees covered under their respective retirement plans. We are working to provide for our security in retirement earned over our many years of dedicated service. DEAR is not affiliated in any manner with DTE Energy Company or any of its subsidiaries and operates solely on monetary donations from its members. Read more about how you can donate>>
THE DEAR NEWSLETTER GOES DIGITAL!
As the cost for printing our newsletter continues to rise, we will be making the transition to an online newsletter in early 2026. We encourage you to sign up for the newsletter which will be sent to your email box under our name DEAR. Please make sure to put this in your safe sender list so it does not go to your spam folder. You can access it from your email account on your computer, laptop, or any handheld device such as your phone or an Ipad. Moving to a digital format allows us to not only save money but allows us to stay in touch with you more frequently and on a much more timely basis. To sign up, just enter your full name and email address in the form on the sidebar of your computer or scroll down until you see the Subscribe box if you are using a phone or tablet. If you do not have an email account, you can always find a copy of the newsletter here on our website. Thank you!
DEAR BOARD ELECTIONS HELD
On November 14th, DEAR held its annual elections for Board officers. The slate of officers starting January 1, 2026 are:
President : Jan Seefried
Vice President: Cindy Persitz
Treasurer: Bob Barrette
Assistant Treasurer: Kathy Williams
Recording Secretary: Cheryl VanVliet
Corresponding Secretary: Sue Tompkins
The DEAR Board is still looking for additional individuals to serve on the board. We meet 3 or 4 times a year for about one hour and have virtual capabilities, so living local is not a requirement. If you are interested, read on.
ALIGHT CHANGES BANK FOR PENSION PAYMENTS
You may have noticed that your pension check or statement now says BOM instead of BOA. Alight, the pension administrator, informed DTE a couple of months ago that Bank of America would no longer process pension payments. The new bank is Bank of Montreal. No need to worry, your pension statements/checks and tax information will be delivered as normal. There is no change required on your part.
WORKING TO ENACT LEGISLATION THAT PROTECTS OUR RETIREES
In addition to monitoring legislation at the state level, DEAR works with its affiliate, the National Retiree Legislative Network (NRLN), to enact legislation at the federal level that protects and benefits retirees and seniors. Work is ongoing throughout the year with a focus on the following:
· Protecting retirees in pension risk transfers (de-risking) actions when pension plans are switched to an insurance company annuity.
· Enforcing existing Medicare Guaranteed Issue Rights and Special Enrollment Period so that when healthcare insurance ceases or is terminated, its participants be informed of their GIR and eligibility for a SEP. A GIR prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage or overcharging an applicant for a Medigap or MA policy, regardless of pre-existing health conditions and the SEP allows people to then shop for the best deal for a Medigap or MA plan. Read more about GIR.
· Addressing the funding shortage of Social Security given that the Fund will only be able to pay 100% of total scheduled benefits until 2035.
· Protecting against cuts to Medicare benefits.
MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS
Medicare Advantage, is a program created by Congress in 2006 to help stabilize health care spending on the elderly. But, the plans have been driving up costs up substantially adding billions of dollars in overcharges. Many seniors choose this option instead of the traditional government Medicare program because it fills gaps in coverage, can cost less in out-of-pocket expenses and offers extra benefits, such as dental and eye care. However, according to the latest Medicare Trustees Report over the ten-year budget period 2024-2033, Medicare Advantage (MA) plan rebates will add over $1.3 trillion to the deficit-$89 billion in 2025, projected to be $111 billion 2027 and then $200 billion by 2033. These overpayments threaten the long-term viability of traditional Medicare as well as increasing Part B premiums for all Medicare beneficiaries.
Representatives from the NRLN made trips up the hill this summer with fact-based information to ensure all U.S. Senators and Vice-President Vance are aware of these alarming data and offered proposed ways to help reform the MA plans. Read more about the MA’s spiraling charges in NRLN’s Focus Summer 2025 issue.
ABOUT TO RETIRE OR NEWLY RETIRED?
As a DTE Energy retiree, you have earned benefits from the company. Make sure you visit both the Your Benefits Resources and the Inspira websites to learn how to access them. You can start here under our DTE Health and Other Benefits pages, Your Benefit Resources and Retiree Reimbursement Accounts.
Also don’t forget to join DEAR Alliance. We are working to maintain and preserve those benefits earned over our many years of dedicated service. While our relationship with the company has been positive, we need to be prepared for any potential negative impacts to those benefits. While we do not have a formal membership program, you are welcome to attend our annual meeting held in May and subcribe to our email newsletter. Mail your request with your email address to DEAR 36172 Fairway Drive., Livonia, MI 48152 or mahoneyc@prodigy.net We welcome all contributions as we are 100% dependent on them.