IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE PENSION DEPARTMENT

TAX WITHHOLDING ON PENSION BENEFITS

CHANGE of ADDRESSREMINDER!

The following is a summary of some of the types of issues that can be

handled as part of the MAP:

● Marriage, Family and Relationship Issues

● Stress and Anxiety

● Depression

● Grief and Loss

● Anger Management

● Domestic Violence

● Alcohol and Drug Dependency

● Other Emotional Health Issues

Who is MHN? MHN has over 30 years’ experience in providing behavioral health,

substance abuse, wellness and Member Assistance Programs. They

maintain a nation-wide network of more than 62,000 licensed

practitioners and 1,450 facilities. They provide a toll-free access line

24/7 to speak with a licensed clinician.

We will send out further information as we get closer to the

March 1, 2017 effective date, but we wanted to give you advance notice

of the changes so you may plan your upcoming care accordingly.

What is Behavioral Health? Behavioral health care includes mental health care, inpatient and

outpatient counseling or therapy, substance abuse care and treatment

and a new Member Assistance Program benefi t.

Except for the new Member Assistance Program, there is no change

in benefi ts; 90% coverage when a Network or PPO provider is used

and 70% for non-Network or non-PPO providers. There is also no

change in the annual deductible; $250 when Network providers are

used and $500 for Non-network providers. The main difference is that

the network of PPO providers will change from Anthem Blue Cross to

MHN and the addition of a new Member Assistance Program.

New Member Assistance Program The new Member Assistance Program (MAP) provides confi dential,

professional short-term counseling services for you and your eligible

family members. The MAP provides up to eight (8) counseling sessions

for each incident/issue per year per eligible person. There are no co-

payments, co-insurance or deductibles. If it is determined that further

care is necessary and appropriate, coverage will be provided at 90% if

an MHN Network provider is used or 70% if a provider is used that is

not part of the MHN network.

NEW HEALTH BENEFIT COMING SOON!

Fund Offi ce Member Services: Call in Hours: M – F 7:00 am – 4:30 pm toll free (866) 400-5200Walk-in Hours: M – F 8:30 am – 4:30 pm • Visit our website: www.oefi .org

OPERATING ENGINEERS TRUST FUNDS – PENSION, HEALTH & WELFARE AND VACATION/HOLIDAY FUNDSI.U.O.E. LOCAL 12

WINTER 2017

Page 4 The Scoop I.U.O.E. LOCAL 12

CHANGE OF ADDRESS:You can use this form to change your address.

It can be mailed to the address printed at the bottom of the form or fax it to the Fund Of ce @ (626) 356-1047. It must include the member’s signature and one of the following: register #, OE #, or last 4-digits of the member’s SS#.

Please note that your change of address must be received by the 15th of the month in order for your Pension Check to be sent to your new address the following month.

Name Register #, OE# or Last 4-Digits of Member’s SS#

Street

City State Zip Code

Member’s Signature

Telephone Number

Can you nd the hidden words? They may be horizontal, vertical, diagonal, forward, or backwards.

MAIL FORM TO:Operating Engineers Trust Funds

P.O. Box 7063, Pasadena, CA 91109or fax to (626) 356-1047

DAUNTLESS, LIBERATOR, WELLINGTON, MUSTANG, BETTY, LIGHTNING, SPITFIRE, WILDCAT, WARHAWK, LANCASTER, AIRACOBRA, MOSQUITO, HURRICANE, MITCHELL, INVADER, STUKA, KATE, ZERO

WORLD WAR II AIRCRAFT

Aging is an unavoidable circumstance that dramatically increases your risks for joint-related problems like arthritis. Unfortunately,

women are especially at risk for developing this often painful and debilitating condition, with women experiencing a higher age-adjusted prevalence of doctor-diagnosed arthritis over men, according to statistics from the National Health Interview Survey and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you’ve been diagnosed with arthritis, regardless of age, certain lifestyle choices can trigger or worsen symptoms. One trigger in particular is your diet.

When considering how to develop a healthy diet around an arthritis diagnosis, an important word to keep in mind is infl ammation. Arthritis quite literally translates to infl ammation of the joints, and avoiding the following fi ve types of foods can help provide relief.

DAIRYWhile dairy products can act as sources of protein and calcium, consuming too much can trigger arthritis infl ammation. While it may be diffi cult to imagine a life without ice cream or cheese, dairy contains a protein called casein which has been linked to infl ammation. If you already have a dairy sensitivity, you have an even greater risk of these foods impacting your arthritis.

FRIED FOODSFried foods have been linked to everything from diabetes to heart disease, and if you’re not already limiting your intake for your overall health, you may want to consider doing so to protect your joints. How bad of a trigger fried foods are depends largely on how the food is fried and what type of oil the food is fried in. For example, if the temperature of the oil is too low, the food will absorb much more of the oil, making the food even less healthy.

SALTAn increasing number of studies from research labs like the Yale School of Medicine suggest that salt may also play a role in arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis. Too much salt in your diet, especially from sources like sodium-laden fast food, can overload receptors responsible for the immune response in your body. Instead of attacking foreign invaders, the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues, including those in your joints.

REFINED CARBSFoods made from refi ned carbohydrates, like most baked goods and sweets, can also trigger arthritis fl are ups. Carbohydrates in their whole food form play an essential role in a healthy diet, such as with unprocessed fruits, vegetables and whole grains. When refi ned down to their simplest form, these foods reduce essential fi ber intake, which increases infl ammation from C-reactive proteins in the body.

FOODS HIGH IN AGESAGEs involve toxins that develop when certain foods are exposed to high temperatures, such as with grilling meats or frying foods. AGE stands for advanced glycation end products, which damage the joints and increase arthritis pain and infl ammation by activating small proteins called cytokines.

While this list may eliminate some of your favorite foods, doing so not only helps joint health and controlling the symptoms of arthritis, but can positively impact your entire body. Like any change in diet, be sure to include your doctor to ensure these changes are appropriate for your unique health situation.

5 FOODS YOU SHOULD AVOID IF YOU HAVE ARTHRITIS g

The Board of Trustees is pleased to announce

a new behavioral health program through MHN

with enhanced benefi ts for members effective March 1, 2017.

As required by law, the Fund Offi ce has

mailed IRS Form 1099R to every pensioner.

This form, which is mailed by January 31st

each year to our pensioners and to the IRS,

shows the total amount of pension received

from the Pension Trust during calendar year

2016. It also shows the amount of federal

and state income tax, if any, that was

withheld. Pensioners need this form when

completing year end income tax returns.

All retirement benefi ts paid by the Operating Engineers Pension Trust, including Disability Pensions, are subject to federal income tax. In some states, these benefi ts are also subject to state income tax. When you retired, you chose whether or not you wanted taxes withheld from your benefi ts. The choice to withhold is an individual decision based on your overall fi nancial situation.

You may change your withholdings at any time by fi ling new forms with the Fund Offi ce. We recommend that you consult with a qualifi ed tax advisor before making changes. The Fund Offi ce cannot give tax advice.

The necessary forms are available from the Fund Offi ce by calling toll free (866) 400-5200. They are also available for download from the Fund’s website at www.oefi .org

PLEASE KEEP YOUR

ADDRESS UPDATED

with the Fund Offi ce. A

change of address form is

located on the back page of

this newsletter and is also

available on our website

at www.oefi .org under

‘DOCUMENTS & FORMS’.

● Be Alert to Impersonators Make sure you know who is getting your personal or fi nancial

information. Don’t give out personal information on the phone, through the mail or over the Internet unless you’ve initiated the contact or know who you’re dealing with. If a company that claims to have an account with you sends email asking for personal information, don’t click on links in the email. Instead, type the company name into your web browser, go to their site, and contact them through customer service. Or, call the customer service number listed on your account statement. Ask whether the company really sent a request.

● Safely Dispose of Personal Information Before you dispose of a computer, get rid of all the personal

information it stores. Use a wipe utility program to overwrite the entire hard drive.

Before you dispose of a mobile device, check your owner’s manual, the service provider’s website, or the device manufacturer’s website for information on how to delete information permanently, and how to save or transfer information to a new device. Remove the memory or subscriber identity module (SIM) card from a mobile device. Remove the phone book, lists of calls made and received, voicemails, messages sent and received, organizer folders, web search history, and photos.

● Encrypt Your Data Keep your browser secure. To guard your online transactions, use

encryption software that scrambles information you send over the internet. A “lock” icon on the status bar of your internet browser means your information will be safe when it’s transmitted. Look for the lock before you send personal or fi nancial information online.

● Keep Passwords Private Use strong passwords with your laptop, credit, bank, and other

accounts. Be creative: think of a special phrase and use the fi rst letter of each word as your password. Substitute numbers for some words or letters. For example, “I want to see the Pacifi c Ocean” could become 1W2CtPo.

● Don’t Overshare on Social Networking Sites If you post too much information about yourself, an identity thief

can fi nd information about your life, use it to answer ‘challenge’ questions on your accounts, and get access to your money and personal information. Consider limiting access to your networking page to a small group of people. Never post your full name, Social Security number, address, phone number, or account numbers in publicly accessible sites.

Page 2 The Scoop I.U.O.E. LOCAL 12 I.U.O.E. LOCAL 12 The Scoop Page 3

KEEPING YOUR DEVICES SECURE● Use Security Software Install anti-virus software, anti-spyware software, and a fi rewall.

Set your preference to update these protections often. Protect against intrusions and infections that can compromise your computer fi les or passwords by installing security patches for your operating system and other software programs.

● Avoid Phishing Emails Don’t open fi les, click on links, or download programs sent by

strangers. Opening a fi le from someone you don’t know could expose your system to a computer virus or spyware that captures your passwords or other information you type.

● Be Wise About Wi-Fi Before you send personal information over your laptop or

smartphone on a public wireless network in a coffee shop, library, airport, hotel, or other public place, see if your information will be protected. If you use an encrypted website, it protects only the information you send to and from that site. If you use a secure wireless network, all the information you send on that network is protected.

● Lock Up Your Laptop Keep fi nancial information on your laptop only when necessary.

Don’t use an automatic login feature that saves your user name and password, and always log off when you’re fi nished. That way, if your laptop is stolen, it will be harder for a thief to get at your personal information.

● Read Privacy Policies Yes, they can be long and complex, but they tell you how the site

maintains accuracy, access, security, and control of the personal information it collects; how it uses the information, and whether it provides information to third parties. If you don’t see or understand a site’s privacy policy, consider doing business elsewhere.

-Federal Trade Commission

KEEPING YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION SECURE ONLINEKnow who you share your information with. Store and dispose of your personal information securely.

It’s a common morning practice to begin each day with a fresh, hot cup of coffee or tea to warm our bodies. The idea of drinking warm water

in the morning instead seems outlandish to many, but people commonly prefer it.

Consuming warm water, especially in the morning, can promote a variety of healing benefi ts on the body, encouraging digestive power and lessening metabolic waste that may have accumulated in the immune system.

Processed cold water is entirely lacking of a variety of essential minerals that could work against the digestive tract when consuming food. Drinking warm water may not be something you necessarily enjoy, but the benefi ts are incredible.

But fi rst how much water should we be drinking? To answer this: it depends! Typically between 3 and 4 liters is about the right amount. But if you are very active or sweat a lot, you might need more. So the key is to start with that amount and then pay attention to your body and see how it feels. If you’re getting headaches often or feeling tired, try drinking more water.

Here are some of the benefi ts you will enjoy from drinking warm water regularly:

HELPS BID MUCUS ACCUMULATION GOODBYEResearch has found that warm beverages, in comparison to cold ones, are better able to decrease the buildup of mucus in the nose, throat, and gastrointestinal tract, therefore reducing the risk of virus or bacteria growth in those areas. One study noted that sipping on hot water improved the amount of mucus velocity by up to 8.4 mm per minute as opposed to its earlier 6.22 per minute. This suggests drinking hot water is a benefi cial tool in keeping mucus moving.

CLEANSES DIGESTIONResearch has found that consuming a warm cup of water in the morning can help the body cleanse more effi ciently by way of fl ushing out toxins. Water is one of the liquids known to aid in the breakdown of food in the stomach, ensuring the digestive system stays on track. Drinking cold water during or after a meal, on the other hand, can harden the oil in consumed foods, resulting in fat deposit in the intestine.

STOPS PREMATURE AGINGBecause the presence of toxins in the body can lead to premature aging, warm water is key, since, as previously noted, it helps cleanse the body from those toxins. It also repairs skin cells affected by free radicals in order to increase elasticity. Warm water is also benefi cial for ensuring your skin stays acne and pimple-free, since it cleanses you internally and eliminates the bacteria associated with such skin conditions.

RELIEVES CONSTIPATIONNot having proper bowel movements can be entirely uncomfortable or downright painful. Ingesting warm or hot water in the morning on an empty stomach can ensure minimal bloating and an easy elimination process. It will boost bowel movements and help prevent constipation while also breaking down foods to smoothly pass through the intestines. For the best results, the British Homeopathic Association recommends drinking a glass of warm water every day upon waking and, before consuming any foods.

BOOSTS BLOOD CIRCULATIONDrinking a glass of warm water ensures the elimination of fat deposits in the body and the accumulating deposits in the nervous system. Along with this elimination go the toxins circulating throughout the body. The end result is enhanced blood circulation, which water in general improves. In fact, researchers found elevated blood thickness volume of red blood cells and the protein fi brinogen that attributes to the clotting process in individuals who consumed less than two glasses of water a day as opposed to those who drank fi ve or more.

Adapted from Prevention Magazine

FIGHTING BACK AGAINST THE

“SILENT KILLER”

Bene ts from Drinking Warm Water Regularly

High blood pressure (HBP or hypertension) is a symptomless “silent

killer” that quietly damages blood vessels and leads to serious health

threats. (American Heart Association)

While there is no cure, using medications as prescribed and making

positive lifestyle changes can help enhance your quality of life and reduce

your risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and more.

Make changes that matter:● Eat a well-balanced, low-salt diet

● Limit alcohol

● Enjoy regular physical activity

● Maintain a healthy weight

● Take your medications properly

Know your numbersThe best way to know if your blood pressure is in a healthy or unhealthy

range is to get it checked. If high blood pressure is diagnosed, regular

monitoring can help confi rm if you have high blood pressure, detect

patterns and alert you to any changes. It will also show you if the changes

you’ve made are working.

Managing blood pressure is a lifelong commitmentListen to and partner with your doctor, read sound information on your

condition, learn how to monitor your blood pressure at home and act on

this information to live a heart-healthy life.

By adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle, you can:● Reduce high blood pressure

● Prevent or delay the development of high blood pressure

● Enhance the effectiveness of blood pressure medications

● Lower your risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, kidney damage,

vision loss and sexual dysfunction

BLOOD PRESSURE SYSTOLIC DIASTOLIC CATEGORY mm Hg (upper #)

AND mm Hg (lower #)

NORMAL LESS THAN 120 LESS THAN 80

PREHYPERTENSION MIDDLE 120 – 139 OR 80 – 89

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE (Hypertension) Stage 1 Middle

140 – 159 OR 90 – 99

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE (Hypertension) Stage 2

160 or higher OR 100 or higher

HYPERTENSIVE CRISIS (Emergency Care Needed)

Higher than 180 OR Higher than 110

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires health plans verify coverage of

individuals under their plans. You should have already received your Form

1095-B as proof of coverage that Operating Engineers Health & Welfare

Fund provided you and your family. The form will contain information

about the Plan, listing the members of your family covered and the time

periods for which they received coverage. By law, this form must be issued

by March 2, 2017.

You will be able to use Form 1095-B to confi rm your insurance coverage when fi ling your individual tax return, so please make sure to keep it with your important documents. Only one form is provided for all the individuals listed on your Plan, so you may need to provide copies to your spouse or dependents, as necessary.

The ACA also requires that certain employers report information regarding health coverage offered to their employees in 2016 via IRS Form 1095-C. Consequently, you may also receive Form 1095-C from your employer(s).

IRS FORMS REQUIRED TO VERIFY HEALTH COVERAGE

● Be Alert to Impersonators Make sure you know who is getting your personal or fi nancial

information. Don’t give out personal information on the phone, through the mail or over the Internet unless you’ve initiated the contact or know who you’re dealing with. If a company that claims to have an account with you sends email asking for personal information, don’t click on links in the email. Instead, type the company name into your web browser, go to their site, and contact them through customer service. Or, call the customer service number listed on your account statement. Ask whether the company really sent a request.

● Safely Dispose of Personal Information Before you dispose of a computer, get rid of all the personal

information it stores. Use a wipe utility program to overwrite the entire hard drive.

Before you dispose of a mobile device, check your owner’s manual, the service provider’s website, or the device manufacturer’s website for information on how to delete information permanently, and how to save or transfer information to a new device. Remove the memory or subscriber identity module (SIM) card from a mobile device. Remove the phone book, lists of calls made and received, voicemails, messages sent and received, organizer folders, web search history, and photos.

● Encrypt Your Data Keep your browser secure. To guard your online transactions, use

encryption software that scrambles information you send over the internet. A “lock” icon on the status bar of your internet browser means your information will be safe when it’s transmitted. Look for the lock before you send personal or fi nancial information online.

● Keep Passwords Private Use strong passwords with your laptop, credit, bank, and other

accounts. Be creative: think of a special phrase and use the fi rst letter of each word as your password. Substitute numbers for some words or letters. For example, “I want to see the Pacifi c Ocean” could become 1W2CtPo.

● Don’t Overshare on Social Networking Sites If you post too much information about yourself, an identity thief

can fi nd information about your life, use it to answer ‘challenge’ questions on your accounts, and get access to your money and personal information. Consider limiting access to your networking page to a small group of people. Never post your full name, Social Security number, address, phone number, or account numbers in publicly accessible sites.

Page 2 The Scoop I.U.O.E. LOCAL 12 I.U.O.E. LOCAL 12 The Scoop Page 3

KEEPING YOUR DEVICES SECURE● Use Security Software Install anti-virus software, anti-spyware software, and a fi rewall.

Set your preference to update these protections often. Protect against intrusions and infections that can compromise your computer fi les or passwords by installing security patches for your operating system and other software programs.

● Avoid Phishing Emails Don’t open fi les, click on links, or download programs sent by

strangers. Opening a fi le from someone you don’t know could expose your system to a computer virus or spyware that captures your passwords or other information you type.

● Be Wise About Wi-Fi Before you send personal information over your laptop or

smartphone on a public wireless network in a coffee shop, library, airport, hotel, or other public place, see if your information will be protected. If you use an encrypted website, it protects only the information you send to and from that site. If you use a secure wireless network, all the information you send on that network is protected.

● Lock Up Your Laptop Keep fi nancial information on your laptop only when necessary.

Don’t use an automatic login feature that saves your user name and password, and always log off when you’re fi nished. That way, if your laptop is stolen, it will be harder for a thief to get at your personal information.

● Read Privacy Policies Yes, they can be long and complex, but they tell you how the site

maintains accuracy, access, security, and control of the personal information it collects; how it uses the information, and whether it provides information to third parties. If you don’t see or understand a site’s privacy policy, consider doing business elsewhere.

-Federal Trade Commission

KEEPING YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION SECURE ONLINEKnow who you share your information with. Store and dispose of your personal information securely.

It’s a common morning practice to begin each day with a fresh, hot cup of coffee or tea to warm our bodies. The idea of drinking warm water

in the morning instead seems outlandish to many, but people commonly prefer it.

Consuming warm water, especially in the morning, can promote a variety of healing benefi ts on the body, encouraging digestive power and lessening metabolic waste that may have accumulated in the immune system.

Processed cold water is entirely lacking of a variety of essential minerals that could work against the digestive tract when consuming food. Drinking warm water may not be something you necessarily enjoy, but the benefi ts are incredible.

But fi rst how much water should we be drinking? To answer this: it depends! Typically between 3 and 4 liters is about the right amount. But if you are very active or sweat a lot, you might need more. So the key is to start with that amount and then pay attention to your body and see how it feels. If you’re getting headaches often or feeling tired, try drinking more water.

Here are some of the benefi ts you will enjoy from drinking warm water regularly:

HELPS BID MUCUS ACCUMULATION GOODBYEResearch has found that warm beverages, in comparison to cold ones, are better able to decrease the buildup of mucus in the nose, throat, and gastrointestinal tract, therefore reducing the risk of virus or bacteria growth in those areas. One study noted that sipping on hot water improved the amount of mucus velocity by up to 8.4 mm per minute as opposed to its earlier 6.22 per minute. This suggests drinking hot water is a benefi cial tool in keeping mucus moving.

CLEANSES DIGESTIONResearch has found that consuming a warm cup of water in the morning can help the body cleanse more effi ciently by way of fl ushing out toxins. Water is one of the liquids known to aid in the breakdown of food in the stomach, ensuring the digestive system stays on track. Drinking cold water during or after a meal, on the other hand, can harden the oil in consumed foods, resulting in fat deposit in the intestine.

STOPS PREMATURE AGINGBecause the presence of toxins in the body can lead to premature aging, warm water is key, since, as previously noted, it helps cleanse the body from those toxins. It also repairs skin cells affected by free radicals in order to increase elasticity. Warm water is also benefi cial for ensuring your skin stays acne and pimple-free, since it cleanses you internally and eliminates the bacteria associated with such skin conditions.

RELIEVES CONSTIPATIONNot having proper bowel movements can be entirely uncomfortable or downright painful. Ingesting warm or hot water in the morning on an empty stomach can ensure minimal bloating and an easy elimination process. It will boost bowel movements and help prevent constipation while also breaking down foods to smoothly pass through the intestines. For the best results, the British Homeopathic Association recommends drinking a glass of warm water every day upon waking and, before consuming any foods.

BOOSTS BLOOD CIRCULATIONDrinking a glass of warm water ensures the elimination of fat deposits in the body and the accumulating deposits in the nervous system. Along with this elimination go the toxins circulating throughout the body. The end result is enhanced blood circulation, which water in general improves. In fact, researchers found elevated blood thickness volume of red blood cells and the protein fi brinogen that attributes to the clotting process in individuals who consumed less than two glasses of water a day as opposed to those who drank fi ve or more.

Adapted from Prevention Magazine

FIGHTING BACK AGAINST THE

“SILENT KILLER”

Bene ts from Drinking Warm Water Regularly

High blood pressure (HBP or hypertension) is a symptomless “silent

killer” that quietly damages blood vessels and leads to serious health

threats. (American Heart Association)

While there is no cure, using medications as prescribed and making

positive lifestyle changes can help enhance your quality of life and reduce

your risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and more.

Make changes that matter:● Eat a well-balanced, low-salt diet

● Limit alcohol

● Enjoy regular physical activity

● Maintain a healthy weight

● Take your medications properly

Know your numbersThe best way to know if your blood pressure is in a healthy or unhealthy

range is to get it checked. If high blood pressure is diagnosed, regular

monitoring can help confi rm if you have high blood pressure, detect

patterns and alert you to any changes. It will also show you if the changes

you’ve made are working.

Managing blood pressure is a lifelong commitmentListen to and partner with your doctor, read sound information on your

condition, learn how to monitor your blood pressure at home and act on

this information to live a heart-healthy life.

By adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle, you can:● Reduce high blood pressure

● Prevent or delay the development of high blood pressure

● Enhance the effectiveness of blood pressure medications

● Lower your risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, kidney damage,

vision loss and sexual dysfunction

BLOOD PRESSURE SYSTOLIC DIASTOLIC CATEGORY mm Hg (upper #)

AND mm Hg (lower #)

NORMAL LESS THAN 120 LESS THAN 80

PREHYPERTENSION MIDDLE 120 – 139 OR 80 – 89

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE (Hypertension) Stage 1 Middle

140 – 159 OR 90 – 99

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE (Hypertension) Stage 2

160 or higher OR 100 or higher

HYPERTENSIVE CRISIS (Emergency Care Needed)

Higher than 180 OR Higher than 110

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires health plans verify coverage of

individuals under their plans. You should have already received your Form

1095-B as proof of coverage that Operating Engineers Health & Welfare

Fund provided you and your family. The form will contain information

about the Plan, listing the members of your family covered and the time

periods for which they received coverage. By law, this form must be issued

by March 2, 2017.

You will be able to use Form 1095-B to confi rm your insurance coverage when fi ling your individual tax return, so please make sure to keep it with your important documents. Only one form is provided for all the individuals listed on your Plan, so you may need to provide copies to your spouse or dependents, as necessary.

The ACA also requires that certain employers report information regarding health coverage offered to their employees in 2016 via IRS Form 1095-C. Consequently, you may also receive Form 1095-C from your employer(s).

IRS FORMS REQUIRED TO VERIFY HEALTH COVERAGE

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE PENSION DEPARTMENT

TAX WITHHOLDING ON PENSION BENEFITS

CHANGE of ADDRESSREMINDER!

The following is a summary of some of the types of issues that can be

handled as part of the MAP:

● Marriage, Family and Relationship Issues

● Stress and Anxiety

● Depression

● Grief and Loss

● Anger Management

● Domestic Violence

● Alcohol and Drug Dependency

● Other Emotional Health Issues

Who is MHN? MHN has over 30 years’ experience in providing behavioral health,

substance abuse, wellness and Member Assistance Programs. They

maintain a nation-wide network of more than 62,000 licensed

practitioners and 1,450 facilities. They provide a toll-free access line

24/7 to speak with a licensed clinician.

We will send out further information as we get closer to the

March 1, 2017 effective date, but we wanted to give you advance notice

of the changes so you may plan your upcoming care accordingly.

What is Behavioral Health? Behavioral health care includes mental health care, inpatient and

outpatient counseling or therapy, substance abuse care and treatment

and a new Member Assistance Program benefi t.

Except for the new Member Assistance Program, there is no change

in benefi ts; 90% coverage when a Network or PPO provider is used

and 70% for non-Network or non-PPO providers. There is also no

change in the annual deductible; $250 when Network providers are

used and $500 for Non-network providers. The main difference is that

the network of PPO providers will change from Anthem Blue Cross to

MHN and the addition of a new Member Assistance Program.

New Member Assistance Program The new Member Assistance Program (MAP) provides confi dential,

professional short-term counseling services for you and your eligible

family members. The MAP provides up to eight (8) counseling sessions

for each incident/issue per year per eligible person. There are no co-

payments, co-insurance or deductibles. If it is determined that further

care is necessary and appropriate, coverage will be provided at 90% if

an MHN Network provider is used or 70% if a provider is used that is

not part of the MHN network.

NEW HEALTH BENEFIT COMING SOON!

Fund Offi ce Member Services: Call in Hours: M – F 7:00 am – 4:30 pm toll free (866) 400-5200Walk-in Hours: M – F 8:30 am – 4:30 pm • Visit our website: www.oefi .org

OPERATING ENGINEERS TRUST FUNDS – PENSION, HEALTH & WELFARE AND VACATION/HOLIDAY FUNDSI.U.O.E. LOCAL 12

WINTER 2017

Page 4 The Scoop I.U.O.E. LOCAL 12

CHANGE OF ADDRESS:You can use this form to change your address.

It can be mailed to the address printed at the bottom of the form or fax it to the Fund Of ce @ (626) 356-1047. It must include the member’s signature and one of the following: register #, OE #, or last 4-digits of the member’s SS#.

Please note that your change of address must be received by the 15th of the month in order for your Pension Check to be sent to your new address the following month.

Name Register #, OE# or Last 4-Digits of Member’s SS#

Street

City State Zip Code

Member’s Signature

Telephone Number

Can you nd the hidden words? They may be horizontal, vertical, diagonal, forward, or backwards.

MAIL FORM TO:Operating Engineers Trust Funds

P.O. Box 7063, Pasadena, CA 91109or fax to (626) 356-1047

DAUNTLESS, LIBERATOR, WELLINGTON, MUSTANG, BETTY, LIGHTNING, SPITFIRE, WILDCAT, WARHAWK, LANCASTER, AIRACOBRA, MOSQUITO, HURRICANE, MITCHELL, INVADER, STUKA, KATE, ZERO

WORLD WAR II AIRCRAFT

Aging is an unavoidable circumstance that dramatically increases your risks for joint-related problems like arthritis. Unfortunately,

women are especially at risk for developing this often painful and debilitating condition, with women experiencing a higher age-adjusted prevalence of doctor-diagnosed arthritis over men, according to statistics from the National Health Interview Survey and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you’ve been diagnosed with arthritis, regardless of age, certain lifestyle choices can trigger or worsen symptoms. One trigger in particular is your diet.

When considering how to develop a healthy diet around an arthritis diagnosis, an important word to keep in mind is infl ammation. Arthritis quite literally translates to infl ammation of the joints, and avoiding the following fi ve types of foods can help provide relief.

DAIRYWhile dairy products can act as sources of protein and calcium, consuming too much can trigger arthritis infl ammation. While it may be diffi cult to imagine a life without ice cream or cheese, dairy contains a protein called casein which has been linked to infl ammation. If you already have a dairy sensitivity, you have an even greater risk of these foods impacting your arthritis.

FRIED FOODSFried foods have been linked to everything from diabetes to heart disease, and if you’re not already limiting your intake for your overall health, you may want to consider doing so to protect your joints. How bad of a trigger fried foods are depends largely on how the food is fried and what type of oil the food is fried in. For example, if the temperature of the oil is too low, the food will absorb much more of the oil, making the food even less healthy.

SALTAn increasing number of studies from research labs like the Yale School of Medicine suggest that salt may also play a role in arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis. Too much salt in your diet, especially from sources like sodium-laden fast food, can overload receptors responsible for the immune response in your body. Instead of attacking foreign invaders, the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues, including those in your joints.

REFINED CARBSFoods made from refi ned carbohydrates, like most baked goods and sweets, can also trigger arthritis fl are ups. Carbohydrates in their whole food form play an essential role in a healthy diet, such as with unprocessed fruits, vegetables and whole grains. When refi ned down to their simplest form, these foods reduce essential fi ber intake, which increases infl ammation from C-reactive proteins in the body.

FOODS HIGH IN AGESAGEs involve toxins that develop when certain foods are exposed to high temperatures, such as with grilling meats or frying foods. AGE stands for advanced glycation end products, which damage the joints and increase arthritis pain and infl ammation by activating small proteins called cytokines.

While this list may eliminate some of your favorite foods, doing so not only helps joint health and controlling the symptoms of arthritis, but can positively impact your entire body. Like any change in diet, be sure to include your doctor to ensure these changes are appropriate for your unique health situation.

5 FOODS YOU SHOULD AVOID IF YOU HAVE ARTHRITIS g

The Board of Trustees is pleased to announce

a new behavioral health program through MHN

with enhanced benefi ts for members effective March 1, 2017.

As required by law, the Fund Offi ce has

mailed IRS Form 1099R to every pensioner.

This form, which is mailed by January 31st

each year to our pensioners and to the IRS,

shows the total amount of pension received

from the Pension Trust during calendar year

2016. It also shows the amount of federal

and state income tax, if any, that was

withheld. Pensioners need this form when

completing year end income tax returns.

All retirement benefi ts paid by the Operating Engineers Pension Trust, including Disability Pensions, are subject to federal income tax. In some states, these benefi ts are also subject to state income tax. When you retired, you chose whether or not you wanted taxes withheld from your benefi ts. The choice to withhold is an individual decision based on your overall fi nancial situation.

You may change your withholdings at any time by fi ling new forms with the Fund Offi ce. We recommend that you consult with a qualifi ed tax advisor before making changes. The Fund Offi ce cannot give tax advice.

The necessary forms are available from the Fund Offi ce by calling toll free (866) 400-5200. They are also available for download from the Fund’s website at www.oefi .org

PLEASE KEEP YOUR

ADDRESS UPDATED

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change of address form is

located on the back page of

this newsletter and is also

available on our website

at www.oefi .org under

‘DOCUMENTS & FORMS’.