Blog Archives

SA Fire & Police Pensioners Asso - November Meeting

11/11/2021

SA Fire & Police Pensioners Asso - November Meeting

The meeting was well attended via ZOOM. This will be our last meeting for 2021. No meeting in December because of the Old Timers Party.

Be back in 2022 and there will be an in-person meeting at the Pension Office for January 2022.

Plans are in progress for the Annual Pensioners Asso Banquet. Further info to be announced.

13th Check is Possible

11/11/2021

From: Harry Griffin, Police Retirees Pension Fund Rep.
Subject: 13th check

As of November 2, 2021 our pension fund’s performance was 10.5% for the year to date. We have 8 full weeks left until year end, 12/31/21, and if we end the year with at least a 3% return we should be able to issue another 13th Check this year. If approved by the Board.

We are currently well above that, and things look real good for the Fire & Police Pension Fund, and its ability to issue a 13th Check.

In fact, our Fund has increased more than $350 million in value this year. While we are well above the performance necessary for a 13th Check, we would need at least a 13% return at year end to be able to consider a 14th Check.

Attached is the formula used to determine a 13th check:

HOW IS THE 13TH CHECK CALCULATED

The 13th Check is calculated as follows:
1st, the check was earned due to 5 consecutive years of positive investment out performance.The final year of that calculation was 2021. So the 13th Check is calculated on the gross amount of your monthly pension check for calendar year 2021.

2nd, The Fund follows IRS guidelines and deducts 22% Federal income Tax
3rd, if you retired during 2021, your 13th Check will be prorated

Finally, if you were retired the entire 2021 calendar year, you can multiply your 2020 monthly check amount , times .78, and that will be the amount deposited in your account , as your 13th Check

So that brings the question of why the .78? Taxes - they took out 22% for federal tax, leaving the remaining 78% as the net amount deposited in your bank account.

Retired Lt. Porter needs your help

11/11/2021

Message From Zula Porter (Wife of Jesse Porter, Retired Lt.)
She is asking that Friends write Jesse letters of tales from the past while on the SAPD. She states that he is having dementia/Alzheimer's
stages but seems to remember things that happened in the past during his career on the Police Force. She reads to him and he reacts with smiles, grins and laughter. She says letters to him would be better. She asks that you write a letter or send a card.

Contact CoffeeCops for the address.

Veterans Memorial Service

11/11/2021

The 173rd Assault Helicopter Company :

Call sign “RobinHood” and “Crossbow” was deployed to Vietnam from 1966 to 1972.

As part of our reunion we have reserved the Arneson River Theater for a Memorial Service on Friday, 0900am, November 12 to honor all our fallen during the war and those who have died after tour. We will gather at the amphitheater seating of the Arneson.

They chose San Antonio for our reunion this year not only because it is a beautiful destination, but specifically to honor Sammy P. Rodriguez, from San Antonio, who was KIA in Vietnam while serving in our unit.

They will present his daughter, who was born after his death, and the rest of his family an opportunity to talk with and visit the pilots and crew members that were with him at the time of his death.
The service will start at 9:00am should be as follows:
•   Presentation of the Colors by the Breckenridge High School JROTC
•   Singing of the National Anthem by a member of the Army North Band, Fort Sam Houston.
•   Opening prayer and remarks from our unit Chaplin
•   Reading of the names of our fallen followed by the playing of Taps.
•   Opportunity for family members or friends to share memories of our fallen brothers.
•   Closing prayer by the Chaplin.
•   Playing of the bagpipes.
•   Fly over by the San Antonio Police Department Helicopter Unit.

Thanks, Reben Cerda - Retired SAPD
Semper Fi

Veterans Day - Today

11/11/2021

Veterans Day - November 11, 2021

This year marks the 100th Anniversary "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier"
Thanks to all that served.

https://blog.fold3.com/100th-anniversary-of-the-tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier-november-11-2021/

CHANGE OF HOURS FIREARMS QUALIFICATION

11/7/2021

Maria Cadena-May

FYI:

The afternoon hour for the Retiree Range Qualification has changed (as I was scheduling for next month) per speaking to one of the officers at the range. The new time to qualify is now 1100 from what was 1400.
So, both times are now held in the morning for the rest of the year.

13th Check, Maybe?

11/5/2021

From: Harry Griffin, Police Retirees Pension Fund Rep.
Subject: 13th check

As of November 2, 2021 our pension fund’s performance was 10.5% for the year to date. We have 8 full weeks left until year end, 12/31/21, and if we end the year with at least least a 3% return we should be able to issue another 13th Check this year.

We are currently well above that, and things look real good for the Fire & Police Pension Fund, and its ability to issue a 13th Check.

In fact, our Fund has increased more than $350 million in value this year.

Some have asked about a 14th Check. While we are well above the performance necessary for a 13th Check, we would need at least a 13% return at year end to be able to consider a 14th Check.

Harry Griffin

Veterans Day

11/5/2021

Veterans Day - November 11, 2021

This year marks the 100th Anniversary "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier"

https://blog.fold3.com/100th-anniversary-of-the-tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier-november-11-2021/

Health Care Report

11/5/2021

TO MEMBERS OF THE
FIRE AND POLICE HEALTH FUND

By Henry Trevino
(Fire Retiree Health Care Fund Representative)

       NOVEMBER 1 2021

   I received an irate call from one of our Health Fund members a couple of weeks ago. The member could not understand why the doctor’s bills were not being paid by the Health Fund.
   Whenever I get a question like this, I ask the member if he or she had called the staff at the Health Fund office. Usually the answer is; “no, I have not called the Health Fund.”
   The staff at the Health Fund are the only ones that can view your personal medical account. Nobody, including the CEO, is privy to your personal medical accounts. The privacy of our members’ medical accounts is one of the reasons I always ask the members if they have called the Health Fund Staff.
   Back to our irate member; I told the member I would call the staff at the Health Fund and find out why the member’s doctor bills were not being paid. The problem was quickly solved. The member had not opened the packet that the Health Fund sends to our members every year in November.
   The member had not opened a packet in three years. The member had not been to a doctor in three years and had no reason to open the packet. For our members information, the packet contains vital information about our Health Fund.
   The problem with our member was that the claim’s form had never been signed and returned to the Health Fund. The claims form is always included in the packet that our members receive every year. If that form is not signed and sent back to the Health Fund, no medical bills will be paid.
   The informational packet will be sent out in November; look for it and don’t forget to open it. Aside from the claims form, other information is included; deductible expenses, out of pocket expenses, children’s rates and changes to medications. Please don’t put the packet aside and forget it; as soon as you receive the packet, please open it and read it thoroughly.
   If you have a problem with anything pertaining to the Health Fund, the first call should be to the Health Fund. You may call me at any time, (210-710-7378). Still, I suggest that you call the Health Fund first (210-494-6500).
   Let’s go back to exercise. Getting old is inevitable. You can pray, you can wish and you can cry; old age will continue to march towards you forever. You can’t stop old age from taking over; however, you can stall old age by decelerating the speed of old age. Can this be done: Yes, it can be done.
   As we get older, our bones get brittle, our joints lose the synovial fluid, muscles lose their strength and elasticity, and eyes start to weaken causing people to fall.
   Body movement is the best medicine that helps to decelerate the speed of old age. Make it a rule to walk around the block at least one time; use light weights every day for at least 15 minutes; do toe raises and leg squats, and when you go to the grocery store, park the car at least 100 yards from the front door. Good luck!

Henry Trevino
____________________________________________________

ENCOURAGEMENT COMES FROM EACH LETTER OF THE ALPHABET.
Moral of the story: “A” is for Ambition; “B” is for backbone; “C” is for courage; “D” is for determination; “E” is for effort; “F” is fortitude; “G” is for gumption; “H” is for health; “I” is for inspiration; “J” is for justice; “K” is for kindness: “L” is for love; “M” is for management; “N” is for nerve; “O” is organization; “P” is for pluck; “Q” is for quality; “R” is for resolve; “S” is for strength; “T” is for tenacity; “U” is for usefulness; “V” is for valor; “W” is for wisdom; “X” is for xperience; “Y” is for yield; “Z” is for zest. When you feel down and out, look for the letter that will inspire, motivate and give you the strength to move forward and accomplish your life’s calling.

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November Meeting - Pensioners Association

11/2/2021

SA Fire & Police Pensioners Asso - November Meeting

The meeting will be held on Nov 09 at 130pm. via ZOOM.
All members are encouraged to sign in and attend.
This will be our last meeting for 2021. No meeting in December because of Old Timers Party. Be back in 2022.
Info to log on.

SAFPPA/Monthly Meeting
Time: Nov 9, 2021 01:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89836078368?pwd=V2pCSTlYeEl2WjJRN3BhUzAyMkJDQT09

Meeting ID: 898 3607 8368
Passcode: 252459

Time Change - Fall Back

11/1/2021

Daylight Saving Time Ends Soon!
Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, November 7, 2021. Therefore, at 0200 hours on Sunday, November 7, 2021, all timepieces should be set back to indicate 0100am

Volunteers Needed and Wanted

11/1/2021

Anderson Park - Medina Lake / VOLUNTEERS WANTED:
The Benevolent Fund is hosting two (2) workdays here at the park on November 5th and 6th. We are asking for member participation to help with improvements.

Purpose is to fabricate five (5) new pavilions covers/structures. These are construction workdays, so we will be working with metal, wood, tin, and various tools. Experience is not necessary but will be very helpful.

If you have skills in minor construction and are off, please consider helping out. We will begin promptly at 8AM on both days.

If helping and you have any of the following tools, please bring them: 8-foot ladder, 10- foot folding ladder, cordless drill, circular saw, hammer drill, level, square,
and various other tools to assist in building a structure.

The Benevolent Fund will be providing lunch both days so come with an appetite.
If you are planning on attending or have any questions, please give me a call or text at (210) 428-0380, so I can get an estimated headcount.
Thank you for your assistance and we look forward to seeing you.

TRAVIS REICH
PARK COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN.

Health Benefit Packets 2021/2022

11/1/2021

FIRE AND POLICE RETIREE HEALTH CARE FUND
The Health Benefit Packets this year 2021 / 2022 will be sent by US Mail. There will be NO annual meeting.

They will be sent to the address on file with the PENSION FUND.
Make sure your address that the PENSION FUND has is a current address

Member Benefit Office, Pension Fund. Call 210.534.3262
To make updates on your pension info.

Remembering Stephanie Brown

11/1/2021

Remember Officer Stephanie Brown

Mothers Against Drunk Driving had a Memorial Walk remembered the life of Stephanie Brown. It took place at Eisenhower Park on October 23, 2021 at 900am.

https://www.walklikemadd.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.team&teamID=18365

Old Timers Luncheon

11/1/2021

Old Timers Luncheon - Police Benevolent Fund
The Benevolent Fund has announced the "Old Timers Luncheon " this year.

The date will be the 2nd Tuesday in December, the 14th.

The Old Timers invitations have been mailed. There have been many cards that were undeliverable because of bad addresses.

The Benevolent Fund uses address labels provided by the PENSION OFFICE so if a Retiree has moved and not updated his address info with the pension office your card was returned or trashed. RSVP IS A MUST FOR THIS EVENT .

Greg Garvelli, Benevolent Fund
Sect/Treas

FYI: The Pension Office requires that in order to update info Retired Officers and Widows "CALL IN" (210-534-3262) and talked to someone in the "Benefits Office"
in order to change any info. such as Address, Phone numbers, Marriage status etc.
The Pensioners Asso and the SAPOA cannot do this for you. Call the Pension Office. (210-534-3262)