Public Employee Press

Union Health and Pension Services

The Health and Pension Services Unit assists members who have questions about the health insurance and pension plans provided to employees by the city under agreements with DC 37 and other municipal employee unions.

Health insurance
The unit helps members resolve problems with insurance claims (including rejections), discrepancies in reimbursement, incorrect deductions or termination of coverage.

Unit counselors will discuss the benefits available from the city’s health insurance plans while members are on the city’s active payroll and when they reach retirement. They also can answer questions about Medicare coverage.

If a member or dependent loses city coverage, the unit will help them continue benefits under the COBRA law, which lets people who lose their jobs pay for a year’s coverage.

Pension
Unit representatives answer questions about the benefits available under the various pension plans.

Pension counseling is available by appointment. Counselors explain and estimate members’ pension benefits, describe the other benefits members receive upon retirement, discuss pension options, including survivor benefits, and provide an overview of how to retire. Members should make an appointment within six months of their anticipated retirement date; however, the unit assists walk-ins when necessary.

In addition, the unit advises members about disability pensions, including eligibility requirements and the steps necessary to protect against losing pension benefits. If the city denies a disability pension, the unit will represent the member in the appeals process.

You can visit or write the Health and Pension Services Unit at 125 Barclay Street, New York, NY, Room 314, or call the unit at (212) 815-1200.