TSRA NEWSLETTER Publication of the Textron Systems Retirees Association Vol. 5 No. 2 www.tsretirees.org May 2005 TSRA SPRING LUNCHEON A BIG SUCCESS! DR. ARTHUR KANTROWITZ HONORED AT TSRA LUNCHEON Photo by Leo Roy Dr. Gay Lin introduces honored guest Dr. Arthur Kantrowitz. Dr. Gay Lin, who traveled from California to see and honor his former professor and coworker, introduced Dr. Kantrowitz to the audience. He spoke of Arthur’s academic background, the founding of Avco Everett, and recalled fondly their work together during the early years of AERL. Photo by Leo Roy Dr. Arthur Kantrowitz addresses TSRA members and guests. Over 270 members and guests—the most ever for this event—attended TSRA’s 5th Annual Spring Luncheon on May 19. They came to see former co-workers, to hear Susan Tardanico, Textron VP of Communications speak, and to have a good lunch. But most of all, they came to honor two very special guests, the late Dr. Harry Petschek and Dr. Arthur Kantrowitz. Dr. Petschek, who passed away on March 29th, was represented by his wife Mary, son Philip, and Mary’s daughter Harriet Severino. Dr. Kantrowitz attended with his wife Lee Stuart and his daughter Lore Kantrowitz. Photo by Leo Roy Susan Tardanico, Vice President of Communications for Textron Corporate, was the keynote speaker at the spring luncheon. Published by the Textron Systems Retirees Association, P.O. Box 2702, Acton, MA 01720. See our web site at www.tsretirees.org After Dr. Lin’s introduction, Dr. Kantrowitz ascended to the stage, acknowledged the heartfelt round of applause, and spoke warmly to the audience for almost 20 minutes. He described the founding of AERL, its early projects, one of his personal frustrations, and several of AERL’s successes. The program continued with Selena Evans, President of TSRA introducing TSRA’s Officers, the current members of its Board of Directors, and its six “Founding Fathers.” Hank McCard, one of those Founding Fathers and first President of TSRA, was honored. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Bill Fitzgerald, another Founding Father, presented Hank with an inscribed Excalibur letter opener and a scroll expressing the Board’s appreciation for his vision and leadership. Hank’s vision helped bring TSRA into being, and he served as President for the first five years of its existence. Hank has now moved on, from the Presidency to the Board Advisory Group—a group composed of former TSRA Directors—and also literally, from Massachusetts to Maine, where he will continue to enjoy his retirement. units, from Avco Financial Services, to E-Z-Go Golf Carts to Bell Helicopter to Textron Systems. She made it clear that with the great number of exciting new products in the pipeline at all the Textron business units, the future of the Corporation is bright. Photo by Leo Roy Mary Petschek and Arthur Kantrowitz share conversation. 50th Anniversary Celebration of AERL/Avco Specialty Materials/Avco RAD consolidated today as Textron Systems September 23, 2005 at Textron Systems in Wilmington, MA More information will be provided as it becomes available. Photo by Leo Roy Bill Fitzgerald reads the scroll honoring TSRA founder and past president Hank McCard. Susan Tardanico, Textron Vice President of Communications was the luncheon’s keynote speaker. Susan reminisced in a most personable manner about her years at Avco Specialty Materials. She went on to describe all the exciting products, past and future, which have been developed by various Textron business Photo by Leo Roy Mrs. Arthur Kantrowitz (Lee Stuart) and Arthur’s daughter Lore accompanied Arthur to the luncheon. Published by the Textron Systems Retirees Association, P.O. Box 2702, Acton, MA 01720. See our web site at www.tsretirees.org Textron Benefits Outsourced The outsourcing of benefits to the Textron Benefits center administered by Fidelity is now complete. All benefits are included in this outsourcing, including pension, medical, dental, life insurance and 401K plans. All questions on benefits should now be addressed to Fidelity. Fidelity should also be notified of all deaths. The telephone number for Fidelity is: 1-866-698-9847 Photo by Leo Roy Dr. and Mrs. Gay Lin Photo by Leo Roy Ron Probstein and Margaret Keck at theTSRA luncheon. Photo by Leo Roy Philip Petschek and Harriet Severino, Dr. Harry Petschek’s son and step-daughter. 50-Year History Project The project to compile a History of Avco/Textron Systems from its inception in 1955 through fifty years to 2005 has been completed and is now being printed in booklet form. TSRA plans to distribute these booklets to all members sometime during the summer. Many thanks to those who provided input and support to this project, and especially to Jules Siegel who spearheaded the project and did the lion’s share of its work. Photo by Leo Roy Irene Probstein and James Keck enjoy May 19th luncheon. Published by the Textron Systems Retirees Association, P.O. Box 2702, Acton, MA 01720. See our web site at www.tsretirees.org WHAT’S NEW AT TEXTRON Peacekeeper LCC Closes From Air Force Magazine - February 2005 Contributed by Mike O’Hara “On December 7, 2004, the Air Force deactivated the first of five Peacekeeper ICBM launch control centers (LCCs). The “Sierra” LCC is the first control center to be closed since Air Force Space Command began shutting down the Peacekeeper system in October 2002. Each LCC controls 10 ICBMs. The USAF plans to deactivate all 50 Peacekeepers by the fall. As each 10 warhead-capable missile is pulled from its launch silo, it goes through a 17-day disassembly and storage process. The warheads are being put away for safekeeping, and portions of the missile bodies and propulsion systems are being reused. According to an Air Force news release, ‘several of the crew members pulling the last alerts for Sierra will also be [among] the first members to retrain into the Minuteman III ICBM system.” The retraining began in January. capability. Subsequent testing is planned for moving maritime targets using a B1-B aircraft's Ground Moving Target Tracking (GMTT) radar. Tom Harrington, Textron Systems, Vice President, air launched weapons said, "The Sensor Fuzed Weapon has proven its success on land. It is a natural extension to be looking at its capabilities for maritime targets. This test demonstrates the ability of SFW to attack and defeat multiple targets at sea." "The weapon's ability to hold multiple targets at risk with a single SFW is a true force multiplier which reduces the exposure to our aircrews," said Lt. Col. Richard Mountain, program manager for SFW with the U.S.A.F. Area Attack Systems Group. "This is true spiral advancement for SFW. A simple targeting algorithm change will increase the target set that this combat-proven weapon can be successfully employed against." JUST LIKE OLD TIMES! The Peacekeepers are being retired as part of the Administration’s Nuclear Posture Review plans. The NPR calls for major reductions in the number of deployed nuclear warheads. The Air Force’s Minuteman III ICBMs will remain in service and are being modernized and upgraded.” Textron Systems' Sensor Fuzed Weapon Proven Effective for Maritime Interdiction – Textron Systems announced today that its Sensor Fuzed Weapon (SFW) was successfully dropped from a U.S. Air Force F-16 over littoral [ed.: meaning near shore] targets during recent testing at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. One SFW hit both of the test targets - stationary 36 ft. Mini Armored Troop Carriers (MATCs). The SFW was successful in achieving multiple, hull piercing hits on both targets. Textron Systems newly developed target recognition algorithms permit individual Skeets™ to recognize and adjust to a littoral environment while maintaining current land combat proven Wilmington, MA – April 20, 2005 Gina Miele, Ron Milauskas and Bill Fitzgerald arrive at Textron Systems in Wilmington for the TSRA Corporate Meeting on April 19, 2005. HEALTH/WELLNESS INTERNET SITES On the TSRA Web Site At http://www.tsretirees.org/ Click Health on the left navigation bar. Published by the Textron Systems Retirees Association, P.O. Box 2702, Acton, MA 01720. See our web site at www.tsretirees.org UPCOMING TSRA EVENTS TSRA MOURNS AND REMEMBERS 5th Annual John J. Mahoney Memorial GOLF TOURNAMENT Tuesday, June 21, 2005 $55 per person includes golf, cart, snacks and prizes **** Take me out to the Ball Game!! LOWELL SPINNER’S BASEBALL GAME Monday, July 11 $24 pp for Buffet Dinner & Game (Kids 12 and under $19) **** Bring the grandkids to see CINDERELLA at the North Shore Music Theatre Wednesday, July 13 $21 pp show only $39.95 pp Show & Lunch **** CASINO BOAT CRUISE Wednesday, August 17 $14 pp for the Cruise, Lunch and Parking Dr. Harry Petschek, Principal Research Scientist and Senior Staff Member, Vice President and then CEO and Chairman of the Board of Avco Everett Research Laboratory during the 1950s and 1960s, passed away on March 29, 2005. Harry, a world-renowned physicist and inventor, was originally a student of Dr. Arthur Kantrowitz. The two later became co-workers at Avco Everett. Dr. Petschek had been scheduled to be an honored guest at the TSRA spring luncheon. To sign up for any event, send your check to: TSRA Social Events P.O. Box 105 Manchester, MA 01944 Dr. Hans Bethe, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist, and Consultant to and Board Member of Avco Everett Research Laboratory also passed away recently. Dr. Bethe elucidated the origins of the sun’s energy and played a crucial role in the development of the atomic bomb. In Memoriam TSRA sends its condolences and sincere sympathy to the families of the following former Avco/Textron employees and spouses: Harry Petschek Hans Bethe Theresa Richards Bill Bade Ray Bolton Les Harris GIVE SOMETHING BACK Experience the Power of Caring Ray D’Auteuil, past President and current volunteer with Greater Salem Caregivers, is interested in recruiting TSRA members who are interested in helping the homebound in our Community. Our service area is Salem, Pelham, Atkinson and Plaistow, NH. If you would like to help, please contact Ray at: 603-362-5921 or [email protected]. Pasquale (Patsy) Saggesse Louis Azevedo Alice Bowers Maurice Vautier Jean Marie Martel Published by the Textron Systems Retirees Association, P.O. Box 2702, Acton, MA 01720. See our web site at www.tsretirees.org “TRUST BUT VERIFY!” Enrolling Your Spouse in TCP Plan by Hank McCard Are you and your spouse enrolled in the Textron Choice Plus (TCP) Medicare supplemental health plan? Have you receive a confirmation statement from the Fidelity Benefits Service Center confirming your enrollment? Although you may have received a confirmation statement, United Healthcare may not recognize your spouse’s enrollment. Here’s my personal experience. I contacted United Healthcare last year and was told that under TCP the primary participant and the spouse are enrolled individually and not both under the joint prior plan. Therefore, the spouse has to call United Healthcare to activate their account the first time that healthcare benefit was being requested. My wife’s account was presumably activated at that time. Several TSRA members have reported that they have experienced problems with their spouse’s coverage. If you are unsure of your spouse’s eligibility status, I recommend that you or your spouse call the United Healthcare telephone number (800) 250-6672. (Unfortunately you have to talk with a computer and not a human!!) Be sure to enter your spouse’s Subscriber ID when requested. Eventually, a prompt will be received asking if verification of eligibility is desired. Then enter you spouse’s birth date. If the spouse is eligible, the system responds in the affirmative. (The system may respond that the account needs special attention and connects you to a United Healthcare representative.) While preparing this note, I decided to check my wife’s eligibility again. To my surprise, there was a problem! If United Healthcare does not recognize your spouse’s eligibility, I recommend that you call the Fidelity Benefits Service Center (1-866 MY TXT HR or 1-866-698-9847). When I called I spoke to a young lady who was very understanding and helpful. After explaining my problem, she confirmed that both my wife and I were enrolled in the TCP plan. She offered to call United Healthcare (while I waited!) She promptly reported that she had spoken to Betty at United Healthcare and, indeed, my wife was not listed in their system. She said that she would try to resolve the matter. She called back later that day and reported that my wife was now properly included in United Healthcare’s system. I repeated the call to United Healthcare telephone number (800) 2506672 a few days later and verified that she is now properly enrolled. (At least for the time being!) Trust but verify and good luck! TEXTRON ANNOUNCES SPOUSAL SUPPORT Textron has announced a “Spousal SupportTM” financial counseling service. TSRA does not advocate for any product or service, however, you may wish to inquire about this service when providing notification of the death of a spouse to Fidelity, the administrator of Textron Benefits. The phone number for Fidelity is 866-6989847. CALL A COLLEAGUE The TSRA Annual Calling Initiative is well underway. Plaudits to Dave White for his suggestion of: “Members-calling-Members.” With the new TSRA Directory now in your hands, why don't YOU call a colleague or send them an email? They would, no doubt, be delighted to hear from you. SPECIAL THANKS TSRA would like to extend a special “Thank You” to Mr. Leo Roy for acting as its official photographer at the May 19th Luncheon REPORTING TSRA DEATH NOTICES TSRA has a small group of volunteers who report member death notices from the Boston Globe, Lowell Sun and Lawrence Eagle Tribune. We also ask that deaths be reported by members or spouses to Linda Trimble for the Surviving Spouse Group and to Selena Evans for inclusion in the newsletter. Published by the Textron Systems Retirees Association, P.O. Box 2702, Acton, MA 01720. See our web site at www.tsretirees.org Retirement Plan Information for the Surviving Spouse Surviving spouses of Avco and Textron employees have a right to continue certain benefits. Continuation of benefits does require action on the part of the surviving spouse to receive these benefits. Since the benefits vary for each employee, this brief document points out areas where action on the part of the spouse is or may be required. Important - Questions pertaining to all benefits to include pension, medical, dental, and life insurance and 401K are to be addressed to the Textron Benefits Center, which is administered by Fidelity: 1-866-698-9847. Textron/Fidelity - and Social Security (1-800-772-1213) - must be notified in the event of a participant death Pensions - Retirees were provided with many options for receiving pensions. Find out what the survivor benefit is and review any beneficiary data. Many employees selected a 50% survivor benefit; others may have selected a single life pension. Medical Insurance - In some cases the surviving spouse is entitled to lifetime medical benefits. Check with the Textron Benefits Center. Make sure you receive the yearly notice of medical benefit changes and follow instructions on enrollment. You should receive a letter from Textron in October or November on the next years benefit schedule. Call Textron if you do not get this letter. Remember you are responsible for sending in premiums for medical insurance. Find out where to send them, or have them automatically deducted from a pension check. Life Insurance - Many employees have permanent life insurance at separation. Find the insurance data in the separation papers and call Fidelity to confirm your benefit. There were many variations in insurance coverage depending on when you retired. product or service. However, you may wish to enquire about the Fidelity “Spousal SupportTM” financial counseling service when providing notification of the death of a spouse. In any case, these are complicated plans and you should seek financial advice particularly in the area of beneficiary designation and changes in beneficiary. Get advice on the most effective withdrawal method when you reach the age for mandatory withdrawal. Beneficiaries - Many people do not review the beneficiary designations on important papers such as insurance, savings plans etc. Upon the death of a spouse these should be carefully reviewed to reflect your current wishes. These beneficiary designations should be reviewed periodically to reflect your current situation. Veterans - Deceased veterans are entitled to burial and other benefits. Contact your local town veterans’ services office for details. Summary - TSRA would like to help you sort out the various plan options and to provide a contact to talk to in this transition period. The TSRA “Surviving Spouse Support Group” enables survivors to talk to others in the same position, and to perhaps set up support meetings to share our concerns. Keep in touch with us as we expand our ability to help our fellow retirees TSRA’s SURVIVING SPOUSE GROUP is available to provide support and practical help to members who have lost a spouse. Call Linda Trimble 978-688-5771 . 401ks and IRAs - These are normally transferred to the spouse as the primary beneficiary. Transfers have a 60 day time limit to avoid taxes. TSRA does not advocate for any Published by the Textron Systems Retirees Association, P.O. Box 2702, Acton, MA 01720. See our web site at www.tsretirees.org
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