Short Notes on Insurances

Autumn is here so health benefits open season is approaching. Postal Service Health Benefits open season for 2027 begins on Monday November 9, 2026 and ends on Monday December 14, 2026. No details regarding costs or coverage changes have been released at the time of this writing. PSHB plans and rates should be available by mid-October on the Office of Personnel’s website at OPM.gov.

On Sunday August 23rd, Branch 6000 Trustee Mike Castellano and I attended an online seminar given by National Officer Jim Yates and part of his staff at the Mutual Benefits Association. It was very informative and well done. During this training a little-known fact was presented that is important to anyone with any kind of life insurance policy, not just a policy from MBA. You must make sure that your beneficiary designation is up to date, so your benefits go to the person you want them to. It doesn’t matter who you have listed in your will as the recipient; ALL life insurance policies must be paid to the beneficiary or beneficiaries by law. There have been cases where an ex-spouse was still listed as so and not the child, so the benefits went to the ex-spouse.

It’s easy for such details, beneficiaries, HIPPA form designations and the like to slip through the cracks. So be aware and review these things every so often, especially after a life changing event. Wishing good health to you all.