FEBRUARY 19, 2010: Merging a major agency's retirement system, the Mass Turnpike, with the State Retirement System, has been a smooth transition with only one or two glitches.

Although former Turnpike workers' insurance was transferred to the state Group Insurance Commission on February 1, Turnpike retirees who were members of Teamster's Local 127 remained under Blue Cross insurance until July 1, 2010. However, in early February we began receiving calls from Turnpike Local 127 retirees whose insurance claims were being denied.

Quick action by our Association's Cheryl Stillman discovered that an error had resulted in Local 127 retirees being terminated by Blue Cross.

Cheryl quickly contacted the Department of Transportation, for whom former Turnpike employees now work, and the error was quickly corrected.

"We wanted Turnpike retirees to get off to a good start as members of the State Retirement System," said Stillman. "Although the insurance glitch was upsetting to some retirees, most were very understanding when they were told the problem had been quickly corrected."