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News of interest to ARCRA members

  • 08/23/2019 9:11 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Join friends and others at the American Red Cross Overseas Association(ARCOA) Fall Memorial Friday, October 4 at 1:00 pm at Red Cross Headquarters Washington, DC.  This is an annual event to honor those lost in the past year or whose information ARCOA only recently received. 

    The ARCOA Board meeting will be held that morning at 9:00 am, also at Red Cross Headquarters; everyone is invited to attend and participate.

    The registration form and more details are available on line or contact arcoainfo@gmail.com.

  • 08/23/2019 9:03 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Summer continues to be a difficult time to collect blood and platelets.   The demand for blood products by hospitals is currently higher than donations which is why Red Cross continues this emergency appeal.  You can find a blood drive near you.

    Click here to schedule a blood donation. Give blood if you are eligible, recruit someone else to give blood.


  • 08/05/2019 1:27 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The American Red Cross is supporting communities following two mass casualty events in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio. These tragedies are heartbreaking for those affected personally, as well as emotionally difficult for our Red Crossers responding on the ground. Please keep these communities and colleagues in your thoughts.

    Red Cross have posted the following media statement on redcross.org:

    Our hearts go out to all those affected by the tragedies in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio. The American Red Cross is working in close coordination with emergency officials to provide comfort and support to the affected communities. In El Paso specifically, Red Cross volunteers are also supporting a family assistance center. Over the coming days, we will continue to work with local officials and community partners to determine how we can best support both communities and the loved ones of those who have been harmed.

    We understand that people across the country want to help and we appreciate that support. Right now, the Red Cross has what it needs to support these events. While we do not typically serve hospitals in El Paso or Dayton, the Red Cross stands ready to provide blood and blood products as needed in response to these tragedies.

    Volunteer blood donors are needed each and every day to help save lives. These tragedies illustrate that it is the blood already on the shelves that helps during an emergency. Unfortunately, fewer blood donors and blood drives during the summer months make it one of the most challenging times of the year for blood and platelet donations. The Red Cross is grateful for all donors who generously give blood throughout the country.


  • 08/01/2019 10:28 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    By Richard Reider, ARC Gift Planning Program Manager

    As you know, being prepared is a key principle of the American Red Cross. It is important to plan and get one’s financial affairs in order and the Red Cross has partnered with FreeWill.com so that you can prepare your will online – entirely for free.

    FreeWill is a secure, online tool that will take you through the will preparation process step by step. If you have a simple estate, you can print your legal will to be signed and witnessed. If you have a more complex estate, the same tools will help you document your wishes and offer guidance in finding a qualified attorney near you to finalize your plans. 

    The site also allows you to set up an Advance Healthcare Directive and Durable Financial Power of Attorney.  A healthcare directive reflects the healthcare decisions you would make if you become unable to speak for yourself. The financial power of attorney appoints someone to act on your behalf with respect to financial matters should you become unable to do so.

    Your will is one of the most personal and important financial documents in your life. As you go through this process, Red Cross hopes you will consider including the American Red Cross for a charitable gift, as an organization that makes a difference in the lives of so many people.



  • 07/30/2019 11:27 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    As you know, summer continues to be a difficult time to collect blood and platelets.  During Independence Day week about 450 fewer blood drives were held compared to an average week, which led to about 17,000 fewer blood donations.  The demand for blood products by hospitals is currently higher than donations which is why Red Cross is launching this appeal.

    Click here to schedule a blood donation. Give blood if you are eligible, recruit someone else to give blood and spread the word on social media using #MissingTypes or posing with a campaign selfie sign.


  • 07/30/2019 11:23 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Is your significant other always telling you to get a hearing test because you never seem to hear what they are saying?  This is the first of its kind of hearing tests in the U.S. but similar tests have been used in Europe and Australia.  The National Hearing Test is an independently and scientifically validated screen test developed with funding from the National Institutes of Health.  The test is conducted over a landline telephone. You will listen to three-digit sequences presented in a background of white noise and then enter the digits using the telephone keypad.  The ten-minute test provides information to help you decide if you should schedule a full hearing evaluation.  The hearing test is free for AARP members and others will be charged a small fee.   Click here for the link to the National Hearing test website.


  • 07/09/2019 5:46 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The new phone scam is a prerecorded voice that advises you that there are problems with your Social Security account. You are told to press #1 to speak to an agent.

    The fake agent will ask  for your Social Security number. The fake agent will tell you that you are in serious trouble, and you must deposit money in your account immediately to avoid arrest.  He/she will direct you to go to CVS or Walgreens, and purchase a money card valued at hundreds of dollars. He/she will tell you to do it immediately and not consult with or speak to anyone.

    You are to return home and wait for his/her call.  When he/she calls, you will provide the number on the card. All the money is now his/hers. The fake agent will become more friendly, ask questions about your job, income, family, where you live, where you bank, etc.  He/she will wish you good day, and assure you that your case is now closed, you are out of danger, do not worry.

    With your SS# and many details about you, the fake Social Security agent now has your identity.  Your financial problems are about to really begin.

    When Social Security calls and tells you that you owe money...HANG UP.  Do not provide any information. If an unknown caller tells you that you are going to be arrested unless you buy a money card and provide the code on the card to them...HANG UP.


  • 07/08/2019 6:22 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Beginning in Fall 2020, every U.S. air traveler will need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license, state ID, or other acceptable form of identification, for example a U.S. passport, to board a domestic flight.  

    The REAL ID Act goes into effect on October 1, 2020.   If you already have a REAL ID compliant driver's license, it will have a star in the upper-right corner signifying that it meets the new security standards. You can apply for the REAL ID when you renew your driver's license or contact your state Department of Motor Vehicles(DMV) to apply now for REAL ID.  

    Getting a REAL ID from DMV requires presentation of additional documents to prove your identity and legal residency when you renew your driver's license or apply for a state issued identification card.  This includes:

    1. Identity (e.g. unexpired U.S. passport or state-issued birth certificate)
    2. Legal Presence (e.g. unexpired U.S. passport or state-issued birth certificate)
    3. Social Security Number (e.g. Social Security card or payroll check stub or federal tax form)
    4. Residency (tow proofs will be required).  (e.g. utility bills or mortgage statement)
    5. Proof of any Name Changes (e.g. marriage certificate or divorce decree stating name changes)

     You cannot apply for a REAL ID online or by mail.  To get a REAL ID,  you will be required to come into the DMV office.

    But remember, starting October 1, 2020, to board a domestic flight, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will require a REAL ID driver's license or state ID that bears a star in the upper-right corner that shows it meets the new security standards, or your passport.  International air travel will continue to require a passport.

    Contact you state Department of Motor Vehicles or check out their website to confirm exactly which documents they demand for REAL IDs.  

    For more information, check out FAQs on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs


  • 06/17/2019 9:22 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The Red Cross @ Work website (at http://digital.alight.com/redcross) is the one-stop hub with info on your Red Cross benefits including the Red Cross Savings Plan (401k), the Retirement System, Health Care, including Medicare Supplement and Part D coverage purchased through Alight (formerly Aon Hewitt), and includes other valuable info. The site also hosts a Message Center which should be monitored for important communications from the Red Cross.

    Red Cross Retirees enrolled in any of these benefit programs should log on to this site periodically to review benefits and ensure that your address and other contact information, like your email address and phone number, are current. If you don’t know your User ID and Password, use the Forgot User ID or Password link to provide information and gain access to your account.  You can also contact the Red Cross@Work Service Center toll-free at 1-877-860-7526 (Outside the United States, use +1-212-444-0993.)   Red Cross representatives are available between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.  


  • 06/17/2019 7:38 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Log into the ARCRA website with your email address and password.  If you have never logged into the website before or cannot remember your password, click on "forgot password."  Follow the prompts and reset your password.  If you run into any issues, send and email to admin@arcretireeassoc.org and we will help you out.

    After you log in, go to the Forum page and click on "Pensions and Annuities Forum".  To ask a question or add a post with information or resources for fellow retirees click on "create a topic".  Type your question or information in the Body and create a title to go in the subject line.  When you are finished click on "Create".  If you run into difficulty send an email to admin@arcretireeassoc.org.




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