Current Issues and Challenges

• Protecting medical, drug and pension plans
• Working with Aetna management to improve the delivery of benefits
• Assisting members in understanding Aetna retiree programs
• Working with Aetna management to demonstrate that retirees can be an asset to the company
• Supporting legislative efforts within Connecticut that may lead to greater protection and improved services to retirees
• Because regulation of retiree benefits is reserved to the Federal Government, becoming more involved at that level
• Addressing the root causes of corporate raids on retiree benefits including accounting rules, the need to strengthen ERISA, and issues of honesty and executive compensation
• Increasing ARA membership and visibility, both inside and outside Connecticut
• Supporting efforts to establish a Retiree Bill of Rights with the force of law behind it
• Working to guarantee a role for the insurance industry in any national healthcare program. Working to defeat any public option that would have an unfair advantage over private industry and which might eventually destroy it
• Working with the National Retiree Legislative Network (NRLN) to strengthen the voice of retirees in defending their benefits
• Monitoring the adequacy of funding of Aetna pension plans