Seniors' Real Estate Rebates Should Have Been Received

Seniors 65 or older who receive the enhanced STAR real estate tax exemption annually may have already received or will shortly receive their STAR rebate checks as part of the additional benefit approved by the state legislature in last April's budget, signed into law by Gov. Eliot Spitzer.

This $1.3 billion tax cut program- the largest in state history- ensures that tax relief will go to those who need it most, based on their income.

Meanwhile, city Comptroller William C. Thompson reports that homeowners in the Middle Class STAR program should expect to receive in the mail important information on how to apply for their property tax rebate check from Albany, which will ensure that they receive the full benefit coming to them.

Thompson said that Spitzer and Acting State Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Barbara C. Billet recently announced that the mailings will begin shortly.

Seniors in the enhanced STAR program do not have to apply. They will receive their tax rebate check automatically.

NOTE TO CITY RETIREES: Thompson also reports that eligible retirees in the NYCERS system and eligible surviving spouse and other beneficiaries will be receiving a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). It should have been included in the September benefit payment.

Thompson explained that legislation approved in 2000 provides this permanent automatic COLA annually to all eligible retirees and beneficiaries. This year's increase is 1.4 percent. Future increases will be determined by the annual cost of living increase (as of March 31) over the previous year.

To be eligible for the COLA, according to Thompson, a retiree must be at least 62 years old and retired for at least five years or at least 55 and retired at least 10 years, a disability retiree retired at least five years, regardless of age or a spouse of a deceased retiree who receives a benefit under the joint- and survivor option if the retiree would have been eligible for a COLA if he or she were alive.

PART D INSURERS SNAP UP $15 B: According to a Bloomberg Financial News report, a study by Democratic staff of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee shows that insurance companies in the Medicare Part D drug prescription program are collecting almost $15 billion in excess administrative fees and pharmaceutical costs.

The study also found that insurers fail to pass on $1 billion a year in discounts from drug manufacturers to participants in the program, which covers seniors and the disabled.

Committee Chairman Congressmember Henry Waxman (D- California) chairman, stated: "The use of private insurers to deliver Medicare drug coverage is driving up costs and producing only limited savings on drug prices."

MARSHALL, GALLAGHER GRANTS: The Middle Village Adult Center reports in its October monthly bulletin that Borough President Helen Marshall and City Councilmember Dennis Gallagher made grants of $35,000 and $10,000, respectively, to the center recently.

Marshall's grant will be used to install a state-of-the-art computerized hardware and software bookkeeping system for the center.

The grant from Gallagher (R- C, Middle Village) is earmarked for a senior arts program for the center.