Americans in Portugal (AmP) has announced that its election luncheon will be held on November 3 in Cascais. The principal speaker will be Jorge C. Ribeiro, Federal Benefits Supervisor at the American Embassy in Lisbon. The luncheon is open to Americans, friends and guests, however advance reservations are necessary.
Ribeiro, who is a 15-year veteran of the US Social Security Administration, will present a programme detailing new changes that have occurred in the Social Security and Medicare programmes and how they impact on expatriates. His talk will include an overview of the new minimum and maximum age eligibility requirements, Social Security administrative matters, such as how to replace lost cards and have name changes recorded, how recipients can receive their cheques abroad or at home and the eligibility requirements for the military TRICARE health insurance programme.
Ribeiro will also explain how the ‘Windfall Elimination’ measures can affect retirement planning and/or be offset by various other government programmes. He will also review the US Social Security Administration visions for future programmes and detail how recent technological improvements have positively impacted Social Security operations in Portugal.
At the conclusion of his speech, Ribeiro will preside over AmP’s dynamic ‘no-holds-barred’ questions and answers session – a popular feature at previous luncheons, where audience members are welcome to raise personal issues or concerns.
AmP will then hold its own election for director for 2004-2005. Don David Price, current director, will stand for re-election, however competition is welcome. If you are an American and would like to submit your name for nomination, please do so in writing to Abe Malouf, chairman of the Nominating Committee, at [email protected]. The deadline is noon, October 29.
Lunch reservations may be made by sending an email with your meal choice to [email protected] or telephoning 214 862 012. Meal choices include Línguado Normandy, oven-baked lamb chops with tomato and mozzarella cheese, or vegetarian curry. The meal is complete with a gazpacho starter, vegetables or potatoes, choice of red or white wine, soft drinks or water, dessert and coffee or tea. The cost is 20 euros per person, payable in cash at the door. The deadline for bookings is November 1.
January luncheon
AmP has announced that Adrienne S. O’Neal, the new American chargé d’affaires at the embassy in Lisbon, will be their guest of honour and principal speaker on January 12, 2005. O’Neal will speak about issues affecting Americans living abroad. The luncheon will be open to Americans, friends and guests of all nationalities; however, advance reservations will be necessary and can be made by email: [email protected]
