AIBRF ON MODIFICATIONS OF IBA GMIS

[MOHAN P]

ALL INDIA BANK RETIREES' FEDERATION (REGD.)

Flat No 101, Block C Shivom Residency, M. G. Road Indore-452001

E-Mail ID sharbat 1...@rediffmail.com

Mobile: 8966019488

6th Conference Slogan- Pension Updation is Right of Bank Retirees

Ref: 2025/0051

Date: 20.06.25

The Office Bearers/Central Committee Members/State Committee Chiefs

A.I.B.R.F.

Dear Sir

Re: Modifications in IBA Group Medical Scheme renewal for 25-26

As per the UFBU Communications under circulation in social media and minutes of the meeting convened by IBA on 13.06.2025 to finalize modifications in group medical scheme for retirees, following important changes have been made in the scheme

(a)    Sum assured limits have been enhanced as under (i) For award staff from Rs. 3 lakhs to Rs 4 lakhs (ii) For officer staff up to scale V from Rs. 4 lakhs to 5.25 lakhs and (iii) for officer of scale VI and above from R. 4 lakhs to 7.00 lakhs. In this way now there will be three categories for retirees instead of present two.

(b) Mentally/physically challenged dependent family members shall be included by way of add on and any additional cost for this add on will have to be borne by the retiree.

(c) Robotic surgery shall be considered in cases where the condition of patient warrants such treatment.

(d) Cataract operation, upper cap shall be Rs. 40000/- per eye. (first time formal capping on any treatment in the IBA policy).

(e) Hormonal therapy for cancer and immunotherapy for non-cancer will be included in the policy.

(f) Super top policy will be issued for sum assured of Rs. 1 lakh, 2 lakhs and 3 lakhs.

2. As per the communication of UFBU, this year also, employees and retirees' policy will be combined one with same terms and conditions and with same amount of premium.

3. The above modifications carried in IBA Group medical scheme are likely to pose the following challenges for retirees

(a)    You will find that all revised sum assured are tight jacket one without any flexibility. In other words, one has only two options either to go for insurance for specified sum assured or skip the insurance. For example, award staff retiree has to go compulsorily for sum assured of Rs. 4 lakhs irrespective of his/her requirement and paying capacity. The enhanced limits will result in to increase in premium for retirees which how many will be able to afford need to be examined. 

(b) Sum assured limits have been enhanced as under

                               Existing.  Proposed Enhancement

1. Award Staff.    3.00 Lakhs 4.00 Lakhs. 33% 

2. Officer up to V 4.00 Lakhs 5.25 Lakhs 31.25%

3. Officers above V 4 lakhs  7lakhs.  75%

(b)    The above increase in sum assured will result in to increase in premium rates for retirees by 33% to 75% which will be substantial additional financial burden on retirees. How many retirees will be able to afford additional financial burden is to be seen. We are afraid many will be forced to opt out of the scheme due to unaffordability reason.

(c)    It is also to be seen whether such increase is need based for retirees and will provide additional corresponding benefits to them. It is mentioned in UFBU circular that 80 per cent claims are in the region of Rs. 50 to 60 thousand. With this sort of empirical data, we do not think there is any justification in enhancing sum assured putting additional financial burden on retirees who are required to bear premium cost. Considering these facts, it appears that the modifications are likely to put retirees in disadvantageous situation.

(d)    (e) It is fact that IBA and Unions are not ready to hold any consultation with retiree organizations on group medical scheme or any other retiree issues despite AIBRF continuous follow up in the matter for last several years. IBA stand on this issue is that they are professional body and enjoys no authority to hold discussion with retirees without specific mandate from member banks. Unions are of the view that it is not practical to hold consultation with retiree organizations for various reasons on retiree issues and they decide retiree issues through negotiation which they

consider in the interest of retirees and expect retiree organizations to accept the decisions without questioning them. It is also peculiar situation that IBA enjoys mandate from member banks to decide on retiree issues including group medical scheme but does not have authority from member banks to hold discussion with beneficiaries who are directly affected. Whether this argument of IBA is legally tenable, we feel at AIBRF level it needs to be critically examined and necessary steps need to be taken to provide more legitimacy and credibility to retiree movements in banks. It appears that Unions are not in mood to address this issue seriously for the reasons best known to them.

(f)It is also seen that sum assured for Super Top policy have been reduced from last year maximum limit of Rs. 5 lakhs to Rs. 3 lakhs this year. This decision will also adversely affect retirees as higher limit under super top policy gives better leverage to retirees to manage higher medical expenses through mechanism of lower base policy and higher super top policy to keep premium cost at manageable level. It is seen that it is universal trend. IBA was also following this policy in the past. But in the new agreement it is reversed which will again put retirees in dis-advantageous situation. What is the rationality in reversing the position is not known as the settlement provisions are silent and no mechanism is available to retirees to ascertain the logic for this either from IBA or Unions.

4. The above developments are proposed to be deliberated in forthcoming office bearers meeting to be held on 26th & 27th June, 2025 through video conferencing to find out some specific and acceptable solution to the issues created through above modifications in the scheme to protect interest of the retirees.

With Warm Greetings,

Yours Sincerely, 

(S. C. JAIN)

GENERAL SECRETARY

[JSOMA SHEKARA]

Only a few days back AIBRF informed us that UFBU had called AIBRF  on 18th June 25, for consultation on Ex Gratia and other matters. But  what  happened in that meeting! Now U turn.

After sending several emails to iBA on retirees issues including GIMS for the past many years AIBRF now realized IBA will  never communicate with retirees individually or through their association under any circumstances. AIBRF also accepts the reality that UFBU leaders also do not consult retiree associations and want retiree associations to accept whatever agreements they entered into with IBA. It is a known fact that retirees  do not have any platform, channel to interact with Banks, IBA, UFBU to resolve pending issues except approach courts and wait for 15 years to get justice.

Will AIBRF join with other retiree organizations and launch a united struggle  for resolution of pending issues.

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[S H Subramanian]

Sir,

What happened to their meeting with UFBU on 18th June. Why this stoic silence from both sides?

S H Subramanian

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[Sureshbhat M]

SUPER slogan !!
We can keep chanting till we rest in peace. 🙏🙏🤣

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[GUDIPUDI YUGANDHAR]

All Retiree Organisation Leaders are once upon a time leaders of working officers / workmen unions & associations ... What they did then for retirees ??

If one take a private health insurance policy on their own at a young age and continue it after 60 years of age, the premium rates are much lower .... Why the same logic NOT applied for  IBA Group Medical Insurance Scheme too ... Now that it is a common policy for working and retired bank fraternity, this should be considered seriously ...... Then the seniority accrued during while in service to be considered and premia pegged accordingly by the Health Insurance Companies on the same lines done for all private health policies ..... This helps reduce the premia to a great extent ...

It is a surprise no weightage / consideration given to the fact that all retirees are all along covered under Health Insurance Scheme while in service, They need to start afresh as a retiree for the sake of health insurance ??? !!!! 

ALL BANK MANAGEMENTS must come together to establish hospitals exclusively for the banking fraternity on the lines of Defence Hospitals especially Super S[eciality and Tertiary Care Hospitals. Atleast one such hospital/s in each state capital will help a lot .... Here the retirees walk in, take treatment and walk out with out hassels .... Most honourable way of treating the retirees ....

Hope Bank Managements / IBA / Govt of India address the issue on practical lines and ensure the retirees lead a honourable and dignified life after retirement ... Afterall, Govt and PSUs should be role models and always embark on highest standards of employee / retiree welfare.

On Sun, Jun 22, 2025 at 1:32 PM MOHAN P <moha...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[S H Subramanian]

Late realisation by retirees ' organisation. Atleast they can inform as to what transpired in the meeting on 18th June. This meeting assumed importance because it is started therein that AIBRF is meeting at the instance of UFBU to discuss issues like ex gratia. It seems finally the meeting turned out to be a meeting to discuss insurance issue only.

S H Subramanian

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[Rajender Sharma]

Sir,

If the United Forum or the IBA are not listening to the genuine grievances of the retirees,

what is preventing  the Retiree Organisations from negotiating with a reputed insurer

a suitable health insurance group policy for retirees at affordable premium.

When we can tie up with Go-Digital for a Top-up Cover,we can do the same for the

Base Policy also.

R K Sharma

[Anantharaman Tg]

Dear Mr,Sharma,

What you have raised is a good question.

May be they have their "own reasons" for it.

Those who started, had failed to continue

after a year.

Better to have one's own policy for the purpose

and choose which appears to be suitable.

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[Rajender Sharma]

Sir,

Thanks for your response.

That they are not interested in a Group policy with other Insurers,

raises doubts.Somebody is not listening to you and you are

kneeling down and making fruitless appeals .Why ?

Are we getting any special favours or concessions from IBA ?

The fact is that the same company has been awarded contracts for

the last three consecutive years and it has been charging premium

at exorbitant rates never heard of in the insurance  industry.

A retiree has paid last year, a sum of Rs 31979/- for a Super Top-up of 

Rs 2.00 Lakh and Rs 40239/- for the Cover of Rs 3.00 Lakh.

Have you heard of such an open loot ever before ?

As per IRDAI guidelines,no company can raise premium beyond

10% in an year and this has  been openly flouted time and again

by the insurers selected by IBA.

What are the motives !!!! any body can guess.

R Sharma