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07 Mar 2017
0

The March is On: Repealing the WEP Still On the Horizon

by in Update, WEP

Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) leaders visited Washington, D.C. last week to meet with Texas congressional members about what the next steps are in repealing the unfair federal Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP).

Are your earned Social Security wages being taken away from you? Then this conversation is about you!

Congressman Kevin Brady filed legislation during the last congressional cycle to address the WEP. H.R. 711, the Equal Treatment of Public Servants Act, proposed to provide a rebate to retirees who fall under the WEP. The bill received considerable support, including 100 Congressional cosponsors.

However, stakeholder groups could not come to a final agreement on the bill’s changes to the WEP. The bill was delayed in committee, with a promise from Brady to continue moving forward with even better resolutions to this unfair law in the next congressional cycle.

During TRTA’s visits in Washington, D.C. last week, Congressman Brady again affirmed that his top personal priority as a legislator is to pass WEP reform. However, due to major political issues such as tax reform and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) taking precedence in the early part of this new congressional cycle, a bill has not yet been filed to address the WEP. Brady, who chairs the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, said he would file new legislation as soon as he can. When filed, the bill will have a new name and number.

Brady felt that the bill may be filed by late summer, and vowed to continue working closely with all stakeholders, including TRTA, to make the legislation work for everyone. Members, we also want you to know that the Government Pension Offset (GPO) was a part of this conversation. It is possible that the GPO could be addressed in any upcoming legislation reforming the WEP as well.

What You Can Do Now to Support Repeal of the WEP and GPO

While there is not yet a bill number for reforming or repealing the WEP and GPO, members can still call their congressmen today and express their support for Congressman Brady’s efforts to change these unfair provisions. Let them know you want to see these unfair provisions reformed and you would like their support when Congressman Brady’s bill is filed later this year.

Find your U.S. Representative by clicking here.

Call your U.S. Senators, John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, using the phone numbers listed below:

John Cornyn: 202.224.2934        Ted Cruz: 202.224.5922

Thank You

Thank you for your membership to TRTA. We are fighting ardently for your benefits every day at the Capitol. If you are not yet a TRTA member, please join here. Be sure to read our comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions about TRS-Care here.

Be sure to like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

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06 Mar 2017
0

The March is On to Keep TRS-Care Affordable

by in TRS-Care, Update

March is the most crucial month for legislative action on issues that impact you and your fellow public education retirees. The Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) is moving full steam ahead, and we need your help!

TRS-Care has been an issue on the minds of retirees and legislators for several sessions, and it is now coming to a head. (Read our complete TRS-Care FAQ here).

Change IS coming. The health care market is changing—everywhere. TRS retirees will not be immune to these changes.

TRTA members are not opposed to change! The issue we face now is: how much pain comes with these changes?

The Texas Legislature is moving at a rapid pace, finalizing budget discussions, hearing bills in committee, having heated floor session debates, and we need them to be THINKING ABOUT YOU while they are doing the work of Texas!

Bills have been filed in the Senate to address TRS-Care. The House will also file legislation to address TRS-Care.

The plan currently laid out by the Texas Senate through Senate Bill 788 has it pros and its cons, but affects Medicare-eligible and non-Medicare eligible populations very differently.

If you are age 65 or over

  • Medicare Advantage may be the only option available through TRS-Care.
  • The estimated monthly premium would be $146. This is an increase for most people in the plan; however, it is still considered to be a reasonable price for the benefit provided.
  • The deductible for TRS-Care Medicare Advantage would be $500. This is in addition to Medicare deductible requirements.
  • Medicare B only retirees will also be included in this plan and will see reduced premiums.
  • TRS-Care Medicare Advantage has a very high overall satisfaction score for those who use the plan. The issue has not been about the quality or quantity of care. Rather, the biggest complaint is that doctor and hospital providers refuse to accept the plan.

If this option does not work for you, CALL YOUR SENATOR TODAY! 1.888.674.3788 and make a plan to attend TRTA Day at the Capitol on March 29!

If you are under the age of 65

  • Pre-65 retirees will pay A LOT more for TRS-Care.
  • TRS-Care 1, 2 and 3 will go away.
  • There will be only one plan: a high deductible health care plan.
  • Premiums would be an estimated $430 per month, or $5,160 per year!
  • The deductible of $4,000 would need to be met before plan coinsurance starts.
  • There would be 80/20 coverage after meeting the $4,000 deductible.
  • The maximum annual out-of-pocket (MOOP) limit will be $7,150.
  • There would be no prescription copays. All prescription coverage is part of deductible requirements.
  • The total annual out-of-pocket cost exposure for a retiree would equal $12,310* per year! (*projected costs for individual only; retiree plus spouse and/or family are higher)

If this option is not affordable for you, CALL YOUR SENATOR TODAY! 1.888.674.3788 and make a plan to attend TRTA Day at the Capitol on March 29!

If you are an active educator thinking about retirement

  • You need to be thinking about your health care coverage!
  • If you are under the age of 65, you need to determine if you can afford the high-deductible health care plan (see above).
  • If you are age 65 or over, you need to think about whether or not Medicare Advantage is the right choice for you.
  • TRTA is urging caution for future retirees who plan to retire prior to age 65.
  • This legislative proposal may change the current healthcare options available to you.
  • Don’t retire without knowing the facts about your health care coverage!

If the high-deductible health care plan is not affordable for you, CALL YOUR SENATOR TODAY! 1.888.674.3788 and make a plan to attend TRTA Day at the Capitol on March 29!

Thank You

Thank you for your membership to TRTA. We are fighting ardently for your benefits every day at the Capitol. If you are not yet a TRTA member, please join here. Be sure to read our comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions about TRS-Care here.

Be sure to like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

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03 Mar 2017
0

The March is On: TRTA Rallies Members to Action!

by in TRS-Care, Update

March is the most crucial month for legislative action on issues that impact you and your fellow public education retirees. The Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) is moving full steam ahead, and we need your help!

THE MARCH IS ON!

The Texas Legislature is moving at a rapid pace, finalizing budget discussions, hearing bills in committee, having heated floor session debates, and we need them to be THINKING ABOUT YOU while they are doing the work of Texas!

Here are all the major issues TRTA is watching right now:

  1. TRS-Care

Bills have been filed in the Senate, and the House will file more legislation soon! On Monday, TRTA will send out an Inside Line explaining more about what this means for you! Are you age 65 or over? Are you under the age of 65? Are you an active educator thinking about retiring this year? Then this conversation is about you!

  1. Windfall Elimination Provision

TRTA leaders visited Washington, D.C. earlier this week to meet with Texas congressional members about what the next steps are in repealing this unfair federal provision! Next week, TRTA will let you know more about progress on the WEP! Are your earned Social Security wages being taken away from you? Then this conversation is about you!

  1. The Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) Board of Trustees Elections

The members elected to the Board of Trustees of TRS represent your interests! Elections are underway for two open trustee positions: both a Retiree and an At-Large seat. It is vital that you vote! Next week, TRTA will send out more information about all of the candidates and provide you with details on how to submit your vote. Are you a retiree who wants your voice represented on the TRS Board of Trustees? Then this conversation is about you!

  1. The 64th Annual TRTA Convention

TRTA is busy finalizing all of the intricate details that go into planning an amazing annual convention and business meeting. Next week, TRTA will send out training session schedules and more! If you are attending convention, and want to be trained on being the best TRTA advocate you can be, then this conversation is about you!

  1. TRTA Day at the Capitol on March 29

TRTA is marching on the Texas Capitol grounds on Wednesday, March 29, with thousands of retirees ready to rally to Keep TRS-Care Affordable! If you want to attend this day of grassroots advocacy and make your voice heard and get your legislators thinking about you, then make a plan to join us on March 29! Don’t miss this great opportunity to band together with your fellow retirees! If you want to keep TRS-Care affordable for yourself, your fellow retirees, and future retirees, then this conversation is about you!

The Most Important Things You Can Be Doing Right Now

TRTA needs your help! March is the month that will make all the difference in our legislative agenda! LET’S SET OUR GOALS HIGH AND GO FOR THEM!

TRTA is sounding the alarm: anyone in TRS-Care or who will retire soon and plans to enroll may see drastic changes to their health care options! But making no changes will be even worse!

Now is the time to take action! We need EVERY TRTA member involved in the initiative to keep TRS-Care affordable!

THE MARCH IS ON!

  1. Call Your Legislators (use our toll-free hotline: 1.888.674.3788)! Let’s make 25,000 phone calls in March! Make regular, once-weekly phone calls to your elected officials asking them to “Keep TRS-Care Affordable!” Use our helpful phone scripts!
  2. Email Your Senators! TRTA members have sent more than 4000 emails so far. Let’s send 50,000 emails this month! Send your email TODAY!
  3. Vote in the TRS Trustee elections! Read more about the candidates here.
  4. Write an editorial and send it to your local newspaper! You can find a sample editorial here.
  5. Make a plan to join us at Day at the Capitol on Wednesday, March 29! RSVP via Facebook here!

Thank You

Thank you for your membership to TRTA. We are fighting ardently for your benefits every day at the Capitol. If you are not yet a TRTA member, please join here. Be sure to read our comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions about TRS-Care here.

Be sure to like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Read More
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