The Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) Board of Trustees convened on July 18 and 19 for their quarterly meeting. The board unanimously approved 2025 premium rate reductions for the TRS-Care Medicare Advantage plan and adopted the rates and benefits for the coming 2025 TRS dental and vision plans.
TRS Board Approves TRS-Care Medicare Advantage Premium Reduction for 2025
TRTA first reported news of this change in April 2024 when Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and State Senator Joan Huffman requested that TRS lower premiums for the TRS-Care Medicare Advantage plan. TRS Executive Director Brian Guthrie then confirmed at the TRTA Convention in Corpus Christi that the TRS Board of Trustees would be discussing how to implement the change in May.
Director Guthrie reiterated during the presentation on July 18 that TRS-Care has a strong fund balance and is projected to continue growing steadily through 2028, even with the reduced premiums and 30 percent enrollment growth. The healthy fund balance, along with federal changes in the Medicare market and good plan management by TRS, have enabled the agency to enact a premium reduction for plan participants.
Additionally, a limited time enrollment opportunity allows Medicare-eligible retirees (and their eligible dependents) to enroll or rejoin the plan. The enrollment period will begin on Oct. 1, 2024 and continue through March 31, 2026.
Premium Reduction Amounts for TRS-Care Medicare Advantage
Plan participants will save between $720 – $4,884 annually as a result of these reductions, which go into effect Jan. 1, 2025.
| 2024 | 2025 | Monthly Savings | Annual Savings | |
| Retiree Only | $135 | $75 | -$60 | -$720 |
| Retiree + Spouse | $529 | $280 | -$249 | -$2,988 |
| Retiree + Child(ren) | $468 | $408 | -$60 | -$720 |
| Retiree + Family | $1,020 | $613 | -$407 | -$4,884 |
Premium Reduction Impact for Retirees
Average annual annuity = $23,000*
Retiree only 2024 premium cost is 7% of annual annuity
Retiree only 2025 premium cost will come down to 4% of annual annuity
Brock Gregg, Associate Director at the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA), provided public comment on July 19, expressing gratitude to TRS from the TRTA Board of Directors and TRTA members for approving a 45 percent reduction in premiums for participants of the Medicare Advantage plan. Gregg also commended the hard work of the TRS trustees and staff and praised the collaborative relationship between the two entities.
TRTA looks forward to working with TRS in the coming months and throughout the 89th Legislative Session in 2025 to continue to find ways to improve benefits for our deserving public education retirees.
What About TRS-Care Standard?
Please note that there are no proposed premium changes to TRS-Care Standard. TRS-Care Standard deductibles will increase to account for IRS guidelines to maintain the Health Savings Account (HSA) option. This is required for TRS to remain compliant. These deductible changes will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2025.
TRS-Care Standard Deductible Changes
| 2024 | 2025* | |
| In-Network: Individual | $1,600 | $1,650 |
| In-Network: Family | $3,200 | $3,300 |
| Out-of-Network: Individual | $3,200 | $3,300 |
| Out-of-Network: Family | $6,400 | $6,600 |
TRS Adopts Dental/Vision Plans
TRS has selected MetLife to be the provider for the TRS-Care optional dental and vision plans. The enrollment window for the plans will begin on Oct. 1, 2024 and continue through Dec. 7, 2024, with coverage beginning on Jan. 1, 2025.
Following this week’s TRS board meeting, TRS will begin a communications campaign to retirees. Rates and benefits for the dental and vision plans will be announced on social media and through The Pulse newsletter. TRS will also mail packets to approximately 400,000 eligible retirees and surviving spouses. The plan highlights with the approved rates are also posted on TRS website.
Please note, if you have a dental and/or vision plan through TRTA’s member benefits provider, Association Member Benefits Advisors (AMBA), and are happy with your benefits, you will not need to take any action.
The new TRS dental and vision plans are optional, and you can maintain your current coverage. The AMBA plans endorsed by TRTA have unique value, including rich and robust dental rollover benefits that help members when expensive services are needed. A more detailed communication about the plans will be sent next week.
TRS to Host Health Fairs, Webinars
Between August and October of 2024, TRS will host 22 in-person health fairs across the state, as well as 5 virtual information session webinars. TRS members can find the full schedule of fairs and webinars and links to register for these events on the TRS website by clicking here. The fairs and webinars will include information about the medical insurance plans, as well as the dental and vision plans.
Thank You!
Thank you for being a member of TRTA. We are asking members to please renew their dues with TRTA if they have not done so already. If you know someone who is not a member, please invite them to join us! There is strength in numbers and the surest way for us to accomplish success is to grow the organization.
