Spring has arrived and we seem to be relying on hope more than ever this year- hope that everyone has remained safe and able to access the vaccines, hope that everyone will continue to follow the recommended practices to keep us healthy, hope that we can turn our attention to other issues in our state and our country that are long overdue for solutions, and hope that we can safely gather in person before too much longer. Connecticut’s progress in administering the vaccines has been commendable. We are actively monitoring the conditions that would allow us to plan for a gathering like our successful breakfast meeting at Rolling Hills Country Club. When we are able to comfortably make the arrangements, we will send an invitation to all of our current members.
Scholarship Deadline Extended
SFCRTA plans to award five $1000 Book Awards to graduating seniors from our affiliate high schools (Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford, Weston, Westport, and Wilton) who are pursuing a career in education. The deadline for applications has been extended to April 30, 2021. Applications can be found on our website scholarships page or by clicking here. Please spread the word.
Health Insurance
Information has been released to address the many questions about copay amounts. This information only pertains to the Medicare Advantage Plan from the TRB. Members may receive multiple copay charges arising from a single nonroutine medical visit if the provider performs or orders diagnostic tests. There may be a separate copay for each procedure. There is no copay for preventive services ON a routine office visit.
Medicare Advantage Members can refer to their Evidence of Coverage (EOC), which is available on the TRB website under TRB Plan and Provider Benefits 2021.
Vaccine Information
You have no doubt heard that Krispy Kreme has offered a free donut to anyone who produces evidence they have completed a vaccine regimen. We have also heard that Staples will laminate your COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card for free. Be sure to make a copy of your card before doing this and save a copy on paper and electronically for future reference.
Unfinished Business
Currently, there are three unresolved issues for the State Legislature that are of concern to Connecticut’s retired teachers. Those of you who live in Connecticut can help our cause by contacting your State Representative and State Senator to educate them about these issues.
Regarding the COLA adjustments to our pension, SB 1081 seeks to tie the standard for receiving the same COLA rate as Social Security awards in a given year to the current expected rate of return of the Retirement Fund of 6.9%. As it now stands, the fund must earn a return of 8.5% or greater for us to receive the COLA.
Regarding Connecticut Income Tax, HB 6443 seeks the implementation of the State income tax 50% exemption of TRB retirement income that was passed in Public Act 14-47. Each year, its implementation was postponed and the exemption remains at 25%. Legislators may need to be educated to understand that Connecticut’s teachers have contributed a significantly larger portion of their income toward their pension compared to other government employees and that they are unable to fully participate in the Social Security system and suffer penalties (WEP and GPO) for retirement benefits earned from Social Security.
Regarding TRB Representation, SB 1080 advises revisions to the Teachers Retirement System such that retired teachers receive adequate representation on the Teachers’ Retirement Board that oversees insurance and many other aspects of the retirement system. The TRB currently consists of eleven members: four are active teachers and two are retired teachers. Presently there are approximately 50,110 active teachers in the State and 37, 913 retired teachers. The requirement for two retired teachers was last mandated 30 years ago in 1991, and the number of retired teachers has increased significantly since then, requiring an increase in representation.
It is also time to address the unfinished business of Social Security Fairness. This is an issue where all of our retired teachers can become involved, those who live outside Connecticut as well as those who live in Connecticut. Correcting this unfair situation may seem unnecessary to U. S. Senators and Representatives from states whose employees are not impacted, but those living in other states can help their U.S. Congressmembers understand that the unfairness of the WEP and GPO impacts retired government employees living throughout the country. Please refer to https://ssfairness.org for the most current information on efforts to correct this inequity. You can sign onto their contact list to know when and how to make your voice heard.
Do you doubt that speaking up can have a positive impact? Know that Connecticut’s educators were added to the vaccine eligibility lists on March 1 because they spoke up.
Membership for the remainder of the calendar year, this newsletter will only be sent to current members.
Our membership goes from – January to December. If you have not yet joined, click here for our membership renewal information for 2021. Remember: Numbers matter and we still face many important issues regarding our pension and health insurance.
Please do not staple your check to any papers. Even when removed, it makes depositing the check difficult.