Keeping You Informed
Health Insurance
This is a topic everyone follows closely. Where are we? We are currently in the third year of a three-year contract with UHC, including prescription coverage, and Cigna Dental. A Request for Proposal (RFP) has been issued by the TRB for a new contract to provide dental coverage. The RFP is available to read on the TRB website. You might want to know first that it is 58 pages long.
All bidders must provide for services in all fifty states and US Territories. Proposals will be received and then reviewed via several steps before a decision is made in June 2024. At the February TRB meeting, the three-person review panel for the dental plan was named, and it includes recently-elected Retired Teacher Representative Mary-Beth Lang. During the public comments time period for the meeting, Walt Ciplinski, the ARTC designate for health insurance issues, thanked the TRB for incorporating suggestions for potential improvements in the dental plan as proposed by ARTC and said he hoped the upcoming health insurance proposal directions will also include improvements ARTC has suggested.
A health insurance RFP, including prescription coverage, will be issued within the month, according to Helen Sullivan, the TRB Administrator. Of great interest was the announcement of the Health Insurance Review Committee members. The five people who will review the proposals, interview bidders, and make a recommendation are:
Jonathan Johnson- Public Member
Bill Myers- Recently elected Retired Teacher Representative
Kathleen Holt- Public Member
Carrie Cassady- Active Teacher Representative
Greg Messner- Executive Budget Office
Newly elected Retired Teacher Representative Edwin Vargas acted upon one of his campaign – promises to ask questions during meetings that represent retired teachers’ interests. First, he verified that Kathleen Holt will be on the review committee. She is a public member recruited by ARTC and suggested for the TRB for her comprehensive knowledge of health insurance and Medicare. She can’t make miracles happen in what is proposed, but she brings great knowledge to the review of what is possible when selecting a new contract. Ed also asked if the consultant used in selecting and negotiating the most recent contract will be used again and was told the same group will be involved.
ArrayRX– We wanted to make you aware of a new benefit for Connecticut residents that is available since our state government joined the collaboration of state partners. ArrayRX may be of use to you, friends or family. Information can be found at arrayrxcard.com. There are no income limits and enrollment is free.
Importantly, the site explains: You can use the digital ArrayRX Discount Card instead of insurance or Medicare If your insurance does not cover a medication. You can also use it when the digital ArrayRx Discount Card gets you a better price than your insurance of Medicare plan. ArrayRx Discount Card purchases will not count toward your deductible or out-of-pocket maximum. Information can be found at https://www.arrayrxcard.com
Proposed Legislation
Again, Ed Vargas asked during the TRB meeting if the Teachers Retirement System has proposed any legislation. The response was that there is a proposal to synchronize when the elected roles will come up for election. This plan is needed because the newly-elected additional Retired Teacher Representatives were elected on a different schedule. Synchronizing the elections would mean all will be held at once rather than in two separate elections. Something to watch is whether the Retired Teacher Representatives are elected by only retired teachers as the newest legislation stated or by active and retired teachers as the previous legislation stated.
We are aware of legislative proposals being submitted by ARTC (HB 5010 and HB 5135) to seek the same cost-sharing formula for the Health Insurance Supplement plan as for the Advantage plan, with the retiree paying 1/3 of the cost, the same proportion as for the Advantage plan.
One additional proposal we may hear about is seeking a resolution from the Legislature to support repeal of the WEP/GPO provisions that rob many of our members of the Social Security benefits to which they should be entitled.
Connecticut Income Tax
As a reminder to retirees who are Connecticut residents, we are eligible to deduct 50% of the money we receive from the Teacher Retirement System on our State Income tax. This deduction does not apply to Federal income tax. This provision does not have any income limitation.
There is another deduction on retirement income available to Connecticut residents whose income is below a threshold. You cannot double dip on the reduction, so please review the guidelines before deciding which deduction is available to you and offers the most benefit.
SFCRTA News
SFCRTA Book Grant Awards for Future Educators
Each year Southern Fairfield County Retired Teachers Association gives five Book Awards of $2,000 each. Students attending high schools in Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford, Weston, Westport and Wilton who are planning on pursuing a career in education are eligible. Applications are available on our website https://sfcrta.com and are due no later than April 30, 2024.
Additionally, the Glenn Moon Scholarship application is on the Association of Retired Teachers of Connecticut (ARTC) website, artct.org
Please help spread the word to encourage qualified high school students from our eight towns to apply.
Join the SFCRTA Board
We are looking for members to join the SFCRTA Board. There is presently an opening for Secretary, the person responsible for recording meeting actions, but we would welcome additional new members to help us plan and carry out activities for our members. The Board meets approximately six times a year, generally in the Norwalk area. If interested, please contact Frank Cooper at fcooper2@optonline.net
SFCRTA Meeting
We are making plans for a meeting in September 2024. Stay connected and stay tuned.
SFCRTA Membership
We encourage you to stay connected and stay informed. Please see the statement at the end of this newsletter about your current membership status. Renew, or join now for calendar year 2024 to keep this newsletter coming. For those who have not joined by the time of the next newsletter, this will be their last newsletter; it will only be sent to members.
Learning in Retirement
The catalog of interesting courses is available online at https://www.lirstamford.org Classes cover topics in history, art, music, technology, field trips and more. See the opportunities for yourself at their website.
Teacher Appreciation Offer
Please join the Yankees during the week of June 18th – June 22nd as we honor all Educators and their families/friends during our annual Educator’s Appreciation week! Please read the description below thoroughly as there is pertinent information. Have a great day!
New York Yankees Educators Appreciation Offer:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW OFFER
Games on June 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd included for this offer.
Use the address above, or click on the link above to see all the current offers which come with the choice of a custom Yankees tumbler or Lunch Box with every ticket purchased on any day. Bolded dates (June 18th – 20th) will include $15 meal voucher with every ticket as well as the promo item, valid at any standing concession stand. (Family and Friends are invited as well)
For groups of 10 or more, suites, or season ticket packages please reach out to Ben Powell at (646) 977-8472
Transportation
On most game days, Metro North runs special trains on the New Haven and Harlem lines that will take you right to the Yankees Stadium exit so there is no need to take a subway or change trains. Take the Yankee Clipper trains. Information can be found here.
https://new.mta.info/guides/stadiums/yankee-stadium
SFCRTA Membership Renewal Information
Our membership goes from – January to December. If you have not yet joined, click here for our membership renewal information for 2024. Remember: Numbers matter and we still face many important issues regarding our pension and health insurance.