Your ERS Connection, Volume 24, Number 3, Fall 2019 Page: 2
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Message from the
Executive Director
2019 Texas Legislature
~ .~ brings positive momentum
The 86th Texas Legislature came and went this year with lawmakers
making few changes to the health and retirement benefits of State of Texas
employees and retirees. That doesn't mean the session won't have a
positive impact on ERS and its members.
Thanks to effective cost management, ERS did not have to ask the legislature
to increase funding for the health insurance plans offered through our group
benefits programs. We are pleased to be able to offer the same high-quality
benefits for Plan Year 2020. No laws were passed that will negatively affect
members and, in certain programs, out-of-pocket costs for members may
be reduced. In the HealthSelect of Texas plans and non-Medicare HMOs,
premiums are not increasing. Due to the federal government's reinstatement
of the Health Insurance Provider fee, premiums for the Medicare Advantage
plans will go up on January 1. Only those who pay for dependent coverage or
who don't get the state's 100% premium payment will see the increase.
With funding for our health insurance plans in good shape, we were able
to focus our attention on retirement benefits. ERS retirement plans will
be funded at the existing employee and employer contribution rates.
These rates are too low to fully fund the plan. State law prevents us from
increasing benefits until the Fund is sound, and I know many of you will be
disappointed. I am encouraged by the discussions we had with lawmakers
and their engagement with the issue. It's clear they value the work you did
in your state careers and they want your future to remain secure.
Even though another session has ended, our conversations with lawmakers
will not. We will continue working with state leaders on strategies that
support the long-range health of the Fund. It's important to note that, even if
legislators increase funding or make other changes to improve the health of
the Trust Fund, it's very unlikely retirees will see an increase any time soon-.
Board member election
This month we welcome Trustee Brian Barth of the Texas Department
of Transportation to the ERS Board. Barth was elected to fill the seat of
outgoing Trustee Doug Danzeiser, whose term expired August 31, 2019.
We value the vision and commitment of both of these leaders and we
thank them for their service to the Board. You can read more about about
the election at https :llwww.ers.texas.govlAbout-ERSIERS-Board-of-
Trustees/Trustees-Election-and-Appointments. I also want to thank
those who voted - it's important that your voice is heard.
Staying connected
I enjoyed visiting with several of you at the recent Staying Connected
retiree fairs around the state. If you live in the Houston area, I hope you
will join us for the final fair Tuesday, September 24. See details here:
https ://www.ers.texas.govlEvent-Calendars/Staying-Con nected-Fairs.
If you couldn't make it to a fair, don't forget to connect with us online or
through social media. Remember - stay in touch and stay informed!
Porter Wilson"""*'
Dental dis count plans
offered through Dis count
Purchase Program
The State of Texas Dental Discount PlansM
administered by Careington International
Corporation is no longer offered through
the Texas Employees Group Benefits
Program (GBP), as of September 1, 2019.
State agency and higher education
institution retirees are eligible to participate
in one of two dental insurance plans (a
dental PPO or dental HMO). They also
can take advantage of discounted dental
services offered through the Discount
Purchase Program. The Discount Purchase
Program currently offers two dental
discount plans and discounts for individual
services, such as teeth aligning systems.
Retirees can sign up for the discount
plans at any time - for themselves and
their eligible family members - and
do not have to commit to a full year of
coverage. Visit www.beneplace.coml
discountprogramERS to see the dental
discount plans offered through the Discount
Purchase Program.
Medicare-enrolled retirees who want to
switch to a GBP dental insurance plan can
do so during Fall Enrollment, with coverage
starting January 1, 2020. Those who want
dental insurance to start before then can call
ERS toll-free at (877) 275-4377 (TTY: 711)
by September 30, 2019. (Non-Medicare
retirees had the opportunity to switch to a
GBP dental insurance plan during Summer
Enrollment.)
View details about ERS' dental insurance
options at www.ERSdentalplans.com.
Read more about participating in a dental
discount plan at https://ers.texas.gov/
Contact-ERS/Additional-Resources!
FAQs/State-of-Texas-Dental-Discount-
Plan-Transition.2
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Employees Retirement System of Texas. Your ERS Connection, Volume 24, Number 3, Fall 2019, periodical, Autumn 2019; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1365015/m1/2/: accessed June 12, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.