Office of Human Resources
Updates & Reminders
Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance Updates - 2010/2011
• Dependent Eligibility Changes
• Specialty Pharmacy Network Change
• Standard Preventive Services Changes
• Blue Cross/Blue Shield Pharmacy Update 2011
Retirement Systems of Alabama Changes - 2011
•
Employee
Contribution Changes to Teachers' Retirement
System
Effective October 1,
2011, the required employee contributions to
the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) will
increase from 5% to
7.25%. In addition, this required
contribution will be increased to
7.50% effective October 1, 2012. (The
contributions of Law
Enforcement Officers as defined by the state of
Alabama will
increase from 6% to 8.25% effective October 1,
2011 and to 8.50%
effective October 1, 2012.) Please feel
free to refer to the
chart
that can be found on the
RSA
website.
• PEEHIP Premium Increase Legislation
New state
legislation enacted recently will significantly
increase the premiums for PEEHIP
retiree
health insurance for those who retire on or after
January 1, 2012. The
update summary on the RSA
website provides the complete details regarding this
change. These premium increases will be based
upon the retiree’s age and years of service at the
time of retirement.
It is
imperative that any employee who is currently
eligible to retire or who will reach retirement
eligibility by December 31, 2011 thoroughly read
this update as it could significantly affect his/her
decision as to when to retire.
It
is expected that those eligible to retire will have
questions regarding these changes. Although
the Office of Human Resources is aware of the
changes to the PEEHIP premiums and is available to
assist employees throughout the retirement process,
only representatives at the TRS are “experts” on the
PEEHIP retiree health insurance premium
calculations. Therefore it is in your best
interest to direct inquiries regarding this matter
to these experts. To reach a TRS
representative, call 1-877-517-0020 and ask to speak
with a TRS counselor. The RSA website also
provides
links and calculators
that employees may find helpful in future planning.
Because of the time
sensitive nature of these changes, it is
important that eligible employees who wish to
retire inform Becky
Price (ext. 4650) in the Office of Human
Resources prior to
November 1, 2011.
