Retired teachers who relied on a Texas health care system now face an uncertain future.
Many retired teachers who get health insurance and benefits through the Texas Retirement System of Texas have noticed a spike in premiums after more than a decade with minimal increases. The program serves about 270,000 retired Texans and their families.
The San Antonio Express-News reports that at least 9,000 educators and their dependents have left the subsidized insurance plan known as Teacher Retirement System-Care. That departure rate is six times higher than recent years, The Associated Press reports.
The TRS-Care experienced a budget shortfall in 2017 and was set to run out of money this year but lawmakers made temporary fixes that totaled $700 million.
The shortfall was made up with adjustments to premiums and benefits to sustain the program.
One retired El Paso teacher Rowena Garcia said her bills shot up from $130 to $529.
“I was a teacher for 25 years and then I was a counselor for 11, so that’s 36 years in the retirement system, and I’ve always been happy with [TRS],” Garcia said. “But this time I feel really betrayed.”
Group benefit presentations will be held for active teachers who are preparing for retirement to meet with counselors:
- Arlington: Thursday, March 22, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Mac Bernd Professional Development Center, 111 W. Arbrook Blvd.
- Richardson: Saturday, March 24, 10 a.m. to noon at Education Service Center Region 10, 400 East Spring Valley.
- Fort Worth: Saturday, April 14, 10 a.m. to noon at Education Service Center Region 11, 1451 S. Cherry Lane, White Settlement.
- Richardson: Thursday, April 26, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Education Service Center Region 10, 400 East Spring Valley.
To see more locations for a group benefit presentation, go here.
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