Option To Continue Coverage
Coverage for employees and dependents may be continued under Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act regulations if eligibility ends due to a change in the employees employment status, other than retirement. Dependents may also elect COBRA to continue coverage if their eligibility ends due to divorce or reaching the plans age limit.
Short Term Care/home Health Care
If youre like most people sidelined by an accident or health issue, youd prefer to recover in the comfort of your own home. Home healthcare, which costs less and can be just as effective as care in a hospital or skilled nursing facility, is not always covered by standard health insurance. A Home Healthcare plan gives you the flexibility to choose the type of care thats right for you.
Costs for hospital stays and for at-home and nursing facility recovery can be devastating. Even those who lead a healthy lifestyle may be at risk for an unexpected health issue requiring therapy and rehabilitation. This insurance can help you manage your expenses and preserve your savings. Benefits are paid directly to you or a medical provider that you designate and given in addition to any other health care coverage you may have.
Teachers Retirement System Of Georgia
UGA contributes 16.81% and you contribute 6.0% of your pay towards TRS. You are vested after 10 years. Once vested, a set payout is available once your retire, based on your salary and how long you have worked in the University System of Georgia . Find more information about TRS on the UGA Human Resources TRS information page.
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Dental Vision Life Legal Hospital Indemnity Accident Critical Illness Automobile/home Owner’s Insurance Etc
In addition to the State of Georgia sponsored health plan, Gwinnett County Public Schools also provides other benefits, such as life insurance, dental, vision and cancer insurance. These benefits may be continued by retirees, provided the coverage was in effect at the time of retirement and commencement of GRS benefits. Please note, your life insurance coverage terminates at age 70. GCPS benefits will automatically rollover during the ROCP. No action is necessary unless you desire to drop or decrease coverage. If you want to keep your coverage the same, you do not need to make an election. Current coverage will automatically rollover and continue.Please contact benefit carrier for details regarding coverage. Insurance Carrier Contact Information.
If Youre Turning Age 65
- As long as you are actively employed and covered under the USG Healthcare plan, when you turn 65, your USG coverage will remain your primary insurance and Medicare will be your secondary coverage. You do not need to enroll in Medicare Part B until you retire from USG. Once you retire from USG, Medicare will become primary, and you will need to enroll in Medicare. Learn more about about your post-65 benefits in retirement.
- Your USG healthcare coverage as an active employee is Creditable Coverage for Medicare Parts A, B and D. If you are enrolled in healthcare coverage through USG as an active employee, you will not be penalized if you put off enrolling in Medicare Parts A, B and D until your retirement. For more information, visit the Medicare website or contact OneUSG Connect – Benefits.
- Obtain your Medicare Enrollment Kit. If youre collecting Social Security benefits, youll get a Medicare Enrollment Kit 60 to 90 days before your 65th birthday, giving you the option to enroll in Medicare Parts A, B and D. If you are not yet collecting Social Security benefits, please contact Medicare 60 to 90 days before your 65th birthday and ask for a Medicare Enrollment Kit.
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Health And Dental Rates
Beginning this month, 2021 health and dental rates may have an impact on your monthly benefit amount.
2021 health and dental insurance rates will go into effect December 31, 2020 for your January 2021 coverage. The new health and dental deductions will affect your December 2020 net benefit amount.
Payment summary statements and a breakdown of your net monthly benefit can be viewed or downloaded by signing into your account using the Log In button at the top of the page.
- Sign in to your secure account.
- Go to View Payment Information. Here you can see your Direct Deposit information, federal and Georgia Tax information, and any other deduction information.
- Click on My Payment History. This is where you can see your last two years of pension payments, including the gross amount of your benefit, the federal and Georgia tax deductions, any Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, or other deductions, and the net amount of each payment.
For more information about premium rates, please visit Team Georgia.
Preparing For The Next Chapter
The key to feeling confident with your retirement plans is preparation. When you retire from USG, its good to know that you have the benefits you need so you can focus on enjoying every moment of your retirement. Review the Retirement Planning Guide to learn about how your benefits are impacted when you retire and the necessary steps youll need to take for a smooth retirement.
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What Happens To My Usg Benefits
Your USG healthcare, dental and vision coverage will depend on your and your spouses age and what coverage you had prior to retiring. However, your life insurance will reduce to the amount allowed in retirement.
View the Preparing to Retire Guide for information that may be helpful as you prepare to retire.
If you decide to discontinue any of your current benefits in retirement, such as dental, vision or life insurance, you cannot re-enroll for any reason, including but not limited to, life events. Additionally, if you are post-65 and not enrolled in a supplemental plan through the Alight Retiree Health Solutions , you will forfeit your eligibility for annual HRA contributions, now and in the future. Note: If needed, Alight Retiree Health Solutions offers dental and vision plans.
Note: If enrolled in the Blue Choice HMO, your coverage will default to the Comprehensive Care plan upon retirement.
When Can I Retire
In addition to your retirement benefits through the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia , Optional Retirement Plan , or Employee Retirement System , USG also provides healthcare, dental, vision and life insurance benefits in retirement, if you meet one of the following conditions:
For specific information and further requirements, please refer to the retirement policy.
Additionally, you must be enrolled in a USG healthcare plan immediately before you retire. If you are not currently enrolled in a USG healthcare plan, you should enroll during Open Enrollment in the year prior to your retirement to be eligible to continue USG retiree healthcare benefits into retirement.
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Plan Details And Rates
Concordia Flex is a passive Preferred Provider Organization program that allows members to receive care from any licensed dentist however, members receive the greatest value and convenience when they receive care from a participating dentist. This means that members who receive care from a participating dentist are responsible only for those deductibles and coinsurance amounts that are part of the program design.
See the Employee Certificate of Coverage for exact plan details, limitations, and coverage.
Provider Network
The Concordia Flex Plan uses the Alliance Network. Search for a provider.
Reminder: Out-of-Network Providers can be utilized but with the chance of the Dentist balance billing.
If you have questions about the part-time dental benefit, contact Houze & Associates, Inc. at 800-523-7135 or [email protected].
If Youre Actively Working When You Reach Age 65
If you are turning 65, as long as you are actively employed and covered under a USG healthcare plan, your USG coverage will remain your primary insurance and Medicare will be your secondary coverage. You do not need to enroll in Medicare Part B until you retire from USG. Once you retire from USG, Medicare will become primary, and you will need to enroll in Medicare.
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Georgia Retired Educators Association
YOUR ASSOCIATION CAN FILL THE GAPS IN YOUR INSURANCE COVERAGE
This is one of the main advantages of being a member! Thanks to our trusted partner, Association Member Benefits Advisors , members are eligible for exclusive insurance plans that are effective and affordable. If youve had trouble getting supplemental insurance at a reasonable rate, heres your chance! Best of all, it’s easy – you can enroll your way: online, by phone, or in person.
Access To Affordable Health Insurance
In Georgia, the State Health Benefit Plan covers all state employees, including teachers, reaching over 666,580 people as of May 2012.
As a teacher in Georgia, youll have access to two primary health plans the Standard Plan and the Wellness Plan. Each plan offers comparable coverage, but differs in the cost of their premiums.
The Wellness Plan requires teachers to sign a wellness pledge, ensuring officials of their commitment to personal health. By signing the wellness pledge, you agree to participate in initiatives such as workshops and educational modules that promote healthy living. In return, youll pay lower premiums for your state health insurance plan.
The Standard Plan does not require teachers sign the wellness pledge, but they must pay higher premiums for their health insurance plans.
While the two plans differ in terms of premium cost, each cover similar medical services. Some of the services youll be covered for include:
- Preventative Care
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Georgia Teaching Salaries And Benefits
If youre young, the idea of retirement likely seems too distant to even bother with. The word retirement itself might barely factor into your normal everyday lexicon, reserved for conversations about older adults and parents.
Similarly, the concept of health insurance might not weigh heavily in your mind if youve never had to tackle a challenging health concern. However, as you progress in age, things like retirement and health insurance become more important conversations to engage in as you consider the wellbeing of your family and yourself.
Fortunately for teachers in Georgia, these conversations are started immediately upon employment in a public school or university in the state, giving you a jumpstart on your future. By offering teachers a system of employee benefits, Georgia ensures its teachers and their families are more prepared to hand lifes challenges.
Learn more about becoming a teacher. Contact schools offering teacher education/certification programs in Georgia.
