This month it was my privilege, once again, to attend Negotiations Training at CTA’s Region 3 Fall Leadership Conference. CTA provides training for the Board of Directors and the Negotiations Chair on all the current issues. The information is always timely, well researched, well presented and they supply all supporting documents. This year was no exception.
One of the sessions I attended focused on negotiating benefits, where I learned that the changes in Social Security DO NOT APPLY TO MEDICARE. This means that we do not have a gap in benefits, and you (providing you did not sign off Medicare coverage in 1982) do in fact have lifetime benefits! Upon retirement, our current contract provides continuing coverage for a maximum of 10 years, ending at age 65, which is when your Medicare benefits pick up.
Considering the state of the state and district budgets and the escalating costs of medical benefits, it is a tremendous relief to know that we don’t have to dedicate any more of the General Fund to this.