The Blanco County Association of Retired Educators (BCARE) began its new year on August 28th at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church. Dorothy Troppy catered a healthy lunch, and health expert Pat Gajewski presented the program. She brought healthy packaged foods available locally for sampling.
Officers have been attending educational sessions to prepare for 2014-15 school year. Legislative Chairman Carole Smith and Retirement Education Chairman Kathy Carriker attended the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) state convention in Dallas in April. President Mary Nabers, Treasurer Cindy Sultemeier, Immediate Past President and Membership Chairman Jan Booth, Carole Smith, and Kathy Carriker attended the Spring Leadership Conference on May 20th in San Marcos.
The good news is the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) fund is actuarially sound with $124 billion. Because the vast majority of public school retirees receive no social security benefits, it is very important that TRS can meets its pension obligations.
The challenging news is that the state legislature has not corrected funding deficiencies toTRS-Care, the health insurance of retired and many active educators. If retirees must bear the cost of the $1 billion shortfall, health premiums could triple over the next two-year period beginning September 1, 2015.
BCARE meets on the fourth Thursday of designated months. Upcoming programs will be October 23 and February 26 in Johnson City and May 28 in Blanco. To become a member of BCARE and TRTA , call Dr. Jan Booth at 830-885-6923 for more information.
Any former public school worker (teacher, aide, custodian, office staff, bus driver, nurse, administrator, maintenance personnel, librarian) who receives a TRS pension is encouraged to join.
1 photo attached to this article.
More from Community News.