Archive: December 2003

Retiree Medical Joint Trust
By Steve Kaplan, UniServe Field Organizer

A portion of the medical insurance premium of eligible retirees is paid by a Joint Association and District Trust. The Trust is funded by two annual contributions from the District (Sections 9.8.1 and 9.8.2). The Trust is charged with "investing and administering the assets of the trust." "The Trust's sole purpose shall be providing health benefits premium credits to eligible, retired unit members." (Section 9.8.9) The Trust Board is composed of three Association appointees and three District appointees.

An eligible retired unit member (Section 9.8.3):

• Had seventeen years of service with the District and is receiving a monthly retirement benefit from STRS or PERS
  
• Is less than sixty-seven years of age
  
• If sixty-five or sixty-six years of age, has both Parts A and B of Medicare (does not apply to anyone whose effective retirement date was prior to July 1, 1996)
  
• Was covered by a District sponsored group medical plan immediately prior to retirement and has continuously maintained coverage under such a plan since retirement

The credit towards the medical premium is currently one hundred fifty-five dollars ($155) per month equaling an annual credit of one thousand eight hundred and sixty dollars ($1860).