WHAT HAPPENS TO MY HEALTH COVERAGE IF I TERMINATE EMPLOYMENT DURING THE MONTH?
Under current legislation, the state group insurance premium (SGIP) will be made if an employee works at least one day in the month. In most cases the state contribution pays the health and basic life premium in full; therefore, the employee would have coverage until the last day of the month. Any employee paid premium must be paid in full for the month to retain coverage through the end of the month.
Terminating employees and dependents may extend health and/or dental coverage for up to 18 months by participation in the COBRA plan. COBRA participants are not eligible for the SGIP.
After COBRA privileges have expired, an employee can convert coverage to an individual policy. The employee should contact their health provider directly for conversion information.
AT WHAT AGE AM I ELIGIBLE TO RETIRE AND CONTINUE TO RECEIVE THE STATE GROUP INSURANCE PREMIUM (SGIP)?
The following eligibility is subject to change by the Texas Legislature and is not a guarantee of future benefits. You are eligible to regain benefit eligibility or continue benefits as a retiree under the following conditions:
If you were employed and eligible for benefits on August 31, 2003, and
- are at least age 55 and have 5 years service credit OR the combination of your age and years of service is equal to 80 or more, with at least 5 years of service credit;
- have 3 years service with the Texas A&M University System;
- TAMUS is your last state employer;
- you have an intact TRS or ORP account.
If you were first employed after August 31, 2003, and
- are at least age 65 and have 10 years service credit OR the combination of your age and years of service is equal to 80 or more, with at least 10 years of service credit;
- have 10 years service with the Texas A&M University System;
- TAMUS is your last state employer;
- you have an intact TRS or ORP account.
You must contact the Human Resources office within 60 days of becoming eligible based on the rules above in order to receive this benefit. TRS employees will also be required to begin receiving their TRS annuity payments if they are not already doing so. As a retiree, you will receive the state insurance contribution for health and basic life insurance for yourself and your eligible dependents for the remainder of your life
I have misplaced or have not received my health plan ID card, how can I obtain a new membership card?
Call your health plan office and request a new membership card be sent to your home address. Verify that the health plan office does have your correct address.
A&M Health Plan Providers Web sites and Customer Service Telephone numbers can be located on-line at http://sago.tamu.edu/shro/PROVWEBS.HTM
How can I change my address with my health plan office?
Complete a form AG-502, available on-line at: http:agservices.tamu.edu/forms/AG-502.pdf, and forward it to the Ag Program Payroll office at 2162 TAMU, COllege Station, TX 77843-2162, or on-campus mail stop 2162. We will change your address on our system and send the new address to your health plan office on a weekly report.
CAN I TRANSFER MY SICK LEAVE TO TRS RETIREMENT CREDIT?
Effective September 1, 2001, a TRS member is entitled to one year of membership service credit for 50 days or 400 hours of accumulated sick leave and/or personal leave that is unused as of the last day of employment before retirement. Only 5 days per year of state sick leave can be used toward the 50 days or 400 hours. Only members who retire on or after September 1, 2001 are eligible. To receive service credit, the member must pay the actuarial present value of the benefits attributable to the sick leave and/or personal leave credit.
WHAT IS THE DROP PROGRAM?
The DROP program was designed by the legislature to offer a mechanism for active members who meet participation criteria to continue to work and accumulate funds which may be withdrawn at retirement as a lump sum or on a time payout. The amount of the member’s standard annuity is established as of the date of participation in the DROP. This amount is also used in determining the monthly deposit to the DROP account. A member will not accumulate further retirement annuity benefits during DROP participation, i.e., no further credit will be achieved for years of service or compensation changes. Participation may range from a minimum of one year to a maximum of five years, in 12-month increments. The member elects the period of participation at the outset. Upon retirement, participating members will receive their retirement annuity plus the balance in their DROP account including interest. DROP balances may be paid by TRS in a lump sum or on a time payout selected by the member. For more information go to the TRS web site on the DROP program at http://www.trs.state.tx.us/pub/drop.htm Or call the HR office at 845-2178 and ask for a DROP booklet.
HOW LONG DO I HAVE AFTER BIRTH TO ENROLL MY BABY IN MY HEALTH CARE PLAN?
Following the birth of a child, you have 60 days to enroll the child in your health care plan. If the child is not enrolled in this period, you must wait until the next annual enrollment cycle to enroll the child in your health care plan.
WHY DOESN'T MY LONGEVITY SHOW UP IN MY GROSS PAY ON MY EARNINGS STATEMENT?
Your longevity payment is not included in the number appearing in your gross pay box. It is found in the deductions segment under employer payments. The math works like this: gross pay minus all deductions, plus longevity, equals the number in the net pay box. So, it does show up in your net pay
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