HR Connection: Benefits, educational advancement, wellness, and more

The following is provided by the Human Resources Department:

New Premium Rates Effective 9/1/14

Employees enrolled in the ERS Group Benefits Program are encouraged to visit http://www.austincc.edu/hr/benefits/insuranceprograms.php to view the 2015-rate sheets.

Medical premiums increased 7 – 11 percent and the Dental DHMO plan increased 9.25 percent. The new premiums will be reflected on employees’ September paycheck(s). If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the HR Benefits Staff at (512) 223.7230 or (512) 223.7537.

Information about the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)

Employee Contribution Rate Change

Effective September 1, 2014, the TRS employee contribution rate will increase from 6.4 percent to 6.7 percent.  The employer’s contribution will remain unchanged at 6.8 percent.  No action by the employee is required for this change to occur.  Employees will see the increased contribution rate on their first paycheck in September.

Service Retirement Eligibility Change

Based on Senate Bill 1458, passed by the 2013 Texas Legislature, effective September 1, 2014, any person who

-Â Â Â Â Â Â does not have at least five years of service credit in TRS on August 31, 2014,

-      becomes a member of TRS on or after 09/01/2014

will be affected by the changes made to the normal-age service retirement eligibility.

Eligibility for a normal-age service retirement annuity, unreduced for early age, a member must meet one of the following criteria:

  • age 65 with at least five years of service credit, or
  • age 62 with at least five years of service credit and meet the Rule of 80 (age and years of service credit total at least 80).

Members who have at least five years of service credit in TRS on August 31, 2014 and who do not terminate membership by withdrawing their contributions; will be able to retire under the retirement eligibility requirements in place immediately before the effective date of the bill.

For more information, visit the TRS website at www.trs.state.tx.us and search 8-31-2014 Five-Year Requirement

Retiring from TRS

When an employee retires from the TRS through any TRS employer, they must retire from all TRS-covered agencies in which they are employed.  This is true even if you are not currently contributing to TRS through ACC.

The TRS retiree must observe a break in service of at least one full calendar month after retirement in order for their retirement to be effective.

For additional information on returning to work as a Retiree, please read the Employment After Retirement brochure on the TRS website at:  http://www.trs.state.tx.us/benefits/documents/employment_after_retirement.pdf.

Please contact Susan M. Corbett, HR Benefits Manager at (512) 223.7617 should you have any further questions.

Educational Advancement program

In response to employee feedback, HR is adopting a lottery system for tuition reimbursement requests.

Tuition reimbursement requests for fall semester classes will be accepted October 6-10. Names will be entered into a drawing that will be live streamed and recorded. Funding calculations will be done at that time.

Find details and requirements on the Tuition Reimbursement Forms webpage.

Access Wellness

Don’t forget to check out the new wellness programs on the Access Wellness webpage or the Workshop & Event Registration database. New programs about healthy eating and exercise are starting soon.

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