Steps to Retirement
This page is provided as a source of information concerning retirement benefits. All of the information has been reviewed for accuracy; however, policies and laws change. Therefore, should any part of this information conflict with any policy or law, the actual policy or law shall govern.
Eligibility for Insurance Coverage
Current eligibility is based on legislation passed by the 78th Legislative Session, and an informal opinion letter issued by the Office of the Attorney General. Creditable service is service time as defined by the Teacher Retirement System, Optional Retirement Program, Employees Retirement System, or an acceptable combination thereof.
Category A: Individuals employed on August 31, 2003.
- Age 55 with at least 5 years of creditable service;
- Any age with 30 years creditable service; or
- A combination of age and years of creditable service equal to 80.
- At least three years of creditable service must be with The University of Texas System.
- A component of The University of Texas System must be the last qualifying state employer.
Former employees who met Category A criteria as of August 31, 2003 may also be eligible for insurance coverage. They must have an account with the Teacher Retirement System or the Optional Retirement Program, or must be receiving an annuity from their account.
Category B: Individuals employed on or after September 1, 2003.
- Age 65 with at least 10 years of creditable service; or
- A combination of age and years of creditable service equal to 80 with at least 10 years of creditable service.
- Ten years of creditable service must be with The University of Texas System.
- A component of The University of Texas System must be the last qualifying state employer.
Enrollment for Retiree Insurance
Insurance does not automatically continue at retirement. A Retiree Insurance Enrollment/Change Application must be completed and submitted to the UTSA Benefits office. The form should be submitted within the month of retirement, but no later than 31 calendar days after the retirement date. If the form is not submitted within 31 calendar days of the retirement date, the next opportunity to enroll in retiree insurance is the next Annual Enrollment period, and Evidence of Insurability may be required.
Employees retiring with the Teacher Retirement System or the Employees Retirement System must provide documentation of their retirement from the applicable retirement system, such as a copy of the TRS 30 form. Employees retiring with the Optional Retirement Program must complete a Declaration of Retirement form.
The Retiree Insurance Enrollment/Change Application is available from HR Forms or by contacting the UTSA Benefits office at 210-458-4250.
Eligible Coverage
Retirees may enroll in medical, dental, vision, and group term life insurance (see Group Term Life below). Retirees may also waive insurance coverage, add or cancel dependents, or add or cancel optional insurance (dental or vision) at retirement.
Retiree Insurance Billing
Retirees will continue to receive Premium Sharing, which is the amount the State contributes toward the cost of the insurance premium. Insurance rates and Premium Sharing allocations are subject to change each fiscal year due to contract changes and Legislative decisions.
A billing statement will be mailed every three months and will include any balance that may be due.
Payment should be sent to:
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Payroll Department
1 UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249-0610.
Any questions concerning the bill or payment should be directed to the Payroll deparment:
E-mail: payroll@utsa.edu
Phone - 210-458-4280
Annual Enrollment
Retirees may make changes to their insurance each Annual Enrollment period, which is typically the month of July. The UTSA Benefits office will send information and instructions by mail or by e-mail if an e-mail address is on record with the University. It is important to read this information each year to be aware of any changes that may occur with the insurance plans and to determine if changing an insurance plan is appropriate.
Keep Your Address Current
Retirees should notify the UTSA Benefits office of a new address promptly. This will ensure that retirees receive their billing statement and other important information and will also ensure that retirees are enrolled in the proper medical and dental plans. The UTSA Benefits office can help determine if a plan offers service in the area of residence and assist with changing plans if necessary. Retirees should notify UTSA Benefits office in writing or via e-mail benefits@utsa.edu. Be sure to alos notify your retirement vendor of your change of address.
Surviving Dependents
In the event of a retiree's death, dependents that are covered at the time of the death may retain insurance benefits; however, surviving dependents do not receive premium sharing and would be responsible for paying the full insurance premium. A dependent may remain on the plan until s/he no longer meets the definition of a dependent, becomes eligible for similar benefits elsewhere, or does not pay the premiums.
Group Term Life Insurance
Retirees will receive $3,000 basic group term life insurance at no cost if enrolled in a UT medical plan. Regardless of UT medical plan participation, retirees may also purchase voluntary group term life insurance in the amount of $7,000, $10,000, $25,000 or $50,000. The amount of voluntary retiree coverage selected that does not exceed the amount of coverage the employee had at retirement will be available without an Evidence of Insurability (EOI). EOI is required to apply for an amount of voluntary retiree coverage that exceeds the amount of coverage the employee had at retirement. If the retirement date is not the first of the month following the last day worked, EOI will be required to enroll in any amount of voluntary retiree coverage. The monthly rate for the voluntary coverage is based on age and is listed on the Benefit Cost Worksheet [UT System Web site].
If a retiree had more than $50,000 employee coverage and would like to retain more than $50,000 voluntary retiree coverage, it is possible to convert the additional coverage to an individual policy. Dependents may also convert coverage to an individual policy because their coverage ceases at retirement. Please contact the UTSA Benefits office within 31 calendar days of retirement to request a Fort Dearborn Life Application to Convert Group Term Life Insurance to an individual whole life insurance policy. The application must be sent to Fort Dearborn Life and postmarked no later than the 31st day after the retirement date.
Accidental Death & Dismemberment
Accidental Death & Dismemberment ceases at retirement.
Short Term Disability
Short Term Disability ceases at retirement.
Long Term Disability
Long Term Disability ceases at retirement.
Long Term Disability Before Retirement
Pre-retirement is the recommended time to review Long Term Disability coverage to determine if the insurance is still beneficial. Long Term Disability is designed to provide 60% of an employee's monthly salary if an employee becomes disabled and cannot work. Consider the current cost of coverage and, using the table below, determine the maximum years of coverage one would receive.
| Age at Disability |
Maximum Period of Payment |
|---|---|
60-64 |
5 years |
65-69 |
To age 70, but not less than one year |
70+ |
1 year |
Long Term Care
Retirees who enrolled in Long Term Care insurance while employed may continue coverage. Instead of paying premiums through payroll deduction, the insurance company, CNA, will send bills directly to the home. Please contact CNA at 888-825-0353 to set up billing after retirement; failure to do so may result in cancellation of the policy.
Retirees who did not enroll in Long Term Care while employed still have the option to enroll at anytime by contacting CNA; however, Evidence of Insurability is required and must be approved by CNA in order to receive the insurance.
UT Flex
Participation in the UT Flex Medical Expense and Day Care Reimbursement Accounts ceases at retirement.
Medicare Enrollment and Cost
Medicare becomes available at age 65 and consists of two parts:
Part A is hospital insurance and is free of charge for most people.
Part B is medical insurance and currently costs $78.20 per month. After enrolling in Part B, the premium is usually taken out of the monthly Social Security payment.
More information is available from Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
If a retiree is under the age of 65 and eligible for Medicare benefits because of a disability, the same conditions apply as if the retiree was age 65.
IMPORTANT: Retirees and/or their dependents should contact the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 at least 3 months before turning age 65 to apply for Part B.
Medicare Primary and Secondary Coverage
As a retiree, Medicare becomes the primary insurance at age 65. It is very important to enroll in both Parts A and B at age 65, because the UT insurance becomes secondary. All medical claims should be filed with Medicare first, and then any remaining portion should be filed with the UT insurance company. Basically, Medicare pays 80% of the Medicare approved amount after your $100 deductible has been paid.
If enrolled with UT Select/Blue Cross Blue Shield, claims for Medicare approved charges with a provider that accepts Medicare assignment will be covered in full, including deductibles and co-payments that Medicare did not cover. If the provider does not accept Medicare assignment, or if the service is not a Medicare approved charge, co-payments, deductibles and coinsurance will apply. Retirees enrolled with HMO Blue will be responsible for the HMO Blue co-payments.
If retirees do not enroll in Part B, the UT insurance will only pay 20% of Medicare approved charges, and retirees will be responsible for the $100 Medicare deductible plus the 80% that Medicare would have paid.
Working After Age 65
If a retiree continues to work at least 20 hours per week for a period of 4 1/2 months or longer after retirement, the UT insurance will remain the primary insurance and Medicare the secondary insurance. Please review the following table to determine primary and secondary insurance.
| Work | Primary | Secondary |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester only | UT Insurance |
Medicare |
| Off Spring and Summer | Medicare |
UT Insurance |
| Spring Semester only | UT Insurance |
Medicare |
| Off Summer | UT Insurance |
Medicare |
| Fall & Spring Semester | UT Insurance |
Medicare |
| Off Summer | UT Insurance |
Medicare |
IMPORTANT: A retiree that continues to work 20 hours or more per week for a period of 4 1/2 months or longer will not be penalized for not enrolling in Medicare Part B. If a retiree stops working, drops below 20 hours per week, or is appointed for less than 4 1/2 months after age 65, the retiree must contact the Social Security Administration and request forms CMS-L564 and CMS-40B to avoid any penalty for late enrollment. The UTSA Benefits office will complete CMS-L564 for the retiree.
Social Security
Retirees may start receiving a reduced Social Security benefit as early as age 62 or full retirement age. Retirees should begin to apply three months prior to Social Security benefits eligibility. The following documents should be available:
- Social Security Card
- Birth Certificate
- Latest W-2 or self-employment tax return
- Earnings estimate
- Information about marriages, military or railroad service, and other benefits
- Bank information for direct deposit
Contact the Social Security Administration to apply or to receive additional information.
Teacher Retirement System (TRS)
Members should contact TRS six months prior to retirement to allow sufficient time to complete and submit all required forms. Members will need to:
- Consult the Service Retirement Checklist in the TRS Benefits Handbook [TRS Web site]
- Submit Form TRS 18 [PDF; TRS Web site], Request for Estimate of Retirement Benefits, to TRS
Form TRS 18 must be completed and submitted to TRS in order to receive a retirement packet. The retirement packet will include any required forms and an instruction booklet.
Service Retirement Eligibility
To be eligible to retire from TRS and receive a lifetime monthly service annuity, members must have at least five years of service credit, meet the eligibility requirements for age and service, terminate employment, and apply for retirement.
When a member meets the requirements for normal age service retirement, the member is entitled to receive a lifetime monthly annuity, calculated according to the standard annuity benefit formula. The age and service requirements for normal age service retirement are:
- Age 65 with five or more years of service credit.
- Age and years of service credit total 80, with at least five years of service credit.
Members can also take early age service retirement when the total of age and service credit is less than “80.” Early age service retirement is calculated according to the standard annuity benefit formula, but is reduced for early age according to actuarial tables, when the following conditions are met:
- At least age 55 with 5 or more years of service credit.
- Any age below age 50 with 30 or more years of creditable service
For more information, contact Teacher Retirement System at 512-542-6400 or 800-223-8778.
Optional Retirement Program
Members of the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) should contact their ORP company or agent at least three months before retirement to have the following reviewed:
- All procedures necessary to begin a retirement annuity
- All available payout options
- Possibility of transferring to alternative plan
- Beneficiary designations
IMPORTANT: ORP participants must contact the UTSA Benefits office 210-458-4250 at retirement to request that a Vesting/Termination Status Form be sent to their ORP company.
Supplemental Retirement Plans
Tax Sheltered Annuity Program, 403(b) and Deferred Compensation Plan, 457
Participants should contact their 403(b) or 457 company or agent at least three months before retirement to have the following reviewed:
- All procedures necessary to begin a retirement annuity
- All available payout options
- Possibility of transferring to alternative plans
- Beneficiary designations
Contact Information
UTSA Human Resources |
UTSA Payroll |
Teacher Retirement System |
Social Security Administration 8020 Alamo Downs Pkwy. San Antonio, Texas 78238 800-772-1213 http://www.ssa.gov |
| UT Select PPO Group # 71778 P.O. Box 660044 Dallas, TX 75266-0044 866-882-2034 http://www.bcbstx.com/ut/utselect_main.htm |
HMO Blue Group # 71779 P.O. Box 660044 Dallas, TX 75266-0044 888-322-2379 http://www.bcbstx.com/ut/bluetexas_main.htm |
| Delta Dental Group # 005968 P.O. Box 1809 Alpharetta, GA 30023-1809 800-893-3582 http://www.deltadentalins.com/ |
Fortis/Assurant Dental |
UT ID Center |
Superior Vision Plan Group # 056856 P.O. Box 967 Rancho Cordova, CA 95741 800-507-3800 http://www.superiorvision.com/ |
Fort Dearborn Life Insurance |
CNA Long-Term Care P.O. Box 946760 |
