News-Whats New Archives

Periodically we remove items from the home page that are a month old and place them on this page. While we attempt to update items on this page, some of the linkages or page references may become stale and may not operate as they were originally designed. We apologize if the information that you are attempting to retrieve is no longer there.

October 8, 2009 - See your final reminder of our third Annual Meeting in Forsyth on October 21. Also read the official announcement of an exciting new program of 'members-only' benefits that will soon be available to members of GSRA!

Read the Newsletter!

October 6, 2009 -In accordance with Article XIV, notice is being provided of two proposed by-laws amendments. These proposed amendments and associated rationale are shown in the document posted on the By-Laws page under About Us.

Go to the By-Laws page

October 2, 2009 -"Evaluating Your Health Insurance Options for 2010"

Confused about all the changes in the SHBP for next year, especially the new Medicare Advantage Plan requirements? What will it all mean for you? Use the information and analysis tools in this issue to make the best decision possible.

Read the Newsletter!

September 15, 2009 - NEWSLETTER EXTRA!!

Announcing the Third Annual Membership Meeting of the GSRA, October 21!

Also see the long-awaited Retiree Health Insurance Premium Rates for CY2010.

"Read all about it!"

Sep 2, 2009

Attention: Alltel/Windstream Customers

You may not be receiving our emails. According to Windstream's web site, if you had an @alltel.net email address your mail is not being delivered (after May 15, 2009). Please Login and update your GSRA Profile with your @windstream.net username and email address.

August 31, 2009

ERS' Executive Director presents a report to the ERS Board of Trustees. The Board of Community Health meets and makes important policy changes, but fails to set 2010 SHBP health insurance premiums. An important AARP article tells what the lack of a Social Security COLA may do to your Medicare Part B premium.

Read the Newsletter!

August 18, 2009

Lake Oconee Area Local Chapter meeting announced for November 12, 2009. See the GSRA Calendar to the left to see times and program.

July 31, 2009

BIG Health Insurance changes coming for all retired state employees and retired teachers in January 2010; ERS issues Actuarial Reports; Retiree Lawsuits closer to conclusion; BOR Rx plan changes administrators; and GSRA answers members' questions on COLAs and other issues.

Read the Newsletter!

June 29, 2009

NO COLAs for ERS or JRS; DCH cuts SHBP yet again; TRS Board holds May meeting; and GSRA's Thomasville Chapter hosts legislators.

Read the Newsletter!

May 27, 2009

See detailed results of GSRA's first Member Poll; the latest analysis on new legislation of interest to retirees; more on SHBP rates; a report on the Oconee Area Chapter's meeting with legislators; the latest on COLAs discussed at the ERS Board's called meeting; and a reminder of the ERS Board's Annual Meeting next month.

Read the Newsletter!

May 22, 2009

A presentation at recent GSRA Local Chapter meetings regarding the SHBP Retiree policy changes can be viewed at Current Issues-SHBP.

May 15, 2009

ERS Board to hold a special called meeting May 21, 2009 to consider COLAs, and will announce its decision on COLAs at the Annual Meeting on June 18. TRS Board will meet on May 27, 2009.

Read the Action Alert!

April 21, 2009

The 2009 General Assembly session is over. Read reports and analyses of final outcomes of legislation of interest to retirees; the latest on SHBP premiums; the ERS Board's April meeting; an important notice from ERS; and a summary of the GSRA Membership Poll.

Read the Newsletter

April 15, 2009

Updated Report on 2009 Legislation.

April 2, 2009

Ga. Senate attempts major changes in Health Insurance premiums and benefits. Your Immediate action is needed!

Read the Action Alert!

March 29, 2009

Updated Report on 2009 Legislation.

March 22, 2009

Updated Report on 2009 Legislation.

March 18, 2009

More about the proposed increases in Health Insurance premiums; status on important proposed legislation and analysis of SB 122.

Read the Newsletter

March 15, 2009

Governor proposes LARGE increase in monthly Health Insurance premiums. Act now!

Read the Action Alert.

March 15, 2009

Updated Report on 2009 Legislation.

March 9, 2009

Updated Report on 2009 Legislation.

February 28, 2009

The House COLA Study Committee's report; status reports on legislation that may affect state retirees; and more reductions in the SHBP Reserve fund.

Read the Newsletter

February 13, 2009

House Bill 249 and Senate Bill 129 are introduced in the General Assembly, to allow investment of retirement fund assets in so-called "Alternative Investments" like leveraged buyouts and other risky ventures.

Read the Action Alert

February 11, 2009

Answers to members' questions about the Medicare Advantage Plan and the new SHBP restrictions on coverage for retirees aged 65 and over; information on SHBP enrollment; and DCH 2010 budget news.

Read the Newsletter

January 27, 2009

Local Chapter news from Valdosta; Governor's plan to slash SHBP Reserves; More details on the latest downgrades in retiree health insurance benefits.

Read the Newsletter

December 22, 2008

The cost-shifting of the recent SHBP policy changes is discussed.

Read the Newsletter.

November 25, 2008

House COLA Committee Proceeding report, Local Chapter News and Letter from GSRA President.

Read the Newsletter

November 9, 2008

House COLA Committee second meeting on November 12, 2008, in room 506 Coverdell Office Bldg.

Read the Action Alert

October 31, 2008

DCH Announces Major Restrictions on Retiree Health Care. Plus information on Retiree Trust Fund, Medicare Premiums, etc.

Read the Newsletter

October 20, 2008

Video of first House COLA Study Committee Meeting is available from General Assembly website.

View the video

October 10, 2008

Report on the 1st House COLA Study Committee meeting.

Read the Newsletter

September 27, 2008

SHBP Changes HRA and HDHP rates; TRS increases member rates and will change COLA policy.

Read the Newsletter.

September 22, 2008

Action Alert

Georgia House COLA Study Committee - Meetings Set

Read the Action Alert

August 29, 2008

SHBP budget reductions and investments discussed. Tips for evaluating option choices for 2009 outlined.

Read the Newsletter.

August 19, 2008

SHBP premium rates for 2009 announced and GSRA Officers met with new ERS Director.

Read the Newsletter

August 18, 2008

Action Alert

House COLA Study Committee to meet soon.

Read the Action Alert

July 31, 2008

Annual meeting announced and SHBP and Retirement Information.

Read the Newsletter

June 23, 2008

ERS Board of Trustees award two 1% COLAs; thereby reducing the COLA to an annual 2%, etc.

Read the Newsletter

May 28, 2008

GSRA issues Action Alert about Annual ERS Board Meeting scheduled for June 19, 2008

Read the Action Alert

May 23, 2008

ERS outlines the retirement system for new employees on and after January 1, 2009

May 22, 2008

DCH announces two vendors: United Healthcare and CIGNA

Read the press release

May 18, 2008

SHBP Update: Transition, premium increases, and other issues

May 5, 2008

Letter from President Vickers.

Read the letter

March 22, 2008

SB-80 passes House Retirement Committee. House leadership jumps in to get bill out of Committee. Action Alert issued.

Read the Alert

March 20, 2008

DHR to notify all employees and former employees of security breach.

Read More

March 19, 2008

House Retirement Committee passes SB-80. See who voted for and against the bill.

See the Votes

March 7, 2008

Take a look at this article on Nearsightedness and see if it applies to you.

Read the Article

March 6, 2008

Report on the February DCH Board meeting and what SHBP choices they plan to force on retirees

Read the Report

March 5, 2008

Report on the 2008 and 2009 Budgets. Find out what we think is the Good and Bad News.

Read the Report

March 4, 2008

Considering a Reverse Mortgage?Do you know all you need to know?