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Welcome !
Advocating for Active and Retired
State Employees and Educators
The Georgia State Retirees Association (GSRA) is an organization focused on keeping retirees and prospective retirees from all parts of Georgia Government informed about any impacts to promised retiree and health insurance benefits.
President Jim Sommerville sends letter (4/3/2020) to the ERS Board asking the Board to approve a COLA for all eligible state retirees and to instruct the actuaries to include future COLAs as part of the ADEC formula.
Update - State Health Benefit Plan Corona Virus guidelines
It is our understanding that the State Health Benefit Plan will comply with the nationally announced guidelines for covering expenses for the COVID-19. Specifically, telehealth with your physician’s office will be covered. Members of the Medicare Advantage plans will have coverage for “telehealth” and coverage for testing (at no cost) as prescribed by Medicare. SHPB Retirees (and actives) who are under age 65 will also have access to testing without copay (although if the test is in conjunction with a doctor’s office visit, the office visit copay may be required). You may get additional information from
The CDC or
The GA Department of Public Health.
In the meantime, follow all the national and state guidelines to stay as safe as you possibly can.
The March Newsletter includes two articles written by ERSGA Executive Director Jim Potvin, a Legislative update, and more.
Click HERE to view letter and HERE to view questionnaire sent to Legislators by GSRA President Jim Sommerville
To contact your legislators:
Georgia House Members contact info HERE
Georgia Senate Members contact info HERE
Great beginning in achieving one of GSRA's legislative goals! HB 821 is passed out of committee on 2/4/20.
HB 821 by our champion Rep. Debbie Buckner, with Rep. Gerald Greene as sponsor, would remove the restrictions against the granting of COLAs for GSEPS members, as well as for members of the legislative and judicial retirement systems. Click HERE to view the video.
In the video below of today's proceedings, Rep. Buckner introduces HB 821 9:25 into the video. In responding to Rep. Chuck Martin's question, ERS Director Jim Potvin clearly explains the restrictions on ERS board awarding COLAs based on its guidelines beginning at 14:50. And GSRA president Jim Sommerville speaks to the bill from 17:20 to 23:20. Rep. Greene seconded a do-pass motion from Rep. Patty Bentley, and the bill passed unanimously.
Click HERE to view 1/14 House Retirement Committee Meeting on TRS Funding Changes
Within video, start at Chuck Martin presentation (1:19:40), then to GSRA Legislative Liason Chuck Freedman presentation at 1:33:45
Click on the News/Press Releases tab to read summary prepared by GSRA Legislative Liason Chuck Freedman.
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