Connecticut Senate Bill SB01082

Connecticut 2021 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/19/21
• Refer: 3/19/21

Caption

An Act Concerning A Retired Teacher Advisory Council, The Membership Of And Term Limits For The Teachers' Retirement Board, A Cap On Certain Professional Fees Paid By The Board, And Medicare Supplemental Plans For Retired Teachers.

Summary

SB01082, titled 'An Act Concerning A Retired Teacher Advisory Council,' seeks to establish a dedicated advisory council for the Teachers' Retirement Board aimed at enhancing representation for retired teachers. This council will consist of members from various retired teachers' organizations and will provide input on matters that directly concern retired educators. The inclusion of this advisory council indicates a proactive step towards ensuring that the voices of retired teachers are taken into account when making decisions that affect their benefits and health plans. One of the critical elements of SB01082 is the requirement that the Teachers' Retirement Board adds an additional retired teacher to its membership. This move is seen as vital by advocates for retired teachers, as it aims to enhance the board's decision-making with insights from those who are directly affected by its policies. Furthermore, the bill proposes term limits for board members to promote fairness and accountability in governance. In addition to governance reform, SB01082 addresses financial provisions surrounding Medicare-related health benefits for retired teachers. The bill mandates that the board must offer a Medicare supplemental plan, ensuring that retired educators have access to necessary healthcare coverage. This aspect has been highlighted as a means to alleviate concerns over rising healthcare costs among retirement-aged teachers. Lastly, the bill introduces a cap on certain professional fees paid by the Teachers' Retirement Board, aimed at increasing transparency and efficiency in the board's financial dealings. This cap serves as a measure to ensure that a significant portion of the board's budget is allocated toward member benefits rather than administrative expenses. Overall, SB01082 is a comprehensive effort to reform the governance structure of the Teachers' Retirement Board while ensuring that retired educators' health and financial needs are adequately addressed.