The next Association meeting will be
held on
Tuesday, August 11, 2009.
UPDATE ON HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS FOR 2009
The Board of County Commissioners has discussed
the bids received on health insurance beginning in
2009. This matter was discussed at meetings on August
6, September 3, and September 17. At each meeting, the
Board has held this matter pending receiving answers on
questions they have about this issue. It will be
discussed again on October 1. As you are aware, we
generally receive our insurance packages early in
October. However, until the Board approves this item,
packages cannot be mailed. You will continue to be
covered by your current health insurance until the Board
approves this item. Hopefully, they will approve this
item at their meeting on October 1, but if it is held
again, your health coverage will continue.
If you login in to this website, you will see a link
that will take you to a video of the Commission meeting
and you will be able to hear the last discussion that
took place at the September 17th meeting. This will
keep you informed regarding the questions the
Commissioners are asking at this time.
At the October 1, 2008 Commission meeting, The Board
of Commissioners approved the recommended vendors
with the exception of CIGNA for our health benefits.
The companies that are presently administering our
insurance will remain the same. On the
major issue, Blue Cross and Blue Shield will be
retained for an additional 6 months and that part of
the overall health package will be re-bid.
Login to this web site to gain access to the video
of this meeting.
It was reported at the Association's December 4th
meeting that health insurance coverage for 2009
would continue under Blue Cross Blue Shield for the
entire year.
BENEFICIARY LIFE INSURANCE
In recent months an issue concerning
the coverage status of beneficiary life insurance after the
retirees' death has come to the attention of the Retirees'
Association. The Association has submitted a letter to the
Board of Commissioners requesting a change to the current policy.
The letter which provides more details on the issue can be viewed by
members on the Current Issues page.
The County Manager's replied to our
request on March 2, 2009. Association members can view his
reply by logging in to the site and following link on the Current
Issues page.
Welcome
to the Fulton County Retired Employees Association
web site. This site was created to provide
information and assistance to Fulton County, Georgia
government retirees who are receiving benefits under
the defined benefit plan or the 401(a) defined
contribution plan.
The Association was founded in
October, 1990 to answer the need for an organization
to represent and voice the concerns of all Fulton
County retirees. The Association provides the
following benefits to its members:
Publishes a bimonthly newsletter
containing current news on developments affecting
Fulton County retirees as well as information on the
financial health of the pension plan and the
Association. It also includes a list of new
retirees and deceased retirees, meeting notices, and
contact information.
Conducts bimonthly meetings usually
on the second Tuesday of the even numbered months at
Wieuca Road Baptist Church or other locations with speaker topics of
interest to retirees. Current meeting
information can be found on the Meetings link on
this page.
Publishes annual membership
directory.
Since its creation, the Association
has addressed the following issues:
Successfully litigated in Federal
Court a case which 1) requires Fulton County to
provide health insurance coverage at a cost level
consistent with the requirements mandated by our
pension plans; 2) insures that health insurance
coverage to retirees on Medicare not be treated as a
medigap policy; 3) provides for a settlement which
resulted in the refund by Fulton County of excessive
health insurance premiums paid by many retirees; 4)
provides by court order for the annual monitoring of
health insurance premium rates by the Association to
insure that they comply with the levels outlined in
our pension plans.
Annually submits a request to the
Fulton County Commission requesting that cost of
living increases be granted to retirees who retired
under a pension plan that did not have this
provision.
Requested and obtained two retiree
representatives on the Fulton County Pension Board
who are elected by county retirees.
Fulton County Retired Employees Association, Inc.
Atlanta, Georgia