Medical and Prescription Drug Coverage
This section describes the eligibility requirements for the Trust's Early Retiree Plan medical and prescription drug options. Different requirements exist and different retiree options are available depending on the bargaining unit from which you retired.
The Trust has two retiree eligibility categories. The first is for retirees who are eligible for a contribution from the District toward the cost of the retiree coverage. The second is for retirees who are eligible to participate in an early retiree option but who do not qualify for a contribution from the District toward the cost of the retiree coverage.
Early Retirees — Eligible for District Contribution for Retiree Coverage
In defined situations, collective bargaining agreements that provide for participation in the Trust for eligible retirees and require that the District make contributions to the Trust for early retiree medical coverage.
The current eligibility rules governing when a retiree is eligible for a District contribution under collective bargaining agreements with the Portland Association of Teachers (PAT) remain in effect until the below sunset dates are met and require that the individual:
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Elects early retirement and is eligible to retire under the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)
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Has completed at least 15 years of service with the District
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Retires from the District and from an employee classification that participates in the Trust and that is eligible to participate in the Trust Early Retiree Plan
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Is eligible under a retiree plan option then offered by the Trust.
Below are the Sunsets for the different PAT bargaining groups:
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June 30, 2016 – End of deferring of retirement benefits, except those that retired that date or earlier and have chosen to defer
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September 30, 2016 – Members who have 15 years of service with the District, regardless of age, will be eligible for retiree insurance benefits and Early Retiree Insurance stipend
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Those who retire without 15 years of service on September 30, 2016 or retire after that date will only have the self-pay option between the ages of 55 and 65.
Early Retirees — Not Eligible for District Contribution
Individuals not eligible for a District contribution may still be eligible to participate in a Trust Early Retiree Plan if they meet the following requirements:
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Retire from the District and are in an employee classification that participates in the Trust and that is eligible to participate in a Trust Early Retiree Plan
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Are eligible to receive a retirement benefit under the PERS
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Apply within 60 days of their effective date of retirement from the District.
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