News 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. The 2022 GSRA Annual Meeting at Lake Blackshear Resort in Cordele, GA was an unqualified success! Click HERE to view GSRA 2022 Annual Meeting PowerPoint PICTURES! GSRA Announces Raffle for Enrolling in Pension Deduction November 30, 2011The Nov/Dec issue contains an important update about the House State Health Insurance Plan Alternative Funding Study Committee.
October 31, 2011The October issue contains complete coverage of the 2011 Annual Meeting.
GSRA Announces Annual Meeting - October 18, 2011 - Join USRead the Annual Meeting notice
September 30, 2011The September issue contains additional information about SHBP funding issues, information about GSRA outreach efforts and more.
September 15, 2011This "Extra" edition of the newsletter contains everything you need to know about the upcoming GSRA Fifth Annual Meeting. Read the Annual Meeting Notice
August 31, 2011The August issue contains sobering news about SHBP funding issues and impacts to members with higher premiums and/or reduced benefits in CY 2012.
July 31, 2011The July issue contains important news about the SHBP fund deficit and a request for member action.
June 30, 2011The June issue features news about GSRA's meeting with the new DCH Commissioner, the new SHBP prescription drug "mail order" feature and more.
March 31, 2011This edition of the newsletter provides an update on the State Health Benefit Plan, as well as updates on legislation important to GSRA members.
March 26, 2011Contact members of the Joint Special Committee on Georgia Revenue Structure to support passing out a bill that reflects the Committee's discussion on Thursday, March 24th.
March 26, 2011Urge Senators to pass House Bills 293, 297, and 308 to limit and/or prohibit "dead peasants" legislation in the future.
March 16, 2011Action is needed to let your Senators know your concerns related to the 20% increase in SHBP premiums included in the current House FY 2012 budget bill.
February 28, 2011This edition of the newsletter contains updates for the Special Council on Tax Reform and Fairness, important legislation, ERS Board Meeting and more.
February 11, 2011This special edition of the newsletter contains complete coverage of the recent GSRA Day at the Capitol activities.
January 31, 2011Latest edition of the newsletter contains important info about state tax recommendations and State Health Benefit Plan budget/status.
January 9, 2011- Action AlertYou need YOU! Reminder - GSRA Legislative Day, January 25, 2011. Sign-up today. December 31, 2010 The newsletter is a Reminder of the January 25th Legislative activities and includes reflections and 2011 goals by the GSRA President. It also includes information about the OPEB report. Read the newsletter
December 30, 2010Legislative Reception Online Registration - Credit/Debit Cards Only! (Read the Action Alert below first.) Click here to register. (Current members only - you must Login.)
December 28, 2010 - Action Alert!You are needed to participate in the GSRA legislative activities on January 25, 2011. ONLY YOU can explain your concerns to your legislators. Two Events—Meet & Greet your legislators and a Legislative Reception. Read the Action Alert.
November 19, 2010Read the proceedings of the 2010 Annual Membership Meeting on October 19th. Articles regarding the Gubernatorial Candidates' responses to GSRA Members, the State’s Fiscal Crises and ERS pension update are included. Read the Newsletter.
October 30, 2010This October 30 ‘Special’ Issue of our Newsletter offers an analysis of how to evaluate the options offered by the State Health Benefi Plan for 2011. Read the Newsletter!
October 29, 2010Updated: GSRA annual meeting a rousing success: View videos and other content from the meeting. See 2010 Annual Meeting
October 10, 2010The October issue of the Newsletter is our reminder of the GSRA 4th Annual Meeting on October 19. See the final agenda. Also read GSRA’s formal statement recently submitted to the Special Council on Tax Reform and Fairness for Georgians, and our letter to the State Health Benefit Plan protesting a rate policy that adversely affects Medicare-covered members. See you at the Annual Meeting on Oct. 19!Read the Newsletter!
September 15, 2010This EXTRA! edition of the GSRA Newsletter announces our Fourth Annual Meeting next month at the Ga. Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth. It promises to be a very exciting and informative meeting that no retired state employee should miss. So be there! Also read an analysis of various factors affecting the financial status of our retirement fund. See you in Forsyth! Read the Newsletter!
August 31, 2010GSRA’s August Newsletter describes the State Health Benefit Plan changes in benefits for January 1, 2011, provides the new premium rates also effective Jan. 1, 2011, and a late report on the financial status of the SHBP. See the announcement of GSRA’s Fourth Annual meeting on October 19, and find out about Local Chapters’ latest activities.
July 28, 2010The Department of Community Health releases 'talking points' in response to our June report on the financial condition of the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP). A link to the recent Atlanta Journal Constitution article by Craig Schneider's on SHBP funding is included. A decrease in SHBP members as reported by DCH is provided along with an explanation of how funding cuts by the state affect the financial health of the SHBP. And good news: There are two more local chapters of GSRA for retirees to join -- find out where they are!
June 30, 2010The June Newsletter highlights the dire financial state of the State Health Benefit Plan and includes a report on the June Annual Meeting of the ERS Boards of Trustees, where NO COLAS were granted. Read the Newsletter!
The July 13 meeting of the GSRA Board/Policy & Operations Committee has been CHANGED to Wednesday, June 30, 2010 due to scheduling conflicts.
May 21, 2010The latest issue of the Newsletter gives details on HB 1380 and a final report on bills of interest that passed during this General Assembly session. Find information on how YOU can become involved in this year's elections campaigns. Read reports on the latest ERS Board of Trustees meeting and on the GSRA Officers' meeting with ERS Executive Director Pamela Pharris. And read the latest on GSRA's Local Chapter activities.
April 21, 2010HB 1380 itself never made it out of committee, BUT some of its provisions may be tacked on to other bills at the last minute. Your immediate action is needed!
April 18, 2010The April Newsletter shows the latest activity on bills of interest; an insightful analysis of Georgia's economic outlook; responses to GSRA questions on the SHBP; Local Chapter news; and comments presented at a DCH Public Hearing.
March 31, 2010Legislative Status of GSRA tracked bills updated and posted to this website. See Legislation, Status at the left.
March 24, 2010Read an update on HB 1380 and legislative bills of interest. Also featured is information about your State group term life insurance and new eye-opening reports on public pensions.
March 23, 2010Click on Legislative Status to view the complete list of bills that are being tracked by GSRA. Under the GSRA Analysis, you can find more information about features of life insurance, such as that proposed by HB 1380.
March 14, 2010YOUR IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED! HB 1380 would give the state an insurable interest in the lives of state employees and retirees. If passed, this bill may allow the State of Georgia to collect benefits when you die, and may even affect your current State life insurance benefit. The House Appropriations Committee will consider this bill on MONDAY, March 15, 2 pm, Room 341, State Capitol. Contact Committee members AND your state legislators today!
February 28, 2010GSRA Legislative Committee reports on legislative actions and discussion of a Early Retirement program, join one of the GSRA Local Chapters, and see the announcement of a DCH public hearing about proposed regulation changes to SHBP.
February 22, 2010Legislation Status Report has been updated to include General Assembly actions through February 18, 2010.
February 10, 2010See the report from the GSRA Legislative Committee and what to expect when you turn age 65. The latest SHBP membership numbers are reported and the final installment of the gubernatorial candidates responses to GSRA members’questions are printed. Read the Newsletter!
January 22, 2010Local Chapter meetings announced in February. See the GSRA calendar to the left.
January 20, 2010The January 20 issue has a very important message from our President, BJ Bennett, and news of yet another cut in SHBP funding. The Lake Oconee Area Chapter reports on its recent successful legislative meeting. Read about our newly appointed Treasurer, and see the written responses from Gubernatorial candidates to five more questions posed at our 'roundtable discussion' held during our October Annual Meeting. Read the Newsletter!
January 7, 2010Our first 2010 Newsletter reports on the following ERS news: GSRA Leadership's recent meeting with the ERS Executive Director; the latest independent ERS Audit report, and the December ERS Board meeting. Also read the next installment of the Gubernatorial Candidates' responses to questions from GSRA. The SHBP Director answers questions about SHBP materials recently received by Medicare-eligible retirees. And read about the Coosa Valley Area Chapter's special guests at their December meeting. Read the Newsletter!
January 4, 2010Local Chapter Meetings for January announced. See the Calender to the left.
December 12, 2009The latest State Health Benefit Plan funding and possible prescription drug co-pay issues are discussed. Also, written responses by six gubernatorial candidates to three GSRA's questions are printed. In addition, a summary of the ERS Board Chair's presentation on pension funding issues is presented. Read the Newsletter!
November 13, 2009Read more about the valuable benefits now available to GSRA members through our affiliation with Association Member Benefits Advisors (AMBA)! Review GSRA's "SHBP Questions and Answers" handout from our Annual Meeting, and see SHBP's written responses to our members' questions about retiree health insurance changes. Read the Newsletter!
November 10, 2009The Coosa Valley Area (Rome) Local Chapter announces its quarterly meeting on December 7, 2009. The details are included in the GSRa Calendar, which may be viewed by clicking on the Calendar on the left.
November 7, 2009A Steering Committee is holding an organizing meeting for joining together in the Savannah Coastal Area Local Chapter of GSRA on November 17, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. Details are included in the GSRA Calendar, which may be viewed by clicking on the Calendar on the left. Join the Chapter.
October 31, 2009GSRA's Third Annual Meeting in Forsyth was a rousing success with over 500 in attendance. See photos too! Also see a list of legislative bills held over from last year that could still be passed by the Georgia General Assembly in 2010. Read the Newsletter!
October 27, 2009The NW Metro Local GSRA Chapter announces a meeting in Marietta on November 16. Details are included in the GSRA Calendar, which may be viewed by clicking on the Calendar on the left.
October 27, 2009Review the Questions and Answers to some of your questions regarding the State Health Benefit Plan. The Q&As prepared by GSRA were distributed at the GSRA Annual Meeting. In addition, the Department of Community Health's responses to other questions by GSRA Members' are posted for your review. These Q&As are also posted to the Current Issues for the SHBP.
October 22, 2009Our Annual Meeting was a success! See a photo of our third Annual Meeting in Forsyth on October 21. Photo of Gubernatorial Candidates on Panel
October 8, 2009See 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!
October 6, 2009In 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.
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.
September 15, 2009NEWSLETTER EXTRA!! Announcing the Third Annual Membership Meeting of the GSRA, October 21! Also see the long-awaited Retiree Health Insurance Premium Rates for CY2010.
Sep 2, 2009Attention: 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, 2009ERS' 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.
August 18, 2009Lake Oconee Area Local Chapter meeting announced for November 12, 2009. See the GSRA Calendar to the left to see times and program.
July 31, 2009BIG 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.
June 29, 2009NO COLAs for ERS or JRS; DCH cuts SHBP yet again; TRS Board holds May meeting; and GSRA's Thomasville Chapter hosts legislators.
May 27, 2009See 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.
May 22, 2009A presentation at recent GSRA Local Chapter meetings regarding the SHBP Retiree policy changes can be viewed at Current Issues-SHBP.
May 15, 2009ERS 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.
April 21, 2009The 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.
April 15, 2009Updated Report on 2009 Legislation.
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