If you're a retiree, it's time to begin thinking about your health insurance needs and options for 2013. 

The annual Open Enrollment Period for retirees will be October 1 - October 31, 2012. During Open Enrollment, CTPF retirees may enroll in a CTPF health insurance plan for the first time, change a health insurance plan or carrier, or add a dependent to a health plan. Changes made during this period go into effect on January 1, 2013.    

Getting Started with Open Enrollment

The 2012 Health Insurance Handbook and Open Enrollment Guide was mailed to all eligible retirees on September 21, 2012. The handbook includes information about plan changes, options, and pricing for 2012 and an enrollment form for most plans. You can click here to view an online version of the document.  

CTPF's Open Enrollment Central has resources to help you navigate the open enrollment process. Click here to go to the Open Enrollment Central page at www.ctpf.org. 

2013 Health Insurance Plans 

All the current CTPF retiree health plans will be offered in 2013.   Click here for a summary of 2013 Plan changes.

If you are currently enrolled in a CTPF plan and want to continue the same coverage in 2013, you do not need to take any action to stay enrolled.  

Help IS on the Way

It's important to research and understand your health insurance needs, options, and choices for 2013. Where can you find help? Here are some options.   

Open Enrollment Seminars

CTPF's Health Insurance Open Enrollment Seminars are designed to make sure you have the information you need to make an informed decision about your 2013 health care. Seminars include an overview of current plans, the chance to meet with health insurance providers, and assistance completing forms. 

CTPF will offer four open-enrollment seminars in October: two for Medicare-eligible members and two for non-Medicare eligible members. If you will become eligible for Medicare in 2013, or if you have one family member who is Medicare eligible and one who is not, consider attending both sessions.

Advance registration is required, and seminars are filling quickly.
Call 312.641.4464 to register. 

Monday, October 8

Renaissance Chicago
O'Hare Suites Hotel

8500 West Bryn Mawr Avenue,

Chicago, IL 60631

9:00 a.m. Medicare plans

1:00 p.m. Non-Medicare plans

Wednesday, October 10

Hilton Chicago/Oak Lawn

9333 South Cicero Ave.,

Oak Lawn, Illinois 60453

9:00 a.m. Medicare plans

1:00 p.m. Non-Medicare

Open Enrollment Presentation Online

If you can't make it to a seminar, CTPF has posted PDF versions of the presentations which will be given at the seminars. Find these documents on the Open Enrollment Central page at CTPF. You can download the presentations and view a FAQ document from the convenience of your own PC.   

E-Mail for Updates

A comprehensive Open Enrollment E-mail will be sent on Monday, October 1, to registered E-mail users. Additional reminders and information will be sent during Open Enrollment, so make sure you're registered for updates at www.ctpf.org. 

The 2012 Teacher Trustee Election will be held Friday, November 9, 2012. Teachers and other active contributors will elect two Trustees to serve three-year terms from November 2012 to November 2015.

Candidate Eligibility

Candidates for a Teacher Trustee position must hold an Illinois State Teaching Certificate, be current CTPF contributors, and have been assigned on a regular certificate in the Chicago Public or Charter schools for a minimum of 10 years.

Nomination Packets

Nominating petitions must be returned by 5:00 p.m., Monday, October 1, 2012. The names of certified candidates will be posted at www.ctpf.org.   

Online Pilot Program   

Track E and charter schools were offered a choice to cast ballots online or on paper in 2012. Schools which selected online voting will conduct elections in schools on Friday, November 9, using CPS registered computers. Votes cannot be cast from a personal laptop or hand-held device. Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. for online voting.  

Members interested in finding out more about the online voting process can visit the CTPF election central page. 

Absentee Voting

Teachers who will not be available to vote on November 9 may request an absentee ballot. Absentee ballot requests must be submitted no later than October 9, 2012.

Additional Information

If you need more information or an absentee ballot request, visit CTPF's election central page, or call a member of the CTPF Election Team at 312.604.1400 and select option 2. 

August 8, 2012, Governor Pat Quinn signed Public Act 97-0912, which changes the return to work portion of the Illinois statutes regulating CTPF. The law outlines the circumstances under which a CTPF retiree may return to work for the Chicago Board of Education (BOE) or Chicago Charter School employer.

Summary

If you plan to return to work for the BOE or a Chicago Charter School employer, you must meet certain restrictions, or your pension may be cancelled. CTPF's return to work policy can be found here.   

Notification Requirement

You must notify CTPF before you return to work for a BOE/Charter School employer. You can notify CTPF by filing Form 770. If you have already returned to work, you have 30 days to complete Form 770 and return it to CTPF.

Your employer may have additional notification requirements, and it is your responsibility to complete this paperwork. Contact your employer for additional information.

Reciprocal Retirees

Each reciprocal system has different rules regarding re-employment. If you are a reciprocal retiree, be sure to check with your former system(s) to make sure you are in compliance with all

re-employment rules before returning to work.

Questions

If you have questions about the policy or need additional forms or information, please contact CTPF Member Services at 312.641.4464.

CTPF Rules Governing Re-Employment
Click here for a summary of the act outlined in CTPF Rules Governing Re-Employment.  

All CTPF retirees who return to work for a BOE/Chicago Charter School employer must read these rules and return CTPF Form 770.

Notice of Return to Work
Retirees who return to work for a BOE/Charter School employer must file CTPF Form 770, Notice of Return to Work before beginning employment. You can request a copy from CTPF Member Services at 312.641.4464 or Click here for CTPF Form 770.  

Public Act 97-0912  

Point, Click, Learn, Earn...

Pension Representative Seminar Goes Digital

Conducting a fair election is a Pension Representative's most  important job. This fall, CTPF will offer a Pension Representative Webinar designed to prepare Pension Reps to conduct the November 9, 2012,   

2012 webinars will offer important election information, review the traditional voting process, and introduce the online voting process (available as a pilot program in some schools). Pension Reps who participate in a live webinar and conduct an election on November 9, 2012, become eligible for an election stipend.   

Join Us

Each webinar includes a half-hour presentation followed by a short question and answer session. Pension Reps should plan to join ONE of these sessions: 

Saturday, October 13 
10:00 a.m

Thursday, October 18
4:00 p.m.

10:00 a.m. 

Learn and Earn

Pension representatives who view the live Webinar and conduct the Teacher Trustee election in their school on November 9, 2012, will receive a $75.00 stipend in December. You must register in advance for the webinar and logon to a live webinar to be eligible for the stipend.   

Instructions for registering as a Canvassing Board Member will also be included in the webinar. 

Registration

Advance registration is required and will be available after October 7th. Watch your e-mail or check CTPF's Election Central for information after October 7th.   

You must be a credentialed pension representative to conduct an election in your school. If you are a Pension Representative, but haven't yet returned a credential form, please click here to download a copy and return it to CTPF by October 19. 

Questions?

An archived version of the webinar will be made available at CTPF Election Central after October 13. If you have other questions, please contact the CTPF Election team  at 312. 604.1400, option 2.

Legislative Update

  

Visit Your Legislators this Fall

CTPF is an independent pension fund, governed by the law of the State of Illinois, and overseen by a 12-member Board of Trustees. Changes to CTPF begin in the Illinois legislature, so it's important for CTPF members to get to know their local lawmakers.  

 

Most legislators have returned to their home districts this fall. CTPF encourages members reach out and share information about  

CTPF with elected officials. Reaching out and speaking up may be the most important action you can take to protect your pension.  

Tips for Meeting with Your
Elected Representatives

Your legislators welcome feedback from their constituents. A face-to-face meeting is a great way to share your thoughts and ideas. To make the most out of your meeting, consider these tips:

 

1. Educate yourself first

Before you meet with an elected official, make sure you educate yourself on CTPF facts and priorities. You can find information on the Member Education and Advocacy webpage (see below). 

 

2. Schedule an appointment with the right person

Legislators are interested in the views of their constituents so make sure you meet with the right person. Locate your legislator by clicking here. Many legislators offer walk-in or office hours when they are available. If you can't meet in person, try and call your legislator or send a fax summarizing your views.  

 

3. Be prepared

You wouldn't start your day in the classroom without a plan, so use the same approach to your legislative meeting. Make sure you're on time and have an outline of what you would like to share. Bring your CTPF materials with you and think of the meeting as a chance to educate your legislator. Be respectful of his or her time and perspective. This is a chance to make your point and to share information; the experience should be cordial, not confrontational.

 

3. Express Your Appreciation for the Meeting 

When the meeting ends, thank the legislator for his or her time and make sure you leave behind your CTPF leave behind flyer (see below) with your contact information.

CTPF Member Education and Advocacy Web Page 

If you're planning a visit with a lawmaker or just want to know more about your fund, CTPF has organized a series of documents and information on our Member Education and Advocacy webpage. This page serves as a clearinghouse for general information about the fund and legislation which may impact CTPF members. Click here for the webpage.  

 

Documents for Member Education

These documents are designed to educate CTPF members about the fund's current financial situation and legislative priorities.

• CTPF Member Education - This document offers basic facts and information about CTPF along with an overview of the fund's legislative priorities.
• Pension Reform Comparison - This document makes a side-by-side comparison of reform plans proposed by Governor Quinn and Mayor Emanuel.

Documents for Advocacy Efforts

These documents are designed to be shared with legislators and policy makers.

• CTPF Leave Behind document for legislators and policy makers. This document offers a summary of facts about CTPF along with legislative priorities. It's designed to be used in a meeting with legislators or policy makers.

• Fair Funding Flyer - This publication illustrates the inequity in State funding and the need for fair funding for CTPF pensions.