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Connect with us on Facebook
Take advantage of CTPF's social media presence to stay informed and up-to-date on important fund information.
Click here to go directly to CTPF's online registration page where you can register for e-mail updates.
CTPF online
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Snowbird Alert
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If you are lucky enough to head south for winter, remember that CTPF does not forward benefit checks. File a temporary address change with CTPF and consider registering for direct deposit before you leave.
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E-Mail Archive
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Click here for a complete listing of past E-Mail Updates and E-Lerts
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Register Today for Final Retirement Sem inar
If you're planning to retire in 2013, call today to register for a 2013 Retirement Seminar. CTPF retirement seminars offer valuable information designed to ease your transition to retirement.
The seminar features presentations by CTPF and CPS staff, followed by a question-and-answer session. Members may also receive assistance completing retirement applications, and access no-cost notary and copying services.
Saturday, March 9
9:00 - 12:00 p.m.
Renaissance Chicago O'Hare Suites Hotel
8500 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Chicago
Call CTPF at 312.641.4464 to register for the seminar.
Ready to Plunge into Retirement?
Here are some steps you can take to get started with the retirement process.
- Call and request a pension estimate from Member Services, 312.641.4464.
- Consider scheduling a personal benefits consultation with a pension resource specialist. Specialists meet with members in
45 minute, pre-scheduled retirement consultations, available Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. These meetings offer the opportunity to discuss your retirement situation in depth. You should plan to bring a list of questions and relevant career information. Call Member Services, 312.641.4464 to schedule your appointment.
- Make sure you "like" us on Facebook and are signed up for e-mail updates. Stay in touch!
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Health Insurance Premium Subsidy Information for Non-CTPF Participants
CTPF retirees whose final teaching service was with the Chicago Public or Charter Schools, may qualify for a partial subsidy of their insurance premiums. A surviving spouse and/or dependent children who receive a survivor's pension may also qualify for a premium subsidy. Retirees currently enrolled in CTPF-sponsored health plans, automatically receive any available health insurance premium subsidy in their monthly pension check.
Retirees who do not participate in a CTPF-sponsored health insurance plan may apply for a subsidy for their health insurance premium.
Applications for the period January 1 -December 31, 2012, were mailed to members who were not enrolled in CTPF health insurance plans as of February 8. If you plan to apply for a subsidy, complete the subsidy application and return it to CTPF with required documentation by August 31, 2013.
The subsidy for 2012 current period is 60% of eligible expenses. CTPF limits the eligible amount to the highest amount a member would pay if s/he were enrolled in a CTPF plan. CTPF does not subsidize dependent coverage, or any other type of insurance including dental, vision, or long-term care.
If you have questions about the premium subsidy or filling out the subsidy application, please contact CTPF Member Services at 312.641.4464 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday.
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CTPF Trustees Set Legislative Agenda
for 98th General Assembly
98th General Assembly
Illinois 98th General Assembly has convened in Springfield and over the coming weeks, lawmakers will consider many issues including pension reform. Now is the time to introduce yourself to your lawmakers, and share some basic facts and information about our fund. You may have new representatives in Springfield who are unfamiliar with the facts about CTPF, so now is a great time to reach out and send an e-mail. You can do this quickly and easily through our Legislative Action Center.
CTPF Trustees Set Legislative Agenda
for 98th General Assembly During their February meeting, the CTPF Board of Trustees approved a legislative agenda for 2013. The following bills have been filed in the Illinois Senate. A corresponding group will be filed in the Illinois House of Representatives. You can track this legislation at our Legislative Action Center.
 Restore the Property Tax Levy for CTPF
This measure, when introduced, will seek to restore the City of Chicago property tax levy for fiscal year 2013 and years following, so that CTPF has a guaranteed funding mechanism. CTPF was funded through the property tax levy until 1995 when legislation redirected taxes into the Board of Education operating budget. SB 1523 Accountability for Charter Schools Sponsored by Senator Martin Sandoval This bill provides stricter requirements for charter schools who are delinquent in payroll submissions. The bill also requires participation in the pension fund for certified teachers or administrative staff employed at charter schools. SB 1919 Eliminate the State Offset Sponsored by Senator Kwame Raoul Allows CTPF to receive state contributions along with CPS contributions. Currently, CPS contributions are offset by any amount CTPF receives from the State of Illinois. SB 1926 Increase State Contributions Sponsored by Senator Emil Jones Increases the 2014 state contribution to CTPF to $344 million and requires a State of Illinois contribution in future years equal to 10% of the amount authorized for the downstate Teachers' Retirement System (TRS). SB2252 Health Insurance Reimbursement Changes Sponsored by Senator Donne Trotter This bill changes the way health insurance reimbursements are calculated. This bill removes the $65 million spending cap which limits the amount CTPF can reimburse for health insurance premium subsidies. Beginning in FY 2014, participants can receive reimbursement for health insurance benefits in the amount of 2.2% times the number of years of creditable service, up to a maximum of 50%. Housekeeping Measures The following bills are housekeeping measures which modernize procedures or streamline processes for CTPF. SB 1543 CTPF Board of Trustee Vacancy Policy Sponsored by Senator Iris Martinez This bill corrects a technical issue by amending language to allow the CTPF Board of Trustees to fill elected-member vacancies that may occur on the Board of Trustees including those for teachers, administrators, or pensioners. The previous language did not specifically include the word administrators. SB 1544 CTPF Board of Trustee Election Revisions Sponsored by Senator Iris Martinez This bill modernizes and updates the language concerning CTPF Board of Trustee elections to allow expanded options for voting. SB 1899 Clarify Procurement Requirement for Existing Fund Mangers Sponsored by Senator Daniel Biss Allows CTPF to make a follow-on association to a successor fund without issuing a new Request for Proposal (RFP), where it is prudent and necessary to fulfill the fund's investment plan.
Do you know who represents you in Springfield?
Find out by visiting our Legislative Action Center to look up your elected representatives by typing in your zip code, send an e-mail directly to your legislators, and find out more about CTPF legislative efforts. If you register at the Legislative Action Center, you will be enrolled in our new CTPF Pension Fund Ambassador program. Read more about the ambassador program, below.
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Your Pension Matters
Become a CTPF Ambassador and Share the Message
 A lack of State and Employer funding has drained resources from our fund. We're asking our members to speak up and reach out to help Illinois legislators understand that pension funding is vital, not optional.
We've developed the Pension Fund Ambassador program to encourage our members to educate lawmakers and decision makers about the Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund, our members, and the fund's legislative priorities. We want legislators to understand the people behind the pensions, and to hear the facts about the fund straight from our members. Ambassadors are already having an impact, sharing our message with legislators through our legislative action center and in person.
Join Today
We hope you will join the Ambassador program. More than 500 CTPF members have already signed up for the program and we're hoping to welcome many more members. There are two easy ways to join:
Tell a Friend
We encourage you to tell a friend about our programs and to encourage them to participate.
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Federal Benefit Payments Go Direct The U.S. Department of the Treasury now requires all federal benefit and nontax payments to be paid electronically. If you currently receive a paper check for a federal benefit payment (social security or veterans benefits), you must switch to an electronic option by March 1, 2013.
If you do not switch to an electronic deposit, your payment will be made to a Direct Express Debit MasterCard.® If you already receive benefit payments electronically, you do not need to take action. Your payment will continue as usual. If you have not yet switched to an electronic payment for federal payments, contact Go Direct at 1-800-333-1795. |
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Planning to Visit? Plan ahead...
If you are planning a visit to CTPF to meet with a Member Services Counselor, it's always a good idea to schedule an appointment. Scheduled appointments with Pension Resource Specialists are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Walk-ins are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., but wait times will vary and may be lengthy during busy periods. Walk-in visitors cannot be accommodated after 3:00 p.m.
Call 312.641.4464 to schedule an appointment. CTPF is located at 203 North LaSalle Street, suite 2600, Chicago, Illinois 60601-1231
Parking and Transit Information
The 203 North LaSalle building has a self-park garage. Garage entries are located on Lake Street between LaSalle Street and Clark Street and on Clark Street between Wacker Drive and Lake Street (look for self-park signs at entrances). Reduced parking vouchers, available from the CTPF office, can be bought for $15, (check only, no cash).
The 203 North LaSalle building has direct access to the CTA. The CTA's blue, green, brown, pink, purple, and orange lines all stop at Clark and Lake. Follow the signs to the 203 North LaSalle building when you exit the train.
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CALENDAR
March
4
Casimir Pulaski Day, office closed
9
CTPF Retirement Seminar
9:00-12:00 p.m.
Renaissance Chicago O'Hare Suites Hotel
8500 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Chicago
Call 312.641.4464 to register
21
9:30 a.m. CTPF Board of Trustees Meeting
April
16
9:30 a.m. CTPF Board of Trustees Meeting
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CTPF MISSION STATEMENT
To provide, protect, and enhance the present and future economic well being of members, pensioners and beneficiaries through efficient and effective management of benefit programs, investment practices and customer service, and to commit to earning and keeping the respect and trust of the participants through quality service and by protecting retirement benefits, in compliance with applicable laws and standards.
CTPF BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Jay C. Rehak, president Lois W. Ashford, vice president Tina Padilla, financial secretaryRaymond Wohl, recording secretaryJeffery Blackwell Jeanne Marie Freed Walter E. Pilditch Mary Sharon Reilly Jerry Travlos James F. Ward Andrea L. Zopp Kevin B. Huber, executive director
Office/Mailing Information
Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund
203 North LaSalle Street, suite 2600
Chicago, Illinois 60601-1231
312.641.4464 p.
312.641.7185 f.
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