TITLE: Relating to eligibility to participate as an annuitant in the state employees group benefits program.

SUMMARY: Relating to eligibility to participate as an annuitant in the state employees group benefits program.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to eligibility to participate as an annuitant in the state employees group benefits program. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 1551.102, Insurance Code, is amended by adding Subsection (c-2) to read as follows: (c-2) An individual is eligible to participate in the group benefits program as provided by Subsection (a) if the individual: (1) was employed for at least 10 years by a school district established as specified by Section 19.002, Education Code, as the individual's last position of employment before retirement; (2) has at least: (A) 10 years of eligible service credit, including not more than five years of military service credited in the Employees Retirement System of Texas; or (B) five years of eligible service credit and is the sole surviving spouse of military personnel who was killed in action; and (3) retires under the jurisdiction of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas and: (A) has accumulated membership service credit as provided by Section 823.201(a), Government Code, in an amount so that the sum of the person's age and amount of membership service credit, including months of age and credit, equals or exceeds the number 80; or (B) is at least 65 years of age. SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only to an individual who retires on or after the effective date of this Act. An individual who retires before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law as it existed immediately before that date, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.