Retirees not eligible for Medicare: Summer Enrollment is your time to change your benefits

The annual benefits enrollment period for participants in the Texas Employees Group Benefits Program (GBP) who are not eligible for Medicare will start soon. The assigned two-week enrollment phase for retirees who are not eligible for Medicare and their covered dependents is July 11–July 22. Benefits enrollment for Medicare-eligible retirees is in the fall. If you are not yet enrolled in Medicare, but a covered dependent is, their enrollment period is with yours during Summer Enrollment.

No changes? No problem

If you do not need to change your benefits, you do not need to do anything. Your current coverage will carry forward to the new plan year, which begins September 1.

Benefits remain the same in Plan Year 2023, as premiums remain competitive

There are no major changes to benefits or plan administrators/insurers for the upcoming plan year. After dropping slightly in Plan Years 2021 and 2022, health plan premiums are returning to Plan Year 2020 rates. The health plans’ annual in-network out-of-pocket maximums (medical and pharmacy combined) will increase, to align with IRS maximums. Only a few plans will have premium increases: the State of Texas Dental Choice Plan^SM, and optional and dependent life insurance. You’ll find more information in your Summer Enrollment packet. ERS will mail your Summer Enrollment guide and Personal Benefits Enrollment Statement (PBES) in late June. You can also view the guide, premium rates and other information from ERS and its plan administrators on the Summer Enrollment 2022 page.

How to make changes

If you have an ERS OnLine account, the most convenient way to change your benefit elections is in your online account. You can log in 24/7 during your two-week enrollment phase:

1. Go to www.ers.texas.gov.
2. Click "My Account Login."
3. Select "Proceed to Login" if you already have a username and password or "Register now" if you need to create an account.

You can register your ERS OnLine account or confirm that you can log in before Summer Enrollment starts. If you don’t have internet access or need help updating your benefits, contact ERS during your enrollment phase toll-free at (866) 399-6908, TTY 711.

Always a great time to learn about your benefits

Even with few changes to our plans and if you aren’t planning to add or drop any plans, Summer Enrollment is a great time to learn more about your benefits and how to use them to your best advantage. This year, we plan to offer in-person Summer Enrollment fairs for the first time in two years. We also will offer webinars as a convenient alternative to the fairs. See a full list of scheduled fairs and webinars in your Summer Enrollment guide or ERS Event calendars.