Today, I received the official approval letter for my teacher retirement benefits to begin.
However, we’re not quite done yet. This action merely sets in motion a series of events that will require follow-up on my part over the next several weeks. One thing I’ve learned over the past two years is government entities have their prescribed processes and they shall not be hurried along (no matter how hard I try). Hopefully, everything will be as it should by October 1st.
Meanwhile, I’m diligently working to get the health insurance premiums adjusted to reflect my retiree status. We’ve been paying COBRA rates for close to two years now. I have no desire to pay the high rates any longer than necessary. If I’m retired as of 8/1, then my premiums should be adjusted to reflect that rate. My position is if I have to pay for August coverage in July, then it needs to be at the retiree rate, not the COBRA rate. Hopefully, they resolve it in the next couple of weeks. If not, an HR friend suggested I wait and pay the “retiree” premium amount right before the due date as this is essentially a billing issue and not a coverage issue. I’d rather wait until they show the correct premium due than pay and wait on a refund, which will take up to 3 months to get.
Anyhow, I feel as if a weight has been lifted and there’s indeed light at the end of the tunnel.
Come Stitch With Me 