Eligibility
Members who receive a retirement or disability benefit are eligible for TRIP insurance coverage. Members who receive a retirement benefit must have at least 8 years of service credit. Active and inactive members are not eligible. Benefit recipients who enroll in the Teachers’ Retirement Insurance Program (TRIP) receive health, behavioral health, prescription, dental and vision coverage. Dependent beneficiaries can be enrolled in the program at an additional cost. The monthly premium is based on the type of coverage selected and the permanent residence on file with TRS. Further information about MyBenefits Service Center is available at https://www.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Teachers/Pages/TRIPContactInformation.aspx.
2025 Benefit Choice Period
The 2025 Benefit Choice Period for insurance changes during the fiscal year that begins on July 1, 2025 is May 1 through June 2, 2025. The period allows benefit recipients to change health plans and/or add eligible dependent coverage.
Watch Mail for the Benefit Choice Booklet
The Benefit Choice booklet will be mailed to retirees currently enrolled in TRIP by the end of April.
This booklet includes important changes that will take effect on July 1, 2025, including:
- Addition of dental and vision benefits
- Discontinuation of the Health Alliance HMO plan
- Medicare split family requirements
New Dental and Vision Benefits
As of July 1, all TRIP plan participants will have vision and dental benefits at no additional cost. Plan participants will be mailed a plan ID card from EyeMed, the plan administrator for vision benefits, and Delta Dental, the plan administrator for dental benefits.
No Health Alliance Coverage
Heath Alliance will no longer be an available option in the upcoming fiscal year. Members with Health Alliance coverage must elect a new insurance plan during the Benefit Choice Period or be defaulted into the Teachers' Choice Health Plan effective July 1, 2025, with no ability to appeal.
Medicare Split Family Requirements for Retirees, Annuitants and Survivors
During the Benefit Choice Period from May 1 – June 2, TRIP plan participants who are enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B (based on age or disability) MUST TAKE ACTION.
TRIP Plan participants will be required to enroll in the Total Retiree Advantage Illinois (TRAIL) Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) program during the Benefit Choice Period. If the member is eligible, failure to enroll in the TRAIL plan will result in the termination of coverage for the member and any covered dependents. If the dependent is eligible, failure to enroll in the TRAIL plan will result in the termination of the dependents' coverage.
Members who are already enrolled in the TRAIL MAPD plan do not have to make a change during this open enrollment period.
More information about this change will be in the TRIP Benefit Choice booklet on page 1.
TRIP Out-of-State Accessibility
Visit this page for state and county accessibility information.
State of Illinois Employment?
TRS members with at least five years of service with a qualified state of Illinois agency may be eligible for benefit options under the State of Illinois Group Insurance Plan. At retirement, we will send information to members who qualify for the plan.
Teachers' Retirement Insurance Program Rates
Effective July 1, 2025
| Type of Plan | Not Medicare Primary Under Age 26 |
Not Medicare Primary Age 26-64 |
Not Medicare Primary Age 65 & Above |
Medicare Primary* All Ages |
|
| Benefit Recipient | Managed Care Plan (OAP & HMO) | $121.18 | $370.76 | $503.81 | $149.28 |
| Teachers' Choice Health Plan (TCHP) | $308.40 | $857.02 | $1,300.03 | $346.83 | |
| TCHP when managed care is not available in your county | $156.11 | $431.60 | $653.58 | $176.03 | |
| Dependent Beneficiary | Managed Care Plan (OAP & HMO) | $484.89 | $1,483.01 | $2,015.19 | $517.23** |
| Teachers Choice Health Plan (TCHP) | $624.46 | $1,726.40 | $2,614.28 | $704.09 | |
| TCHP when managed care is not available in your county | $624.46 | $1,726.40 | $2,614.28 | $533.28** | |
* You must enroll in both Medicare Parts A and B to qualify for the lower premiums. Send a copy of your Medicare card to TRS. If you or your dependent is actively working and eligible for Medicare, or you have additional questions about this requirement, contact the CMS Group Insurance Division, Medicare Coordination of Benefits (COB) Unit.
** Medicare Primary Dependent Beneficiaries enrolled in a managed care plan, or in TCHP when no managed care plan is available, receive a premium subsidy.