WELCOME to the Retired State Employees Association website.
The RSEA is an independent, volunteer-driven, not-for-profit organization of retired State of Illinois employees and their survivors.
Last year State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS) had nearly 70,000 retirees and survivors receiving over $2.1 billion in retirement annuities - those are not small numbers.
While others in Illinois may fixate on the $2.1 billion, we want to show the influence of tens of thousands of retirees speaking with a unified voice.
We hope you will join us in our efforts. Your membership is important to the RSEA, our retirees, and to you. The more members an organization has, the stronger it becomes, and we use that strength to protect the rights and benefits of State retirees. Our membership dues allow us to fund our efforts to show elected officials and other policymakers that State retirees are actively interested in decisions that affect us.
Following an intervention by federal and state elected officials from Illinois and Missouri, BJC HealthCare and Aetna have agreed to a one-year transition extension for State of Illinois retirees enrolled in the Total Retiree Advantage Illinois (TRAIL) Medicare Advantage program. )
The following is a statement from BJC released on 11/6/26:
BJC HealthCare and Aetna have come to an agreement which will enable BJC to continue to provide in-network equivalent services to members enrolled in the TRAIL program through Aetna Medicare Advantage PPO ESA coverage for the 2027 calendar year. We understand that our patients covered through the TRAIL program, a group Medicare Advantage plan offering, had limited options to maintain in-network access to BJC providers and hospitals. This one-year transition plan will provide time for the State of Illinois to consider additional plan options for retirees for 2028 and beyond that include in-network services from BJC providers and hospitals.
To be clear, this extension only applies to TRAIL member plans and does not apply to individual Aetna Medicare Advantage plan members. Patients with individual Aetna Medicare Advantage plans should review their coverage options that offer in-network care from BJC providers and hospitals in 2027. They should explore their options during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period which runs through Dec. 7, 2026.
If you have questions about your coverage, please contact Aetna or your benefits administrator.
Budzinski/Bell Letter to AETNA & BJC
ILGA Letter to AETNA & BJC
BJC Response to ILGA
RSEA Members - Don't Forget to Get Your Holiday Party Tickets
Barnes-Jewish HealthCare to Terminate AETNA Medicare Advantage Prescription Contract (MAPD)
RSEA has received the following official word today (10/15/2026) from Illinois CMS Group Insurance:
Subject: BJC Healthcare Notice
BJC HealthCare, which includes Barnes-Jewish Hospital, has notified Aetna that they are terminating its Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) contract effective January 1, 2027. Aetna has advised that BJC HealthCare hospitals and affiliated providers have agreed to provide services to any member for whom continuation of care is medically necessary. This includes, but is not limited to, members with disabilities, members who are pregnant, or members with a life-threatening illness, as well as any member who is an inpatient as of the effective date of termination until such member's discharge of care to another provider. Members may wish to consult their BJC HealthCare provider(s) directly to determine whether they would qualify under any of these categories.
Aetna also confirmed that, although the Aetna MAPD PPO Plan includes the Extended Service Area (ESA) provision, BJC HealthCare has elected not to continue seeing members enrolled in the plan unless they meet the medical necessity criteria described above.
If you have members that call for information on TRAIL enrollment meetings, we have added an addition afternoon session to the East Alton location. Members can RSVP for the 1pm-3pm session on the website.
For additional information, please see the following PDF: BJC Talking Points
Flu Shot Availability
Once again, State Employees and Retirees are eligible to receive the flu shot at no charge at our upcoming flu shot clinics, as well as, through your doctor, local health department, or network pharmacy. This year’s flu shot clinic schedule is posted online now at the following CMS website:
https://cms.illinois.gov/benefits/stateemployee/flushotinfo.html
The Illinois General Assembly offers Congratulations to the RSEA on its 50th Anniversary
RSEA wishes to thank the Illinois House of Representatives for adopting a resolution (HR-921, sponsored by Rep. Michael J. Coffey, Jr.) congratulating the RSEA on its 50th Anniversary of advocating for and protecting the rights and benefits of state retirees, their spouses and survivors.
Likewise, RSEA wishes to thank the Illinois Senate for adopting a similar resolution (SR-818, sponsored by Senator Doris Turner).
HR-921 SR-818
Understanding Tier 2: What RSEA Members Need to Know (Plain Language Guide)
Tier 2 is the pension plan for Illinois state employees hired on or after January 1, 2011. If you were hired before that date, you are Tier 1. If you’re already retired, you are most likely Tier 1.
Tier 2 was created to reduce pension costs after the 2008 financial crisis. It lowered benefits for newer employees in several ways.
Understanding Tier 2:(Plain Language Guide)
SERS Alert: Recent Fraud Attempts on SERS Retirees
SERS wants you to be aware of fraudulent attempts to gather personal and financial information from retirees through text messages and emails. State Retirees are encouraged to read the following article which further explains how the fraud is being attempted.
Fraud Attempts against State Retirees
