TRS explains TRIP and TRAIL health plans and premium trade-offs for new retirees
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Summary
TRS explained eligibility for TRIP (under-65) and TRAIL (Medicare Advantage after 65), enrollment windows, county-based carrier selection, and sample premiums that show large cost differences for members and dependents.
At a Jan. 27, 2026 webinar, Nick Stabler of the Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) walked attendees through the TRS-administered retiree health programs known as TRIP (Teachers Retirement Insurance Program) for under-65 retirees and TRAIL (Total Retiree Advantage Illinois) for Medicare-eligible retirees.
Stabler said retirees with at least eight years of TRS service credit qualify for TRIP/TRAIL coverage for life. TRIP coverage applies until a retiree becomes eligible for Medicare; TRAIL is a Medicare Advantage plan provided through Aetna Medicare Advantage PPO and includes medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverages.
Enrollment rules: TRIP uses county of residence (by county) to determine which carriers and plan types are available; TRIP's annual benefit choice period is typically in May for a July 1 effective date, while TRAIL enrollment follows standard Medicare open enrollment in the fall with an effective date of Jan. 1. TRS enters eligible members' data into Illinois CMS (Central Management Services); the MyBenefitsServiceCenter is the third-party contractor that finalizes carrier election and issues member cards.
Premiums and dependents: Stabler cited sample slide figures, saying many new retirees pay about $370.76 monthly for HMO or open-access TRIP plans, while PPO premiums can be substantially higher (examples shown included $857.02 monthly). Dependent premiums are additional and can be large (he cited an additional spouse premium and per-child premiums), and TRS explained that employer-subsidized premiums are rare but possible and must be documented on the TRIP participation election form.
Medicare transition: Stabler said retirees typically see sharply lower TRS premiums once Medicare becomes primary (an example shown reduced a $370.76 monthly premium to $7.72 under TRAIL), though retirees must still pay federal Medicare Part B directly. He advised attendees to consult carrier network directories and formulary information (in the TRIP/TRAIL summary brochures) and to call MyBenefitsServiceCenter when TRS notifies them that their participation election has been entered.
What to do next: TRS recommended returning participation election forms early (ideally more than 60 days before the intended effective date), using the TRIP summary brochure to compare carriers, and contacting doctors' offices or carriers to confirm provider networks and drug coverage.
