Orlando Harmon
Teachers in Washington State who are retiring can choose to continue their Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage. This is available to employees who meet the eligibility requirements. To qualify for PEBB retiree coverage, the subscriber and/or their dependents must enroll and maintain enrollment in both Medicare Part A and Part B. The PEBB Program provides life insurance through the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MetLife), and retirees may be eligible to purchase additional life insurance options.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Coverage | Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance |
| Eligibility | Determined by the PEBB Program based on when an application is received and PEBB rules |
| Enrollment | Must enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B to qualify; must submit Retiree Enrollment form (Form A) within 60 days of the end of previous coverage |
| Cost | Varies by plan and county; includes premiums deducted from monthly pension check |
| Provider | Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) |
| Life Insurance Provider | Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MetLife) |
| Coverage Amount | Minimum $5,000, maximum $2,000,000 |
| Eligibility Requirements | Procedural and substantive requirements outlined in WAC 182-12-171 |
| Coverage Changes | May change medical plan from what was chosen during employment |
| Coverage for Dependents | Yes, must be covered under the same medical and dental plan as the retiree, with exceptions for Medicare Supplement Plan F |
| Coverage for Spouse/Partner | Yes, even if they have declined other health coverage |
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What You'll Learn
Eligibility requirements for PEBB retiree coverage
In general, employees must be eligible to retire under a Washington State-sponsored retirement plan when the employee’s employer-paid coverage or COBRA coverage ends. Employees who are members of a Washington higher education retirement plan (e.g., TIAA-CREF) are eligible if they immediately begin to receive a monthly retirement plan payment, meet their plan’s retirement eligibility criteria, or are at least 55 years old with 10 years of service.
Employees not retiring under a Washington State-sponsored retirement plan must meet the same age and years of service requirements as those who were members of either PERS Plan 1 or 2 for the same period of employment. DRS Plan 3 members are not required to receive a retirement plan or lump sum payment but must be at least 55 years old and have at least 10 years of service under Plan 3.
To enrol, the PEBB program must receive the Retiree Enrollment form (form A) no later than 60 days after the employer-paid coverage, COBRA coverage, or continuation of coverage ends. The enrollee must also meet the procedural (enrollment/deferment) requirements, which are tasks that must be completed within a certain timeframe. If the procedural requirements are not met, the enrollee may lose their opportunity to enrol.
PEBB retiree coverage is also available to elected and full-time appointed officials of the legislative and executive branches of state government who voluntarily or involuntarily leave public office and meet the procedural requirements. Coverage is also available to the surviving spouse, state-registered domestic partner, or dependent children of a deceased eligible employee, retiree, or emergency service employee killed in the line of duty.
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Coverage for spouses and dependents
PEBB retiree coverage is available to employees who meet the eligibility requirements. Coverage extends to the surviving spouse, state-registered domestic partner, or dependent children of a deceased eligible employee or retiree. This includes the surviving spouse, state-registered domestic partner, or dependent children of an emergency service employee killed in the line of duty.
When enrolling in retiree coverage, the employee may change their medical plan. Eligible dependents must be covered under the same medical and dental plan as the retiree, with exceptions specified for Medicare Supplement Plan F. Dependents are not eligible for retiree term life insurance. However, if eligible, the subscriber and/or dependents must enrol and maintain enrolment in both Medicare Part A and Part B to qualify for PEBB retiree coverage.
Retiring employees and their dependents may be entitled to convert their life insurance to an individual policy without providing evidence of insurability (proof of good health). The amount of the individual policy will be equal to, or at the employee's option, less than the amount of coverage as of the termination date of the policy being converted. MetLife will send information and an application to employees eligible for portability or conversion. This insurance is only available to those who meet the PEBB Program's retiree eligibility requirements and had life insurance through the PEBB Program as an employee.
To enrol, the PEBB program must receive the Retiree Enrollment form (form A) no later than 60 days after the employer-paid coverage, COBRA coverage, or continuation of coverage ends. Employees not entitled to Medicare Part A and Part B, who want to enrol dependents, must provide verification documents.
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Medical, dental, and vision coverage
As a teacher who is retiring, you may be eligible for Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) medical, dental, and vision coverage. This is available to employees who meet the procedural and substantive eligibility requirements described in WAC 182-12-171. It is recommended that you start the insurance enrollment process early, up to six months before your existing coverage ends.
When enrolling in retiree coverage, you may change the medical plan you had while employed. You can choose to continue your medical, dental, and vision coverage (if not enrolled in Medicare) or just your medical coverage. If you enroll in dental coverage, you must keep that coverage for at least two years. If you are enrolled in Medicare, you have different medical plan options and monthly costs than those who are not enrolled. Vision coverage is included in your medical plan election if you are enrolled in Medicare.
You can compare medical plans and benefits available to PEBB retiree subscribers and their dependents, including side-by-side comparisons of common medical benefits and costs for services. You can also find out what behavioral health services are available to you based on your plan. The PEBB Program offers a phone number and hours for assistance: 1-800-200-1004, from 8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.
Additionally, you may be eligible to purchase life insurance options through the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MetLife). You may also be able to "port" some or all of your basic and supplemental life insurance, or convert your coverage to an individual whole life insurance policy.
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Life insurance options
As a teacher, you may be wondering about your insurance options upon retirement. The Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) offers various life insurance options for retirees. Here is some information on these options:
Eligibility:
Firstly, it is important to note that not everyone is eligible for PEBB retiree coverage. To qualify, you must meet certain procedural and substantive eligibility requirements outlined in WAC 182-12-171. These requirements include specific criteria for elected and full-time appointed officials, as well as provisions for surviving spouses and dependents of deceased or emergency service employees.
If you are eligible for PEBB retiree coverage, you have several life insurance options available to you:
- Continuing your existing life insurance policy: You may be able to continue the life insurance coverage you had as an employee. This option allows you to maintain the same level of coverage, but it may be subject to certain conditions and restrictions. For instance, you may need to apply for continuation and meet certain health criteria.
- Portability: You may be able to "port" some or all of your basic and supplemental life insurance coverage to a new policy. This option may require you to complete a short health questionnaire, and the new policy's coverage amount can be equal to or less than your previous coverage.
- Conversion: You have the option to convert your basic and/or supplemental life insurance coverage into an individual whole life insurance policy. This means you can change your group policy to an individual policy without providing evidence of insurability (proof of good health).
- Spouse and Dependent Coverage: If you have a spouse or state-registered domestic partner, their basic life insurance can be continued, but only if you also continue your life insurance coverage.
- MetLife Life Insurance: PEBB provides life insurance through the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MetLife). As a PEBB retiree, you may be eligible to purchase additional life insurance options through MetLife, including continuing your basic life and optional life insurance until the age of 100.
It is important to carefully review the specific terms, conditions, and eligibility requirements for each of these options. Additionally, you should start the insurance enrollment process early, as early planning will help ensure a smoother transition into retirement and avoid missing any crucial deadlines.
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Health services by plan
If you are a PEBB retiree subscriber, you can explore the medical plans and benefits available to you and your dependents. You can compare common medical benefits and costs for services and find out what behavioural health services are available to you based on your plan.
If you choose Medicare Supplement Plan F or Plan G and want drug coverage (Medicare Part D), you will need to sign up for it separately. You can also choose to include a spouse or partner in your plan, even if they have declined other health coverage. However, certain surcharges may apply.
As a retiree, your PEBB benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, as well as life insurance. You can choose to continue the same Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) coverage you had as an employee, or you may change your medical plan if desired.
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Frequently asked questions
PEBB retiree insurance covers medical, dental, and vision, as well as life insurance.
Eligibility for PEBB retiree insurance is determined by the PEBB program based on when an application is received and PEBB rules. In general, employees must be eligible to retire under a Washington State-sponsored retirement plan when the employee’s employer-paid coverage or COBRA coverage ends.
To apply for PEBB retiree insurance, you must complete a Retiree Enrollment form (form A) no later than 60 days after your employer-paid coverage ends.
