Benefits

Retiree Insurance

• Is my retiree insurance coverage automatic?
• Can I continue my Optional Life Insurance?
• Can I continue my Optix Vision Insurance?
• How will I be billed?
• How do I pay for my insurance?
• What is the Health Insurance Subsidy (HIS)?
• Can my insurance under the Retiree Group be cancelled?
• If I remarry, or if my spouse loses his/her insurance, am I able to add my spouse to my retiree health insurance plan?
• What happens to the medical and/or dental coverage for my covered dependent(s) if I should die after retirement?
• What happens to the medical and/or dental coverage for my covered dependent(s) if I cancel only my coverage upon becoming eligible for medicare?

Is my retiree insurance coverage automatic?

 No. You must complete and submit a Retiree Insurance Application to the Benefits Administration Unit  to continue your coverage into retirement. You will be billed for these benefits after your retirement date.

Can I continue my Optional Life Insurance?

Your Optional Life insurance will be cancelled upon your retirement. You can convert up to the total benefit amount, to a whole life policy, directly with the Insurance Carrier. Information about how to do so, and the costs involved will be mailed to you with your billing calendar.

Can I continue my Optix Vision Insurance?

Your Optix Vision Insurance will be cancelled upon your retirement.  You may convert to an individual policy by contacting the carrier directly. Information about how to do so will be mailed to you with your retirement packet.

How will I be billed?

Once the Benefits Administration Unit confirms your last payroll deduction, an Annual Retiree Billing Calendar will be mailed to you, provided you have submitted the Retiree Insurance Application. This billing calendar will include a monthly premium breakdown for the balance of the calendar year. You will be responsible to pay your insurance premiums through the current billing month, and no later than 15 days from the date of the billing notice. Thereafter, premiums are due on the first day of the month. For that reason, we recommend that you budget for approximately three months of insurance premiums, since your first pension check may not arrive for approximately sixty (60) days from the date of retirement.

If you and/or your covered dependent turn 65, subsequent to your retirement, there will be a change in your premium. If a plan election is required, you will receive information from us approximately (3) months prior to your/or your spouse’s 65th birthday. If no election is required we will send you a new billing calendar prior to the month your premium changes.

How do I pay for my insurance?

Most retirees elect to have their premiums withheld from their monthly pension checks issued by the Florida Retirement System (FRS). To have your insurance premiums deducted from your FRS check, you must complete a Payroll Authorization Form and remit with your application or with your first premium payment to the Benefits Administration Unit. Deductions begin about 60 days thereafter. You are responsible to sent your payments to the Benefits Administration Unit until pension deductions begin. The insurance deduction will be reflected on your FRS check stub.

You may also elect to pay your premium by check or money order. Payments are due in our office on the first day of each month.  Accounts are subject to cancellation  if the premium payment is not received by the 30th day of the month for which payment is due. Make checks payable to Board of County Commissioners and indicate your Social Security Number on all checks.

What is the Health Insurance Subsidy (HIS)?

Eligible retirees receive $5.00 per month for each year of service credit earned at retirement.  The subsidy is at least $30 per month and no more than one-hundred fifty dollars ($150) per month.  It is intended to help offset the cost of your health insurance coverage.  You may contact the Division of Retirement at (850) 488-4742 for any Subsidy questions, or write to:

Division of Retirement
P.O. Box 9000
Tallahassee, Florida 32315-9000

Can my insurance under the Retiree Group be cancelled?

You may cancel your medical insurance coverage at any time. The insurance company or the County will not cancel your coverage unless:

• premiums are not paid on a timely basis
• coverage under the Master Contract is cancelled
• you move out of the service area
• you are enrolled under an HMO and become eligible for Medicare
• your covered dependent children reach the contract limiting age

You may only cancel your dental coverage:

• if you elect cancellation at the end of a calendar year; or
• you enroll under an HMO Medicare Plan; or
• you cancel your entire coverage with the Retiree Group

If I remarry, or if my spouse loses his/her insurance, am I able to add my spouse to my retiree health insurance plan?

Yes. You need to apply to add your spouse to your medical/dental insurance plans within 30 days following the date of marriage or the date  your spouse loses his/her insurance coverage. You need to send us a written request and a marriage certificate, when applicable.

What happens to the medical and/or dental coverage for my covered dependent(s) if I should die after retirement?

If you die, dependents covered under your retiree medical and/or dental insurance, may continue their coverage, as long as timely premium payments are received. Your spouse/DP can continue indefinitely and your dependent children until the limiting age. This applies to the AvMed and JMH plans as well as the dental plans.

What happens to the medical and/or dental coverage for my covered dependent(s) if I cancel only my coverage upon becoming eligible for medicare?

If you cancel your medical coverage upon becom-ing eligible for Medicare, dependents covered under your retiree medical and/or dental insurance may continue, as long as timely premium payments are received. All cancellations are irrevocable; once cancelled, coverage will not be reinstated. This applies to the AvMed and JMH plans as well as the dental plans. However, your dependent(s) may not continue dental coverage if you do not elect to continue dental coverage yourself.

Back to Top Page Last Edited: Thu Aug 4, 2011 12:26:18 PM