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Retirement Benefits FAQsBelow are some of the most frequently asked questions our retirees ask about their health insurance benefits after retirement.Make sure to read these retirement benefits FAQs entirely. Reading each question and answer in its entirety will help you stay informed about rules, requirements, and regulations.
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Do I qualify? You qualify only if you have 10 or more years of SAUSD service in a "benefited position"."Benefited position" means you are eligible for health insurance coverage. Your years of service are counted whether or not you are enrolled in an SAUSD health plan while in a benefited position.How many years of coverage will I get? Certificated Employees Hired Before April 28, 1999 andClassified Employee Hired Before July 1, 199810 years of service = 8 years of coverage or until age 70* 15 years of service = 9 years of coverage or until age 70* 20 years of service = 10 years of coverage or until age 70* 25 years of service = 11 years of coverage or until age 70* 30 years of service = 12 years of coverage or until age 70* 35 years of service = 13 years of coverage or unitl age 70* *whichever comes first
Certificated Employees Hired After April 28, 1999 andClassified Employee Hired After July 1, 199810 years of service = 8 years of coverage or until age 65* 15 years of service = 9 years of coverage or until age 65* 20 years of service = 10 years of coverage or until age 65* 25 years of service = 11 years of coverage or until age 65* 30 years of service = 12 years of coverage or until age 65* 35 years of service = 13 years of coverage or unitl age 65* *whichever comes firstI qualify. What now? Sign up for the Retirement Benefits Program if you are ready. You are ready to sign up for the program if you...1. Submitted your resignation to Human Resources.2. Submitted your application for retirement to your retirement system.(CalSTRS for Certificated / CalPERS for Classified)Please provide the following documentation to our office to sign up:Copy of Your Retirement ApplicationOur office requires a copy of the first page of your retirement application to your retirement program.(CalSTRS for Certificated / CalPERS for Classified)• All of your financial information may be blacked out before submission.• The application must be stamped be you retirement system.• The award letter you receive is also accepted.Completed in its entirety, this application will help our office set up your retirement health benefits.Please note that any incomplete applications will not be accepted or processed.• Incomplete applications will not be accepted or processed.• Make sure to read each statement carefully and initial on the line provided.• Reading each statement will help you stay informed about rules, requirements, and regulations.Do I have to pay anything? Yes. The same amount you are paying now. The only difference is, retirees pay on a 12-month basis rather than 10-months.Keep in mind that rates may change every year on July 1. Our office will send you the Open Enrollment postcard to your home to keep you informed.What about my dependent's coverage? They will remain covered as long as you are eligible or until you remove them from your health insurance benefits. What happens to my dependent's coverage if I pass away? They will remain covered by the District's health insurance benefits for six (6) months for free. After the six months your dependents will be eligible to purchase COBRA Continuation Coverage for an additional 30 months at the prevailing rates. What about Medicare? You have to enroll in Part A and Part B only. Your SAUSD retirement benefits cover the rest.SAUSD does not pay your Medicare Part B premium. Part B is at your own cost. Part A is usually free.This means, you have to pay for both your SAUSD coverage and Medicare Part B at your own expense.Call Social Security to find out how much they are going to charge you for your Medicare, 1-800-722-1213.What happens when I get Medicare? Medicare becomes your primary insurance.If you are enrolled in KaiserYou must enroll in Kaiser's Senior Advantage plan by completing their Senior Advantage Enrollment Form.Kaiser's Senior Advantage plan is at no cost to the individual enrolled.If you are enrolled in a Blue Shield HMOYou have the option to remain on the same plan you are currently enrolled in or switch to their 65 Plus plan by completing their 65 Plus Enrollment Form.Blue Shield's 65 Plus plan is at no cost to the individual enrolled.If you are enrolled in the Blue Shield PPOYour coverage will remain the same. All you have to do is give the doctor's office both your Blue Shield card and you Medicare card when you visit and their office takes care of the rest.As a teacher I never paid into Part A. What if I don't qualify for Medicare? Call CalSTRS at 1-800-228-5453. CalSTRS may be able to assist with Part A for retirees who do not qualify. What happens if I move? Keep us updated. Contact our office before your move to provide us with your new address.Keep in mind that SAUSD's HMO plans are California plans only. If you are enrolled in an HMO and move out-of-state, you have to enroll in and pay for the Blue Shield PPO plan if you want to continue receiving health insurance benefits through SAUSD. To enroll in the Blue Shield PPO plan, you must complete our Retired Employee Enrollment/Change Form and submit it to our office as soon as possible before you move.If you already have the PPO and move, call Blue Shield, or check their website, for a list of providers in your new area.What happens to my District-paid life insurance coverage? Your District-paid life insurance coverage will end. However, you have the option to convert the coverage into an individual plan at a discounted rate.To convert life insurance coverage:You may contact Standard Insurance at 800-378-4668, send email to CBT@standard.com or complete the Group Life Portability formSend this form to The Standard Insurance Company within 31 calendar days of your retirement.For information on Portability/Conversion options, please visit https://www.standard.com/eforms/16217.pdfI need more information about state retirement benefits. Who do I call? Certificated Retirees should callCalSTRS1-800-228-5453Classified Retirees should callCalPERS1-888-225-7377Will I get information about my coverage while I'm retired? Yes. Your health plan information is always available on our website for your convenience.We also mail you important information such as Open Enrollment announcements and important coverage change notices.What happens when my retirement benefits end? You may enroll into COBRA Continuation Coverage (usually 18 months of coverage) or into SAUSD's Self-Pay program.Most retirees enroll in the Self-Pay plan because they can keep this plan indefinitely or until they find more affordable coverage.To view rates for COBRA and Self-Pay visit our Rates page.
Last Modified on June 10, 2024
