Retiring and PEBB Retiree Insurance

Employers should provide basic information about the PEBB retiree insurance program and encourage employees to begin learning about this option for insurance coverage as soon as they learn that an employee is retiring or considering separating from service.

What does PEBB retiree insurance provide?

PEBB retiree insurance is offered to retiring and separating PEBB/SEBB covered employees that meet eligibility criteria. Retiree insurance options are the same for employees from the PEBB or SEBB Program, including employees from employer groups that only offer medical coverage.

The retiree insurance program offers medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, and life insurance.

Important deadlines for enrolling in or deferring coverage

To enroll in or defer PEBB retiree insurance coverage, the PEBB program must receive the PEBB Retiree Election Form (form A) no later than 60 days after an employee's current PEBB/SEBB employer coverage ends (including PEBB/SEBB COBRA or continuation coverage).

If employees miss the 60-day election period, they lose all rights to enroll in or defer enrollment in PEBB retiree insurance coverage, unless they regain eligibility in the future by returning to work in a PEBB/SEBB benefits-eligible position.

Benefits administrators (BAs) / Employer responsibility

BAs should provide employees with basic information about the PEBB retiree insurance program and guide them to available resources. They should encourage employees to begin learning about this option for insurance coverage as soon as they learn that an employee is considering retirement, or if an employee is separating from employment and may be eligible for retiree insurance.

BAs should not attempt to determine eligibility for either PEBB retiree insurance or employee retirement plans. Eligibility determinations can vary based on different systems and plans criteria.

Employer / BA process

Complete the appropriate C-series worksheet for PEBB employees or SEBB employees.
Provide the PEBB Retiree Health Insurance Checklist to employees who are:
- Leaving employment and may be eligible for PEBB retiree insurance coverage.
- Retirees who returned to work and are retiring again.
- Applying for disability retirement.

Reminder!

A subscriber cannot be enrolled in both employee insurance and PEBB retiree insurance at the same time. BAs should timely term employee benefits so that enrollment in retiree insurance is not interrupted or impacted.

For example, an employee who is retiring with a last day of work being August 20, will continue to have active employee coverage through the end of August, with their Retiree coverage beginning September 1. However, there would be a delay in getting enrolled in their retiree insurance if the BA does not term coverage ahead of September 1.

Resources for employees

Benefits administrators should direct employees to the following resources to learn more about PEBB Retiree Insurance:

PEBB Retiree Insurance website
PEBB Retiree Insurance webinars
PEBB Retiree Insurance Folder (order printed copies online)
PEBB Retiree Enrollment Guide (order printed copies online)
PEBB Customer Service – Send a secure email message through HCA Support or call 1-800-200-1004

Employee responsibility

Employees are responsible for:

Learning key details of the PEBB Retiree Insurance program, including deadlines, benefits, costs, and enrollment/deferment processes.
Submitting PEBB Retiree Election Form (form A) to the PEBB Program if they are planning to either enroll in or defer PEBB retiree insurance. The PEBB Program recommends submitting the form before employer coverage ends, but must receive the form no later than 60 days after PEBB/SEBB employer coverage ends (including PEBB/SEBB COBRA or continuation coverage).
Understanding when and how to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B. (If the employee or a dependent is eligible for Medicare, the eligible person must enroll and maintain enrollment in both Medicare Part A and Part B to qualify for PEBB retiree coverage.)
- Medicare – 1.800-633-4227
- Medicare Enrollment (Social Security Administration) – 1-800-772-1213
- SHIBA (Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors – WA State Office of the Insurance Commissioner) – 1-800-562-6900
Confirming eligibility for retirement from a Washington State sponsored plan
- Members of Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) retirement plans – 1-800-547-6657
- Members of Higher Education Retirement Plan (HERP) or a non-DRS plan) should contact their benefits office or retirement plan

Want to host a PEBB Retiree Insurance presentation onsite?

For PEBB/SEBB employers that would like to host a PEBB Retiree Insurance presentation onsite, please contact Outreach & Training:

Send a secure email message via HCA Support
Call Outreach and Training: 1-800-700-1555
Email Deborah Krumpols, Retiree-Focused Benefits Marketing Representative

Related rules and policies

WAC 182-12-171: When is a retiring employee or a retiring school employee eligible to enroll in PEBB retiree insurance coverage?
WAC 182-12-200: May a retiring employee, a retiring school employee, or a retiree enrolled as a dependent in a health plan sponsored by PEBB, a Washington state educational service district, or SEBB defer enrollment under PEBB retiree insurance coverage?
WAC 182-12-209: Who is eligible for retiree term life insurance?

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