Changes to PEBB retiree benefits for 2026
The Public Employees Benefits Board (PEB Board) has authorized the following changes effective January 1, 2026. The Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) Program will provide more information about these and other changes in October before annual open enrollment.
Annual open enrollment dates are October 27 through November 24, 2025.
Changes to all PEBB medical plans
- Medicare plans with Part D coverage: The maximum out-of-pocket cost will increase to $2,100 to comply with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) changes.
- Deductible for consumer-directed health plans (CDHPs) for non-Medicare members: The IRS raised the minimum deductible for high-deductible health plans to $1,700 for single subscribers and $3,400 for families.
- Health savings accounts (HSAs) for non-Medicare members: The IRS raised the health savings account annual maximum contribution to $4,400 for single subscribers and $8,750 for families.
Medical plan changes
Kaiser Permanente NW
- Hearing aids for non-Medicare members will no longer be capped at a specific dollar amount. Members must see an in-network provider to receive hearing aids or they will not be covered by the plan, and the member will have to pay for them out of pocket. Members use the hearing aid benefit every 36 months.
- ClassPass Affinity for non-Medicare members (access to discounted fitness and wellness perks) will no longer be offered after December 31, 2025.
Kaiser Permanente WA
- Hearing aids for non-Medicare members will no longer be capped at a specific dollar amount. Members must see an in-network provider to receive hearing aids or they will not be covered by the plan, and the member will have to pay for them out of pocket. Members can use the hearing aid benefit every 36 months.
- ClassPass Affinity for non-Medicare members (access to discounted fitness and wellness perks) will no longer be offered after December 31, 2025.
Uniform Medical Plan
- Diagnostic and supplemental breast exams are covered without member cost share, effective January 1, 2025.
These changes below are for non-Medicare members.
- UMP Plus–Puget Sound High Value Network (PSHVN) and UMP Plus–UW Medicine Accountable Care Network (ACN) will no longer be offered. If you are enrolled in one of these plans, you must choose a new plan during open enrollment or you (and your enrolled dependents) will be automatically enrolled in UMP Classic. Learn more.
- Hearing aids: The UMP hearing aid benefit is changing to an allowed amount for one prescribed hearing aid per ear every 36 months. Members may be responsible for hearing aid charges exceeding the allowed amount.
UnitedHealthcare
- Personal Emergency Response System benefit will no longer be covered after December 31, 2025. Members who use this service will have the option to convert it to pay for it privately.
Dental plan changes
Uniform Dental Plan only. These do not apply to the DeltaCare or Willamette Dental plans.
- Coverage for children: The annual deductible will be removed for children up to age 15.
- TMJ (temporomandibular joint dysfunction) limits will increase to $1,000 annually and $5,000 lifetime.
Rule changes
All changes to PEBB rules will be available at PEBB rules and policies and take effect January 1, 2026, unless otherwise noted. Here are some changes that might affect you:
- When a subscriber’s dependent becomes eligible for the employer contribution toward PEBB or SEBB benefits, the subscriber’s dependent will be automatically disenrolled from PEBB retiree insurance coverage.
- Effective January 30, 2025, a retiree or survivor who is not on Medicare, but is enrolled in PEBB retiree insurance coverage, and permanently lives outside of the United States will be automatically deferred from PEBB retiree insurance coverage if they become eligible for Medicare Parts A and B, and do not respond to HCA within the required timeframe. If they return to the United States, they may enroll in a PEBB health plan by submitting the required forms and proof of enrollment in Medicare Parts A and B as long as it’s within the enrollment timeframe.
- Effective August 1, 2025, when a subscriber or their dependent who is permanently living outside of the United States must be disenrolled from a Medicare Advantage plan, Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plan, or a Medicare Part D plan as required by federal law, their PEBB medical plan enrollment will terminate on the last day of the month as required by federal law. They may defer enrollment in PEBB retiree insurance coverage.
- When a subscriber or their dependent gains, loses, or has a change in low-income subsidy (LIS) eligibility as described in 42 CFR Sec. 423.38(c)(9), they may enroll in an MAPD plan, Medicare supplement plan, or UMP Classic Medicare (if eligible) within three months after a gain, loss, or change in LIS eligibility or notice of such a change, whichever is later. The subscriber may also request to enroll or remove a dependent from PEBB health plan coverage.
2026 monthly premiums: Medicare retirees
The PEB Board authorized the following monthly premiums for 2026. Complete Medicare retiree premiums will be available by October 3 on our website. If you would like to see if the premiums are different from your current premiums, see 2025 premiums.
| Plan | Subscriber | Subscriber and spouse/SRDP |
|---|---|---|
| Kaiser Permanente NW Senior Advantage with Part D | $174.44 | $343.13 |
| Kaiser Permanente WA Medicare Advantage with Part D | $220.61 | $435.47 |
| Premera Medicare Supplement Plan F (Disabled) | $289.90 | $574.05 |
| Premera Medicare Supplement Plan F (Retired) | $143.14 | $280.53 |
| Premera Medicare Supplement Plan G (Disabled) | $219.43 | $433.11 |
| Premera Medicare Supplement Plan G (Retired) | $122.42 | $239.09 |
| UMP Classic Medicare with Part D (PDP) | $337.67 | $669.59 |
| UnitedHealthcare PEBB Balance | $172.83 | $339.91 |
| UnitedHealthcare PEBB Complete | $220.18 | $434.61 |
2026 monthly premiums: non-Medicare retirees
The PEB Board has authorized the following monthly premiums for 2026. If you would like to see if the premiums are different from your current premiums, see 2025 premiums.
| Plan | Subscriber | Subscriber and spouse/SRDP | Subscriber and children | Subscriber, spouse/SRDP, and children |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaiser Permanente NW Classic | $1,081.31 | $2,157.51 | $1,888.54 | $2,964.42 |
| Kaiser Permanente NW CDHP | $889.16 | $1,771.31 | $1,565.36 | $2,389.18 |
| Kaiser Permanente WA Classic | $966.75 | $1,927.75 | $1,687.50 | $2,648.50 |
| Kaiser Permanente WA CDHP | $855.84 | $1,704.67 | $1,507.05 | $2,297.55 |
| Kaiser Permanente WA SoundChoice | $927.91 | $1,850.07 | $1,619.53 | $2,541.69 |
| Kaiser Permanente WA Value | $975.67 | $1,945.59 | $1,703.11 | $2,673.03 |
| UMP Classic | $970.43 | $1,935.11 | $1,693.94 | $2,658.62 |
| UMP CDHP | $887.83 | $1,768.65 | $1,563.03 | $2,385.52 |
| UMP Select | $907.50 | $1,809.25 | $1,583.81 | $2,485.56 |
Notes
- SRDP is state-registered domestic partner.
- Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Northwest offers plans in Clark and Cowlitz counties in Washington and select counties in Oregon.
Non-Medicare subscribers may also have to pay the following monthly premium surcharges.
- Tobacco use premium surcharge if you or any enrolled dependents use tobacco products: $25
- Spouse or state-registered domestic partner coverage premium surcharge if you enroll your spouse or SRDP and they choose not to enroll in another employer-based group medical plan that is comparable to PEBB’s Uniform Medical Plan (UMP) Classic: $50