Retiree Insurance Overview
Retiree health benefits are offered through the Texas Employees Group Benefits Program (GBP) and are available to most State of Texas retirees and their eligible dependents.
Eligibility
- You need at least 10 years of service credit with an agency or institution that participates in the Texas Employees Group Benefits Program (GBP)
- Age plus years of creditable state service equals 80*
- Must retire through TRS, ORP, or ERS
If your age and service does not equal to 80, you can qualify for retiree insurance at a later time.
Rates
The State of Texas contributes to most retirees' monthly health care rates (or premiums). This is called the state contribution. The retiree pays the remainder of the premium. The state's contribution is based on available funding provided by the Texas Legislature and depends on three things:
- whether the retiree was a full-time or part-time employee at the time of retirement,
- whether the retiree had at least five years of employment at a State of Texas agency or institution on September 1, 2014, and
- how many years the retiree worked for the State of Texas.
Learn more about "tiered" retiree insurance contributions, including the tiered rates for the current plan year.
Medicare
When a retiree becomes eligible for Medicare and enrolls in Medicare Parts A and B, the next step is to call ERS and provide the information on their Medicare card. This will begin the enrollment process into HealthSelect Medicare Rx (Part D prescription drug plan), administered by UnitedHealthcare, and also for, HealthSelect℠ Medicare Advantage, administered by United Healthcare, if they chose it. Please note that all retirees must apply to Medicare when they turn 65 even if they have state retiree insurance. Medicare will be your primary insurance and the state retiree insurance will be your secondary.
Insurance Coverage Options
Retirees and their eligible dependents are entitled to continue in the medical, dental, vision, and voluntary life insurance programs.
Health Coverage
- Health Select Out-of-State (not enrolled in Medicare)
- Consumer Directed HealthSelect (not enrolled in Medicare)
- Health Select Secondary (Medicare only)
- HealthSelect Medicare Advantage (Medicare only)
- HealthSelect of Texas (Not enrolled in Medicare)
Optional Coverage
It's important to select the individual(s) who will receive your life insurance benefits in the event of your death. This person is called your beneficiary. You can have more than one beneficiary. You can change your beneficiaries at any time.
