Retiree Benefits
Retirement is an exciting time! It can also be a bit overwhelming when it comes to making a decision regarding your continued health care benefits. While there are many personal factors to consider when planning to retire, the Benefits Department is here to help ease your mind by answering your questions and concerns regarding your health care benefits.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR RETIREE BENEFITS
For a better understanding of your rights as an active employee and future retired employee, we highly recommend you begin your research by reviewing the detailed information in your Certificated Bargaining Unit Agreement (Article IX, Section 8, page 30) or Classified Bargaining Unit Agreement (Article IX, Section 9.5, page 20).
Next, you will want to contact CALSTRS (Certificated) at (800) 228-5453 or (916) 414-1099 CALPERS (Classified) at (888) 225-7377 to identify how many years of service credit you have earned. Once you have decided that you are ready to embark on your Retirement adventure, you will want to contact Human Resources/Personnel Department to determine your retirement date and complete the required documentation. Once the proper paperwork has been completed and processed, you will receive a courtesy notification from the Benefits Department instructing you to reach out to your Employee Benefits Assistant to schedule a one-on-one Retiree Benefit Appointment. In this appointment, we will review plan information, cost and have you complete new enrollment forms to continue coverage as a retired employee.
Active RUSD employees pay health & welfare premiums a month ahead and on 10thly payroll deductions. If you retire at the end of the school year, your existing coverage will terminate on September 1st. If you retire any other month of the year, your coverage will terminate the first of the month following your last premium payroll deduction (ex: February payroll deduction covers March. Benefits terminate April 1st).
GENERAL INFORMATION
The district pays the full or partial medical premium of the retired employee medical benefit based on classification and/or years of service. Please refer to your Bargaining Agreement for more information.
The retired employee may choose to continue coverage or terminate coverage for eligible dependents. If health coverage is continued for any dependents, the retired employee is responsible for paying the medical and/or dental premium
Medical coverage is available to retired employees for 10 years up to the age of 65, whichever comes first
Medical coverage terminates at age 65, the 1st day of the month of your 65th birthday
Medical premiums are due quarterly if paying directly to RUSD or monthly installments can be set up if the deduction is made from your STRS/PERS retirement check
Dental coverage is available for retired employees and eligible dependents and can be carried for as long as dental coverage is needed.
Dental premiums are paid in full by the retiree and due annually on January 1st
Changes can be made to elected Retiree Benefit plans during the annual Open Enrollment Period in October/November for a January 1st effective date. Rate changes with updated health plan information and enrollment dates with location information is mailed to the retiree address on file each year. It is important that Retirees maintain an accurate mailing address and contact phone number with the District Office to ensure you receive your documentation in a timely manner.
Once you have reviewed your Union Agreements above, please contact your Employee Benefits Assistant for current plan and rate information.
RETIREE ELIGIBILITY
Certificated employees with 15 years of service will receive PAID benefits for employee ONLY coverage for 10 years or up to the age of 65, whichever comes first.
Classified employees receive an annual Entitlement to cover employee ONLY coverage for 10 years or up to the age of 65, whichever comes first. The annual entitlement is divided into monthly payments and deducted from the total monthly cost of the health plan. To determine your monthly cost, deduct the "monthly entitlement" from the "monthly" cost listed below under Classified Retiree Rates
Years of Service Annual Entitlement Monthly Entitlement
15 years $2,146 $178.83
16 years $2,331 $194.25
17 years $2,516 $209.67
18 years $2,701 $225.08
19 years $2,886 $240.50
20 years $3,071 $255.92
25+ years PAID PAID
MEDICARE AND YOUR HEALTH NEEDS
Medicare is a federal health insurance program that covers millions of Americans. This basic health insurance provision is part of Social Security. Once you turn 65, or if you are younger and already receiving Social Security, you are eligible to automatically receive Medicare Part A hospital coverage. You may also receive Medicare at any age if you suffer permanent kidney failure, also referred to as end-stage renal disease (ESRD). To be eligible for Medicare, you must be a legal U.S. citizen and a resident for 5 years.
If you are an "active" employee and over the age of 65, you are NOT required to enroll in Part B. We recommend that you contact Social Security to let them know that you are currently working so you are not automatically billed for Part B. If you are a retired employee, planning to retire, or spouse of a retired employee and are 65 or older you must provide proof of Part A AND Part B to qualify and enroll in RUSD Medicare Advantage Plan.
Retired employees age 65 or older may continue medical coverage through RUSD group health plans by enrolling in Kaiser Senior Advantage or one of the RUSD group Health Plans. Please contact your assigned Employee Benefits Assistant for more information.
Medicare Eligibility and Initial Enrollment Period
If you’re eligible at age 65, your initial enrollment period begins three months before your 65th birthday, includes the month you turn age 65, and ends three months after that birthday. However, if you don’t enroll in Medicare Part B during your initial enrollment period, you have another chance each year to sign up during a “general enrollment period” from January 1 through March 31. Starting in 2023 your coverage will begin on the 1st of the month following the month of enrollment. Read our Medicare publication for more information.
How to apply for Medicare in California
To qualify for Medicare, you must be either a United States citizen or a legal permanent resident of at least five continuous years.
You apply for Medicare in California the same as any state: through the Social Security Administration in person, on the phone, or online.
Visit the Social Security website.
Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, 7AM to 7PM.
MOVING OUT OF STATE?
RUSD RETIREE DENTAL PLANS - Out of State
Delta Dental PPO is the only dental plan offered by RUSD that offers nationwide coverage. All other plans are in-network only and do not service outside the State of California.
RUSD PPO Plan - for Retirees
While all of our plans are California coverage areas only, the RUSD PPO Medical Plan does allow our retirees to participate in medical coverage outside the state of California.
Each time you need care under the RUSD RETIREE PPO Plan you can choose the doctors, specialists and other health professionals and facilities from the providers in the First Health Network to ensure the least out-of pocket expenses. Unlike, the EPO Plans, the PPO plans allow you the freedom to visit doctors or use facilities that are not part of the PPO network and still receive a benefit. However, your costs will be higher and you may need to file a claim.
This is a "No referral specialists care" plan that allows you to see any provider or specialist without a referral! Pre-certification may be necessary for hospitalizations and certain types of outpatient care. You are your own personal health advocate and are not assigned to a Primary Care Provider/Physician (PCP). You have the freedom to choose your own in-network and out-of-network personal doctor or doctors to help coordinate your care. Again, if you choose to see a provider that is not in the network, your out-of-pocket costs will be higher and you may need to file a claim.
This plan has a calendar year deductible for "In-Network" of $300 for individual and $600 for family and "Out-of-Network" of $500 for individual and $1,000 for family.
For information on how to find a provider in the First Health Network, please contact your Benefits Department.
