Retirement planning guide

To continue to receive the Public Employees’ Benefit Program (PEBP) Health Insurance plan in retirement, you must meet the following criteria:

• Have participated in either the Retirement Plan Alternative 401(a) program, or the Public Employees' Retirement Plan of Nevada System for at least 5 years as a full-time employee or the equivalent of a full-time employee.
• Be receiving any distribution of benefits from one of the following retirement plans:
  • The Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS);
  • Nevada System of Higher Education Retirement Plan Alternative Program
  • Nevada System of Higher Education Tax Sheltered Annuity Program
  • State of Nevada Deferred Compensation Program

Your retiree insurance package in retirement includes:

• Medical (choice of plan)
• Dental
• Vision
• Term Life Insurance Policy - $7,500
  The retiree health insurance plan for retirees under age 65 is the same coverage that is available as an active employee and will continue to be your primary insurance until you qualify for Medicare (generally age 65).

Overview of PEBP Health Insurance Benefits for Retirees

PEBP provides a comprehensive benefit program to retirees and covered family members that includes a choice of medical plan, dental, and life insurance.  If you or any of your covered family members are Medicare-eligible, Medicare will be the primary insurance plan and PEBP Retiree Insurance is the secondary insurance plan. All of the provisions of the health care benefits are subject to change, including plans offered, services covered, and payment arrangements.

Overview of PEBP Health Insurance Benefits for Retirees

The State of Nevada provides subsidized insurance plans for eligible retirees. The level of subsidy is related to the years of service you have provided to the State of Nevada. The minimum subsidy is for 5 years of service and the maximum is for twenty years of service. 

Eligible retirees are responsible for paying their retiree health insurance premium directly to PEBP through monthly direct billing or an automatic bill pay process. Retirees who are receiving a retirement check from the Public Employees’ Retirement System of Nevada (PERS) will have the monthly premium deducted from their PERS retirement check. 

Pre Medicare and Medicare Insurance Rates

Once you are 65 and retired, the State of Nevada requires that you enroll in Medicare. 

• Part A is required ONLY if you qualify for premium-free Medicare A coverage.
• Part B is required for all retirees and spouses age 65 and over.
• Exception: If you are retiring after reaching 65, or are covering a spouse who is 65 or older at the time of your retirement, there is only a conditional penalty for late enrollment. This penalty may be avoided as long as you provide Social Security with verification that you were covered by the PEBP group plan during the period between reaching 65 and retiring. Social Security will provide you with a form to verify your group health coverage; you should bring this form to the HR Shared Services Office for completion. This form should be completed and submitted no later than 30 days after retirement in order to avoid this penalty.

Retirees enrolling in the self-funded PPO Medical Plan are required to select a network based upon the state where they reside. For those retirees who reside out of Nevada, they should select the Beech Street PPO Network.

Contact HR Shared Services for information regarding your voluntary supplemental insurance plans and your opportunity to port the plans with you upon retirement: benefits@bcn-nshe.org

If you are not eligible for continuation of the health insurance plan in retirement, you may be eligible to continue the coverage as provided under the federal COBRA law for up to 18 months, or until you become eligible for Medicare. You are responsible for the full premium payment.

You will receive a COBRA notification by mail. Follow the instructions in the letter or you may contact PEBP at (800) 326-5496 to enroll in COBRA coverage.