Group insurance coverage is available to eligible members at the time of retirement. Eligibility is based upon the member’s earliest participation date within the systems operated by KPPA. KPPA administers health insurance benefits for three tier plans for both non-Medicare-eligible members and Medicare-eligible members (age 65 and over or those that qualify for Social Security Disability at any age and have received Social Security Disability benefits for at least two [2] years).
What are your health insurance benefits?
KPPA pays a percentage of the monthly contribution rate for insurance coverage based on the retired member's years of service and type of service (hazardous or nonhazardous).
Each year prior to the Open Enrollment period, the Boards of Trustees of the County Employees Retirement System (CERS) and the Kentucky Retirement Systems (KRS) establish the contribution rate for the following plan year. The monthly contribution rate is based on single coverage under the insurance plan approved by the systems' Boards of Trustees.
The percentage of the monthly contribution rate paid is shown below. For Hazardous members, the portion paid toward couple, parent plus, or family coverage is based solely on the amount of service the member has in an approved Hazardous position.
Eligibility for insurance benefits shall not be provided until the member has earned at least one hundred and twenty (120) months of service in the state-administered retirement systems.
Eligibility for insurance benefits shall not be provided until the member has earned at least one hundred eighty (180) months of service in the state-administered retirement systems.
NONHAZARDOUS MEMBERS whose participation began on July 1, 2003 or after will earn a monthly contribution for insurance of ten dollars ($10) for each year of earned service.
HAZARDOUS MEMBERS whose participation began on July 1, 2003 or after, will earn a monthly contribution for insurance of fifteen dollars ($15) for each year of earned service in a hazardous position. Upon the retiree's death, the spouse of a hazardous duty member will receive a monthly insurance contribution of ten dollars ($10) for each year of hazardous duty provided the spouse is designated as beneficiary and remains eligible for monthly benefits upon the retired member's death.
The monthly insurance contribution will be increased July 1 each year by 1.5%. The annual increase shall be cumulative and shall continue to accrue after the member's retirement for as long as the monthly insurance contribution is payable to the retired member or beneficiary.
Insurance at Retirement
If you will be receiving a monthly payment, you may be eligible for health insurance coverage for you, your spouse, and eligible dependents. KPPA offers Medicare and non-Medicare eligible plans. Please call (800) 928-4646 if additional assistance is needed.
For insurance coverage to begin the same month as your retirement payment, you must file a
Form 6200 with KPPA by the last day of the month prior to the month you retire.
If you miss the deadline, you will be defaulted into a health insurance plan at the single level of coverage and won't be able to change until the next Open Enrollment period unless you experience a
Qualifying Event.
For example:
If you miss the above deadline, you can still submit a Form 6200. Your Form 6200 must be filed with KRS by the last day of the month in which you retire.
For example:
If you do not return a health insurance application to either waive coverage or select a plan, you will be enrolled into a default health insurance plan.
- You are responsible for filing your insurance application by the due date
- Documentation for health insurance dependents/spouse is required
- Members retiring with hazardous duty service are REQUIRED to complete a
Form 6256 - Designation of Spouse and/or Dependent Child for Health Insurance at the time of retirement and on an annual basis thereafter.
- Waiting until the last minute to file an application will cause delays in receiving your insurance card and accessing benefits. To upload your health insurance application instantly to your retirement account, use the
Document Upload function in Member Self Service.
Insurance information.
Other Resources:
Transitioning to KPPA Medicare Eligible Insurance Coverage
Qualifying Events
Ready to Retire Recorded Webinar