Retirement – General

(1) Retirees entitled to a pension or retirement allowance may continue Basic Life and Health Insurance coverage, and Additional Life Insurance by applying to continue the coverage and continue paying the required premium. State Retirees, Retired Municipal Teachers, and eligible Municipal Retirees may also enroll in the Commission's retiree dental coverage by submitting an enrollment application in a time frame as determined by the Commission. The retiree must be receiving a monthly pension allowance and authorize premiums to be paid via pension deduction to be eligible to continue Commission benefits. When there is a delay in pension payments, the Commission will consider the applicant a Deferred Retiree under 805 CMR 9.20(5). (2) State Retirees who never have been insured through the Commission and initially apply for Commission coverage as State Retirees are eligible to apply for the Commission's Retiree Basic Life, Health Coverage, and Retiree Dental Coverage. Coverage applications may be made with a valid qualifying event or during annual enrollment. The retiree must be receiving a monthly pension allowance to apply for benefits. The effective date of coverage shall be determined by the Commission. (3) Retirees who are rehired as an Employee under the applicable provisions of M.G.L. c. 32 and are receiving adjusted salary or wages are not eligible to be insured as an active Employee. Retirees who waive and renounce their rights to all pension or retirement allowance payable to them for a period of time in accordance with M.G.L. c. 32, and are not rehired as full-time Employees for a period of time that does not constitute Emergency Employment, may be insured as an active Employee subject to payment of the Employee's share of the premium. (4) Eligible Retirees who voluntarily withdraw from Basic Life or Basic Life and Health Coverage may apply to reenroll in Commission coverage either during the next Annual Enrollment or if they provide acceptable proof of loss of other coverage. (5) Deferred Retirees are considered to be Employees on leaves of absence without pay for as long as they retain the right to receive a retirement allowance from a participating retirement system and do not withdraw their pension monies from the retirement system. Persons receiving a retirement allowance cease to be Deferred Retirees. (6) Once a Retiree enrolls in a health plan, the next opportunity to change plans is the GIC's next Annual Enrollment period, except as otherwise required by law.