kyounge1956
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2008
- Messages
- 2,171
Public employees and retirees, does your retirement system pay for your health coverage after you retire?
I'm going to have to call the benefits office before I can vote in my own poll.
Seattle retirees pay for health insurance or self-insure, but I think we are considered part of the same group as active employees, which I think would mean we pay less than if buying an individual policy. I also don't know if I can continue my long-term care insurance after retirement at the same rate I'm paying as an employee.
I forgot to mention another health-related benefit. Seattle retirees can receive a tax-free rollover of 35% of the value of our unpaid sick leave in what's called a VEBA account, which is sort of like an HSA, except you can't add to it after retiring. As I understand it this gets voted on each time there is a new contract. If it passes, everyone who retires while the contract is in effect gets the VEBA. If it doesn't, I think each retiree can choose between getting 25% of the balance in (immediately taxable) cash, or roll over 25% tax free into your 457 plan. I believe under the current contract, the VEBA option was approved. Since I've got over 1000 hours of unused sick leave, that will be a nice little addition. I plan to use it to pay for my dental care out of pocket. I haven't had a cavity since I was 11, so I don't plan to get dental insurance, since the premiums are (I think) more than what it would cost just to pay the dentist for my periodic clean & polish.
I'm going to have to call the benefits office before I can vote in my own poll.
Seattle retirees pay for health insurance or self-insure, but I think we are considered part of the same group as active employees, which I think would mean we pay less than if buying an individual policy. I also don't know if I can continue my long-term care insurance after retirement at the same rate I'm paying as an employee.
I forgot to mention another health-related benefit. Seattle retirees can receive a tax-free rollover of 35% of the value of our unpaid sick leave in what's called a VEBA account, which is sort of like an HSA, except you can't add to it after retiring. As I understand it this gets voted on each time there is a new contract. If it passes, everyone who retires while the contract is in effect gets the VEBA. If it doesn't, I think each retiree can choose between getting 25% of the balance in (immediately taxable) cash, or roll over 25% tax free into your 457 plan. I believe under the current contract, the VEBA option was approved. Since I've got over 1000 hours of unused sick leave, that will be a nice little addition. I plan to use it to pay for my dental care out of pocket. I haven't had a cavity since I was 11, so I don't plan to get dental insurance, since the premiums are (I think) more than what it would cost just to pay the dentist for my periodic clean & polish.