When a member retires, he or she may be eligible for State Health Plan coverage under the Retirement Systems. The cost, if any, is determined by two factors - (1) when the member began state employment, and (2) which health plan they select.

Tab/Accordion Items

  • Eligible member retired prior to January 1, 1985.
     
  • Except as otherwise provided, on and after January 1, 1988, eligible retiree members must have completed at
    least five years of contributory (membership) retirement service with an employing unit prior to retirement from
    any state-supported retirement system in order to be eligible for group benefits under this Part as a retired
    employee or retiree. If the retiree withdraws their service (receives a refund of their contributions) and, at a later
    date, becomes reemployed as an employee, this new start date will be considered their first hired date.
     
  • Employees first hired on and after October 1, 2006, and members of the General Assembly first taking office on
    and after February 1, 2007, must have 20 or more years of retirement service credit.

  • Retirees who (i) are employed by an employing unit that elects to be covered by this, (ii) do not qualify for
    coverage under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 135-48.40(b)(1), and (iii) are determined to be “full-time” by their employing unit
    in accordance with section 4980H of the Internal Revenue Code and the applicable regulations, as amended. The
    employing unit shall pay the employer premiums for enrolled retirees enrolled under this section.
     
  • Eligible member retired prior to January 1, 1985.
     
  • Except as otherwise provided, on and after January 1, 1988, eligible retiree members must have completed at
    least five years of contributory (membership) retirement service with an employing unit prior to retirement from
    any state-supported retirement system in order to be eligible for group benefits under this Part as a retired
    employee or retiree. If the retiree withdraws their service (receive a refund of their contributions) and, at a later
    date, becomes reemployed as an employee, this new start date will be considered their first hired date.
     
  • Employees first hired on and after October 1, 2006, and members of the General Assembly first taking office on
    and after February 1, 2007, must have 20 or more years of retirement service credit.

  • Eligible retiree members with 10 years but less than 20 years of retirement service credit provided the employees were first hired on or after October 1, 2006, and General Assembly Members first taking office on or after February 1, 2007.
     

*The state shall pay fifty percent (50%) of the Plan’s total employer premiums. Individual retirees shall pay the balance of the total premiums not paid by the state, unless prohibited by law. The total premium is the sum of the Plan’s total employer premium contribution rate plus the employee or retiree’s contribution for individual and dependent coverage.

  • Eligible retiree members with less than 10 years of retirement service credit, provided the employees were first hired on or after October 1, 2006, and the members first took office on or after February 1, 2007.

In all cases, the full cost of dependent coverage, if elected, must be paid by the member.

NOTE: Members hired on or after January 1, 2021, will not be eligible to receive retiree medical benefits.


For additional information about all options under the State Health Plan and eligibility, please visit the State Health Plan website or call 1-855-859-0966.

Optional supplemental insurance coverage (Vision, Dental and Identity Theft Protection) is available to retirees and benefit recipients through Pierce Insurance.

 Pierce will mail information to the member after his or her first retirement benefit has been issued. 

For more information, the member should visit ncretiree.com or call 1-855-627-3847

This page was last modified on 12/03/2024