If you retire and begin drawing an immediate monthly benefit, you are eligible to enroll yourself as well as a spouse or dependent children in the State Retiree Health Benefits Program.

Submit the State Health Benefits Program Enrollment Form for Retirees, Survivors and LTD Participants (T-20879) with your retirement application or within 31 days of your retirement date. The form is available at www.varetire.org or by contacting the JMU retirement specialist. If your monthly VRS benefit payment is enough to cover the premium, VRS will withhold the health insurance premium from your monthly VRS payment.

You are eligible to enroll in the health plan of your choice at retirement, although there are no membership changes allowed at the time of retirement. You may only cover dependents who were enrolled in coverage prior to retirement; they may not be added at the time of retirement unless there is also a qualifying mid- year event.

You must enroll in an age appropriate plan. Retirees who are not yet age 65 or Medicare eligible will have the option to enroll in any of the plans available to them as an active employee. Retirees and/or dependents who are Medicare eligible must enroll in a Medicare coordinating plan option.

You must enroll within 31 days of your retirement date if you wish to be covered under the State Retiree Health Benefits Program. If no election is made or coverage is declined, you may not return to the program in the future.