Service retirement

To receive coverage as a retired employee you must meet the following requirements:

On your retirement date, you must be enrolled in District-paid health benefits and be in paid status. If you are not currently enrolled, contact Benefits Administration regarding enrollment procedures prior to your retirement date. You must retire from District service in accordance with the rules of your retirement system (this includes disability allowance under CalSTRS or CalPERS).

• You must retire and receive a monthly payment from your retirement system, CalPERS or CalSTRS.

• For employees hired prior to March 11, 1984, five (5) consecutive years of qualifying service immediately prior to retirement shall be required in order to qualify for retiree health benefits for the life of the retiree.

• For employees hired on or after March 11, 1984, but prior to July 1, 1987, ten (10) consecutive years of qualifying service immediately prior to retirement shall be required in order to qualify for retiree health benefits for the life of the retiree.

• For employees hired on or after July 1, 1987, but prior to June 1, 1992, fifteen (15) consecutive years of qualifying service immediately prior to retirement shall be required, or ten (10) consecutive years immediately prior to retirement plus an additional ten (10) years which are not consecutive.

• For employees hired on or after June 1, 1992, years of qualifying service and age must total at least eighty (80) in order to qualify for retiree health benefits. For employees who have a break in service, this must include at least ten (10) consecutive years immediately prior to retirement.

• Any employee hired on or after March 1, 2007 shall be required to have a minimum of fifteen (15) consecutive years of service with the District immediately prior to retirement, in concert with the “Rule of 80” eligibility requirement (see section V. above) to receive employee and dependents’ health and welfare benefits (medical dental and vision) upon retirement.

• New Employees’ Retiree Benefits: Effective with employees hired on or after April 1, 2009, years of qualifying service and age must total at least eighty-five (85) in order to qualify for retiree health benefits. This must include a minimum of twenty-five (25) consecutive years of service with the District immediately prior to retirement.

• For School Police (sworn personnel), if you were hired on or after April 1, 2009, to qualify for District-paid benefits at retirement, the employee’s age plus the number of consecutive qualifying years of service, when added together, must equal 80 and you must have twenty (20) consecutive years of qualifying service immediately prior to retirement.

*Qualifying years of service consist of fiscal years in which you were in “paid status” for at least 100 full days and eligible for district-paid health benefits coverage.

If you meet the requirements, you are eligible for District-paid benefits for you and your eligible dependents. If you take a deferred retirement (that is, leave funds on deposit with the retirement system for withdrawal at a later date) or a lump sum distribution you are not eligible for District-paid retiree health benefits. If you stop your monthly payments you will lose your District-sponsored benefits.

The medical, dental and vision plans are similar to those received by active employees. For a complete list of 2013 plans and providers, contact information, and plan resources available to our retirees, click here.

Note: Medicare enrollment is required when eligible, usually upon reaching age 65. (See Medicare section)

If your new address is within California, complete and submit out Retiree - Change of Address Form.pdf (in California)

If you move out of California, you must contact Benefits Administration for benefit plan availability in your new area. Complete and submit out the Retiree out of area enrollment form (Out of California)

There is NO out of country coverage. However employees who retired prior to 1/1/10 and already resided outside of the country were grandfathered and have limited coverage.

What happens to my active benefits?

Your active health benefits will terminate on the last day of the month in which you retire. You may receive a COBRA packet for you and your dependents. You do not need to take any action if you are eligible and enrolled in District-paid retiree health benefits.

Who is responsible for determining whether or not an employee is eligible for lifetime benefits?

Benefits Administration staff calculates your eligibility for life time benefits based on your employment history.

When should I apply for Medicare?

It is recommended that you apply for Medicare at least 3 months before your 65^th birthday.

I am a retiree enrolled in Kaiser; once I or my spouse reaches 65 what do I do in regards to Medicare?

You and/or your spouse must apply for Medicare Part A & B with the social security department. You must complete and submit an application for Kaiser Senior Advantage in the month prior to your 65^th birthday. Please contact Kaiser directly to obtain an application. You must also submit a copy of your Medicare card to Benefits administration.

I am a retiree enrolled in Health Net; once I or my spouse reaches 65 what do I do in regards to Medicare?

You and/or spouse must apply for Medicare Parts A and B with the social security department. You must complete and submit an application for HealthNet Seniority Plus the month prior to your 65^th birthday. Please contact HealthNet directly to obtain an application. You must also submit a copy of your Medicare card to Benefits administration.

I am a retiree enrolled in Anthem Blue Cross; once I or my spouse reaches 65 what do I do in regards to Medicare?

You and/or your spouse must apply for Medicare Parts A & B. You must also submit a copy of your Medicare card to Benefits administration.

If I want to change doctors or dentists during the year, how do I do this?

To change providers, call your Plan directly. Your Plan will tell you when your provider election will become effective, and the Plan will send you identification cards, if applicable.

Are there limitations on preexisting conditions if I change health plans?

No, there are no limitations on preexisting conditions if members change health plans during the annual benefits open enrollment.

Are there any survivor benefits?

In the event of a retiree’s death, the District will not pay for the health plan coverage of a surviving spouse or other dependents. Surviving spouses may continue coverage at their own expense under the District’s AB528 Continuation Plan, and may also be eligible for COBRA coverage for a limited time. Other dependents, however, are eligible for COBRA only. Your surviving spouse or dependent(s) must notify the District of your death within 60 days. The District will notify the COBRA/AB528 administrator, FBMC, to mail an enrollment packet to your surviving spouse/dependent(s). Failure to notify the District of a retiree’s death may cause the surviving spouse and dependent(s) to forfeit their COBRA/AB528 rights.

What about Life Insurance Program?

Conversion plans are available for both the basic (District-paid) and optional (employee-paid) life insurance plans at your expense. If you are enrolled in optional life insurance when you retire, you will be eligible to enroll in a special “decreasing term” policy. Your coverage will equal 50% of the amount of your active employee coverage. This amount decreases each year by 10% of your original coverage amount and the minimum coverage amount will never be less than $5,000. If you would like to continue or cancel this coverage or need more information, contact MetLife at (866) 492-6983.

What about the Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)?

Flexible Spending Accounts cease to receive funding upon retirement. A member can receive reimbursements after he/she retires however, the claim service date must be within the time the member was active. A member cannot receive reimbursement for services rendered after he/she retires. Funds not used are forfeited at the end of the plan year.

I need information on Domestic Partners. Is there any information available?

Sure! click here

I’ve got additional questions, who can I call?

If you have additional questions regarding your health insurance coverage, would like to add or delete dependents, update your address or obtain benefit information, contact Benefits Administration at (213) 241-4262, or write to Benefits Administration P.O. Box 513307, Los Angeles, CA 90051-1307 or via email at benefits@lausd.net. For additional information regarding your coverage, call your plan.

Are my child dependents covered when I retire?

Yes! Please see the chart below for coverage options.