Below are questions and answers regarding certificated non-management retiree health benefits. Please also refer to the Natomas Teachers Association (NTA) and Natomas Unified School District (NUSD) Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) as necessary.
Who is eligible to receive a district contribution toward retiree health benefits?
A member must satisfy the following criteria per the NTA Collective Bargaining Agreement:
- Have 15 or more consecutive years of service prior to retirement
- Be under age 65 (contribution ends at 65)
- Be enrolled in a district sponsored plan for one year prior to retirement
If I’m only enrolled in dental and/or vision, do I receive the balance of the district’s monthly contribution?
No. The district will pay for dental and/or vision premiums up to the monthly contribution amount but the balance does not get paid to the retiree.
I worked for the district for over 15 years but I had a break in service. Am I eligible to receive the district contribution?
No. Per the NTA Collective Bargaining Agreement, members must have worked at least 15 consecutive years prior to retirement to receive the district contribution.
I’m currently taking cash in lieu, will I continue to receive this?
As outlined in the NTA Collective Bargaining Agreement, if a member has worked at least 15 consecutive years and is currently receiving cash in lieu, the member will continue to receive this benefit until age 65. Upon reaching age 65, this benefit will end.
If I enroll in the 2019-2020 supplementary resignation/retirement plan but do NOT retire with CalSTRS, will I continue to receive cash in lieu payments?
No. Per the NTA Collective Bargaining Agreement, members must enter the retirement system upon leaving the district to continue cash in lieu payments.
If I enroll in the 2019-2020 supplementary resignation/retirement plan but do NOT retire with CalSTRS, am I eligible to continue participating in district sponsored health plans?
If a member does not retire with CalSTRS, the member will be eligible for COBRA continuation coverage but will not be eligible to remain in district sponsored health plans once COBRA ends. (Per the NTA Collective Bargaining Agreement, members must enter the retirement system upon leaving the district to continue participating in district sponsored plans.) Active coverage ends June 30, 2020, and COBRA starts July 1, 2020.
If I enroll in the 2019-2020 supplementary resignation/retirement plan but am not eligible to continue participating in district sponsored health plans, when does my coverage end?
If a member is not eligible to remain in district sponsored health plans and does not elect COBRA continuation coverage, coverage ends June 30, 2020.
Is retirement considered a life changing event so that I may make changes to my health plans upon retirement?
Yes. Retirement is considered a life changing event and members will have the ability to make changes to their medical plans at that time.
Am I locked into the plan I am enrolled in as of retirement or can I make plan changes during future open enrollment periods?
CalPERS sends open enrollment information on medical plans directly to retirees and the retiree is responsible for making such changes directly through CalPERS. The district will send open enrollment information on dental/vision plans if applicable.
How are my premiums paid during retirement?
- The full medical premium is deducted from the members’ CalSTRS pension check each month
- The District pays dental/vision premiums directly to the provider
- If the retiree is eligible for a District contribution, NUSD mails a check to the retiree for contribution minus dental/vision premiums as applicable.
- If the retiree is NOT eligible for a District contribution but elects to remain on dental and/or vision plans, the retiree is responsible for sending payment each month for applicable dental/vision premiums addressed. Payments should be sent to NUSD Payroll Department in the District Office at 1901 Arena Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95834.
If I cancel one or more plans at any time during retirement, can I add them back during an open enrollment period?
No. Once coverage is cancelled, a member may not add the coverage back in the future.
Does the District ever cancel coverage?
As long as CalPERS continues to be the medical plan provider for retirees through the NTA Collective Bargaining Agreement, no. If there are medical plan provider changes to the NTA Collective Bargaining Agreement, notification will be sent to you with instructions.
For dental and vision plans, if a retiree becomes delinquent in payments the district may cancel coverage.