State Health Plan of North Carolina

You may be eligible for State Health Plan coverage under the Retirement Systems. The cost, if any, is determined by two factors: (1) when you began state employment, and (2) which health plan you select.

Tab/Accordion Items

Eligible retiree members retiring 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 you withdraw your service (receive a refund of your contributions) and, at a later date, become reemployed as an employee, this new start date will be considered your 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 retiring 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 you withdraw your service (receive a refund of your contributions) and, at a later date, become reemployed as an employee, this new start date will be considered your first hired date.

For 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.

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, if you choose coverage for your dependents, you must pay the full cost of dependent coverage.

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

Your coverage begins on the first day of the month following your effective date of retirement. For example, if your effective date of retirement is January 1, your coverage in the retiree group plan will begin on February 1. 

When you (or your covered dependents) become eligible for Medicare, you must elect both Parts A (Hospital) and B (Medical) in order to maintain the same level of coverage you received before retirement.

Visit SHPNC.org for more information about the State Health Plan.

 

Optional Supplemental Insurance (Dental, Vision & Identity Theft Protection)

Optional supplemental insurance coverage is available to retirees and benefit recipients through Pierce Insurance Agency. Pierce will mail information to you after your first retirement benefit has been issued. Visit ncretiree.com for more information.

This page was last modified on 09/10/2024