Health coverage after a CalSTRS retirement

Short answer: CalSTRS doesn't provide health or dental insurance. California law requires your school district, community college or county office of education to let you and your spouse or partner stay on its group plan at your own cost. Whether your employer helps pay depends on its policies and your union contract, so ask before you retire. Handbook p. 50, Health insurance

Your employer's plan

Each district has its own retiree health policies, and coverage may be part of your union contract, so your benefits may differ from others in your district. Ask your employer whether it contributes to retiree health, and consider setting money aside now for future health costs. Handbook p. 50, Health insurance

CalSTRS starts health premium deductions only after your employer or insurer sends it the needed paperwork. Handbook p. 50, Health insurance premium deductions

Medicare Part A

You pay the 1.45% Medicare tax if hired after April 1986 or if you elected Medicare under your employer's Medicare Division election. Handbook p. 50, Medicare To check whether you qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A, the handbook says to contact Social Security at 800-772-1213 or visit medicare.gov. Handbook p. 50, Medicare

Medicare Premium Payment Program

The Medicare Premium Payment Program pays Part A premiums only for certain eligible members with a most recent retirement date before July 1, 2012 (age 65+, not eligible for premium-free Part A, enrolled in Parts A and B, plus employer Medicare Division conditions for 2001-2012 retirees). Members only, not spouses. Handbook p. 51, Medicare Premium Payment Program; Medicare Premium Deduction Service

• Medicare Premium Payment Program, retired before Jan. 1, 2001: you qualify if you don't get premium-free Part A, are 65 or older, and are enrolled in Parts A and B. Handbook p. 51, Medicare Premium Payment Program
• Medicare Premium Payment Program, retired from Jan. 1, 2001 to before July 1, 2012: the same three conditions, plus you retired from an employer that completed a Medicare Division before 2001, or from one that held a division later and you elected Medicare if you were under 58 at the time. Handbook p. 51, Medicare Premium Payment Program

The program covers CalSTRS members only, not spouses or beneficiaries. If you're still choosing a payment option, that's one reason a spouse's own coverage matters.

Part B and Part D

CalSTRS can deduct Part B premiums at your request (unless you receive Social Security, which must deduct it). Part D premiums must be paid directly to CMS. Handbook p. 51, Medicare Premium Payment Program; Medicare Premium Deduction Service

What the handbook says

• CalSTRS doesn't provide health or dental insurance in retirement.p. 50, Health insurance
• Under Education Code sections 7000-7008, school districts, community colleges and county offices of education must let retiring members and their spouses or partners keep medical and dental coverage at their own cost. Whether your district helps pay depends on its policies and your union contract.p. 50, Health insurance
• CalSTRS can deduct health premiums from your benefit if your employer or insurer has an agreement with CalSTRS.p. 50, Health insurance premium deductions
• You pay the 1.45% Medicare tax if you were hired after April 1986 or opted in through your employer's Medicare Division election. You may qualify for premium-free Part A on your own or through a spouse.p. 50, Medicare
• The Medicare Premium Payment Program (CalSTRS pays Part A premiums) is only for certain members whose most recent retirement date was before July 1, 2012.p. 50, Medicare Premium Payment Program
• CalSTRS can deduct your Medicare Part B premium on request, unless you get Social Security (which must deduct it). Part D premiums are paid directly to Medicare.p. 51, Medicare Premium Deduction Service

Questions

Your employer sets its own retiree health rules and costs. This site doesn't cover them.