Mississippi PERS does not run the main retiree health plan. The State and School Employees' Life and Health Plan is administered by the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration (DFA); contact DFA's Office of Insurance (866-586-2781 or 601-359-3411, knowyourbenefits.dfa.ms.gov) about participation. Mississippi PERS withholds premiums for state- and Mississippi PERS-sponsored plans from benefit payments. Mississippi PERS sponsors a Retiree Medical Insurance Plan (a supplement only for retirees with Medicare Parts A and B; apply within 60 days of retirement or eligibility, or at open enrollment) and a Retiree Group Term Life plan (ages 45-90, age-based premiums). Member Handbook (2024), p. 51, Insurance Options; Retiree Handbook (2026), p. 18; Mississippi PERS FAQs (2022), Q11
None of our Mississippi PERS sources states a Mississippi PERS-paid premium subsidy or the plan's retiree premiums.
- Retiree coverage in the State and School Employees' Life and Health Plan is handled by the Department of Finance and Administration, not Mississippi PERS. Call DFA's Office of Insurance at 866-586-2781 or 601-359-3411. Mississippi PERS can take the premiums out of your benefit.Member Handbook (2024), p. 51; Retiree Handbook (2026), p. 18
- Mississippi PERS sponsors a Retiree Medical Insurance Plan, a supplement only for retirees with Medicare Parts A and B (apply within 60 days of retirement or eligibility, or at open enrollment), and a retiree term life plan for ages 45-90.Member Handbook (2024), p. 51; Retiree Handbook (2026), p. 18
- Check with Mississippi PERSOur sources don't give retiree premiums or any premium subsidy.No DFA premium sheet (rules.json needsValidation: retiree-health-premiums).Member Handbook (2024), p. 51
- The State and School Employees' Life and Health Plan offers a base option and a select option for retirees not yet on Medicare, and a separate level for Medicare-eligible retirees, surviving spouses and dependents.Mississippi PERS 2024 annual report, p. 49, Note 8: Other Postemployment Benefits
- Retirees pay their own health premiums. The plan's board sets the rates, and retirees under Medicare age may be charged a premium surcharge: up to the full cost of coverage if first employed on or after January 1, 2006, and no more than 15% if employed before that.Mississippi PERS 2024 annual report, p. 49, Note 8: Other Postemployment Benefits
Public safety officers
Federal law allows eligible retired public safety officers to exclude up to $3,000 a year of health premiums paid directly from Mississippi PERS. Member Handbook (2024), p. 51
Questions
Who runs retiree health insurance for Mississippi teachers?
The State and School Employees' Life and Health Plan is run by the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA), not Mississippi PERS. Call DFA's Office of Insurance at 866-586-2781. Mississippi PERS can take the premium out of your benefit.
Do Mississippi teachers pay for retiree health insurance?
Yes. Retirees pay their own premiums in the State and School Employees' Life and Health Plan, and the plan's board sets the rates. Retirees under Medicare age may also be charged a surcharge: up to the full cost if first employed on or after January 1, 2006, and no more than 15% if employed before.
What plans are there for retirees?
The state plan has a base option and a select option for retirees not yet on Medicare, and a separate level for Medicare-eligible retirees. Mississippi PERS also sponsors a Medicare supplement for retirees with Parts A and B, and a retiree term life plan.
Source: Mississippi PERS Member Handbook, Revised November 8, 2024, p. 51. Also: Retiree Handbook (2026); Mississippi PERS FAQs (2022); Mississippi PERS 2024 annual report. Last reviewed .