NHRS's Medical Subsidy won't apply to you. It's only for Group I members who retired on or before July 1, 2009. You can stay on your district's group plan at the group rate, but your district doesn't have to pay any of it.
Group I Summaries (Rev. 10/2024), PDF p. 2, Health Insurance; NHRS Service Retirement Booklet (Rev 7/2023), PDF p. 4; NHRS page 'Medical Subsidy'; RSA 100-A:50Staying on your district's plan
NHRS does not provide health insurance. Political subdivision (including school district) employers must let retiring employees continue group health coverage at the group rate; the employer isn't required to pay any of the premium. NHRS pays a Medical Subsidy toward the former employer's plan only for qualified retirees: Group I members who retired after July 1, 2009 are not eligible. Group I Summaries (Rev. 10/2024), PDF p. 2, Health Insurance; NHRS Service Retirement Booklet (Rev 7/2023), PDF p. 4; NHRS page 'Medical Subsidy'; RSA 100-A:50
Before you set a retirement date, ask your district:
- What will the full premium be for me (and my spouse) after I retire?
- Does the district pay any share for retirees, under a contract or policy?
- What happens to my coverage when I become eligible for Medicare at 65?
- If I go back to work part-time, does that change my coverage?
The Medical Subsidy (older retirees only)
Group I teachers: at least 20 years of Group I service and eligible to retire (service, early or ordinary disability) on or before July 1, 2008, and retired on or before July 1, 2009: eligible at 60; with 30 years, eligible at 55-59. Paid to the former employer (never to the retiree), up to the premium; the retiree must be the policyholder on the former employer's plan. Reduced to the Medicare supplement rate when Medicare-eligible. Teacher job-sharing years count as half. NHRS page 'Medical Subsidy'; NHRS Medical Subsidy brochure (Rev. August 2024), PDF p. 1; RSA 100-A:52-a, I-II
| Coverage | Subsidy a month |
|---|---|
| One person | $375.56 |
| Two people | $751.12 |
| One person, Medicare-eligible | $236.84 |
| Two people, Medicare-eligible | $473.68 |
Current rates, paid to the former employer's plan, never to the retiree. NHRS page 'Medical Subsidy'; NHRS Medical Subsidy brochure (Rev. August 2024), PDF p. 1; RSA 100-A:52-a, I-II
Bought service mostly doesn't count toward the subsidy: buying service credit. NHRS Service Credit brochure (Rev. 7/2022), PDF pp. 1-2; NHRS page 'Service Credit'; RSA 100-A:4 Part of what districts pay NHRS for teachers is for the Medical Subsidy: 0.95% of pay for 2025-27, 0.77% of pay for 2027-29. NHRS page 'Employer Contribution Rates', Political Subdivision rates, Group I Teachers
- NHRS doesn't provide health insurance. School districts (and other local employers) must let you stay on their group plan at retirement at the group rate, but they don't have to pay any of the premium. Ask your district.Group I Summaries (Rev. 10/2024), PDF p. 2, Health Insurance; RSA 100-A:50
- NHRS's Medical Subsidy is only for older retirees: Group I members who retired after July 1, 2009 aren't eligible. Teachers qualified if they had 20 years and could retire by July 1, 2008 and retired by July 1, 2009 (subsidy from 60; 55 with 30 years).NHRS page 'Medical Subsidy'; RSA 100-A:52-a, I
- Current Medical Subsidy rates: $375.56 a month for one person, $751.12 for two; $236.84 and $473.68 once Medicare-eligible. NHRS pays it to the former employer's plan, never to the retiree.NHRS page 'Medical Subsidy'; NHRS Medical Subsidy brochure (Rev. August 2024), PDF p. 1
Health costs are a big part of a retirement budget, especially before Medicare at 65. Weigh them when you look at retiring early and at working after retirement. Estimate your pension in the calculator.
Questions
Does NHRS provide health insurance for retired teachers?
No. Your school district must let you stay on its group plan at the group rate when you retire, but it doesn't have to pay any of the premium.
Who gets the NHRS Medical Subsidy?
Only Group I members who retired on or before July 1, 2009. Teachers also needed at least 20 years and to be eligible to retire by July 1, 2008. Anyone retiring now isn't eligible.
Source: NHRS Group I (Employee and Teacher) Member Benefits summaries, Tiers A, B and C, Rev. 10/2024, PDF p. 2. Also: NHRS Service Retirement Booklet (Rev 7/2023); NHRS member web pages (saved Nov. 12, 2026); NHRS Medical Subsidy brochure (Aug. 2024); NHRS Service Credit brochure (Rev. 7/2022); RSA 100-A:4, 100-A:50, 100-A:52-a. Last reviewed .