State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) / School Employees' Health Benefits Program (SEHBP), retired group: medical, prescription and dental. Fact Sheet #11 p. 1
Who can join the retired group
- TPAF members who retire with 25 or more years of service credit, or on a Disability Retirement, even if the employer didn't participate in the SEHBP; includes a Deferred Retirement with 25+ years. Fact Sheet #11 p. 1
- Members retiring from a participating board of education with less than 25 years, as long as the employer continues to participate. Fact Sheet #11 p. 1
- Deferred retirees with 25+ years from a board of education or county college get State-paid SEHBP coverage when the Deferred Retirement takes effect (60 / 62 / 65 by tier). Under 25 years, deferred retirees generally can't move active coverage to the retired group (COBRA up to 18 months may bridge). Guidebook pp. 26-27, Deferred Retirement: Health Benefits
- Out-of-State or U.S. Government service bought after Nov. 1, 2008 can't be used to qualify for State- or employer-paid retiree coverage. Fact Sheet #11 p. 3; Guidebook pp. 14-15
Who pays
25+ years (or Disability Retirement) before June 28, 2011; or 20+ years by June 28, 2011 and 25 years at retirement.
Reached 20 years after June 28, 2011 and retire with 25 years: pay a percentage of the premium (by annual retirement allowance) or a percentage of the allowance, depending on the plan; minimum 1.5% of the monthly retirement allowance.
Fact Sheet #11 pp. 3-4, School Board and County College Employees; Health Benefits SPD pp. 10-11, Retiree Contributions
The share is based on your full monthly pension before deductions (including QDRO equitable distribution). See Chapter 78 health contributions for the chart and an estimator.
Medicare
Retirees and dependents who are eligible for Medicare (age 65, or 24 months of Social Security Disability) must enroll in Parts A and B; Medicare retirees are automatically enrolled in the OptumRx Medicare Part D plan. Fact Sheet #11 pp. 2-3 You enroll in Medicare through Social Security (see Social Security).
With 25+ years or a Disability Retirement, the standard Medicare Part B premium is reimbursed (school board and county college retirees). Fact Sheet #11 pp. 3-4, School Board and County College Employees; Health Benefits SPD pp. 10-11, Retiree Contributions
Signing up
Most active enrollees are auto-enrolled as retirees; others apply through mynjbenefitshub. To waive because of other coverage you must do so online within 60 days of retirement to keep the right to enroll later. Fact Sheet #11 pp. 1-2
Survivors and dental
A spouse's or partner's coverage ends at the end of the month of the retiree's death; they are offered continuation at their own cost. The State doesn't pay for survivors' coverage. Planning Guide p. 11, Survivor Coverage (See survivor benefits.)
Retiree dental plans are paid in full by the retiree. Planning Guide p. 12, Dental Plan Costs
What the NJDPB says
- TPAF members who retire with 25 or more years of service, or on a disability retirement, can join the retired group of the School Employees' Health Benefits Program even if their employer didn't offer it.Fact Sheet #11 p. 1
- School board retirees with 25+ years get State-paid coverage if they had 20 years by June 28, 2011. Those who reached 20 years later pay a share under Chapter 78: a percentage of the premium based on the size of the pension and coverage level, or a percentage of the pension, depending on the plan, and at least 1.5% of the monthly pension.Fact Sheet #11 pp. 3-4; Health Benefits SPD pp. 10-12
- Out-of-state or U.S. government service bought after Nov. 1, 2008 doesn't count toward the 25 years needed for employer-paid retiree health coverage.Guidebook pp. 14-15; Fact Sheet #11 p. 3
- At 65 (or after 24 months of Social Security Disability) you and covered dependents must enroll in Medicare Parts A and B. With 25+ years or a disability retirement, school board retirees are reimbursed for the standard Part B premium.Fact Sheet #11 pp. 2, 4
- Check with NJDPBThe Chapter 78 percentage-of-premium chart is printed in three interleaved columns; our reading of it hasn't been checked against the printed page.Health Benefits SPD p. 12Chart read from PDF text, not visually verified.
Questions
Do New Jersey teachers get retiree health insurance?
TPAF members who retire with 25 or more years of service credit, or on a Disability Retirement, even if the employer didn't participate in the SEHBP; includes a Deferred Retirement with 25+ years. Members retiring from a participating board of education with less than 25 years, as long as the employer continues to participate.
Is it free?
For school board and county college retirees with 25+ years, it's State-paid if 25+ years (or Disability Retirement) before June 28, 2011; or 20+ years by June 28, 2011 and 25 years at retirement. Otherwise you pay a share under Chapter 78.
What happens at 65?
Retirees and dependents who are eligible for Medicare (age 65, or 24 months of Social Security Disability) must enroll in Parts A and B; Medicare retirees are automatically enrolled in the OptumRx Medicare Part D plan.
Source: TPAF Member Guidebook, July 2026 (SP-0733-0726), pp. 14-15, 26-27. Also: NJDPB Fact Sheet #11 (Oct. 2026), pp. 1-4. Also: SHBP/SEHBP Summary Program Description (Oct. 2026), pp. 10-12. Also: Retirement Planning Member Guidebook (March 2025), pp. 11-12. Last reviewed .