Does TCRS provide retiree health insurance?
Short answer: no. TCRS pays your pension; continuing health coverage for retired Tennessee teachers runs through the State Benefits Administration and your school system's benefits coordinator. On the 2027 sheet, a retiree alone pays $345.95 to $742.00 a month, less with more years of service. Retirement Checklist p. 3 (PDF page), Healthcare considerations; 2027 teacher retiree premiums p. 1-2; Purchasing Out-of-State Service p. 4, FAQ 2
Because years of service set your premium tier, it's worth counting them before you pick a date: see what one more year adds, and buying service (out-of-state service doesn't count toward the tiers). To see your pension at a given date, try the Legacy example in the calculator.
Who handles it
TCRS does not run retiree health insurance; continuing coverage at retirement is handled by the State of Tennessee Benefits Administration (800-253-9981). The 2027 Local Education teacher retiree monthly premiums are tiered by service: at least 30 years, 20-29 years, and less than 20 years. Out-of-state service purchased from TCRS does not count toward these tiers. Retirement Checklist p. 3 (PDF page), Healthcare considerations; 2027 teacher retiree premiums p. 1-2; Purchasing Out-of-State Service p. 4, FAQ 2
2027 monthly premiums for a retiree alone
Three service tiers, two networks (BCBST Network S & Cigna LocalPlus, or BCBST Network P & Cigna Open Access). The sheet also lists retiree plus spouse, children and other coverage levels.
| Plan | 30+ years | 20-29 years | Under 20 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier PPO | $470.80 / $570.80 | $556.40 / $656.40 | $642.00 / $742.00 |
| Standard PPO | $436.70 / $536.70 | $516.10 / $616.10 | $595.50 / $695.50 |
| Limited PPO | $412.50 / $512.50 | $487.50 / $587.50 | $562.50 / $662.50 |
| Copay PPO | $345.95 (S only) | $408.85 (S only) | $471.75 (S only) |
| Local CDHP/HSA | $360.25 / $460.25 | $425.75 / $525.75 | $491.25 / $591.25 |
From the Benefits Administration's 2027 teacher retiree premium sheet. 2027 teacher retiree premiums p. 1
Who qualifies for teacher retiree health coverage, and how much the state pays toward it, is in a Benefits Administration guide we couldn't download.
We show only what the 2027 premium sheet and TCRS's checklist say: premiums are tiered by years of service.
Retirement Checklist p. 3; 2027 teacher retiree premiums p. 1Before you retire
- Ask your benefits coordinator whether you can keep coverage, and what it will cost.
- Count your service carefully: the tier depends on it, and moving from 29 to 30 years lowers the premium in every plan on the sheet.
- Ask Social Security about Medicare, and check how a reimbursable Flexible Benefits account is affected.
- Compare the premium with what your payment option would pay each month, so you know what's left.
From the sources
- TCRS doesn't run retiree health insurance. To keep coverage, contact your benefits coordinator or the State Benefits Administration (800-253-9981).Retirement Checklist p. 3, Healthcare considerations
- Check with TCRS2027 Local Education teacher retiree premiums are set in three service tiers: at least 30 years, 20-29 years, and under 20 years. Out-of-state service bought from TCRS doesn't count toward them.2027 teacher retiree premiums p. 1; Purchasing Out-of-State Service p. 4
- Before you retire, decide where your family's medical coverage will come from. To keep state-sponsored coverage, ask your benefits coordinator or the Benefits Administration's Retirement Benefits Division about eligibility and options; also ask SSA about Medicare.Retirement Checklist p. 3 (PDF page), Healthcare considerations
- The 2027 premium sheet lists five plans (Premier, Standard and Limited PPO, the Copay PPO and the Local CDHP/HSA) and seven coverage levels, from retiree only to spouse plus children. The Copay PPO is only on BCBST Network S.2027 teacher retiree premiums p. 1-2
Questions
Does TCRS provide retiree health insurance?
No. TCRS pays your pension. Retiree health coverage for Tennessee teachers is handled by the State of Tennessee Benefits Administration (800-253-9981) and your school system's benefits coordinator.
Does my service affect my retiree health premium?
Yes. The 2027 Local Education teacher retiree premiums are set in three tiers by years of service: at least 30 years, 20-29 years, less than 20 years. Out-of-state service you buy from TCRS doesn't count toward these tiers.
How much is retiree health insurance for a Tennessee teacher in 2027?
For a retiree alone it runs from $345.95 a month (Copay PPO, Network S, at least 30 years) to $742.00 (Premier PPO, Network P, under 20 years), on the 2027 premium sheet.
Source: TCRS Legacy Retirement Plan for Teachers Member Guide and Hybrid Retirement Plan for State Employees and Teachers Member Guide, Legacy 12/2024; Hybrid revised 07/2024. Also: Retirement Checklist p. 3; 2027 teacher retiree premiums pp. 1, 1-2, 2; Purchasing Out-of-State Service p. 4. Last reviewed .