Planning to Retire: Retirement FAQs

The transition from Active Member to Retiree is a huge accomplishment, but also presents a lot of questions to think about.  Below are a few of the common questions we receive from Retirees as they navigate the retirement process. We also encourage you to view the Planning to Retire presentation.

  • Am I Eligible for Retiree Coverage?

    If you are not currently covered by SHBP prior to your retirement date, you will not be able to enroll in SHBP Coverage as a Retiree. For example, if you retire January 1, 2020 but were not currently covered by SHBP on December 31, 2019, you CANNOT be covered as a SHBP retiree. You must at least enroll in coverage during the Open Enrollment period the year prior to your retirement so you are covered as an Active Member immediately prior to retirement.

  • How Much Will My SHBP Retiree Coverage Costs?

    SHBP premiums are approved by the Board of Community Health each year.  Premiums for future years have not been approved, however, you can take a look at the current premiums available on our website here. Please note your premiums are determined by which subsidy policy you are subject to, i.e., the Basic Policy (i.e., Annuitant Basic Subsidy Policy) or YOS Policy (i.e., Annuitant Years of Service Subsidy Policy)

  • Am I Subject to the Basic Policy or YOS Policy?

    To determine if you are subject to the Basic Policy or YOS Policy, please visit the Retiree Rates section of our website and answer the questions.

  • Will I Receive Any Information from SHBP Prior to My Retirement?

    Yes, click here for more information.

  • When does Retiree Coverage Begin?

    Your coverage as a Retiree generally begins the first day of the month after your Active Member Coverage ends.  For example, if your employer reports your Last Date of Deduction to SHBP as 5/31/2020, your Active Member coverage will end 6/30/2020, and your retiree coverage will begin with SHBP on 7/1/2020.

  • What is Pending Retirement?

    Sometimes an Active Member’s transition to coverage as a Retiree is delayed. If this happens to you, you will automatically be placed in a Pending Retirement status to ensure you maintain coverage and have an opportunity to submit your premiums payments to SHBP. More information on pending retirement is available here. 

  • What information will I receive from SHBP when I Retire?

    Once your Active Member Coverage ends, a Welcome to Retirement Letter is mailed within 7-10 business days.   For example, if your employer reports your Last Date of Deduction to SHBP as 5/31/2020, your Active Member coverage will end 6/30/2020, your retiree coverage will begin with SHBP on 7/1/2020, and your Welcome to Retirement Letter will be mailed within 7-10 business days.

  • Questions?

    You may contact SHBP Member Services via email at [email protected] or via phone at 800-610-1863 and select the appropriate prompt for pre-retirement questions under the Active Member menu.