I. Title
Eligibility of Retirees for Group Insurance Coverage Policy
II. Policy
The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA or University) retirees are eligible for health insurance coverage under the Employee Group Insurance Program (EGIP) if they meet the eligibility standards for retiree group insurance coverage.
A. Eligibility for Individuals who are Employed by The University of Texas System (UT System) as of August 31, 2003 or are Eligible to Participate as a Retired Employee as of August 31, 2003
- UTA employees are eligible for coverage under the EGIP if they meet the following requirements:
- a. Age fifty-five with at least five years of creditable service; or
- b. Age and years of service equal to eighty with at least five years of creditable service; or
- c. Below age fifty with thirty or more years of service;
- d. At least three years of creditable service must be with UT System;
- e. A component of UT System must be the last state employer.
- Disability Retiree Under TRS
Additionally, eligibility is extended to employees who qualify as a disability retiree under the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS). In accordance with TRS guidelines, disability retirement status may be granted to employees with ten or more years of service. Those employees with less than ten years of service may be granted disability retirement for a limited time, if the criteria set by TRS is met. - Eligibility for ORP and ERS Participants
Eligibility for health insurance coverage, as described above, is also extended to employees participating in the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) and Employees Retirement System (ERS) as long as TRS retirement service requirements listed in Section II.A.1. above are satisfied. If an employee described in this subsection has received an award letter from the Social Security Administration granting benefits under that program, eligibility for health insurance coverage is established if the service requirements listed in Section II.A.1. are established. - Surviving Spouse or Surviving Dependent Child(ren)
The covered retiree’s surviving spouse or surviving dependent child(ren), covered under a university-sponsored group health plan at the time of death of a retiree, may continue coverage under the group plan without receiving premium sharing as long as there is not a break in coverage. Dropping coverage at any time forfeits all rights as outlined above. - Termination of Group Health Insurance Coverage
A university retiree’s eligibility for group health insurance coverage will terminate upon termination of the disability or retirement and acceptance of employment, if the position is TRS eligible. The retiree will have the same conversion rights as an active employee upon termination of group coverage. The covered spouse or dependent child(ren) will also have the same conversion rights. Special provisions may apply. Please contact, Office of Talent, Culture and Engagement (TCE) Benefits for additional information. - Group Term Life Insurance
University employees who have group term life insurance at the time of retirement may retain reduced group coverage as a retiree.
B. Eligibility for Individuals who are Employed by the UT System on or After September 1, 2003
- UTA employees are eligible for coverage under the EGIP if they meet the following requirements:
- a. Age sixty-five with at least ten years of creditable service; or
- b. Age and years of service equal to eighty with at least ten years of creditable service; and
- c. Ten years of creditable service must be with the UT System;
- d. A component of UT System must be the last state employer.
- Disability Retiree Under TRS
Additionally, eligibility is extended to employees who qualify as a disability retiree under TRS. In accordance with TRS guidelines, disability retirement status may be granted to employees with ten or more years of service. Those employees with less than ten years of service may be granted disability retirement for a limited time, if the criteria set by TRS is met. - Eligibility for ORP and ERS Participants
Eligibility for health insurance coverage, as described above, is also extended to employees participating in the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) and Employees Retirement System (ERS) as long as TRS retirement service requirements listed in Section II.B.1. above are satisfied. If an employee described in this subsection has received an award letter from the Social Security Administration granting benefits under that program, eligibility for health insurance coverage is established if the service requirements listed in Section II.B.1 are established. - Surviving Spouse or Surviving Dependent Child(ren)
The covered retiree’s surviving spouse or surviving dependent child(ren), covered under a university-sponsored group health plan at the time of death of a retiree, may continue coverage under the group plan without receiving premium sharing as long as there is not a break in coverage. Dropping coverage at any time forfeits all rights as outlined above. - Termination of Group Health Insurance Coverage
A university retiree’s eligibility for group health insurance coverage will terminate upon termination of the disability or retirement and acceptance of employment, if the position is TRS eligible. The retiree will have the same conversion rights as an active employee upon termination of group coverage. The covered spouse or dependent child(ren) will also have the same conversion rights. Special provisions may apply. Please contact the Office TCE, Benefits for additional information. - Group Term Life Insurance
University employees having group term life insurance at the time of retirement may retain group coverage as a retiree on a reduced level. Retirees with UT Medical insurance may retain $10,000 at no cost to the employee. In addition, retirees may continue or elect additional coverage amounts of group term life according to UT System policies.
III. Definitions
N/A
IV. Relevant Federal and State Statutes
Texas Insurance Code § 1601 Uniform Insurance Benefits Act for Employees of the University of Texas System and the Texas A&M University System
V. Relevant UT System Policies, Procedures and Forms
UT System Policy UTS 127 Office of Employee Benefits Administrative Manual
VI. Who Should Know
All UTA retirees and benefits-eligible active employees.
VII. UTA Office(s) Responsible for Policy
- Responsible Officer: Vice President for Talent Culture & Engagement
- Sponsoring Department: Human Resources
VIII. Dates Approved or Amended
April 5, 2023
IX. Contact Information
All questions regarding this policy should be directed to the Chief Human Resources Officer: askhr@uta.edu Send notifications of errors or changes to: policysite@uta.edu