When you retire, you may enroll yourself, your spouse, and your eligible dependents in the retirees' State Health Plan PPO, State Dental Plan, and State Vision Plan. These plans are the same as those offered to retired state employees.

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For all trial court judges (circuit, district, probate): You would pay the total premium for the State Health Plan PPO as well as the State Dental and Vision Plans.

For all non-trial court appellate judges and elected/appointed officials (including Michigan Court of Appeals judges and Michigan Supreme Court justices): You would pay the total premium for the State Dental and Vision Plans. Your cost for the State Health Plan PPO would be 20% of the monthly premium before age 65; at age 65 and thereafter there would be no cost. Once you are eligible for Medicare you will be enrolled in the State of Michigan Medicare Advantage Plan as of the date you become eligible for Medicare. We recommend you enroll in Medicare three months before you turn 65 or otherwise become eligible. For most people, Medicare begins at age 65 or after 24 months of Social Security Disability Insurance. You are responsible for paying the Medicare Part B premiums.

For all members: Contact your Judiciary Human Resources office or the Michigan Office of Retirement Services (ORS) for current retiree insurance rates. The insurance premiums are deducted from your monthly pension check. If your insurance premiums exceed your pension payments, ORS will create a monthly payment plan for you. You will be notified of any rate changes, which will occur in January. Premium rates for each carrier are available on the Employee Benefits section of the Michigan Civil Service Commission website.

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All pension recipients are eligible to enroll in medical and dental/vision coverage upon retirement or at a later date.

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The following people are eligible to enroll in the insurance plans:

• Your spouse.
• Your unmarried children by birth, adoption, or legal guardianship until the end of the month in which they reach age 26.
• Children must be members of your immediate family by birth or adoption or other children who live with you in a parent-child relationship.
• Your unmarried child by birth, adoption, or legal guardianship who is physically or mentally handicapped and dependent according to Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code. Proof of dependency must be submitted at the time of application, including (1) a letter from the attending physician stating the child is handicapped and incapable of self-sustaining employment, and (2) a copy of the page of the IRS Form 1040 which identifies the name of the dependent.

In the case of legal adoption, a child is eligible for coverage as of the date of placement. Placement occurs when you become legally obligated for the total or partial support of the child in anticipation of adoption. In the case of legal guardianship, official guardianship paperwork must be in place for a dependent to be eligible. Once a guardianship terminates, dependent eligibility ends.

If an enrolled dependent becomes ineligible for coverage, insurance(s) can be picked up under COBRA for up to three years. COBRA premiums, which are the fund cost plus an administrative fee, are paid directly to ORS.

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Yes. Your beneficiary and your eligible enrolled dependents may continue medical, dental, and vision coverage after your death.

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Yes, you may enroll in the State Health Plan, dental or vision plans at the time you apply for your retirement benefits, or at a later date.

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Generally, eligibility for Medicare occurs at age 65, unless you are disabled. Medicare enrollment may be automatic for you if: You have paid into Medicare for 10 years; are turning 65; and are receiving Social Security income. If you are not collecting Social Security, at age 65, or at an earlier age if you are eligible, you must enroll in Medicare health insurance (both Part A-hospital and Part B-medical) through the Social Security Administration to maintain maximum benefit coverage. We recommend you enroll in Medicare three months before you turn 65 or otherwise become eligible. Once you are eligible for Medicare you will be enrolled in the State of Michigan Medicare Advantage Plan as of the date you become eligible for Medicare.

Persons younger than age 65 who are receiving a Social Security disability pension become eligible for Medicare after receiving 24 months of disability benefits. Judges Retirement System healthcare coverage will be adjusted to Medicare Advantage (both Part A-hospital and Part B-medical).

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You can begin your coverage on your retirement effective date. If you enroll after your retirement date, your coverage begins on the first day of the month that is six months after the Judges Retirement System receives your completed application and proofs. Coverage always begins on the first day of a calendar month.

You should check with your municipality payroll office to determine when your present insurance(s) will terminate to be certain of continued coverage and prevent duplication of coverage.

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Insurance cards can take three to four weeks to arrive in the mail after we have notified the carrier. However, your insurance begins on your selected insurance effective date. If you do not have your cards on your effective date and you require services, contact the insurance carrier directly to get your policy number or to verify coverage. If you are still in the enrollment process the vendor may instruct you to contact ORS. If this happens, please contact ORS and we will let you know the status of your enrollment.

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To change your insurance effective date, you must send a written request to ORS containing your name, Social Security number, and your requested insurance effective date.

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Yes. If you choose to enroll in insurance coverage at a later time, your coverage will begin six months following the date ORS receives your completed insurance application and proofs. Insurance always begins on the first day of a calendar month. If you have a qualifying event and notify ORS within 30 days of the qualifying event, your coverage can begin the first of the month following the date ORS receives your completed insurance application and proofs. Qualifying events include:

• Adoption: Acceptable proof is adoption papers, a sworn statement with the date of placement, or a court order verifying placement. In a legal adoption, a child is eligible for coverage as of the date of placement. Placement occurs when you become legally obligated for the total or partial support of the child in anticipation of adoption.
• Birth: Acceptable proof is a birth certificate.
• Death: Acceptable proof is an original death certificate.
• Divorce: Acceptable proof is divorce papers.
• Marriage: Acceptable proof is a marriage certificate and proof of your spouse's date of birth.
• Involuntary loss of coverage in another group plan: Provide a statement on letterhead from the terminating group insurance plan explaining who was covered, why coverage is ending, and the date coverage ends.
• Medicare Part B enrollment: Acceptable proof is a letter from the Social Security Administration showing confirmation of Part B enrollment. This qualifying event applies if the enrollee was previously terminated or denied enrollment because of no Part B coverage.

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