As a retiring employee, you may be entitled to continue your Mesa health coverage. In order to qualify for this benefit, you must meet the eligibility requirements set forth in the Plan Document.
Retired Mesa employees and their eligible dependents must enroll in Medicare Parts A and B directly with Medicare and must opt-in to Mesa's Medicare Part D prescription drug program, upon becoming eligible for Medicare due to normal or medical retirement.
Normal Retirement (Non-LTD Related)
Retired Mesa employees (retirees) who meet the eligibility requirements and begin receiving and continue to receive retirement benefits either from the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) or Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS) on the first of the month following retirement, are eligible for medical, dental and vision plan coverage.
The monthly premium paid by the retiree depends upon the coverage chosen and the number of consecutive years of eligible service. Coverage begins on the first day of the month following the employee's retirement date, as long as any required contributions are paid. Retired employees and their eligible dependents must enroll in Medicare Parts A and B upon becoming eligible.
Medical Retirement (LTD)
Members retiring from employment due solely to a disability and are receiving an LTD benefit and who continue to meet the requirements of disability are also eligible for the same Plan coverage as retired employees without a disability.
Coverage begins on the first day of the month following the medical retirement date and will continue as long as the medical retiree is receiving LTD benefits, and any required contributions are paid. When LTD benefits end, the medical retiree may be eligible to continue coverage as a retired employee if the eligibility requirements are met. Individuals and their eligible dependents who retire due to a disability must enroll in Medicare Parts A and B upon becoming eligible.
Years of Service Requirements
There are four groups of retirees defined by most recent hire date and cumulative length of service upon retirement. If the most recent hire date is:
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Prior to November 1, 1991, retired employees of the City of Mesa did not have to fulfill a minimum service requirement of having at least 10 years of service with the City of Mesa or,
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Beginning November 1, 1991, and for employees hired on or before December 31, 2000, retired employees with 10 or more years of service in benefits-eligible position(s) with the City of Mesa or,
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Effective January 1, 2001, retired employees hired on or after January 1, 2001, through December 31, 2005, with 15 or more years of service in benefits-eligible position(s) with the City of Mesa or,
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Effective January 1, 2006, retired employees hired on or after January 1, 2006, with 20 or more years of service in benefits-eligible position(s) with the City of Mesa, including at least 10 years of consecutive service immediately prior to retirement.
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Effective January 1, 2023, years of service definitions described above, include all cumulative periods of service in benefits-eligible position(s) from first hire date, with a minimum of 10 years of consecutive service in benefits-eligible position(s) immediately prior to retirement.
The retiree categories identified above may be eligible for various contributions, discounts or retirement system healthcare subsidies applied towards the monthly cost of retiree coverage - see Retired Employees of the City of Mesa and Retired Employees with a Medical Retirement Due to Disability in the Eligibility and Enrollment Section for details.
How to Apply for Retirement Health Benefits
- Within 30 days of your retirement date, complete the online Future Retirement Information Request.
- Upon receipt, a customized Retiree Health Benefits Package with additional information will be mailed directly to you, within 30 days of your retirement effective date (which is the first of the month following your last day worked).