Retiring Before Age 65

Eligibility & Enrollment

Getting Started

The Public Employees Benefits Program (PEBP) offers a comprehensive benefit package to eligible retirees and surviving spouses/domestic partners of these retirees. If you wish to continue coverage as a retiree, you must re-enroll in PEBP coverage within 60 days of retirement. Retirement is a qualifying life event which allows you to change your medical plan or add or delete eligible dependents.

State and Non-State Retiree Eligibility

To be eligible for retiree coverage, you must meet the following requirements:

Pursuant to NAC 287.135, retirees with 5 or more years of service credit (or 8 years of service credit for retired Legislators pursuant to NRS 287.047) are eligible for retiree coverage if the employee’s last employer is participating in PEBP with their active employees. Retirees must also be receiving retirement benefit distributions from one or more of the following: 

• Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS)
• Legislators' Retirement System (LRS)
• Judges' Retirement System (JRS)
• Retirement Plan Alternative (RPA) for professional employees of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE)
• A long-term disability plan of the public employer

For more information regarding retiree benefits, premium subsidy, Exchange-HRA contribution (for Medicare retirees enrolled in the Medicare Exchange), and/or surviving dependent eligibility, please refer to the Benefit Guide and the PEBP and Medicare Guide on the Getting to Know Your Plan page.

Initial Start of Retiree Coverage

The initial start of coverage is the first day of the month if the retirement date is on the first; otherwise, the initial start of coverage begins on the first of the month following the retirement date. For example, if your retirement date is June 7, your coverage will begin July 1. If your retirement date is July 1, your coverage will begin that day.

Enrollment Timeframe

Eligible employees have 60 days from the date of their retirement to enroll in retiree coverage. Retirees that do not enroll within this timeframe will lose their opportunity to enroll in retiree coverage, unless they qualify for enrollment during the retiree late enrollment. (NAC 287.540; NRS 287.0475)

Enrollment Process

Once PEBP receives a termination notice from a member’s Agency, the member will be placed in terminated status. It is the member’s responsibility to reach out to PEBP regarding retirement and complete a Retiree Benefit Enrollment and Change Form and a Years of Service Form. Members are required to complete these forms within 60 days after their retirement date. Failure to enroll within 60 days will result in termination of coverage.

Declining (terminating) Retiree Coverage

Retirees who wish to decline PEBP coverage may do so by submitting a written request to decline all benefits. Declining the PEBP-sponsored coverage includes medical, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, basic life insurance, any voluntary products (if applicable), years of service premium subsidy, and Exchange-HRA contribution (if applicable).

Termination requests received prior to the requested date of termination will occur on the last day of the month; otherwise, coverage will terminate on the last day of the month following PEBP’s receipt of the written request.

State and non-State retirees or surviving spouses and domestic partners have the option to reinstate PEBP coverage one time pursuant to NAC 287.540 and NRS 287.0475.

Premium Subsidy for Retirees Enrolled in a PEBP Medical Plan

Resources