SDPEBA's benefits can continue to support you into retirement! There are some minor changes and important deadlines you'll need to face, but for the most part, you'll be able to seamlessly transition the same benefits into retirement.
Continuing Coverage
When you’re 60 days away from retiring, email us ([email protected]) to notify us of your retirement. We will then contact you with the next steps you'll need to take in order to continue your plans into retirement. You might even be able to add additional plans or make changes to your plans prior to retiring.
You can learn more about your benefit options through SDPEBA by clicking the link below:
https://sdpeba.org/retiree-benefits/
Health Insurance Coverage with COBRA
Both the federal and state government offer COBRA to public employees. COBRA is a government program that allows individuals to have health insurance even when they leave their job. This applies to retirees as well, giving them 36 months of coverage that is equivalent to their previous coverage.
Note: The 36 months of coverage through COBRA is actually due to two different forms of the COBRA program. The federal government offers 18 months of coverage, as does the state of California. This means you can sign up for both programs, effectively giving you 36 months of COBRA coverage. RISK Management and your insurance provider will send you packets with the information necessary to begin this process.
In order to sign up for COBRA you should contact RISK Management or talk directly with the city, their email is [email protected] and their phone number is 619-236-5924.
COBRA is temporary, so you will need healthcare after the 36 months of coverage. City employees have access to three Sharp plans: Sharp Medicare (a hybrid of Sharp and Medicare) and then Sharp Select and Sharp Classic. The non-Medicare plans, Sharp Select and Sharp Classic, are very similar to their active employee counterparts—however they are not one to one, especially when it comes to rates. Sharp Classic offers more value for a slightly pricier monthly rate. Whereas Sharp Select has a lower rate and more expensive copays. Sharp Select and Sharp Medicare both use Sharp’s Select network, while Sharp Classic has Sharp’s premium network.
The Sharp Medicare option features much lower rates and a robust amount of savings but is dependent on you being enrolled in both Medicare part A and Medicare Part B.
Other Types of Insurance
All of your other insurance plans (including dental and vision) remain the same with SDPEBA after retiring. You just need to apply through us directly. That being said, once you retire you will no longer be eligible to sign up for new Aflac plans. If you’d like to continue your plan, and pay via monthly deductions from your pension check, you can—you just need to check the necessary boxes on your continuation of benefits form.
REA – City of San Diego Retired Employees’ Association
City employees are able to sign up for the REA, a group of retirees dedicated to advocacy for retired individuals (and just making the city a better place too). Members of the association get access to monthly meetings (with really cool guest speakers), newsletters, and other events.
SDCERS – San Diego City Employees’ Retirement System
SDCERS members have a more involved process when it comes to retirement—but for good reason! SDCERS members have been paying into a pension since they started working at their position, if you do not see SDCERS as a line item on your paystub, then you are not a member of SDCERS and cannot sign up.
When retiring, members of SDCERS will need to talk with a retirement counselor and submit a retirement application one month before retiring. At this time, the retiree will be choosing their retirement plan that will follow them for the rest of their life.
Glossary of Terms and Groups to Know
CSDREA/REA – City of San Diego Retired Employees’ Association, they’re a group of retired employees who monitor things that affect retirees. REA and SDCERS are both actively involved in local politics and make sure retiree’s voices are heard. You can read more about them here and more about joining here.
COBRA – Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act gives public employees the ability to receive health insurance even without a job. This goes for the recently fired (for reasons you can’t control), laid off, and retirees. There is both a federal and a state version of COBRA, and you can get both separately.
Medicare Part A – Part A is hospital insurance. Qualifying for Medicare part A requires you to have paid payroll taxes for a specific number of years (it varies based on age and citizenship). If you’re over 65 and you qualify for social security, you usually receive part A, there are other factors too, read more here. Part A covers inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facilities, hospice, surgery, home health care, and more. You can read more about it here.
Medicare Part B – Part B covers preventative services and medical services; it is similar to a traditional healthcare plan. If you receive social security, you probably will get Medicare Part B, you can check to see if you will qualify here. Part B covers a variety of services, some examples are ambulance services, medical equipment, prescriptions and more. You can read more about it here.
PDA – Payee Deduction Authorization. It’s just a form that gives a union/group the right to take money directly from your pension or some other form of payment. It basically allows you to pay your dues without having to worry about it.
SDCERS – San Diego City Employees’ Retirement System, this group manages pensions for its members. They also provide a lot of resources to the general public and advocate on behalf of retirees. You can read more about them here.
SDPEBA – That’s us! We’re the team that manages your benefits and makes sure you’re getting a good deal and receiving the benefits you’re owed. We also run education/support articles, a newsletter (hi), and seminars to help you stay informed about your benefits. You can read more about us here.