Health Insurance Retirement Planning
Whether you are looking to retire soon or are just starting to think about it, you can prepare now by reviewing the information below and attending retirement health insurance classes offered by the Office of Human Resources (OHR). Classes are offered monthly and held virtually using Microsoft Teams. Register for an upcoming class listed in the Health Insurance Retirement Class Schedule (see the "Class Schedules and Registration Information" section below).
Important: If you are getting ready to retire in the next six months, it is critical that you plan ahead to make the transition to retiree health insurance as smooth as possible. To ensure you have enough time to obtain Medicare Parts A and B (if eligible), it is necessary to apply for the County’s retiree health insurance by attending the class, Enrolling in Health Insurance Benefits at Retirement, at least 60 days in advance of your planned retirement date.
Example: Let's say you want to retire on July 1, 2025. To apply for retiree health insurance, you should register for and attend the May 7, 2025 class, Enrolling in Health Insurance Benefits at Retirement. You would need to enroll by the class registration deadline, which is typically two weeks before the class date. (In this case, the deadline would be April 23, 2025.)
Important: If you are getting ready to retire in the next six months, it is critical that you plan ahead to make the transition to retiree health insurance as smooth as possible. To ensure you have enough time to obtain Medicare Parts A and B (if eligible), it is necessary to apply for the County’s retiree health insurance by attending the class, Enrolling in Health Insurance Benefits at Retirement, at least 60 days in advance of your planned retirement date.
Example: Let's say you want to retire on July 1, 2025. To apply for retiree health insurance, you should register for and attend the May 7, 2025 class, Enrolling in Health Insurance Benefits at Retirement. You would need to enroll by the class registration deadline, which is typically two weeks before the class date. (In this case, the deadline would be April 23, 2025.)
Class Schedules and Registration Instructions
Members of the Montgomery County Employees’ Retirement System (ERS), Retirement Savings Plan (RSP), Guaranteed Retirement Income Plan (GRIP), and MD State Retirement Plan are welcome to attend OHR’s health insurance retirement classes. Two types of classes are offered, and are outlined in the class schedule below:To help you see which class is best for you, here is a sneak preview of each presentation:
- Health Insurance Planning for Retirement Class Presentation
- Enrolling in Health Insurance Benefits at Retirement Class Presentation
Eligibility
- To check your eligibility for retiree health insurance, log on to the Group Insurance at Retirement Estimator at https://eportal.montgomerycountymd.gov/goto/OHRRBA.
- For a general overview of eligibility rules, check slides 8, 9, and 10 of the Health Insurance Planning for Retirement Class Presentation.
- For a detailed description of eligibility rules, review the Group Insurance Benefits for Retired Employees section of the Group Insurance Summary Description.
Premiums
- To estimate your retiree health and life insurance premiums, log on to the Group Insurance at Retirement Estimator at https://eportal.montgomerycountymd.gov/goto/OHRRBA.
- For the latest retiree health and life insurance monthly premiums (rates), review the 2024 Retiree Rate Sheet and 2025 Retiree Rate Sheet.
Tip: Be sure to review the rate sheet that corresponds to your cost share. Your cost share is how much you will pay of the premium; the County pays the rest.
Checklists
Resources
- Montgomery County Employee Retirement Plans (for ERP, RSP, GRIP, and 457 plans)
- Group Insurance Summary Description
- Group Insurance at Retirement Estimator (to determine eligibility and estimate premiums)