Q1: What happens to my health insurance when I turn age 65? What happens when my spouse turns age 65?
-ANSWER:
You will receive a letter from our office approximately 2 months prior to you or your spouse's 65th birthday requesting a copy of the Medicare card. Upon receipt of this letter, please return a copy of the Medicare card with Parts A and B or the waiver form which is included with the letter from our office. Once we receive a copy of the card, the eligible recipient will be enrolled in a Medicare supplement, BCBS Special Medicfill (Blue Cross Blue Shield).
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Q2: How do I notify your office of an address change?
-ANSWER:
You must complete a change of address form or notify our office in writing with your live signature. You may mail the form or fax to our office at (302)739-6129.
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Q3: How do I change my Tax exemptions/allowances?
-ANSWER:
You must complete a Tax Withholding Election Form from our website or contact our office to have one mailed to you.
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Q4: When can I make changes to my health or dental insurance?
-ANSWER:
Unless it is a life changing event (ex: marriage, divorce, new birth, etc) you can not make changes until our Open Enrollment period which is always in May of every year and changes will take effect July 1st. You will receive an Open Enrollment packet usually around the first week of May, if you do not receive one please contact our office immediately.
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Q5: Who do I contact about my prescription plan with the State?
-ANSWER:
If the Pensioner or spouse of the Pensioner is having trouble with getting their RX at the drug store they can call the Benefits Section. Any questions about drug information they can call Medco at:
1- 800-939-2142
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Q6: When will I receive my pension check/check advice?
-ANSWER:
All pension checks/advices are mailed the day prior to the last working day of the month. If you have direct deposit, your money will be in your account on the last working day of the month even if you have not received your check advice. For this reason, we are encouraging you to sign up for direct deposit if you are not already a participant. Direct deposit of pensions became mandatory as of January 1, 1996.
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Q7: What should I do if I have not received my pension check?
-ANSWER:
If you have not received your check within seven (7) business days, please notify the Pension Office. Reissued checks cannot be processed until seven (7) business days from the last day of the month. Again, we are strongly encouraging you to participate in direct deposit, to avoid the above.
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Q8: EMPLID - What is it and where did it come from?
-ANSWER:
EMPLID stands for Employee Identification number. The Office of Pensions Comprehensive Retirement Information System (CRIS) uses EMPLID rather than Social Security Number to identify members. The EMPLID provides privacy for the employee. If you do not know your EMPLID number, we are also able to reference your account with your Social Security Number.
Rather than print someone's Social Security Number on a report, we use an EMPLID. The Office of Pensions can locate each member in the system by the EMPLID and unauthorized persons do not have ability to view the member's Social Security Number.
Each member of the Delaware Public Employees' Retirement System has their own unique EMPLID, separate from any other system, and retains that number throughout their service and/or retirement. The EMPLID is a system-generated number that is assigned to the member when they are first entered into CRIS.
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Q9: How much can I earn as a temporary State employee without affecting my pension benefit? I realize that any position I accept must be non-pension creditable in order to be able to continue to receive my pension benefit.
-ANSWER:
Senate Bill 439 was signed into legislation by Governor Minner on August 12, 2002. This bill allows a pensioner under the State Employees' Pension Plan to be employed by the State in a temporary, casual, seasonal or substitute position (non-pension creditable) without any earnings limitations or without affecting their current pension benefits.
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Q10: Since I have health insurance through the Pension Office, do I need to keep Part B of Medicare?
-ANSWER:
Yes, you need to keep Part B of Medicare and you need to call our office to notify us of your eligibility.
Social Security's reference to having other health insurance pertains to health insurance that you receive while you are actively working or retired but covered by a spouse who is actively working.
It is necessary to have Part A and B to participate in the State's retiree health coverage.
If you refuse Part B when you are eligible, two things will happen to you:
- Our health insurance will no longer be effective, and
- Social Security will set a penalty for picking up Part B later.
For disability pensioners who receive Social Security benefits, you will be eligible for Medicare Part A and B within 2 years. You also need to keep Parts A and B. Please call our Office when you receive your Medicare card.
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