Q12: How will a break in service affect my creditable service?
-ANSWER:
If you have less than five years of service with the State when the break in service occurs, you may have this service restored if:

• You again become an employee within four months after you leave State employment.
• Your discontinuance of employment is due to an absence as a result of military service, disability, or approved leave, and you again become an employee within four months following the completion of such military service, disability, or approved leave.
• You again become an employee within two years after you are involuntarily terminated from State employment.
• You again become an employee and subsequently accrue at least five consecutive years of credited service provided you repay any contributions you have withdrawn plus interest and any applicable penalty interest.

Q16: Is there a pension for my surviving spouse?
-ANSWER:
If you die while actively employed and have accrued five consecutive years of credited service, not counting any claimed or purchased time other than that which was purchased for sabbatical leave and military service (interrupting employment), your eligible survivor(s) will be paid a survivor's pension beginning the month following your date of death.

Your eligible survivor(s) will receive 75% of 97% of the member's calculated benefit. This is based on the assumption that the deceased member would have elected a 3% reduction from their benefit to provide their survivor with a 75% survivor benefit.

If you die while receiving a service or disability pension, the pension payable to your eligible survivor(s), beginning the month following your date of death, will be equal to 50% or 75% of the pension you were receiving at the time of your death depending on the survivor election made at retirement.

Q18: How does Medicare work?
-ANSWER:
Anyone who is eligible for Social Security is eligible for Medicare.

Medicare is a Federal health insurance program for people age 65 and older, or who meet the requirements of the Social Security disability program. The program has two parts, hospital insurance (Part A) and medical insurance (Part B).

Hospital insurance is free, having been prepaid through part of your FICA tax contributions during your working years. It pays for in-patient hospital care and follow-up care.

The premium for Part B ($88.50 per month in Calendar year 2006), is deducted from your Social Security check. It helps pay for physician's services, out-patient hospital care, clinical laboratory services, etc.

If you are drawing Social Security, you will automatically be signed up for Medicare at age 65 (although you have the opportunity to turn down Part B).

If you turn down Part B, the cost of Part B may go up 10% for each 12 month period that you could have had Part B but did not sign up for it, except in special cases. You will have to pay this extra 10% for the rest of your life.

If you are turning 65 while actively working for the State, three months before your birthday, you should sign up for Medicare Part A only. You do not have to sign up for Part B of Medicare because you are actively working. However, you should sign up for Medicare Part B (Special Enrollment), three months before you plan to retire.

Once you are in a pension group and eligible for Medicare, the active health insurance will not be effective. Therefore, you may elect to be enrolled in one of the State's Medicare supplements offered to pensioners.