Sec. 719.

(1) A former qualified participant may elect health insurance benefits in the manner prescribed in this section if he or she meets both of the following requirements:

(a) The former qualified participant is vested in health benefits under section 715(2).

(b) The former qualified participant meets or exceeds the benefit commencement age employed in the actuarial present value calculation under section 702 and the service requirements that would have applied to that former participant under Tier 1 for receiving health insurance coverage under section 509, if that former participant was a member of Tier 1.

(2) A former qualified participant who is eligible to elect health insurance coverage under subsection (1) may elect health insurance coverage in a health benefit plan or plans as authorized by section 509, or in another plan as provided in subsection (6). A former qualified participant who is eligible to elect health insurance coverage under subsection (1) may also elect health insurance coverage for his or her health benefit dependents, if any. A surviving health benefit dependent of a deceased former qualified participant who is eligible to elect health insurance coverage under subsection (1) may elect health insurance coverage in the manner prescribed in this section.

(3) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (6), an individual who elects health insurance coverage under this section shall become a member of a health insurance coverage group authorized pursuant to section 509.

(4) For a former qualified participant who is eligible to elect health insurance coverage under subsection (1) and who is vested in those benefits under section 715(2)(a), and for his or her health benefit dependents, this state shall pay a portion of the health insurance premium as calculated under this subsection on a cash disbursement method. An individual described in this subsection who elects health insurance coverage under this section shall pay to the retirement system the remaining portion of the health insurance coverage premium not paid by this state under this subsection. The portion of the health insurance coverage premium paid by this state under this subsection shall be 50% of the payments for health insurance coverage under section 509 if the former qualified participant has 4 years of service; 75% of the payments for health insurance coverage under section 509 if the former qualified participant has 5 years of service; or 90% of the payments for health insurance coverage under section 509 if the former qualified participant has 6 years of service. If the individual elects the health insurance coverage provided under section 509, the state shall transfer its portion of the amount calculated under this subsection to the reserve for health benefits created by section 214.

(5) For a former qualified participant who is eligible to elect health insurance coverage under subsection (1) and who is vested in those benefits under section 715(2)(b), and for his or her health benefit dependents, this state shall pay a portion of the health insurance premium as calculated under this subsection on a cash disbursement method. An individual described in this subsection who elects health insurance coverage under this section shall pay to the retirement system the remaining portion of the health insurance coverage premium not paid by this state under this subsection. The portion of the health insurance coverage premium paid by this state under this subsection shall be equal to the premium amounts paid on behalf of retirants of Tier 1 for health insurance coverage under section 509. If the individual elects the health insurance coverage provided under section 509, the state shall transfer its portion of the amount calculated under this subsection to the reserve for health benefits created by section 214.

(6) A former qualified participant or health benefit dependent who is eligible to elect health insurance coverage under this section and who elects health insurance coverage under a different plan than the plan authorized under section 509 may elect to have an amount up to the amount of the retirement system's share of the monthly health insurance premium subsidy provided in this section paid by the retirement system directly to the other health insurance plan or to a medical savings account established pursuant to section 220 of the internal revenue code, to the extent allowed by law or under the provisions and procedures of Tier 2.

(7) If the department of management and budget receives notification from the United States internal revenue service that this section or any portion of this section will cause the retirement system to be disqualified for tax purposes under the internal revenue code, then the portion that will cause the disqualification does not apply.

History: Add. 1996, Act 523, Eff. Mar. 31, 1997