SB 1556

Abstract

Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971. Provides that in order to be eligible for group insurance benefits under a retirement system: (i) each annuitant or retired employee must meet the vesting requirements of the applicable retirement system and (ii) each survivor must establish that the deceased employee, annuitant, or retired employee upon whom the annuity is based was eligible to participate in the group insurance system under the applicable retirement system. Specifies that certain persons do not qualify as community college dependent beneficiaries or TRS dependent beneficiaries. Provides that only employees (rather than employees, annuitants, retired employees, and survivors) and their elected dependents are eligible and covered for all benefits available under the Act's programs. Provides that annuitants, survivors, and retired employees and their elected dependents are immediately eligible for the group health benefits program and that the coverage of those persons is effective immediately upon the completion of the required forms. Requires, however, each survivor who is seeking coverage under that program to establish that he or she would have been eligible for coverage under the deceased member upon whom the survivor's annuity is based.