Retiree Benefits

Retiree Eligibility

Retiree rates, rules, structures and eligibility requirements are subject to change at any time as deemed necessary by the city. Plans, rates and benefits are considered each year as part of the city’s budget process. 

Eligibility for retiree benefits with the city requires:

  1. The retiree must be eligible to retire through TMRS.
  2. The retiree must be under the age of 65 upon retirement from the city.
  3. Your dependents may be covered through retiree insurance into retirement only if they were covered for two full years immediately prior to retirement on the plan(s) selected or the dependents are eligible for coverage in accordance with plan guidelines.

Turning 65

Medicare has certain enrollment periods, deadlines and requirements to sign up for Part A, Part B, Part C and Part D prior to turning 65. Research your options at: https://hhs.texas.gov/services/health/medicare.

The Texas Health Information, Counseling and Advocacy Program through Medicare can help you enroll, find information and provide counseling about your options. They partner with the Texas Health and Human Services system, Texas Legal Services Center and the Area Agencies on Aging to train and oversee these counselors across Texas. Counselors through this program help you understand the fine print and apply a plan that works for you. Additionally, they advocate for you with these programs and help you get the services you need. To obtain services through this agency as you are nearing 65, call 1-800-252-9240.

Benefit Rules

Plan rules are a little different for retirees and their covered dependents versus an employee. It is important that you understand these rules on our plans:

Retiree Rules

  • If you meet the eligibility requirements, you may continue medical, dental and/or vision benefits into retirement for you and any eligible dependents
  • Upon initial retirement, you may only select the current plans for which you are covered at the time of retirement. You may not add coverage that you did not have, nor can you add any dependents that weren’t already covered
  • If you decline coverage for medical, dental and/or vision, you can never re-elect that coverage at any time in the future
  • Coverage will continue as long as the premium is paid. Premiums that are more than 60 days delinquent are subject to coverage cancellation and may not be reinstated
  • If you are a retiree on the plan, and your spouse worked for the city and has retiree coverage on their own city plan, you may not combine in the future onto one plan. Each remains covered separately based on their eligibility at the time of retirement, years of service, etc. 
  • Retirees on the city’s medical plan, who attain the age of 65, must move off of the medical plan on the first day of the month in which they turn 65. Dental and/or vision may be continued until death or cancellation of coverage

Dependent Rules

  • To carry dependents into retirement, they must have been covered by the employee on the selected plan(s) for at least two full years immediately prior to the retirement date
  • Dependents who do not meet the two year requirement, may select continuation coverage on their own through COBRA benefits, duration and guidelines in accordance with federal law. COBRA rates and coverage are independent from retiree coverage and may be provided by Human Resources
  • Dependents may not be added to retiree coverage at any time in the future for any reason (such as for marriage, adoption, gaining custody of grandchildren, etc.)
  • Spouses on the retiree’s medical plan, who attain the age of 65, must move off of the medical plan on the first day of the month in which they turn 65. Spouses may remain covered on the retiree’s dental and/or vision plan after 65
  • If a retiree moves off of the medical plan due to death or turning 65, and the spouse remains eligible (under 65), he/she may continue coverage on the city’s medical plan as a spouse only, for themselves, or family only, if eligible children are also covered

Retiree Benefits Guide & Forms

Benefits Guide

Retiree Benefits Guide(PDF, 821KB)

Helpful Forms

Medicare form for Credible Coverage(PDF, 72KB)

Retiree Communication Survey

Health Coverage Notices(PDF, 167KB)

Contact Info

Address
Human Resources
300 W Main St.
Grand Prairie, TX 75050

Phone: 972-237-8192
Fax: 972-237-8286
Email: benefits@gptx.org

Hours
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

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