What IPERS covers
- Check with IPERSIPERS doesn't offer retiree health insurance. The handbook lists IPERS's protections as retirement, death and disability benefits only.Inferred from what the handbook lists; no IPERS source states it outright.Member Handbook (2025), p. 3, Your Safety Net
No IPERS source we could get says outright that IPERS has no retiree health plan. The handbook lists IPERS's protections as retirement, death and disability benefits only. One IPERS web page that might say more refused our download.
We say IPERS doesn't offer retiree health insurance, and we label it.
What would settle it: https://ipers.org/about/ipers-did-you-know saved by the user, or another IPERS statement.
Staying on your school's group plan until 65
Under Iowa law, if your school board provides group health insurance and you retire before 65, it must let you stay on the group plan at your own expense until you turn 65.
The rule as written: Iowa law requires a school board (or county or city) that provides group health coverage to let employees who retire before 65 stay on the group plan at their own expense until 65 (for retirements on or after Jan. 1, 1981). The law says nothing about the cost beyond "at the employee's own expense", so ask your district what you'd pay.
Iowa Code §509A.13 and §509A.1(2)(a)Questions to ask your district
- Can I stay on the group health plan after I retire, and until what age?
- What will the monthly premium be, and how do I pay it?
- What happens to my spouse's coverage?
Your pension doesn't change if you keep or drop district coverage. Estimate it in the calculator, and see Taxes and Social Security.
Common questions
Does IPERS provide retiree health insurance?
IPERS's handbook lists only retirement, death and disability benefits. We found no IPERS health plan or premium subsidy in its publications. Check with IPERS and your employer.
Can I stay on my school's health plan after I retire?
Under Iowa Code 509A.13, if your school board provides group health insurance and you retire before 65, it must let you stay on the group plan at your own expense until 65. Ask your district about the cost.
Source: IPERS Member Handbook, Updated July 2025, p. 3. Also: Iowa Code §§ 509A.1, 509A.13. Last reviewed .