TRS of Oklahoma's $100 to $105 health supplement

Does TRS of Oklahoma pay for retiree health insurance?

It helps. TRS of Oklahoma has no health plan of its own, but if you retire with at least 10 years of service and keep your employer's retiree insurance, it pays a supplement of $100 to $105 a month toward the premium, depending on your service and final average salary. The supplement stops if that insurance stops. Member Handbook (2025), p. 28, Is there a health insurance supplement available?; OAC 715:10-23-2 (rules eff. 9/1/25, p. 107)

• Check with TRS of OklahomaIf you retire with at least 10 years of service you can keep your employer's health insurance, and TRS of Oklahoma pays $100 to $105 a month toward the premium, depending on your service and final average salary.The exact amount for a given service and salary is set in 74 O.S. § 1316.3, which we couldn't download.Member Handbook (2025), p. 28, Is there a health insurance supplement available?

How the amount is set

The supplement is the Medicare supplement premium rate, not to exceed an amount between $100 and $105 depending on service and final average salary, as set in 74 O.S. § 1316.3(4). OAC 715:10-23-2 (rules eff. 9/1/25, p. 107)

Because the amount depends on your service and final average salary, the TRS of Oklahoma calculator shows the $100 to $105 range with your estimate rather than one figure. Your final average salary is explained on the benefit formula page.

Which plan you stay on

• Members who retire or leave with at least 10 years of service can enroll in the State and Education Employees Group Health and Dental Insurance Program. That program's board, not TRS of Oklahoma, decides eligibility and coverage; ask your district's health insurance coordinator or the board about premiums.OAC 715:10-23-1 (rules eff. 9/1/25, p. 107)
• If your school runs its own retiree insurance instead, TRS of Oklahoma sends the supplement to the school each month, and the school collects the rest of the premium from you and pays the insurer.OAC 715:10-23-3 (rules eff. 9/1/25, p. 107)
• Check with TRS of OklahomaUniversity of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University employees in their Alternative Retirement Plan have different eligibility rules for the supplement and should ask their human resources department.TRS of Oklahoma's one-pager says OU and OSU Alternative Retirement Plan employees have different eligibility requirements, but doesn't say they are rules for the health insurance supplement. Check with TRS of Oklahoma.Teachers' Retirement System and YOU one-pager

Who gets it, and when it's paid

Members who retire or terminate with at least 10 years of creditable service may continue their employer's insurance. If they do, TRS of Oklahoma pays $100-$105 a month (depending on length of service and final average salary) toward the premium, paid in arrears. It stops if the retiree insurance stops. Member Handbook (2025), p. 28, Is there a health insurance supplement available?; OAC 715:10-23-2 (rules eff. 9/1/25, p. 107)

Paid only for retired members actually receiving a monthly benefit that month, not for beneficiaries or survivors, and never directly to the retiree. Not paid while a rehired retiree is eligible for the employer's active plan. OAC 715:10-23-6(a), 715:10-23-4 (rules eff. 9/1/25, p. 108)

• The supplement is paid only while you receive a monthly benefit and stay on the eligible retiree insurance. It isn't paid to survivors, and it stops while a rehired retiree is eligible for the employer's active plan.OAC 715:10-23-4, 715:10-23-6(a) (rules eff. 9/1/25, p. 108); Member Handbook (2025), p. 28
• The supplement is paid in arrears with your benefit: the September 1 payment covers the August benefit and supplement. Retiree insurance charges should begin when your active coverage ends; your employer or insurer has the forms.Member Handbook (2025), p. 28
• A retiree who isn't enrolled in the state plan or a school's retiree plan, or who isn't receiving a monthly benefit, doesn't get the supplement. Health premiums are among the deductions from the monthly benefit.OAC 715:10-23-5 (rules eff. 9/1/25, p. 108); Retirement seminar slides, slide 44

Ask your district or the plan administrator what your retiree premium will be. Going back to work for a covered employer can pause the supplement: see working after retirement. If you're close to 10 years, one more year can matter for health coverage as well as the pension. Medicare timing is covered under Social Security.

Questions