Short answer: WRS doesn't provide health insurance in retirement. Wyoming's state employee group plan lets a retiree keep coverage if they apply within 31 days, had 1 year of coverage right before retiring, and meet the age and service rule below, but only if their employer takes part in the state plan. Ask your district. Related: early retirement, working after you retire, and Social Security. Estimate your pension.
WRS's handbook says nothing about retiree health insurance, and WRS pays no health subsidy in any source we found.
The State of Wyoming group plan
WRS does not provide retiree health coverage and pays no health subsidy in the sources. Wyoming's state employees' and officials' group insurance plan lets a retiree keep coverage at premium rates set by the state if they apply within 31 days after employment ends, had medical coverage under that plan for at least 1 year right before retiring, are eligible for a WRS benefit, and either were at least 50 with at least 4 years of WRS service or have at least 20 years of WRS service, in each case with an employer participating in the state plan. School districts can participate in the state plan; whether a given district does is not in the sources. W.S. 9-3-218(a)-(c); W.S. 9-3-203(a)(xiii) (retiree); W.S. 9-3-210(e)
| Age at retirement | WRS service | Meets the rule? |
|---|---|---|
| 52 | 8 years | Yes |
| 48 | 22 years | Yes |
| 48 | 15 years | No |
Age 50 with 4 years, or 20 years at any age. W.S. 9-3-218(a)-(c); W.S. 9-3-203(a)(xiii) (retiree); W.S. 9-3-210(e)
WRS doesn't run retiree health insurance. Whether you can keep your health plan after retiring depends on your school district. Ask your district's HR office.
Why
WRS sources say nothing about retiree health. W.S. 9-3-218 covers the state group plan only, and whether a given school district participates in it, and the premiums, are not in the sources.
Death benefits include one health item: a beneficiary can ask that medical insurance premiums be paid from your account for up to 4 months after your death. W.S. 9-3-421(c)
From the sources
- WRS doesn't provide retiree health insurance. If your employer is in the State of Wyoming group health plan, you can keep that coverage at the state's premium rates if you apply within 31 days, had the coverage for at least a year before retiring, and were at least 50 with 4 years of WRS service or have 20 years of service.W.S. 9-3-218(a); W.S. 9-3-203(a)(xiii)
- Check with WRSMany school districts run their own health plans. Ask your district's HR office whether you can stay on its plan after retiring and what it costs.W.S. 9-3-210(e)
Questions
Does WRS provide retiree health insurance?
No. WRS doesn't run a retiree health plan, and its sources mention no health subsidy.
Can I keep the State of Wyoming plan?
If your employer is in the state employees' and officials' group plan: apply within 31 days after your job ends, have had the medical coverage for at least 1 year right before retiring, be eligible for a WRS benefit, and be 50+ with 4 years of WRS service or have 20 years. You pay the premium rates the state sets.
What about my school district's plan?
Many districts run their own plans. Ask your district's HR office what it offers retirees and what it costs.
Source: WRS Public Employee Pension Plan Handbook, Updated August 2026. Also: W.S. §§ 9-3-203, 9-3-210, 9-3-218. Last reviewed .