Prior to your retirement, it’s important that the following steps are taken to ensure a smooth transition from working life to retirement:

  • You are required to advise the Benefits Administrator of your retirement date in writing.
  • If you have any questions regarding coverage after retirement, contact the Benefits Administrator.

To obtain information regarding the conversion privileges for BCPSEA benefits:

  • You are eligible for the Conversion Privilege if application is received by the Insurer within 31 days following retirement date.
  • The insurer(s) will provide you with a package of information on applying for the Conversion Privilege. The packages will be mailed to your home address. Application is completely optional.
  • If you are interested in applying for the Conversion Privilege for Extended Health and/or Dental, you may access the following conversion form:
  • Extended Health/Dental Conversion form

Conversion Privileges

Basic Life, Optional Life and Optional Spouse Life Conversion Privilege

You can continue Basic Life insurance, Optional Life insurance and/or Spouse Optional Life insurance (if applicable) as an individual policy(ies) following termination or retirement from the District.

If you wish to do so, the following steps must be taken:

  • Contact Pacific Blue Cross using the contact information provided on the Notification of Conversion form and Group Life Conversion Privilege Notification Form that you should receive from your Benefits Administrator
  • The conversion can be done without medical evidence of good health provided the request is made within 31 days of the date of termination of BCPSEA benefits.
  • Some limits apply (ie. amount cannot exceed $200,000).
  • Premiums will likely be higher than the premium under the BCPSEA Benefits Program.

Basic and Optional Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Conversion

You can continue Basic and/or Optional AD&D insurance (if applicable) if you are under age 70 at date of retirement from the District.

  • Contact AIG using the contact information provided on the Notification of Conversion form that you should receive from your Benefits Administrator.
  • AIG will provide you with a package of information on applying for the Conversion Privilege for Basic and Optional AD&D (if applicable. The package will be mailed to your home address. Application is completely optional.
  • The conversion can be done without medical evidence of good health provided the request is made within 31 days of the date of termination of the BCPSEA benefits.
  • Some limits apply (ie. amount cannot exceed $200,000).
  • Premiums will likely be higher than the premium under the BCPSEA Benefits Program.

Extended Health and Dental Conversion Privilege

When your coverage under the BCPSEA extended health or dental terminates, you are entitled to convert to one of Pacific Blue Cross’ (PBC) Personal Health and/or Dental plans. If you convert to one of PBC’s plans, you must take the following steps:

  • You are required to complete an Extended Health and/or Dental Conversion form and send this form directly to PBC.
  • PBC must receive the first payment and application within 60 days of termination of BCPSEA benefits to waive the General Pre-existing Conditions clause in the Personal Health Plan
  • In some instances, waiting periods which apply to certain benefits (ie. vision, dental) will also be waived if the Employee had coverage for these benefits under the BCPSEA Benefits Program.

Note:
The individual policies do not have coverage equivalent to that of the BCPSEA Benefits Program.