Medical Plan Subsidies
The Medical Plan Subsidies Provided by ERFC, VRS, and FCERS
If you are eligible and elect to continue FCPS medical coverage into retirement, FCPS pays a subsidy toward the cost of your medical coverage if you are age 55 or older (or if approved for disability retirement). This subsidy reduces the premium amount you pay for your FCPS medical coverage.
Educational Employees’ Supplementary Retirement System
If you are a member of ERFC, FCPS provides a $100 per month subsidy toward your medical premium. The subsidy does not apply to dental benefits. If you are under the age of 55 and receive disability retirement benefits, you also may receive the subsidy. FCPS applies the subsidy on the first day of the month following the month in which you turn age 55. The FCPS medical subsidy ends upon your death and does not transfer to surviving dependents who remain covered by an FCPS medical plan
For additional information about ERFC, refer to the ERFC webpage.
Virginia Retirement System
VRS provides a monthly health credit to retirees with at least 15 years of service. You do not have to be enrolled in an FCPS health plan to receive this reimbursement. The Virginia General Assembly sets the amount for each year of service you have with VRS. The credit is currently $4 per year of service (see chart below). The VRS credit ends upon your death and does not transfer to any surviving dependents.
To receive the credit, you must complete a Request for Health Insurance Credit form (VRS-45) and submit it to VRS in order to verify that you are purchasing medical insurance (including Medicare Part B premiums). The health insurance credit amount is reflected in your monthly VRS benefit and is not subject to federal or state taxes.
| Years of Service | Credit Amount |
|---|---|
| 15 | $60 |
| 16 | $64 |
| 17 | $68 |
| 18 | $72 |
| 19 | $76 |
| 20 | $80 |
| 21 | $84 |
| 22 | $88 |
| 23 | $92 |
| 24 | $96 |
| 25 | $100 |
| 26 | $104 |
| 27 | $108 |
| 28 | $112 |
| 29 | $116 |
| 30 | $120 |
| 31 | $124 |
| 32 | $128 |
| 33 | $132 |
| 34 | $136 |
| 35 | $140 |
For additional information about the VRS monthly health credit, refer to the VRS website.
Fairfax County Employees’ Retirement System
FCPS provides a subsidy to FCERS members based on years of service. FCPS applies the subsidy for FCERS retirees on the first of the month in which you turn age 55. The FCPS subsidy ends upon your death, at which time your surviving dependents no longer receive your medical subsidy.
If you retired from FCERS before July 1, 2004, and you participated in an FCPS medical plan before that date, you receive at least $100 per month in subsidy. Your subsidy may be above $100 if you have more years of service as shown below:
| Years of Service | Under Age 65 | Age 65 and Over (Medicare) |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 15 | $100 | $100 |
| 15-19 | $125 | $100 |
| 20-24 | $150 | $150 |
| 25 or more | $175 | $175 |
If you retired from FCERS on or after July 1, 2004, or if you enrolled in an FCPS medical plan on or after July 1, 2004, FCPS provides a subsidy based on your years of service according to the following schedule:
| Years of Service | Under Age 65 | Age 65 and Over (Medicare) |
|---|---|---|
| 5-9 | $25 | $15 |
| 10-14 | $50 | $25 |
| 15-19 | $125 | $100 |
| 20-24 | $150 | $150 |
| 25 or more | $175 | $175 |
For additional information about the FCERS, refer to the FCERS website.
Frequently Asked Questions
The FCPS-funded health subsidy is provided only to retirees covered under the FCPS health plan. However, if you are receiving a retirement benefit from VRS, you may be eligible to continue to receive the VRS subsidy. Contact VRS regarding the health subsidy that is funded through their pension plan.
Since your spouse was covered as a dependent at the time of your retirement, she would be eligible to return to the FCPS plan upon becoming eligible for Medicare (and by showing proof of other coverage). You may also add her as a dependent to your policy within 30 days of loss of coverage, or during open enrollment. However, as a dependent, she would not be eligible to receive the FCPS subsidy that she would receive as a retiree.
