{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/51.1-1400.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/51.1-1400.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/51.1-1400.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/51.1-1400.html"}],"law_id":75331,"edition_id":1,"section_id":75331,"structure_id":13212,"section_number":"51.1-1400","catch_line":"Health insurance credits for retired state employees","history":"1989, c. 664, \u00a7 2.1-20.1:2; 1992, c. 770; 1993, cc. 743, 938; 1995, cc. 612, 734; 1998, cc. 195, 449, 676; 1999, cc. 832, 980, 984; 2000, cc. 720, 911; 2001, c. 844; 2004, c. 79; 2005, c. 535; 2006, c. 622; 2007, c. 64; 2012, cc. 701, 823; 2023, c. 264.","full_text":"A\n\nThe Commonwealth shall provide a credit toward the cost of health insurance coverage for any former state employee, as defined in § 2.2-2818, who retired under the Virginia Retirement System, State Police Officers’ Retirement System, Judicial Retirement System, Virginia Law Officers’ Retirement System, or any retirement system authorized pursuant to § 51.1-126, 51.1-126.1, 51.1-126.3, 51.1-126.4, 51.1-126.5, 51.1-126.7, or 51.1-169 and who (i) rendered at least 15 years of total creditable service under the Retirement System or (ii) rendered service as a temporary employee of the General Assembly in 1972 and became a member of the retirement system from 1972 to 1985 immediately following such temporary service. The amount of each monthly health insurance credit payable under this section shall be (a) $4 per year of creditable service or (b) effective July 1, 2024, $4.25 per year of creditable service, which amount shall be credited monthly to any retired state employee participating in the state retiree health benefits program pursuant to § 51.1-1405 or an alternative personal health insurance plan as provided herein. However, such credit shall not exceed the health insurance premium for retiree-only coverage as provided under such alternative personal health insurance plan. Any (1) employee participant pursuant to § 51.1-126, 51.1-126.1, 51.1-126.3, 51.1-126.4, 51.1-126.5, or 51.1-126.7 receiving long-term disability, or (2) retired state employee retired under the provisions of § 51.1-156 or 51.1-307, or (3) any participating employee receiving long-term disability pursuant to § 51.1-1112, 51.1-1123, 51.1-1157, or 51.1-1165 shall receive a maximum monthly credit which is the greater of (a) $120, (b) $4 or, effective July 1, 2024, $4.25 per year for each year of creditable service at the time of disability retirement, or (c) $4 or, effective July 1, 2024, $4.25 per year for each year of creditable service at the time of eligibility for long-term disability. Any person included in the membership of a retirement system provided by Chapter 1 (§ 51.1-124.1 et seq.), 2 (§ 51.1-200 et seq.), 2.1 (§ 51.1-211 et seq.), or 3 (§ 51.1-300 et seq.) who elects to defer his retirement pursuant to subsection C of § 51.1-153, subsection C of § 51.1-205 or subsection C of § 51.1-305 shall be entitled to receive the allowable credit provided by this section on the effective date of his retirement.B\n\nFor those retired state employees:1\n\nParticipating in the state retiree health benefits program, such credit shall be applied to the monthly premium deducted from benefits payable to retired state employees in accordance with Chapters 1 (§ 51.1-124.1 et seq.), 2 (§ 51.1-200 et seq.), 2.1 (§ 51.1-211 et seq.), and 3 (§ 51.1-300 et seq.). In the event that either no benefit is payable or the benefit payable is insufficient to deduct the entire health care premium, the payment of the credit shall be determined in the manner prescribed by the Virginia Retirement System. Eligibility for the credit shall be determined in a manner prescribed by the Virginia Retirement System.2\n\nNot electing or eligible to participate in the state retiree health benefits program and who purchase an alternative personal health insurance policy from a carrier or organization of his own choosing, such retirees shall be eligible to receive a credit in the amount specified in subsection A. Eligibility for the credit and payment for the credit shall be determined in a manner prescribed by the Virginia Retirement System.C\n\nAny person included in the membership of a retirement system provided by Chapter 1 (§ 51.1-124.1 et seq.), 2 (§ 51.1-200 et seq.), 2.1 (§ 51.1-211 et seq.), or 3 (§ 51.1-300 et seq.) who (i) rendered at least 15 years of total creditable service as a state employee as defined in § 2.2-2818 and (ii) after terminating state service, was employed by a local government that does not elect to provide a health insurance credit under § 51.1-1401 or 51.1-1402, shall be eligible for the credit provided by subsection A, provided that the retired employee is participating in a health insurance plan. The Commonwealth shall be charged with the credit as provided for in subsection D. In such case, the health insurance credit shall be determined based upon the amount of state service or service as a teacher, whichever is greater.D\n\nThe Virginia Retirement System shall actuarially determine the amount necessary to fund all credits provided by this section to reflect the cost of such credits in the employer contribution rate pursuant to § 51.1-145, and prescribe such terms and conditions as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. The costs associated with the administration of the health insurance credit program provided for in this section shall be recovered from the health insurance credit trust fund.E\n\nNotwithstanding anything contained in this section to the contrary, the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System Authority shall pay the cost of coverage for employees of such Authority who (i) retired under the Virginia Retirement System or any retirement system authorized pursuant to § 23.1-2416, 51.1-126, 51.1-126.1, or former § 51.1-126.2; (ii) were employed by such Authority prior to July 1, 1998, and were not subsequently rehired by such Authority on or after July 1, 1998; and (iii) served no less than 15 years of creditable service as regularly employed full-time employees of such Authority or the Commonwealth.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":270425,"text":"The Commonwealth shall provide a credit toward the cost of health insurance coverage for any former state employee, as defined in § 2.2-2818, who retired under the Virginia Retirement System, State Police Officers’ Retirement System, Judicial Retirement System, Virginia Law Officers’ Retirement System, or any retirement system authorized pursuant to § 51.1-126, 51.1-126.1, 51.1-126.3, 51.1-126.4, 51.1-126.5, 51.1-126.7, or 51.1-169 and who (i) rendered at least 15 years of total creditable service under the Retirement System or (ii) rendered service as a temporary employee of the General Assembly in 1972 and became a member of the retirement system from 1972 to 1985 immediately following such temporary service. The amount of each monthly health insurance credit payable under this section shall be (a) $4 per year of creditable service or (b) effective July 1, 2024, $4.25 per year of creditable service, which amount shall be credited monthly to any retired state employee participating in the state retiree health benefits program pursuant to § 51.1-1405 or an alternative personal health insurance plan as provided herein. However, such credit shall not exceed the health insurance premium for retiree-only coverage as provided under such alternative personal health insurance plan. Any (1) employee participant pursuant to § 51.1-126, 51.1-126.1, 51.1-126.3, 51.1-126.4, 51.1-126.5, or 51.1-126.7 receiving long-term disability, or (2) retired state employee retired under the provisions of § 51.1-156 or 51.1-307, or (3) any participating employee receiving long-term disability pursuant to § 51.1-1112, 51.1-1123, 51.1-1157, or 51.1-1165 shall receive a maximum monthly credit which is the greater of (a) $120, (b) $4 or, effective July 1, 2024, $4.25 per year for each year of creditable service at the time of disability retirement, or (c) $4 or, effective July 1, 2024, $4.25 per year for each year of creditable service at the time of eligibility for long-term disability. Any person included in the membership of a retirement system provided by Chapter 1 (§ 51.1-124.1 et seq.), 2 (§ 51.1-200 et seq.), 2.1 (§ 51.1-211 et seq.), or 3 (§ 51.1-300 et seq.) who elects to defer his retirement pursuant to subsection C of § 51.1-153, subsection C of § 51.1-205 or subsection C of § 51.1-305 shall be entitled to receive the allowable credit provided by this section on the effective date of his retirement.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":270426,"text":"For those retired state employees:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":270427,"text":"Participating in the state retiree health benefits program, such credit shall be applied to the monthly premium deducted from benefits payable to retired state employees in accordance with Chapters 1 (§ 51.1-124.1 et seq.), 2 (§ 51.1-200 et seq.), 2.1 (§ 51.1-211 et seq.), and 3 (§ 51.1-300 et seq.). In the event that either no benefit is payable or the benefit payable is insufficient to deduct the entire health care premium, the payment of the credit shall be determined in the manner prescribed by the Virginia Retirement System. Eligibility for the credit shall be determined in a manner prescribed by the Virginia Retirement System.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":270428,"text":"Not electing or eligible to participate in the state retiree health benefits program and who purchase an alternative personal health insurance policy from a carrier or organization of his own choosing, such retirees shall be eligible to receive a credit in the amount specified in subsection A. Eligibility for the credit and payment for the credit shall be determined in a manner prescribed by the Virginia Retirement System.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"C"},"4":{"id":270429,"text":"Any person included in the membership of a retirement system provided by Chapter 1 (§ 51.1-124.1 et seq.), 2 (§ 51.1-200 et seq.), 2.1 (§ 51.1-211 et seq.), or 3 (§ 51.1-300 et seq.) who (i) rendered at least 15 years of total creditable service as a state employee as defined in § 2.2-2818 and (ii) after terminating state service, was employed by a local government that does not elect to provide a health insurance credit under § 51.1-1401 or 51.1-1402, shall be eligible for the credit provided by subsection A, provided that the retired employee is participating in a health insurance plan. The Commonwealth shall be charged with the credit as provided for in subsection D. In such case, the health insurance credit shall be determined based upon the amount of state service or service as a teacher, whichever is greater.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"D"},"5":{"id":270430,"text":"The Virginia Retirement System shall actuarially determine the amount necessary to fund all credits provided by this section to reflect the cost of such credits in the employer contribution rate pursuant to § 51.1-145, and prescribe such terms and conditions as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. The costs associated with the administration of the health insurance credit program provided for in this section shall be recovered from the health insurance credit trust fund.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"6":{"id":270431,"text":"Notwithstanding anything contained in this section to the contrary, the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System Authority shall pay the cost of coverage for employees of such Authority who (i) retired under the Virginia Retirement System or any retirement system authorized pursuant to § 23.1-2416, 51.1-126, 51.1-126.1, or former § 51.1-126.2; (ii) were employed by such Authority prior to July 1, 1998, and were not subsequently rehired by such Authority on or after July 1, 1998; and (iii) served no less than 15 years of creditable service as regularly employed full-time employees of such Authority or the Commonwealth.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13212,"edition_id":1,"name":"Health Insurance Credits for Certain Retirees","identifier":"14","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12947,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:27","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:27","permalink":{"id":235875,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13212,"identifier":"14","token":"51.1\/14","url":"\/51.1\/14\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12947,"edition_id":1,"name":"Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement","identifier":"51.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:04","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:04","permalink":{"id":235029,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12947,"identifier":"51.1","token":"51.1","url":"\/51.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":75331,"structure_id":13212,"section_number":"51.1-1400","catch_line":"Health insurance credits for retired state employees","url":"\/51.1-1400\/","token":"51.1\/14\/51.1-1400","metadata":false},{"id":71866,"structure_id":13212,"section_number":"51.1-1401","catch_line":"Health insurance credits for retired teachers","url":"\/51.1-1401\/","token":"51.1\/14\/51.1-1401","metadata":false},{"id":61234,"structure_id":13212,"section_number":"51.1-1402","catch_line":"Health insurance credits for retired local government employees","url":"\/51.1-1402\/","token":"51.1\/14\/51.1-1402","metadata":false},{"id":84044,"structure_id":13212,"section_number":"51.1-1402.1","catch_line":"Health insurance credits for retired school division employees other than teachers","url":"\/51.1-1402.1\/","token":"51.1\/14\/51.1-1402.1","metadata":false},{"id":54220,"structure_id":13212,"section_number":"51.1-1403","catch_line":"Health insurance credits for retired constitutional officers, employees of constitutional officers, general registrars, employees of general registrars, and local social service employees","url":"\/51.1-1403\/","token":"51.1\/14\/51.1-1403","metadata":false},{"id":73288,"structure_id":13212,"section_number":"51.1-1404","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/51.1-1404\/","token":"51.1\/14\/51.1-1404","metadata":false},{"id":63381,"structure_id":13212,"section_number":"51.1-1405","catch_line":"Participation in the state retiree health benefits program","url":"\/51.1-1405\/","token":"51.1\/14\/51.1-1405","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":71866,"structure_id":13212,"section_number":"51.1-1401","catch_line":"Health insurance credits for retired teachers","url":"\/51.1-1401\/","token":"51.1\/14\/51.1-1401","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/51.1-1400\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1989. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 664 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1989 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 13 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1992, chapter 770; in 1993, chapters 743 and 938; in 1995, chapters 612<\/a> and 734<\/a>; in 1998, chapters 195<\/a>, 449<\/a>, and 676<\/a>; in 1999, chapters 832<\/a>, 980<\/a>, and 984<\/a>; in 2000, chapters 720<\/a> and 911<\/a>; in 2001, chapter 844<\/a>; in 2004, chapter 79<\/a>; in 2005, chapter 535<\/a>; in 2006, chapter 622<\/a>; in 2007, chapter 64<\/a>; in 2012, chapters 701<\/a> and 823<\/a>; in 2023, chapter 264<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":71900,"section_number":"2.2-2203.3","catch_line":"Employees; employment; personnel rules","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-2203.3\/"},{"id":78683,"section_number":"51.1-124.22","catch_line":"Board to administer Retirement System; powers and duties","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-124.22\/"},{"id":65950,"section_number":"51.1-161","catch_line":"Withdrawal of contributions before retirement","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-161\/"},{"id":59839,"section_number":"62.1-129.1","catch_line":"Employees; employment; personnel rules; health insurance; retirement plans","order_by":null,"url":"\/62.1-129.1\/"},{"id":82164,"section_number":"9.1-401","catch_line":"Continued health insurance coverage for disabled persons, eligible spouses, and eligible dependents","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-401\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":68317,"section_number":"2.2-2818","catch_line":"Health and related insurance for state employees","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-2818\/"},{"id":54806,"section_number":"23.1-2416","catch_line":"Retirement benefits for employees of the Authority","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-2416\/"},{"id":58886,"section_number":"51.1-1112","catch_line":"Long-term disability benefit","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-1112\/"},{"id":75852,"section_number":"51.1-1123","catch_line":"Supplemental long-term disability benefit","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-1123\/"},{"id":76755,"section_number":"51.1-1157","catch_line":"Long-term disability benefit","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-1157\/"},{"id":55822,"section_number":"51.1-1165","catch_line":"Supplemental long-term disability benefit","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-1165\/"},{"id":68506,"section_number":"51.1-124.1","catch_line":"Virginia Retirement System established","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-124.1\/"},{"id":74626,"section_number":"51.1-126","catch_line":"Employees of institutions of higher education","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-126\/"},{"id":70940,"section_number":"51.1-126.1","catch_line":"Certain employees of teaching hospitals","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-126.1\/"},{"id":65797,"section_number":"51.1-126.2","catch_line":"Repealed","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-126.2\/"},{"id":59098,"section_number":"51.1-126.3","catch_line":"Employees of the University of Virginia Medical Center","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-126.3\/"},{"id":85814,"section_number":"51.1-126.4","catch_line":"Employees of the Virginia Port Authority","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-126.4\/"},{"id":70111,"section_number":"51.1-126.5","catch_line":"Defined contribution plan for eligible members","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-126.5\/"},{"id":84459,"section_number":"51.1-126.7","catch_line":"Employees of the Virginia Outdoors Foundation","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-126.7\/"},{"id":71866,"section_number":"51.1-1401","catch_line":"Health insurance credits for retired teachers","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-1401\/"},{"id":61234,"section_number":"51.1-1402","catch_line":"Health insurance credits for retired local government employees","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-1402\/"},{"id":63381,"section_number":"51.1-1405","catch_line":"Participation in the state retiree health benefits program","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-1405\/"},{"id":62951,"section_number":"51.1-145","catch_line":"Employer contributions","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-145\/"},{"id":85181,"section_number":"51.1-153","catch_line":"Service retirement","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-153\/"},{"id":55144,"section_number":"51.1-156","catch_line":"Disability retirement","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-156\/"},{"id":83100,"section_number":"51.1-169","catch_line":"Hybrid retirement program","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-169\/"},{"id":54259,"section_number":"51.1-200","catch_line":"State Police Officers' Retirement System continued; administration; application of provisions of Virginia Retirement System","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-200\/"},{"id":69138,"section_number":"51.1-205","catch_line":"Service retirement generally","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-205\/"},{"id":74746,"section_number":"51.1-211","catch_line":"Virginia Law Officers' Retirement System; application of provisions of Virginia Retirement System","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-211\/"},{"id":73479,"section_number":"51.1-300","catch_line":"Judicial Retirement System continued; administration; application of provisions of Virginia Retirement System","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-300\/"},{"id":78359,"section_number":"51.1-305","catch_line":"Service retirement generally","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-305\/"},{"id":54931,"section_number":"51.1-307","catch_line":"Notice of disability retirement","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-307\/"}],"permalink":{"id":235877,"object_type":"law","relational_id":75331,"identifier":"51.1-1400","token":"51.1\/14\/51.1-1400","url":"\/51.1-1400\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/51.1-1400\/","token":"51.1\/14\/51.1-1400","dublin_core":{"Title":"Health insurance credits for retired state employees","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 51.1-1400","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The Commonwealth shall provide a credit toward the cost of health insurance coverage for any former state employee, as defined in § 2.2-2818<\/a>, who retired under the Virginia Retirement System, State Police Officers’ Retirement System, Judicial Retirement System, Virginia Law<\/span> Officers’ Retirement System, or any retirement system authorized pursuant to § 51.1-126<\/a>, 51.1-126.1<\/a>, 51.1-126.3<\/a>, 51.1-126.4<\/a>, 51.1-126.5<\/a>, 51.1-126.7<\/a>, or 51.1-169<\/a> and who (i) rendered at least 15 years of total creditable service under the Retirement System or (ii) rendered service as a temporary employee of the General Assembly in 1972 and became a member of the retirement system from 1972 to 1985 immediately following such temporary service. The amount of each monthly health insurance credit payable under this section shall be (a) $4 per year of creditable service or (b) effective July 1, 2024, $4.25 per year of creditable service, which amount shall be credited monthly to any retired state employee participating in the state retiree health benefits program pursuant to § 51.1-1405<\/a> or an alternative personal health insurance plan as provided herein. However, such credit shall not exceed the health insurance premium for retiree-only coverage as provided under such alternative personal health insurance plan. Any (1) employee participant pursuant to § 51.1-126<\/a>, 51.1-126.1<\/a>, 51.1-126.3<\/a>, 51.1-126.4<\/a>, 51.1-126.5<\/a>, or 51.1-126.7<\/a> receiving long-term disability, or (2) retired state employee retired under the provisions of § 51.1-156<\/a> or 51.1-307<\/a>, or (3) any participating employee receiving long-term disability pursuant to § 51.1-1112<\/a>, 51.1-1123<\/a>, 51.1-1157<\/a>, or 51.1-1165<\/a> shall receive a maximum monthly credit which is the greater of (a) $120, (b) $4 or, effective July 1, 2024, $4.25 per year for each year of creditable service at the time of disability retirement, or (c) $4 or, effective July 1, 2024, $4.25 per year for each year of creditable service at the time of eligibility for long-term disability. Any person included in the membership of a retirement system provided by Chapter 1 (§ 51.1-124.1<\/a> et seq.), 2 (§ 51.1-200<\/a> et seq.), 2.1 (§ 51.1-211<\/a> et seq.), or 3 (§ 51.1-300<\/a> et seq.) who elects to defer his retirement pursuant to subsection C of § 51.1-153<\/a>, subsection C of § 51.1-205<\/a> or subsection C of § 51.1-305<\/a> shall be entitled to receive the allowable credit provided by this section on the effective date of his retirement. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> For those retired state employees: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Participating in the state retiree health benefits program, such credit shall be applied to the monthly premium deducted from benefits payable to retired state employees in accordance with Chapters 1 (§ 51.1-124.1<\/a> et seq.), 2 (§ 51.1-200<\/a> et seq.), 2.1 (§ 51.1-211<\/a> et seq.), and 3 (§ 51.1-300<\/a> et seq.). In the event that either no benefit is payable or the benefit payable is insufficient to deduct the entire health care premium, the payment of the credit shall be determined in the manner prescribed by the Virginia Retirement System. Eligibility for the credit shall be determined in a manner prescribed by the Virginia Retirement System. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Not electing or eligible to participate in the state retiree health benefits program and who purchase an alternative personal health insurance policy from a carrier or organization of his own choosing, such retirees shall be eligible to receive a credit in the amount specified in subsection A. Eligibility for the credit and payment for the credit shall be determined in a manner prescribed by the Virginia Retirement System. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Any person included in the membership of a retirement system provided by Chapter 1 (§ 51.1-124.1<\/a> et seq.), 2 (§ 51.1-200<\/a> et seq.), 2.1 (§ 51.1-211<\/a> et seq.), or 3 (§ 51.1-300<\/a> et seq.) who (i) rendered at least 15 years of total creditable service as a state employee as defined in § 2.2-2818<\/a> and (ii) after terminating state service, was employed by a local government that does not elect to provide a health insurance credit under § 51.1-1401<\/a> or 51.1-1402<\/a>, shall be eligible for the credit provided by subsection A, provided that the retired employee is participating in a health insurance plan. The Commonwealth shall be charged with the credit as provided for in subsection D. In such case, the health insurance credit shall be determined based upon the amount of state service or service as a teacher, whichever is greater. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> The Virginia Retirement System shall actuarially determine the amount necessary to fund all credits provided by this section to reflect the cost of such credits in the employer contribution rate pursuant to § 51.1-145<\/a>, and prescribe such terms and conditions as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. The costs associated with the administration of the health insurance credit program provided for in this section shall be recovered from the health insurance credit trust fund. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Notwithstanding anything contained in this section to the contrary, the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System Authority shall pay the cost of coverage for employees of such Authority who (i) retired under the Virginia Retirement System or any retirement system authorized pursuant to § 23.1-2416<\/a>, 51.1-126<\/a>, 51.1-126.1<\/a>, or former § 51.1-126.2<\/a>; (ii) were employed by such Authority prior to July 1, 1998, and were not subsequently rehired by such Authority on or after July 1, 1998; and (iii) served no less than 15 years of creditable service as regularly employed full-time employees of such Authority or the Commonwealth. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nHEALTH INSURANCE CREDITS FOR RETIRED STATE EMPLOYEES (\u00a7 51.1-1400)\n\nA. The Commonwealth shall provide a credit toward the cost of health insurance\ncoverage for any former state employee, as defined in § 2.2-2818, who\nretired under the Virginia Retirement System, State Police Officers’\nRetirement System, Judicial Retirement System, Virginia Law Officers’\nRetirement System, or any retirement system authorized pursuant to §\n51.1-126, 51.1-126.1, 51.1-126.3, 51.1-126.4, 51.1-126.5, 51.1-126.7, or\n51.1-169 and who (i) rendered at least 15 years of total creditable service\nunder the Retirement System or (ii) rendered service as a temporary employee of\nthe General Assembly in 1972 and became a member of the retirement system from\n1972 to 1985 immediately following such temporary service. The amount of each\nmonthly health insurance credit payable under this section shall be (a) $4 per\nyear of creditable service or (b) effective July 1, 2024, $4.25 per year of\ncreditable service, which amount shall be credited monthly to any retired state\nemployee participating in the state retiree health benefits program pursuant to\n§ 51.1-1405 or an alternative personal health insurance plan as provided\nherein. However, such credit shall not exceed the health insurance premium for\nretiree-only coverage as provided under such alternative personal health\ninsurance plan. Any (1) employee participant pursuant to § 51.1-126,\n51.1-126.1, 51.1-126.3, 51.1-126.4, 51.1-126.5, or 51.1-126.7 receiving\nlong-term disability, or (2) retired state employee retired under the provisions\nof § 51.1-156 or 51.1-307, or (3) any participating employee receiving\nlong-term disability pursuant to § 51.1-1112, 51.1-1123, 51.1-1157, or\n51.1-1165 shall receive a maximum monthly credit which is the greater of (a)\n$120, (b) $4 or, effective July 1, 2024, $4.25 per year for each year of\ncreditable service at the time of disability retirement, or (c) $4 or, effective\nJuly 1, 2024, $4.25 per year for each year of creditable service at the time of\neligibility for long-term disability. Any person included in the membership of a\nretirement system provided by Chapter 1 (§ 51.1-124.1 et seq.), 2 (§\n51.1-200 et seq.), 2.1 (§ 51.1-211 et seq.), or 3 (§ 51.1-300 et seq.)\nwho elects to defer his retirement pursuant to subsection C of § 51.1-153,\nsubsection C of § 51.1-205 or subsection C of § 51.1-305 shall be\nentitled to receive the allowable credit provided by this section on the\neffective date of his retirement.\n\nB. For those retired state employees:\n\n 1. Participating in the state retiree health benefits program, such credit\n shall be applied to the monthly premium deducted from benefits payable to\n retired state employees in accordance with Chapters 1 (§ 51.1-124.1 et\n seq.), 2 (§ 51.1-200 et seq.), 2.1 (§ 51.1-211 et seq.), and 3\n (§ 51.1-300 et seq.). In the event that either no benefit is payable or\n the benefit payable is insufficient to deduct the entire health care premium,\n the payment of the credit shall be determined in the manner prescribed by the\n Virginia Retirement System. Eligibility for the credit shall be determined in\n a manner prescribed by the Virginia Retirement System.\n\n 2. Not electing or eligible to participate in the state retiree health\n benefits program and who purchase an alternative personal health insurance\n policy from a carrier or organization of his own choosing, such retirees shall\n be eligible to receive a credit in the amount specified in subsection A.\n Eligibility for the credit and payment for the credit shall be determined in a\n manner prescribed by the Virginia Retirement System.\n\nC. Any person included in the membership of a retirement system provided by\nChapter 1 (§ 51.1-124.1 et seq.), 2 (§ 51.1-200 et seq.), 2.1 (§\n51.1-211 et seq.), or 3 (§ 51.1-300 et seq.) who (i) rendered at least 15\nyears of total creditable service as a state employee as defined in §\n2.2-2818 and (ii) after terminating state service, was employed by a local\ngovernment that does not elect to provide a health insurance credit under §\n51.1-1401 or 51.1-1402, shall be eligible for the credit provided by subsection\nA, provided that the retired employee is participating in a health insurance\nplan. The Commonwealth shall be charged with the credit as provided for in\nsubsection D. In such case, the health insurance credit shall be determined\nbased upon the amount of state service or service as a teacher, whichever is\ngreater.\n\nD. The Virginia Retirement System shall actuarially determine the amount\nnecessary to fund all credits provided by this section to reflect the cost of\nsuch credits in the employer contribution rate pursuant to § 51.1-145, and\nprescribe such terms and conditions as are necessary to carry out the provisions\nof this section. The costs associated with the administration of the health\ninsurance credit program provided for in this section shall be recovered from\nthe health insurance credit trust fund.\n\nE. Notwithstanding anything contained in this section to the contrary, the\nVirginia Commonwealth University Health System Authority shall pay the cost of\ncoverage for employees of such Authority who (i) retired under the Virginia\nRetirement System or any retirement system authorized pursuant to §\n23.1-2416, 51.1-126, 51.1-126.1, or former § 51.1-126.2; (ii) were employed\nby such Authority prior to July 1, 1998, and were not subsequently rehired by\nsuch Authority on or after July 1, 1998; and (iii) served no less than 15 years\nof creditable service as regularly employed full-time employees of such\nAuthority or the Commonwealth.\n\nHISTORY: 1989, c. 664, \u00a7 2.1-20.1:2; 1992, c. 770; 1993, cc. 743, 938; 1995,\ncc. 612, 734; 1998, cc. 195, 449, 676; 1999, cc. 832, 980, 984; 2000, cc. 720,\n911; 2001, c. 844; 2004, c. 79; 2005, c. 535; 2006, c. 622; 2007, c. 64; 2012,\ncc. 701, 823; 2023, c. 264.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}