{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/51.1-1403.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/51.1-1403.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/51.1-1403.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/51.1-1403.html"}],"law_id":54220,"edition_id":1,"section_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","history":"1997, c. 989, \u00a7 2.1-20.1:7; 2000, c. 517; 2001, c. 844; 2005, cc. 382, 432; 2006, c. 336; 2012, cc. 701, 823; 2023, c. 581.","full_text":"A\n\nA local officer, as defined in § 51.1-124.3, general registrar, employee of a general registrar, or an employee of a local social services board, retired under the Virginia Retirement System, including the hybrid retirement program described in § 51.1-169, who rendered at least 15 years of total creditable service under the System shall receive a health insurance credit to his monthly retirement allowance, which shall be applied to reduce the retired member’s health insurance premium cost. The amount of each monthly health insurance credit payable under this section shall be (i) $1.50 for each full year of the retired member’s creditable service, not to exceed a maximum monthly credit of $45, or (ii) beginning July 1, 2024, for a local officer, as defined in § 51.1-124.3, $1.75 for each full year of the retired member’s creditable service, not to exceed a maximum monthly credit of $52.50; however, each former member whose retirement was for disability, a participant receiving long-term disability pursuant to § 51.1-1157 or 51.1-1165, or a member of the hybrid retirement program receiving long-term disability pursuant to coverage under subsection A of § 51.1-1153 shall receive a monthly health insurance credit in the amount of (a) for an individual described in this section other than a local officer, as defined in § 51.1-124.3, $45 or (b) beginning July 1, 2024, for a local officer, as defined in § 51.1-124.3, $52.50. Eligibility for the credit shall be determined in a manner prescribed by the Virginia Retirement System. Any member who elects to defer his retirement pursuant to subsection C of § 51.1-153 shall be entitled to receive the allowable credit provided by this section on the effective date of his retirement. The cost of such credit shall be borne by the Commonwealth.B\n\nIn addition to the health insurance credit authorized in subsection A, localities that participate in the Virginia Retirement System may elect to provide an additional health insurance credit of $1 per month for each full year of the retired member’s creditable service, not to exceed a maximum monthly credit of $30. The costs of such additional health insurance credit shall be borne by the locality.C\n\n1. Those retired employees who purchase an alternative personal health insurance policy from a carrier or organization of their own choosing shall be eligible to receive a credit in the amount specified in subdivision C 2. Eligibility for the credit and payment of the credit shall be determined in a manner prescribed by the Virginia Retirement System.2\n\nThe credit shall be in (i) the amount provided in subsection A, or subsection A and subsection B if the additional credit authorized by subsection B is provided or (ii) the amount of premium paid for the personal health insurance policy, whichever is less.D\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 local officer as defined in § 51.1-124.3 or as an employee of a local social services board or combined service as a general registrar or an employee of a general registrar and (ii) after terminating service as a local officer or employee of a local social services board or general registrar or as an employee of a general registrar, was employed by a local government that does not elect to provide a health insurance credit under § 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 A. In such case, the health insurance credit shall be determined based upon the amount of state service or service as a local officer or service as an employee of a local social services board or combined service as a general registrar or an employee of a general registrar, whichever is greater.E\n\nThe Virginia Retirement System shall (i) actuarially determine the amount necessary to fund all credits provided under this section, (ii) reflect the cost of such credits in the applicable employer contribution rate pursuant to § 51.1-145, and (iii) 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 program provided for in this section shall be recovered from the health insurance credit trust fund.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":199103,"text":"A local officer, as defined in § 51.1-124.3, general registrar, employee of a general registrar, or an employee of a local social services board, retired under the Virginia Retirement System, including the hybrid retirement program described in § 51.1-169, who rendered at least 15 years of total creditable service under the System shall receive a health insurance credit to his monthly retirement allowance, which shall be applied to reduce the retired member’s health insurance premium cost. The amount of each monthly health insurance credit payable under this section shall be (i) $1.50 for each full year of the retired member’s creditable service, not to exceed a maximum monthly credit of $45, or (ii) beginning July 1, 2024, for a local officer, as defined in § 51.1-124.3, $1.75 for each full year of the retired member’s creditable service, not to exceed a maximum monthly credit of $52.50; however, each former member whose retirement was for disability, a participant receiving long-term disability pursuant to § 51.1-1157 or 51.1-1165, or a member of the hybrid retirement program receiving long-term disability pursuant to coverage under subsection A of § 51.1-1153 shall receive a monthly health insurance credit in the amount of (a) for an individual described in this section other than a local officer, as defined in § 51.1-124.3, $45 or (b) beginning July 1, 2024, for a local officer, as defined in § 51.1-124.3, $52.50. Eligibility for the credit shall be determined in a manner prescribed by the Virginia Retirement System. Any member who elects to defer his retirement pursuant to subsection C of § 51.1-153 shall be entitled to receive the allowable credit provided by this section on the effective date of his retirement. The cost of such credit shall be borne by the Commonwealth.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":199104,"text":"In addition to the health insurance credit authorized in subsection A, localities that participate in the Virginia Retirement System may elect to provide an additional health insurance credit of $1 per month for each full year of the retired member’s creditable service, not to exceed a maximum monthly credit of $30. The costs of such additional health insurance credit shall be borne by the locality.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":199105,"text":"1. Those retired employees who purchase an alternative personal health insurance policy from a carrier or organization of their own choosing shall be eligible to receive a credit in the amount specified in subdivision C 2. Eligibility for the credit and payment of the credit shall be determined in a manner prescribed by the Virginia Retirement System.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"C2"},"3":{"id":199106,"text":"The credit shall be in (i) the amount provided in subsection A, or subsection A and subsection B if the additional credit authorized by subsection B is provided or (ii) the amount of premium paid for the personal health insurance policy, whichever is less.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"C2","prefix_anchor":"C2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"D"},"4":{"id":199107,"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 local officer as defined in § 51.1-124.3 or as an employee of a local social services board or combined service as a general registrar or an employee of a general registrar and (ii) after terminating service as a local officer or employee of a local social services board or general registrar or as an employee of a general registrar, was employed by a local government that does not elect to provide a health insurance credit under § 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 A. In such case, the health insurance credit shall be determined based upon the amount of state service or service as a local officer or service as an employee of a local social services board or combined service as a general registrar or an employee of a general registrar, whichever is greater.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C2","next_prefix":"E"},"5":{"id":199108,"text":"The Virginia Retirement System shall (i) actuarially determine the amount necessary to fund all credits provided under this section, (ii) reflect the cost of such credits in the applicable employer contribution rate pursuant to § 51.1-145, and (iii) 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 program provided for in this section shall be recovered from the health insurance credit trust fund.","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}],"previous_section":{"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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/51.1-1403\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1997. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 989<\/a> 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. It has been modified 6 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 2000, chapter 517<\/a>; in 2001, chapter 844<\/a>; in 2005, chapters 382<\/a> and 432<\/a>; in 2006, chapter 336<\/a>; in 2012, chapters 701<\/a> and 823<\/a>; in 2023, chapter 581<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":58048,"section_number":"51.1-1153","catch_line":"Participation in the program","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-1153\/"},{"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":70634,"section_number":"51.1-124.3","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-124.3\/"},{"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":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":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":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\/"}],"permalink":{"id":235893,"object_type":"law","relational_id":54220,"identifier":"51.1-1403","token":"51.1\/14\/51.1-1403","url":"\/51.1-1403\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/51.1-1403\/","token":"51.1\/14\/51.1-1403","dublin_core":{"Title":"Health insurance credits for retired constitutional officers, employees of constitutional officers, general registrars, employees of general registrars, and local social service employees","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 51.1-1403","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> A local officer, as defined in § 51.1-124.3<\/a>, general registrar, employee of a general registrar, or an employee of a local social services board, retired under the Virginia Retirement System, including the hybrid retirement program described in § 51.1-169<\/a>, who rendered at least 15 years of total creditable service under the System shall receive a health insurance credit to his monthly retirement allowance, which shall be applied to reduce the retired member’s health insurance premium cost. The amount of each monthly health insurance credit payable under this section shall be (i) $1.50 for each full year of the retired member’s creditable service, not to exceed a maximum monthly credit of $45, or (ii) beginning July 1, 2024, for a local officer, as defined in § 51.1-124.3<\/a>, $1.75 for each full year of the retired member’s creditable service, not to exceed a maximum monthly credit of $52.50; however, each former member whose retirement was for disability, a participant receiving long-term disability pursuant to § 51.1-1157<\/a> or 51.1-1165<\/a>, or a member of the hybrid retirement program receiving long-term disability pursuant to coverage under subsection A of § 51.1-1153<\/a> shall receive a monthly health insurance credit in the amount of (a) for an individual described in this section other than a local officer, as defined in § 51.1-124.3<\/a>, $45 or (b) beginning July 1, 2024, for a local officer, as defined in § 51.1-124.3<\/a>, $52.50. Eligibility for the credit shall be determined in a manner prescribed by the Virginia Retirement System. Any member who elects to defer his retirement pursuant to subsection C of § 51.1-153<\/a> shall be entitled to receive the allowable credit provided by this section on the effective date of his retirement. The cost of such credit shall be borne by the Commonwealth. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> In addition to the health insurance credit authorized in subsection A, localities that participate in the Virginia Retirement System may elect to provide an additional health insurance credit of $1 per month for each full year of the retired member’s creditable service, not to exceed a maximum monthly credit of $30. The costs of such additional health insurance credit shall be borne by the locality. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> 1. Those retired employees who purchase an alternative personal health insurance policy from a carrier or organization of their own choosing shall be eligible to receive a credit in the amount specified in subdivision C 2. Eligibility for the credit and payment of 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> The credit shall be in (i) the amount provided in subsection A, or subsection A and subsection B if the additional credit authorized by subsection B is provided or (ii) the amount of premium paid for the personal health insurance policy, whichever is less. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/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 local officer as defined in § 51.1-124.3<\/a> or as an employee of a local social services board or combined service as a general registrar or an employee of a general registrar and (ii) after terminating service as a local officer or employee of a local social services board or general registrar or as an employee of a general registrar, was employed by a local government that does not elect to provide a health insurance credit under § 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 A. In such case, the health insurance credit shall be determined based upon the amount of state service or service as a local officer or service as an employee of a local social services board or combined service as a general registrar or an employee of a general registrar, whichever is greater. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> The Virginia Retirement System shall (i) actuarially determine the amount necessary to fund all credits provided under this section, (ii) reflect the cost of such credits in the applicable employer contribution rate pursuant to § 51.1-145<\/a>, and (iii) 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 program provided for in this section shall be recovered from the health insurance credit trust fund. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nHEALTH INSURANCE CREDITS FOR RETIRED CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OF\nCONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS, GENERAL REGISTRARS, EMPLOYEES OF GENERAL REGISTRARS,\nAND LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICE EMPLOYEES (\u00a7 51.1-1403)\n\nA. A local officer, as defined in § 51.1-124.3, general registrar, employee\nof a general registrar, or an employee of a local social services board, retired\nunder the Virginia Retirement System, including the hybrid retirement program\ndescribed in § 51.1-169, who rendered at least 15 years of total creditable\nservice under the System shall receive a health insurance credit to his monthly\nretirement allowance, which shall be applied to reduce the retired\nmember’s health insurance premium cost. The amount of each monthly health\ninsurance credit payable under this section shall be (i) $1.50 for each full\nyear of the retired member’s creditable service, not to exceed a maximum\nmonthly credit of $45, or (ii) beginning July 1, 2024, for a local officer, as\ndefined in § 51.1-124.3, $1.75 for each full year of the retired\nmember’s creditable service, not to exceed a maximum monthly credit of\n$52.50; however, each former member whose retirement was for disability, a\nparticipant receiving long-term disability pursuant to § 51.1-1157 or\n51.1-1165, or a member of the hybrid retirement program receiving long-term\ndisability pursuant to coverage under subsection A of § 51.1-1153 shall\nreceive a monthly health insurance credit in the amount of (a) for an individual\ndescribed in this section other than a local officer, as defined in §\n51.1-124.3, $45 or (b) beginning July 1, 2024, for a local officer, as defined\nin § 51.1-124.3, $52.50. Eligibility for the credit shall be determined in\na manner prescribed by the Virginia Retirement System. Any member who elects to\ndefer his retirement pursuant to subsection C of § 51.1-153 shall be\nentitled to receive the allowable credit provided by this section on the\neffective date of his retirement. The cost of such credit shall be borne by the\nCommonwealth.\n\nB. In addition to the health insurance credit authorized in subsection A,\nlocalities that participate in the Virginia Retirement System may elect to\nprovide an additional health insurance credit of $1 per month for each full year\nof the retired member’s creditable service, not to exceed a maximum\nmonthly credit of $30. The costs of such additional health insurance credit\nshall be borne by the locality.\n\nC. 1. Those retired employees who purchase an alternative personal health\ninsurance policy from a carrier or organization of their own choosing shall be\neligible to receive a credit in the amount specified in subdivision C 2.\nEligibility for the credit and payment of the credit shall be determined in a\nmanner prescribed by the Virginia Retirement System.\n\n 2. The credit shall be in (i) the amount provided in subsection A, or\n subsection A and subsection B if the additional credit authorized by\n subsection B is provided or (ii) the amount of premium paid for the personal\n health insurance policy, whichever is less.\n\nD. 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 local officer as defined in §\n51.1-124.3 or as an employee of a local social services board or combined\nservice as a general registrar or an employee of a general registrar and (ii)\nafter terminating service as a local officer or employee of a local social\nservices board or general registrar or as an employee of a general registrar,\nwas employed by a local government that does not elect to provide a health\ninsurance credit under § 51.1-1402, shall be eligible for the credit\nprovided by subsection A, provided that the retired employee is participating in\na health insurance plan. The Commonwealth shall be charged with the credit as\nprovided for in subsection A. In such case, the health insurance credit shall be\ndetermined based upon the amount of state service or service as a local officer\nor service as an employee of a local social services board or combined service\nas a general registrar or an employee of a general registrar, whichever is\ngreater.\n\nE. The Virginia Retirement System shall (i) actuarially determine the amount\nnecessary to fund all credits provided under this section, (ii) reflect the cost\nof such credits in the applicable employer contribution rate pursuant to §\n51.1-145, and (iii) prescribe such terms and conditions as are necessary to\ncarry out the provisions of this section. The costs associated with the\nadministration of the health insurance program provided for in this section\nshall be recovered from the health insurance credit trust fund.\n\nHISTORY: 1997, c. 989, \u00a7 2.1-20.1:7; 2000, c. 517; 2001, c. 844; 2005, cc. 382,\n432; 2006, c. 336; 2012, cc. 701, 823; 2023, c. 581.","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}}