Health insurance/Medicare

Health coverage

Health care can be a significant expense for retirees. NHRS members who work for cities, counties, school districts, towns, or other units of local government (not state government) are encouraged to discuss health insurance after retirement with their employer prior to retirement. State law requires participating political subdivision employers to allow their retiring employees to continue health insurance coverage at retirement.

NHRS members who work for the state and meet eligibility requirements may receive continuing health insurance through the State of New Hampshire. Health insurance for state employees is administered by the Risk Management Unit of the New Hampshire Department of Administrative Services, not by NHRS.

Qualified retired members may be entitled to an NHRS medical subsidy, which is a payment made by the retirement system to offset the cost of the retired member’s employer-sponsored health insurance coverage.

Medicare

Generally, Medicare is available for people age 65 or older, younger people with disabilities and people with End Stage Renal Disease. Medicare has two parts, Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medicare Insurance). Individuals are eligible for premium-free Part A if they are age 65 or older and the individual or their spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. Medicare Advantage is an alternative to parts A & B, which can be less expensive.

Insurance companies offer supplemental insurance coverages that address coverage gaps in Medicare A and B, as well as co-pays and deductibles.

Coverage for prescription drugs is also available through private providers under Medicare Part D.

Take the time to review the various aspects of Medicare before you turn 65.

Learn more

Health insurance resources

Health insurance for State of NH retirees

NHRS Medical Subsidy

AARP has a Health Care Cost Calculator to help you estimate expenses based on your condition and health needs.

Information on New Hampshire's Federally Facilitated Health Insurance Marketplace from the NH Department of Insurance.

Medicare resources

Medicare.gov

ServiceLink, a program of the NH Department of Health and Human Services, offers free counseling and resources regarding Medicare.

The New Hampshire Insurance Department released a free interactive resource to help consumers shopping for Medicare Supplement (MediGap) plans. The Medicare Supplement Rate Dashboard allows viewers to compare the monthly premium cost of Medicare Supplement plans based on their gender, age, plan type, and preferred company.