Trustees OK increases in health care allowances
HRA base amount headed to $400 monthly in 2025 for Medicare retirees
By Michael Pramik, Ohio Public Employees Retirement System
April 11, 2024 – The OPERS Board of Trustees approved an increase in the Health Reimbursement Arrangement base allowance for Medicare retirees at its March meeting. The Board also voted to maintain the Pre-Medicare allowance at the current level.
The current base allowance of $350 per month for Medicare retirees will increase to $400 beginning in January and is expected to remain at that level through 2030. The base allowance for Pre-Medicare retirees is currently $1,200 per month and was scheduled to reduce to $1,000 per month in January. Instead, the Pre-Medicare base allowance will remain at $1,200 per month through 2030. The HRA increases are part of a plan to periodically evaluate the base health care allowances based on funding availability.
Trustees considered several approaches to increase the base allowances in light of the current costs of coverage for retirees. The approved periodic-increase plan increases health care buying power for Medicare retirees, provides plan stability for all retirees and follows the current structured allowance approach all retirees are familiar with.
This increase in HRA allowance levels will occur despite the system not having sufficient employer contributions to fund health care. However, the favorable investment returns and overall plan structure have allowed the health care fund to remain strong. While these allowance levels are currently expected to continue through 2030, the HRA allowance is monitored relative to the health care costs and funding. Future changes in the HRA allowance level could be considered earlier than 2031 depending on funding levels.
The goal of the HRA program is to cover a portion of the retiree’s medical and drug plan premiums. OPERS introduced the HRA for Medicare retirees in 2016 and for Pre-Medicare retirees in 2022. Retirees receive varying percentages of the base allowances depending on their years of qualifying service credit and the age at retirement. They can be reimbursed for paid premiums and out-of-pocket medical expenses with funds contained in their accounts.
Michael Pramik
Michael Pramik is communication strategist for the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System and editor of the PERSpective blog. As an experienced business journalist, he clarifies complex pension policies and helps members make smart choices to secure their retirement.
Thank you OPERS.
I retired in July of 2017 with 14 years. Is it correct that i am an not entitled to anything.
William, please send your questions through the online account message center so we can provide account specific answers, or you can contact our Member Services Center at 1-800-222-7377 for further assistance.
Isn’t the health reimbursement $315.00?
Mark,
The current base allowance for Medicare retirees is $350. That’s increasing to $400 beginning next year. Qualifying retirees receive a percentage of the base allowance based on their years of service and when they retired.
If someone is receiving less than the base allowance will there be an increase?
Jim,
Yes, there will be an increase in the same proportion as their current percentage rate.
OPERS is the best public employee pension plan in the US. It is great to have trustees and staff that live in the real world and continually evaluate conditions and do their best to help retirees live a dignified life after working for many years. THANK YOU STAFF AND TRUSTEES.
We are so fortunate to have such a stable pension. I did have a question about how the allowances are calculated? I only receive 65% of the $350. The dollar amount was explained to me during my phone meeting with ViaBenefits but I would just like to see how it is calculated. Can’t find it anywhere on the OPERS site. Thank you! 🙂
Vic,
Here are charts that we use to explain the allowance percentage and the monthly allowance.
I would echo the PRAISE for OPERS Leadership! My spouse has been in STRS since retiring in 2013, and each year OPERS’ review, adjustments, and confidence for the future increases. THANK YOU from a 2018 retiree.