Coverage Upon Early Retirement. Any certified staff member, eligible to receive benefits, employed by the Brookings School District for at least fifteen (15) years, and who has attained the age of 55 by June 30th of the retirement year and chooses to retire, or who has served the Brookings School District in an eligible status for at least twenty (20) years, and due to doctor certified illness, which prohibits them from continued employment with the Brookings District, shall have the option to remain on the district's major medical health insurance policy at the group rate provided he/she is not later employed by an organization that provides health insurance coverage for its employees. This person, his/her spouse, and dependents may remain on the policy at the group rate until he/she attains the age that qualifies for Medicare benefits unless such an option is not permitted by the school’s health insurance carrier. Application for the option to retain the insurance must be made by the date of termination. A retiree who has met the above requirements and who remains on the insurance as the spouse of another district employee who is receiving the district contribution toward the premium shall be considered to have exercised the option to retain the insurance unless such an option is not permitted by the school’s health insurance carrier. In the event the retiree finds that a qualifying life event will make coverage unavailable to them under this option, the retiree shall have the option to retain the district insurance within the parameters set out in the paragraph above, with the exception that the retiree shall have thirty (30) days from the qualifying event to make application for the option to retain insurance. The retired person shall assume responsibility for the entire premium and administrative costs due after retirement, and all payments must be made before the due date specified by the school district. The District shall assume no liability for policy cancellation due to late payment.
