[UCRDBR] Significant Policy Changes to the Group Insurance Regulations for Retired Members, Disabled Members, and Survivors Effective 1/1/2026

[Departmental Benefits Representatives]

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March 25, 2026

To:
Department Benefits Representatives (DBRs)
From:
Central HR Benefits Office on behalf of UC Office of the President
Re:
Significant Policy Changes to the Group Insurance Regulations for Retired Members, Disabled Members, and Survivors Effective 1/1/2026



DBRs, please share this information via your internal listserv.  Please do not reply to this email.  Please send a separate email with questions to benefits at ucr.edu<mailto:benefits at ucr.edu>.




UCOP has advised that as of January 1, 2026, Retirement Program Services implemented revisions to the Group Insurance Regulations (GIRs) for Retired Members, Disabled Members, and Survivors (formerly “Annuitant Health & Welfare Plan GIRs”) following UC Legal review and approval by the Plan Administrator. These updates include technical, compliance‑related, and policy amendments that affect retirees, disabled members, survivors, and future enrollees. The summary below highlights the most significant changes. These revisions align Retiree Health practices with Employee Health & Welfare plans, clarify eligibility rules, and improve administrative consistency.

Continuation of Coverage for Retirees (Plan Section 6002.A.1.i)

Continuation of coverage provisions have been eliminated for retirees with a Retirement Date on or after January 1, 2026.



·         Employees eligible for Retiree Health Coverage will no longer be required to provide proof of other coverage if there is a gap between when employee benefits end and retiree health coverage begins.



Savings Choice Retirement (Plan Section 6002.D)

·         All Savings Choice service credit will count toward eligibility for Retiree Health Coverage, even if the Defined Contribution Plan account has already been distributed.

·         The first Savings Choice–only retiree will become eligible for Retiree Health benefits in 2026.

New Period of Initial Eligibility (PIE) – Retirement from UC (Plan Section 6003)

Retirement from UC has been added as a new Period of Initial Eligibility (PIE), effective January 1, 2026.

·         Newly retired members who are eligible for Retiree Health Coverage may make changes to their Retiree Health plans at retirement, including enrolling or disenrolling eligible family members.

·         The PIE begins the day following the later of the member’s retirement effective date or the date employee health insurance terminates.

·         This rule also applies to survivors and disabled members who become newly eligible for retiree insurance.

Break in Service Rule Elimination (Administrative Supplement II‑E)

Currently, employees experience a Break in Service for retiree health eligibility if they are on unpaid leave for more than two years and must return to pay status to qualify.

·         Effective January 1, 2026, this Break in Service rule will no longer apply.

·         Employees may remain eligible for Retiree Health benefits without returning to pay status for any period of approved leave of absence, regardless of duration.

·         Employees must still meet all other eligibility criteria outlined in the Retiree Health GIRs.

Attached are the following resources: Add to Cristina’s

·         Summary of the Retiree GIRs Policy Changes

·         UCnet article: “2026 changes make it easier to enroll in retiree health benefits”<https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/employee-news/changes-to-enrollment-in-retiree-health-benefits/>

·         Revised regulations: available at Group Insurance Regulations | UCnet<https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/for-hr-administrators/health-welfare-benefits/group-insurance-regulations/>

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