Survivor of Commonwealth Employee/Retiree
and GIC Benefits
Questions and Answers

Q) If I die is my surviving spouse (and dependents) eligible for GIC health insurance?
A) If you (the state employee/retiree) have coverage through the GIC at the time of your death, your surviving spouse is eligible forr GIC health insurance coverage until he/she remarries or dies regardless of your retirement benefit option (A, B, or C). However, he/she must apply for survivor spouse coverage by contacting the GIC for a survivor application; survivor coverage is not an automatic benefit. Upon approval, the GIC will bill your surviving spouse for his/her share of the health insurance premium. If your eligible dependents are covered under your health plan at the time of your death, they may continue GIC coverage until they reach age 19. See dependent 19 and over question and answer section for more information.

Q) If at the time of my death my retirement pension ends, can my surviving spouse continue GIC health insurance coverage?
A) Your surviving spouse must apply for survivor coverage as it is not an automatic benefit. To apply, your surviving spouse must contact the GIC for an application. Upon approval of the application, the GIC will direct bill your surviving spouse for his/her share of the health insurance premium.

Q) I am a surviving spouse of a Commonwealth employee/retiree enrolled in a GIC health plan and am turning age 65. What do I need to do?
A) When you are age 65, visit your local Social Security Administration Office to see if you are eligible for Medicare Part A for free. If you are eligible, you must enroll. If you are retired or not working, you must also enroll in Medicare Part B and enroll in a Medicare Plan sponsored by the GIC . The GIC will contact you about your options.

Q) I am a legally separated or divorced state employee/retiree.   When I die, is my legally separated or former spouse eligible for survivor health insurance?
A)  No.  Your legally separated or former spouse may continue coverage under COBRA for up to 36 months after your death.

Q) I am the former spouse or legally separated spouse of a Commonwealth employee/retiree who has died and was covered under his/her GIC health coverage. Am I eligible to continue GIC health coverage?
A) GIC health coverage for an employee's /retiree's former spouse ends when the employee/retiree dies. Former spouses and legally separated spouses are not eligible for survivor health coverage, but may apply for continuing coverage through COBRA or non-group conversion. Contact the GIC for additional information.

Q) I am a surviving spouse who was covered through my spouse's GIC health insurance coverage. When does my coverage end?
A) Survivor health insurance coverage ends when you stop premium payments, remarry, or die, whichever occurs first.

Q)  I am a surviving spouse of a state employee and work for the state.  Am I eligible for survivor coverage?
A)  Surviving spouses who are eligible for coverage as an employee or retiree are not eligible for survivor coverage.  If a surviving state employee terminates state service, he or she may be eligible for survivor coverage at that time.

Q) I am a survivor who is remarrying.  What happens to my GIC coverage?
A) Your coverage as a survivor ends at the end of the month in which you remarry.  You are eligible to continue your coverage under COBRA for up to 36 months or to convert to non-group coverage with your health plan.