Retiree Benefits
An employee will be considered eligible for certain university retirement benefits if the following criteria are met (The university reserves the right to unilaterally increase, decrease or discontinue all or any retiree benefits and/or charges associated with available benefits.):
-
- An employee has at least 10 continuous years of service, in the status of regular employee at .5 FTE or more, without a break in service during the 10 years prior to the date of retirement, and receives NM ERB benefits immediately upon termination of employment;
- An employee is eligible for retirement under NM ERB rules/regulations at the time of termination of employment at the university.
- An employee of the Cooperative Extension Service must be eligible for and receive federal retirement.
NOTICE: Retiree health insurance coverage will no longer be provided for employees hired on or after July 1, 2016.
Contents
Working After Retirement
Retirees considering re-employment should consult ARP 6.15 – Re-Employment of Retirees and ARP 8.12 – Retirement, Educational (ERB) Eligibility to return to work is determined by the NMERB, not NMSU. For inquiries, contact NMERB at member.help@state.nm.us or 866-691-2345. Both NMERB and Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP) retirees must complete and obtain approval for the NMERB Return to Work (RTW) Application before commencing work at NMSU. Submit the approved application to NMSU Human Resource Services prior to employment.
NMSU Quick Guide Hiring Retirees
Return to Work Information for NMERB Retirees
Return to Work Application (Electronic Application)
Application to withdraw from Return to Work Program
More info at the NMERB website
NMSU Retiree Tuition Remission
- Retirees: Eligible for up to 18 credit hours of tuition-free courses per session.
- Spouse/Domestic Partner: Eligible for one class per session if the retiree is not enrolled in the same session.
- Exclusions: This benefit does not cover additional fees (e.g., ASNMSU fees, textbooks, software). Retirees are responsible for any general or additional fees.
To utilize this benefit retirees must complete and submit a Retiree Tuition Remission Form every session before the deadlines below. Failure to timely submit a waiver will result in full tuition billed to the student account.
- FALL session – November 1st
- SPRING session – April 1st
- SUMMER session – August 1st
Late submissions will result in full tuition being charged to the student account. For a list of applicable fees, visit the University Accounts Receivable website.
Dependent Children
Dependent children of a retiree may receive a 50% reduction in tuition for NMSU courses up to 18 credit hours per semester. Please see the Child Tuition page for full details.
Discounts & Memberships
Retirees have access to the following discounts and memberships. The items ending in an asterisk (*) indicate benefits that are available to spouses and surviving spouses of retirees.
- Aggie Athletics Season Tickets Discount*
- Aggie Fit Membership*
- NMSU Bookstore– 10% discount* (Some exclusions apply)
- Email Address – Keep your NMSU email address
- Golf Course Rates for Retirees*
- Library privileges* – Guests borrowing privileges
- Meal Plan discounts
- Parking permit for NMSU Campus (fees may apply)
- Tennis Membership
- Theatre Arts Productions– Seasonal complementary ticket
- University Identification Card
Retiree Life Insurance
Eligible retirees enrolled in the Group Life and AD&D insurance program for the 10 consecutive years prior to retirement will be given the option to continue a basic $10,000 life insurance policy through NMSU at the group discounted rate. The policy covers basic life without the AD&D rider. (See ARP 8.23 – Group Life Insurance)
Provider: Insurance issued by Dearborn National (trade name BCBSNM)
For questions or to file a claim contact Benefit Services at 575-646-8000 or benefits@nmsu.edu.
Update your Beneficiary Information: Submit a Beneficiary Change Form to NMSU Benefit Services (contact information below).
Submit a claim:
- Submit a claim form (part 2) for each beneficiary and a copy of the death certificate to NMSU Benefit Services.
- We will submit the claim packet to Dearborn National. The claim is usually processed within 6-8 weeks after our office receives all requested items, provided additional information is not needed.
Additional Resources:
Retiree Term Life Insurance Booklet & Certificate
Retiree Health Insurance
Eligibility
An employee hired before July 1, 2016, who officially retires from the university and immediately begins receiving a monthly benefit from the Educational Retirement Board (or meets eligibility rules and begins receiving a benefit under the Alternative Retirement Plan) may continue their medical insurance after retirement. To qualify, the employee must have been enrolled in the plan for the previous 10 consecutive years while working in a regular employment status. (ARP 8.21 – Group Medical Insurance)
Retiree Health Coverage Options and Costs
Provider Information
Medigap Part D (Prescription): 1-877-838-3833 myprime.com
Pre-Medicare Retirees (generally, under age 65)
Creditable Coverage Disclosure Notice
Provider Finder/Cost Estimator
Quick and easy way to find doctors
Medicare-eligible Retirees (generally, age 65 and over)
Retirees and dependents age 65 and over, or otherwise eligible for Medicare, must be enrolled in Medicare Parts A & B effective latter of the date of retirement or the date first eligible.
NOTE: The Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services (CMS) allows enrollment in only one Medicare Part D plan at a time. If at any time you enroll in another Part D product, CMS will notify NMSU. NMSU will cancel you from both the medical and prescription program provided through NMSU. Once canceled you cannot re-enroll at a later date.
NMSU Retiree Medigap Summary (pre CMS updates)
Additional BCBS Health Resources
Blue 365 – A discount program for members
Retirees enrolled in NMSU Retiree Health plan may enroll in Retiree Dental and/or Vision plans at the time of retirement or during the annual Open enrollment period.
If you disenroll from either the dental or vision plan, you must wait 4 years before you can enroll again.
BCBS Dental
PPO benefit – In and Out-of-Network benefits
Customer Service toll-free number: 1-877-723-5697
Search for a provider in New Mexico or Nationally: https://c4.go2dental.com/member/dental_search/searchprov.cgi?brand=nm&product=ppo
BCBS Dental Insurance Highlight Sheet
BlueCare Dental Enhanced Benefit Member Flier ( click here for Spanish)
BlueCare Dental PPO Member Flier (click here for Spanish)
2024 Retiree Dental & Vision Enrollment Form
BCBS Vision
National network of vision providers powered by EyeMed through BCBSNM
Customer Service toll-free number: 1-855-591-2659
Find a provider near you: log in to www.eyemedvisioncare.com/bcbsnmvis
BCBS Vision Insurance Highlight Sheet
Vision Benefit Information and Resources (click here for Spanish)
Vision Benefits Made Easy (click here for Spanish)
Vision Frequently Asked Questions (click here for Spanish)
Vision Insurance Summary of Benefits (click here for Spanish)
Vision Claim Form - Out-of-Network
Insurance Committee
The Insurance Committee is a sub-committee of NMSU Employee Council charged with investigating, evaluating, and making recommendations to Employee Council involving matters and policies affecting employee and retiree insurance. Inquiries for the Insurance Committee may be emailed to empcouncil@nmsu.edu.
NMSU Benefit Services Contact Information
Physical: Hadley Hall suite 17
Mailing: Benefit Services, PO Box 30001 MSC 3HRS, Las Cruces, NM 88003
Email: benefits@nmsu.edu
Fax: 575-646-2806
Service Ticket: help.nmsu.edu