Upcoming HRA Committee Meeting
- TBD
Legacy Retiree Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)
Overview
On April 17, 2023, the Ventura County Employees’ Retirement Association (VCERA) Board of Retirement passed the Alameda Resolution excluding a portion of the Flexible Credit Allowance from the compensation earnable calculation for legacy retirement plan members, resulting in reduced pension benefits for those retiring on or after July 30, 2020. In response, on June 27, 2023, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors approved the creation of a Legacy Retiree Healthcare Premium Subsidy and Reimbursement Plan (“Plan”) to provide a monthly healthcare subsidy for eligible members, which can be used for healthcare expense reimbursement.
Additionally, on June 27, 2023, the Board approved an Amendment to the Memorandum of Agreement between the Ventura County Fire Protection District and the Ventura County Professional Firefighters’ Association (VCPFA). This amendment enables the monthly funding of a Legacy Retiree Healthcare Contribution on behalf of eligible retirees, directed into the VCPFA-administered medical trust to cover health-related expenses for qualified retirees.
Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)
The Plan will provide eligible retirees a monthly healthcare Benefit based on individual bargaining agreements, with a potential annual increase of up to 3%, that will be funded into a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) upon the Member’s retirement from the County and the commencement of VCERA annuity payments.
The HRA can be used for out-of-pocket medical, dental, and vision expenses for you and your eligible dependents. An individual HRA account will be set up in the name of the eligible retiree and can be used to pay for eligible expenses including:
- Doctor visits
- Co-pays
- Prescriptions
- Eyeglasses
Funds from the preceding plan year in a member’s Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) will automatically roll over to successive plan years.
Member’s HRA funds will be forfeited and reverted to Plan general assets only after the Member’s death, or the Member’s beneficiary’s death, and the end of the Claim Run-Out period.
Eligibility
To qualify for benefits under the Legacy Retiree Healthcare Premium Subsidy and Reimbursement Plan, eligible retirees and their surviving beneficiaries must meet the following criteria:
- Be represented by a union/association that adopts the Plan as part of its memorandum of understanding or covered by the Management Resolution.
- Commenced employment with the County no later than April 16, 2023, which is one day prior to the VCERA Board of Retirement’s adoption of the Resolution on April 17, 2023.
- Retire from County service on or after July 30, 2020, and are an annuitant from VCERA as a result of participation in a VCERA legacy retirement plan.
- Is a Legacy member with the VCERA retirement system, whose pension benefits have been or will be reduced in accordance with the VCERA Alameda Resolution. Legacy members are those individuals employed before January 1, 2013.
Healthcare Subsidy Benefit
The Retiree Monthly Benefit will be determined based on the eligible retirees’ age and years of service with the County at the time of retirement, as reported by VCERA.
The Retiree Monthly Benefit will be the specific dollar amount corresponding to the eligible retirees’ age and years of service, as outlined in the tables provided below.
In instances where an eligible retiree’s actual age or years of service combination is not explicitly listed in the provided tables, the nearest corresponding age or years of service found in the tables will be used to determine the retiree’s monthly benefit amount.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Correct address information is crucial for the accurate delivery of communications related to the Legacy Retiree Healthcare Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) Plan. To ensure the timely receipt of benefits for eligible legacy retirees and their pension-eligible beneficiaries, please inform the County of Ventura about any changes to your address. Our contact information is provided below. This step is essential for the successful delivery of HRA account materials and the prompt receipt of your benefits.
Plan Benefits
The Plan will provide eligible retirees a monthly healthcare Benefit based on individual bargaining agreements, with a potential annual increase of up to 3%, that will be funded into a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) upon the Member’s retirement from the County and the commencement of VCERA annuity payments.
Funds from the preceding plan year in a member’s Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) will automatically roll over to successive plan years.
Member’s HRA funds will be forfeited and reverted to Plan general assets only after the Member’s death, the Member’s beneficiary’s death, and the end of the Claim Run-Out period.
P&A Group (Third-Party Administrator)
Retiree Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan Document
For Questions regarding Legacy Retiree HRA, please contact:
HRA Administrator
CEO Human Resources/Benefits
County of Ventura
800 South Victoria Ave #1970
Ventura, CA 93009
Phone: (805) 654-5033
Email: HRA.Benefits@ventura.org