(a) A judge who retires pursuant to Chapter 11 (commencing with Section 75000) of Title 8, but is not yet receiving a pension, may continue their coverage and the coverage of any family members for the duration of the leave of absence, upon their application and upon assuming payment of the contributions otherwise required of the employer.
(b) (1) A judge who leaves judicial office pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 75521 and has not attained 65 years of age may continue their coverage and the coverage of any family members upon assuming payment of the contributions otherwise required of the employer. The judge shall also pay an additional 2 percent of the premium amount to cover administrative expenses incurred by the system or the Department of Human Resources.
(2) An election to continue coverage under this subdivision shall be made within 60 days of permanent separation. A retired judge who cancels that coverage may not reenroll.
(3) Upon attaining 65 years of age, a retired judge who has continuous and uninterrupted coverage pursuant to this subdivision shall be entitled to the applicable employer contribution.
(c) (1) A judge who retires pursuant to Section 75522.5, but is not yet receiving a retirement allowance, may continue coverage and the coverage of any family members upon assuming payment of all contributions, including those otherwise required of the employer. The judge shall also pay an additional 2 percent of the premium amount to cover the reasonable administrative expenses incurred by the system or the Department of Human Resources.
(2) Upon commencement of the judge’s retirement allowance, the judge shall become an annuitant, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 22760, and thereupon the judge may continue the judge’s health plan enrollment, enroll in a health benefit plan within 60 days of the commencement of the judge’s retirement allowance, or enroll during any future open enrollment period, without discrimination as to premium rates or benefit coverage.
(d) (1) The surviving spouse of a deceased judge who retired pursuant to Section 75522.5, but was not yet receiving a retirement allowance upon the judge’s death, may continue coverage and the coverage of any family members upon assuming payment of all contributions, including those otherwise required of the employer. The surviving spouse shall also pay an additional 2 percent of the premium amount to cover the reasonable administrative expenses incurred by the system or the Department of Human Resources.
(2) Upon commencement of the surviving spouse’s monthly allowance, the surviving spouse shall become an annuitant, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 22760, and thereupon the surviving spouse may continue the surviving spouse’s health plan enrollment, enroll in a health benefit plan within 60 days of the commencement of the surviving spouse’s monthly allowance, or enroll during any future open enrollment period, without discrimination as to premium rates or benefit coverage.
(Amended (as amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 531, Sec. 1) by Stats. 2023, Ch. 159, Sec. 6. (SB 885) Effective January 1, 2024.)