1. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
a. "Eligible retired state employee" means a former employee of the government of the state of Iowa, including but not limited to any departments, agencies, boards, bureaus, or commissions of the state of Iowa, who is receiving the minimum level of retirement benefits for eligibility under this section and who is participating in a state health or medical group insurance plan which covers the former employee and the former employee's spouse at the time of the death of the former employee.
b. "Minimum level of retirement benefits for eligibility under this section" means any of the following:
(1) The eligible retired state employee has received retirement benefits under the retirement system established in chapter 97A based upon the completion of at least twenty-two years of membership service.
(2) The eligible retired state employee has received retirement benefits under the retirement system established in chapter 97B based upon any of the following:
(a) Meeting the requirements for receiving retirement benefits pursuant to chapter 97B based upon having attained at least sixty-two years of age and upon having completed at least thirty years of membership service.
(b) Meeting the requirements for receiving benefits under section 97B.49, subsection 16, without a reduction for years of service pursuant to section 97B.49, subsection 16, paragraph "c".
(3) The eligible retired state employee has received retirement benefits under the retirement system established in chapter 602, article 9, based upon either of the following:
(a) Meeting the requirements for receiving an annuity which equals fifty percent of the basic annual salary which the judge was receiving at the time that the judge became separated from service, if the judge did not participate in the senior judge program.
(b) Meeting the requirements for receiving an annuity which equals or exceeds fifty percent of the basic annual salary which the judge was receiving at the time that the judge separated from service prior to serving as a senior judge.
c. "State health or medical group insurance plan" means a health or medical group insurance plan for employees of the state.
2. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, in the event of the death of an eligible retired state employee, the surviving spouse of the eligible retired state employee whose insurance would otherwise terminate because of the death of the eligible retired state employee may elect to continue to be a member of the state health or medical group insurance plan by requesting continuation in writing to the department of personnel within thirty-one days after the death of the eligible retired state employee. The surviving spouse shall pay the total premium for the state health or medical group insurance plan and shall have the same rights to change programs or coverage as state employees.
94 Acts, ch 1183, §81
Iowa General Assembly
Search: Iowa Code 1997
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