State of Connecticut
Benefits Information

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Transitioning to retirement

Congratulations on your Retirement! It’s our privilege to offer retiree health care coverage to you and your eligible
family members. Your eligibility for Medicare will determine the coverage options available to you in retirement. If you’re not yet eligible for Medicare, you can continue the same coverage you had as an active employee, or you can choose a different plan. If you’re eligible for Medicare, you have one health care plan available to you: the Aetna Medicare Advantage PPO plan.

HOw to enroll in retiree health benefits

Your health coverage as an active state employee does not automatically transfer to your retiree coverage. You must enroll prior to your retirement date if you want retiree health coverage for yourself and any eligible dependents at least 30 days before your retirement date. If you do not enroll at this time, you must wait until the next Open Enrollment to enroll.

To be eligible for retiree health coverage, you must first be eligible for a retirement benefit from your statesponsored retirement program. You must also meet minimum service requirements to be eligible for retiree health coverage. Generally, employees hired before July 1, 2009, need 10 years of actual state service. Those hired on or after July 1, 2009, typically need 15 years of actual state service. For more information about eligibility for retiree health benefits, contact the Retiree Health Insurance Unit at 860-702-3533 or osc.rethealth@ct.gov.

Your retiree health coverage begins on the first day of the month after your retirement date.
Important! If you are Medicare-eligible, you must be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B, effective your retiree
health coverage start date, to enroll in the State of Connecticut Retiree Health Plan. If you are age 65 or older,
contact the U.S. Social Security Administration at least three months before your retirement date to enroll
in Medicare.


Watch retirement and benefits presentation Understanding Tier IV vesting

Where to get benefits help

Quantum Health partners with the State of Connecticut to manage your personalized benefits and Health Enhancement Program (HEP) portal, offering easy access to essential healthcare resources. Through the portal, you can:

  • View claims details
  • Access digital ID cards
  • Check HEP status
  • Manage your medical, dental, and pharmacy accounts
  • Securely message a Care Coordinator for assistance
To Register for the benefits portal

Note: You can register for the portal once you receive your Anthem ID card, typically within a few weeks of enrolling in benefits.

Care Coordinators can assist all members (including spouses and adult dependents) enrolled in the state of Connecticut Anthem medical plan. You can call, secure message, or live chat to answers on:
  • HEP Assistance
  • Plan & Claims Support
  • Healthcare Management
Contact a Care Coordinator

Each state agency has a designated Benefits Specialist who can assist you with:

  • Benefits enrollment and eligibility
  • Updating personal data and handling qualifying life events
  • COBRA notices, payroll deductions, and Core-CT system access issues

If you have questions about your enrollment or need assistance, your agency’s benefits specialist is your first point of contact.

Find your agency’s benefit staff contact

✔ New Hire Checklist

Complete these important first steps to get the most out of your State of Connecticut benefits:

  • Review your benefit options.
  • Enroll in your benefits within 31 days.
  • Watch for your Anthem medical ID card.
  • Register for your benefits portal and download the Quantum Health app.
  • Access your medical, pharmacy, and dental benefits in one place.

Health benefits enrollment Resources:

Retirement benefits resources:

Watch retirement and benefits presentation

Additional state benefits: