2026 Retirement Benefits

Important Notice for Retirees

Updated October 29, 2025

If you received the 2026 Benefits postcard, there’s no action needed unless you plan to make a change or cancel your coverage.

To confirm you still qualify, make sure your retiree insurance payments are up to date with HealthEquity — that’s the main requirement.

You can verify your payment status or confirm your bank draft is processing each month by:

As long as your payments are current, your coverage will automatically continue into 2026.

However, please contact Tarrant County HR if any of the following apply to you:

  • A covered dependent is turning 26 and will no longer be eligible for coverage
  • You are turning 65 in November, December, or January and will be enrolling in Medicare

📧 Email is the best way to reach us: HRRetirement@tarrantcountytx.gov

 

2026 Retiree Enrollment Guide

For additional information - go to the PEBC Retiree Site

Under 65 Insert

65 and Over Insert

PEBC Open Enrollment Flyer

Medicare 101

2026  Retiree Town Hall Recording

Retiree Benefits Update Video

This year, we have moved Open Enrollment to November! No benefits will be changing for 2026. However, there will be some slight increases in benefit costs.

If you would like to get started and review the 2026 Benefits Guide, visit pebcinfo.com/tarrant-county/2026/retirees or use the QR code on our flyer.

To save costs and be more environmentally friendly, your enrollment materials, including the 2026 benefits costs, will be available electronically the week of October 20th.

If you are not making any changes, no action is required. Your current 2025 benefit elections and coverage levels will automatically roll over into 2026, provided you still qualify. If you cover a spouse, you are no longer required to submit a spouse surcharge affidavit.

 

PUBLIC EMPLOYEE BENEFITS COOPERATIVE

Tarrant County Human Resources

100 E Weatherford, Suite 302

Fort Worth, TX 76196

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

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Question Answer 
Where can I find retiree benefits information? 
 All retiree benefit details; plan guides, forms, and premium rates are available on the PEBC Retiree website. The 2026 Retiree Benefits Guide includes current plan options, rates, and contact information for vendors.
Who can I contact for help? Tarrant County Benefits Office 
Email: hrbenefits@tarrantcountytx.gov 
Website: www.pebcinfo.com/Retirees
What medical plans are available for retirees under age 65 (non-Medicare eligible)?

PPO Plan

  • $500 individual / $1,000 family deductible

  • 20 percent coinsurance (after deductible)

  • $15 primary care and $25 specialist copays

  • $0 MDLIVE virtual visits

  • $3,000 individual / $6,000 family out-of-pocket maximum

High-Deductible Plan (HDP)

  • $1,700 individual / $3,400 family deductible

  • 20 percent coinsurance (after deductible)

  • $0 MDLIVE virtual visits

  • HSA-compatible

Prescription Coverage:

  • Retail (30-day): $15 generic / $30 preferred / $60 non-preferred

  • Mail order (90-day): $30 / $60 / $120

  • Specialty: $10 / $20 / $40

  • HDP members pay full cost until deductible is met

Provider and pharmacy information is available at www.bcbstx.com.
What plans are available to Medicare-eligible retirees?

Medicare-eligible retirees may choose from two PEBC Group Medicare Advantage plans offered through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas:

Blue Cross Group Medicare Advantage Open Access (PPO)

  • Nationwide coverage with no referrals 

  • Access to any provider that accepts the plan

  • Includes Medicare Part A, B, and D coverage

Blue Cross Group Medicare Advantage HMO

  • Available to Texas residents 

  • Requires selecting a primary care physician

  • Includes Medicare Part A, B, and D coverage

Both plans include:

  • $35 monthly insulin cost cap 

  • $0 cost for covered vaccines

  • Routine vision and hearing benefits (TruHearing)

  • SilverSneakers fitness program

  • MDLIVE virtual visits 

  • Non-emergency transportation and post-discharge meals

2026 Medicare Part D cap: Maximum annual out-of-pocket for prescriptions is $2,000.
What dental plans are available?

Dental benefits are provided through Delta Dental.
Delta Dental PPO (DPPO)

  • Choose any licensed dentist; in-network providers offer lower costs.

  • Preventive care covered at 100 percent in-network.

  • Basic and major services covered after deductible; annual maximum applies.

DeltaCare USA DHMO

  • Copayment plan with an assigned network dentist.

  • Preventive care typically covered at 100 percent.

  • Fixed copays for other services, no deductible, and no annual maximum.

Find a provider at www.deltadentalins.com.
What vision plan is available?

Vision benefits are provided through VSP. 
Coverage includes:

  • Routine eye exams

  • Lenses, frames, and contact lens options

  • Low copays and generous allowances

  • Access to Premier Program providers, including Visionworks

Create an account or find a provider at www.vsp.com or call VSP Customer Care at 1-800-877-7195.
How do retiree premium payments work?

  • Premiums are due on the 1st of each month

  • Payments are not deducted from Social Security or TCDRS Retirement Payments

  • You may pay by check or set up automatic bank draft through HealthEquity/WageWorks

Mail payments to: 
HealthEquity/WageWorks 
PO Box 660212 
Dallas, TX 75266-0212

Phone: 1-888-678-4881 
Website: mybenefits.wageworks.com

Automatic payments are strongly encouraged to avoid coverage interruption.
Can I keep my dependents on my retiree coverage?

Yes. Eligible dependents may remain on your retiree coverage.

  • Medicare-eligible dependents will enroll in a Group Medicare plan

  • Non-Medicare dependents will remain on the PPO plan
Where can I find premium rates and plan documents? Premiums, plan comparisons, and enrollment forms are listed in the 2026 PEBC Retiree Benefits Guide at www.pebcinfo.com/Retirees.
What if I miss a premium payment? Coverage may terminate if payment is not received by the due date. To avoid lapses, set up automatic payments with HealthEquity/WageWorks.
I’ve received a card saying if I don’t want to make any changes I should do nothing, and my coverage will just continue. Is this correct even though my Medicare starts in February?

Yes, that message is correct — if you are keeping your current coverage through the end of 2025, you do not need to take any action right now. 

However, when your Medicare coverage begins in February, that will be considered a qualifying life event, and you will need to transition from your current retiree plan to a PEBC Group Medicare Advantage plan at that time.

You’ll receive information and enrollment materials from PEBC and Blue Cross Blue Shield a few months before your 65th birthday to guide you through this change.
When I turn 65 and Medicare starts, is that a life event that requires me to change plans to the Blue Cross Group Medicare Advantage Open Access PPO (MPD) plan? If so, how and when do I do that?

Yes. When you become eligible for Medicare, it is a qualifying life event that requires a plan change. You’ll move from your pre-65 medical plan to a Group Medicare Advantage plan through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX).

Here’s what to expect:

  • Apply for Medicare Parts A and B about three months before your 65th birthday.

  • Once your Medicare coverage is active, you will receive a PEBC enrollment packet from BCBSTX with instructions to enroll in one of the available plans:

  • Blue Cross Group Medicare Advantage Open Access (PPO)

  • Blue Cross Group Medicare Advantage HMO (Texas residents only)

  • Complete your enrollment as soon as you receive your packet to ensure a smooth transition.

Your new plan coverage will begin the first of the month in which your Medicare becomes effective.
When I start Medicare, is that my primary insurance and my County-provided insurance secondary? Once your PEBC Group Medicare Advantage plan becomes active, it replaces your old plan and becomes your primary coverage. 

You will not have separate “primary” and “secondary” coverage — your Medicare Advantage plan combines Medicare Parts A, B, and D with additional retiree benefits from Tarrant County and PEBC.
Does the additional Medicare premium automatically come out of my Social Security benefit payments?

Yes. The Medicare Part B premium (and, if applicable, Part D Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount [IRMAA]) is automatically deducted from your Social Security benefit payments once you begin receiving them.

You do not pay this to Tarrant County or PEBC — it is paid directly to Medicare through Social Security. 
Your retiree medical premium for the Group Medicare Advantage plan will continue to be billed separately through HealthEquity/WageWorks each month.
When my spouse turns 65 later in 2026, is that another life event requiring a plan change?

Yes. When your spouse becomes eligible for Medicare, that is another qualifying life event. 

They will transition from the non-Medicare retiree PPO plan to a PEBC Group Medicare Advantage plan (PPO or HMO).

PEBC will send your spouse enrollment information about two to three months before their 65th birthday. 
Be sure to respond promptly so there is no lapse in coverage.
Do we need to enroll in Medicare Part D, or are prescriptions covered under the PEBC Group Medicare Advantage plans?

You do not need to enroll in a separate Medicare Part D plan. 
Both PEBC Group Medicare Advantage plans — the Open Access PPO and the HMO — already include prescription drug coverage (Part D) as part of the plan.

Adding a separate Part D plan could cause you to lose eligibility for the PEBC retiree plan, so it’s important not to enroll in an outside prescription drug plan.