allowing retired state employees to defer earned retirement medical benefits to their surviving spouse.

HB 1443 clarifies that surviving spouses of retired state employees are automatically covered under the same medical benefit plan that the retiree was enrolled in, specifically for Medicare-eligible retirees. The bill amends state law to explicitly state that the state’s payment for retiree medical premiums applies to both the retired employee and their spouse for life. This change ensures surviving spouses qualify for continued coverage without needing separate enrollment, confirming existing policy rather than creating new benefits. The fiscal note states this clarification has no additional cost to the state, as surviving spouses were already eligible under current rules.