Washington Programs

SEBB Medicare retirees in Washington

SEBB covers active Washington school employees; it does not cover retirees. While you work, you don't have to enroll in Medicare and SEBB generally pays first. When you retire, you have 60 days after your SEBB coverage ends to enroll in or defer PEBB retiree coverage, and you must then enroll in Medicare Parts A and B if eligible.

By the Benefits Life Editorial Team, licensed insurance agents · Reviewed November 9, 2026

What SEBB is

SEBB, the School Employees Benefits Board Program, provides health coverage for eligible employees of Washington school districts, charter schools and educational service districts. The Legislature created the board in 2017, and on January 1, 2020, SEBB replaced the district-by-district insurance arrangements school employees had before. SEBB is run by the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA).

Active SEBB vs. retired SEBB

If you're an active, benefits-eligible school employee, you're on SEBB. There is no SEBB retiree coverage: when you retire from a school district and meet the eligibility rules, you enroll in PEBB retiree insurance coverage. HCA runs PEBB retiree coverage for state, higher education and school retirees alike.

So most "SEBB retirees" are actually PEBB retirees. The move happens at retirement, with a deadline to enroll in or defer PEBB retiree coverage.

Turning 65 as a SEBB retiree (now on PEBB)

If you've already retired from a school district and you're enrolled in PEBB retiree coverage, the rules are the same as for other PEBB retirees:

Enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B when you become eligible, and stay enrolled
Choose a PEBB Medicare plan, and get proof of Medicare to HCA no later than 30 days before you turn 65 (or within 60 days after, if Medicare is delayed)
Don't buy a Medicare plan from an insurance company outside PEBB without checking first: HCA warns you may lose your right to PEBB retiree coverage

See our PEBB Medicare retirees page for full details.

If you're an active school employee approaching 65

HCA says you are not required to enroll in Medicare while you're still working. If you do enroll, you and your dependents can keep SEBB medical, and SEBB generally pays first, with Medicare second. In most cases you and a covered spouse can delay Part B and sign up later, after your employment ends, without a late enrollment penalty.

Things to know:

Part A: most people pay no premium for Part A, and you can sign up any time after you're first eligible. If you already get Social Security benefits, you're enrolled in Part A automatically and can't delay it.
HSAs: if you're in a SEBB high-deductible plan with a health savings account, you can't contribute to the HSA once you're on Medicare, so HCA says to change plans when you enroll. More on HSAs and Medicare →
No swaps: as an employee you can't drop SEBB medical to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare supplement. You can waive SEBB medical if you have Original Medicare Parts A and B, other employer group coverage or TRICARE.
Part D: SEBB medical plans include drug coverage at least as good as Part D, so you won't owe a Part D penalty later as long as you don't go more than 63 days without creditable coverage.
Retiring soon: if you plan to retire within three months of turning 65, HCA says to apply for Part B when you turn 65.
Domestic partners: federal rules may not let a state-registered domestic partner delay Part B without a penalty; check with Social Security.

When your SEBB coverage from active work ends, you get an 8-month Special Enrollment Period to sign up for Part B without a penalty. More on working past 65 →

The retirement transition

When you retire from a school district:

Confirm your retirement with the Department of Retirement Systems. To qualify for PEBB retiree coverage you generally must be vested in a Washington state retirement plan, such as TRS or SERS, and start receiving a monthly benefit by the month after your SEBB coverage ends (with exceptions, for example Plan 2 and Plan 3 members who are at least 55 with enough service).
Enroll in or defer PEBB retiree coverage. HCA must receive your Retiree Election Form (form A), or your choice in Benefits 24/7, no later than 60 days after your employer-paid, COBRA or continuation coverage ends. If you miss it, you lose your chance to enroll later. An incomplete form on time is better than a complete one late.
If you're 65 or older when you retire, enroll in Medicare Parts A and B and choose a PEBB Medicare plan.
If you're under 65, enroll in a non-Medicare PEBB retiree plan and prepare for the Medicare transition later.

SEBB-specific resources

While you're working: your school district's payroll or benefits office
SEBB and PEBB Benefits Services (for employees about to retire, continuation coverage subscribers and PEBB retirees): 1-800-200-1004, TRS 711
SEBB online: hca.wa.gov school employees
Department of Retirement Systems: 1-800-547-6657
Social Security (Medicare enrollment): 1-800-772-1213

For questions about how Medicare plans work with your SEBB or PEBB coverage, a licensed insurance agent with Benefits Life can help at no cost to you. Call (206) SENIORS (206-736-4677), TTY 711.

Which retirement system?

Washington school employees may be in the Teachers' Retirement System (TRS Plans 1, 2 or 3) or the School Employees' Retirement System (SERS Plans 2 or 3). Your retirement plan sets your pension, and it also matters for PEBB: HCA's eligibility rules depend on being vested and meeting your plan's retirement criteria when your SEBB coverage ends. The Department of Retirement Systems can confirm your situation.

Common SEBB-to-Medicare confusion

"Will SEBB cover me after retirement?" No. SEBB is for active school employees. Retirees move to PEBB retiree coverage.
"Does PEBB retiree coverage let me delay Medicare?" No. Retiree coverage isn't coverage from current work, and PEBB requires Parts A and B once you're eligible.
"What if I keep working at a school district past 65?" While you're eligible for SEBB benefits from active work, SEBB generally pays first and you can usually delay Part B. If you return to work after retiring and become eligible for SEBB, HCA automatically defers your PEBB retiree coverage.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

What is SEBB?

The School Employees Benefits Board Program provides health coverage for eligible employees of Washington school districts, charter schools and educational service districts. It is run by the Washington State Health Care Authority and replaced district-by-district insurance on January 1, 2020.

Are SEBB retirees the same as PEBB retirees?

Yes, in practice. There is no SEBB retiree coverage. School employees who retire and meet the eligibility rules enroll in PEBB retiree insurance coverage, which the Health Care Authority runs for state, higher education and school retirees alike.

Do SEBB retirees need Medicare at 65?

Yes. Once you are on PEBB retiree coverage, you and your covered dependents must enroll in and stay enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B when eligible, and move to a PEBB Medicare plan.

Can active school employees delay Medicare?

Yes. HCA says you are not required to enroll in Medicare while still working, and SEBB medical is generally your primary coverage. In most cases you and a covered spouse can delay Part B and enroll later, after employment ends, without a late enrollment penalty.

Where do I get help with the transition?

While you are working, start with your school district's payroll or benefits office. HCA's SEBB and PEBB Benefits Services line, 1-800-200-1004, is for employees about to retire and continuation coverage subscribers. Social Security handles Medicare enrollment at 1-800-772-1213.

Medicare in your Washington county

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Licensed insurance agents for Washington

These independent insurance agents are licensed in Washington and work with Benefits Life, the publisher of this site. When they enroll you in a plan, the agent and Benefits Life may be paid by the insurance company. Learn more.