The unit program provides $160 per month for 5 years to bridge the gap between retirement eligibility and Medicare eligibility for police and fire members. To receive the full benefit, a member must have at least $4000 in their unit account. If this threshold is met, the employer will match the member's $4000 and provide an additional $1600 for a total benefit of $9600 paid over 5 years. Members can find their remaining unit balance by submitting an estimate request. The purchase must be made by the effective retirement date, and any amount over $4000 will be paid as a lump sum if the member is under 70.5 years old.

1. P&F Unit Information
1. What is the unit program?
The unit program is a great program for police and fire members. This program
was intended to bridge the gap between the early eligibility for these members’
retirement from PERS (50-55, or 25 years of service) and their eligibility for
health care such as Medicare and Medicaid. The program is designed to pay the
member $160/month for 5 years (the 5 years between PERS retirement eligibility
and that of Medicare/Medicaid). This program can be started prior to age 60, but
MUST be paid out by age 65 or the member loses out on funding. To have the
full $160/month for 5 years, the member must have at least $4000 in their unit
account at retirement.
2. What is the benefit of purchasing the remaining units at retirement?
If the member has at least $4000 in their unit account at retirement, the employer
matches not only the $4000 but also provides an additional $1600:
$160/month for 5 years ($80 from member and $80 from employer)
$160 x 60 (number of total payments made over 5 years) = $9600
$9600 total amount received over 5 years - $4000 funded by member =
$5600 (amount funded by employer)
3. How do I find the amount of units remaining at my retirement date?
The member should submit an estimate request and include this purchase election
in section G of that form.
4. When do I have to make that purchase?
The member will have to make the purchase of the remaining units by the regular
Effective Retirement Date.
5. What if I have more than $4000 in my unit account at retirement?
Members will be paid the excess amount as a lump sum which is rollover-eligible
as long as the member is less than 70.5 years old (which most are since the unit
account must be paid out before age 65).