Planning to retire? This page will help you navigate the necessary steps and paperwork to ensure a smooth transition to retirement and access the benefits available to you as a City of Manchester employee.

Steps to Retire

1. Contact Your Retirement System

If you’re part of the NH Retirement System (NHRS) for Fire and Police, or Contributory for other departments, contact them for retirement information.

• ​NHRS (Fire and Police): Contact at least 30 days before retirement. 
• Contributory (Other Departments): Contact at least 60 days before retirement.

2. Review Retiree Benefit Options

• Review this fiscal year's NHRS and Contributory Rate Chart.
• Familiarize yourself with retiree benefits by visiting the Information and Forms.
• Explore options to determine which benefits fit your retirement plans.

3. Submit Health and Dental Enrollment Forms

• Forms: Complete and submit separate enrollment forms for Health and Dental insurance to Human Resources.
• Requirement: Forms must be submitted even if you are declining coverage.
• Timing: Submit all forms 6 weeks prior to your retirement date.

4. Sign Insurance Declination Form

• If you choose not to take health and/or dental insurance, review and sign an Insurance Declination Form.
• Timing: This must be done 6 weeks prior to your retirement date.

5. Submit First Month’s Premium Payment (For Contributory Retirees Only)

• Payment: Contributory retirees must send the first month’s premium payment check to the Human Resources department.
• Timing: Payment is due by the first day of your retirement month.

Important Information

• Eligibility for Health and Dental Benefits: To qualify for health and dental benefits, you must be officially retired through the retirement system.
• Dependent Coverage: Legal spouses and dependents are eligible for insurance only if you, the retiree, take insurance.
• Consistent Plans for Active and Retired Employees: Health and dental plans for retirees are the same as those for active employees.
• Spousal Coverage if Over 65: If the retiree is under 65 and the spouse is over 65, the spouse can remain on the Under 65 plan at the single rate (or as part of a 2-person or family plan, if applicable). If the spouse is under 65 and the retiree later becomes over 65, the retiree can move to the Over 65 plan, and the spouse can remain on the Under 65 plan.
• Insurance Continuity: If you decline health or dental insurance at the time of retirement, you may only re-enroll later if you maintain continuous employer-sponsored coverage. This rule also applies to spouses.
• Vision Coverage: Vision is not offered as a retiree benefit. However, retirees may access COBRA for vision coverage temporarily.
• Basic Life Insurance: Basic life insurance remains active for 8 weeks following your retirement date. You will also have the option to port your life insurance to an individual term policy.

Need Assistance?

For further support in navigating the retirement process or completing your forms, please contact the City of Manchester Human Resources Department. We’re here to help make your transition to retirement as smooth as possible!