S.B. 2866 Summary

• Requires newly retired employees and surviving employee-beneficiaries who enroll after June 30, 2020, to authorize monthly electronic deductions from their employees' retirement system pension or financial institution to pay health benefit premiums.

• Permits the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund to waive the electronic payment requirement if another method is determined more appropriate.

• Requires retirants and surviving beneficiaries whose contributions are not electronically withheld or deducted to pay their monthly contribution directly to the fund by the first day of each month.

• Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes section 88-95 to mandate that retirants and surviving beneficiaries have health benefits trust fund premiums withheld from their pension or retirement allowance, removing the previous requirement for written request.

• Effective upon approval.