Dental Benefits for Pre-65 Retirees
About the Plan
UNM offers two dental plans through Delta Dental of New Mexico to benefits-eligible pre-65 retirees and their eligible dependents.
Delta Dental Low-Cost Option offers Delta Dental PPO Network dentists at the most discounted maximum approved fees.
Delta Dental High-Cost Option provides access to the Delta Dental Premier Network and PPO Networks. This allows you to maximize the value of your dental coverage by choosing a Premier Network dentist who also participates in the PPO network.
Eligibility
For benefits-eligible employees hired on or before June 30, 2015, and who meet VEBA participation requirements, the University of New Mexico offers eligible Pre-65 retirees, and their eligible dependents, dental benefits, in addition to retirement benefits available under the ERA Defined Benefit plan or the Alternative Retirement Plan. To access these benefits, a potential retiree must meet the criteria of University Administrative Policy 3600, Section 3.1
Pre-65 Retirees are defined as those employees who retire from the University of New Mexico before age 65. Immediately prior to retirement from UNM, eligible Pre-65 retirees may elect to continue the dental coverage that they had as active employees, but pay premiums based on the percentages outlined in the VEBA premium contribution rate schedule.
Employees hired on or after July 1, 2015 are not eligible for UNM post-retirement medical and dental benefits.
FY27 (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027) plan year
- Rates for Retirees with 25+ Grandfathered VEBA Service Credits
- VEBA 5–9 Dental Rates for Retirees with 5 to 9 VEBA Service Credits
- VEBA 10-14 Dental Rates for Retirees with 10-14 VEBA Service Credits
- Low Cost Option Summary
- High Cost Option Summary
- Summary Comparison of Dental Plan Options
- Dental Benefit Handbook (Coming Soon)
- Mandatory Notices
- Emergent TeleDentistry Visits
FY26 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026) plan year
- FY26 Rates for Retirees with 25+ Grandfathered VEBA Service Credits
- FY26 VEBA 5–9 Dental Rates for Retirees with 5 to 9 VEBA Service Credits
- FY26 VEBA 10-14 Dental Rates for Retirees with 10-14 VEBA Service Credits
- FY26 Low Cost Option Summary
- FY26 High Cost Option Summary
- FY26 Summary Comparison of Dental Plan Options
- Dental Benefit Handbook (Coming Soon)
- FY26 Mandatory Notices
- Emergent TeleDentistry Visits
When and How to Enroll
Eligible Pre-65 retirees have the following enrollment opportunities
- During the UNM retirement application process
Enroll by contacting your Benefits representative. - During the annual Open Enrollment period, typically held in April/May
Make changes to existing coverage by completing the Pre-65 Open Enrollment Change Form. - When you experience a Qualifying Change in Status
Make changes via the Retiree Medical and Dental Change Form.
Finally, if you are enrolling dependents, be prepared to provide “proof documentation”. Some Examples of Dependent Proof Documents are available here. Deadlines for submission of these documents vary in accordance with the enrollment opportunities listed above.
Using Your Dental Benefits
Make an appointment with your chosen dentist office, inform them you are a Delta Dental member, and provide your UNM Banner ID number (not your social security number).
For out-of-state services, contact Delta Dental directly for coordination and processing of claims.