As a member of the United Nations Staff Mutual Insurance Society against Sickness and Accident (UNSMIS), you have the option to keep your health insurance coverage during retirement through our After-Service Health Insurance (ASHI) plan. This coverage is governed by Rule V of the Society’s Internal Rules. If you are not retired yet, and wish to explore the details of applying, please refer to article 'Soon to Retire – ASHI'.
If you are already enrolled in our ASHI plan, please see the most important details you should be aware of below:
Coverage details
The benefits under ASHI are the same as those received during active service, with no exclusions for pre-existing conditions. Two-thirds of the premium cost is covered by the organization. For details about covered benefits, please see our dedicated page here.
You will also retain access to your member profile on both the eClaims portal and the UNSMIS mobile app, enabling you to submit claims just as you did during active service – using the same online platforms and procedures.
Dependents’ eligibility
Please note that only family members who are enrolled at the time of separation are eligible for continued coverage under the ASHI plan.
Family members cannot be added to the plan after retirement. Children can remain covered until they qualify as Specially Protected Persons (SPPs), which means they are under 30, unmarried, in full-time education, or unemployed/with no regular income.
Members are responsible for informing UNSMIS about any changes that may impact their child(ren)’s eligibility for coverage (e.g., children completing their studies, starting regular employment, becoming married, etc.). To do this, please send an email to unsmisaffiliations@un.org, and colleagues will guide you further.
Once retired, if insured family members are disaffiliated, they cannot be re-enrolled in the plan.
Divorced spouses
If a divorce occurs after retirement, the spouse may continue to be covered for life as an SPP at the same premium rate.
Disaffiliation
ASHI coverage is for life, as long as the member wishes to keep it. Otherwise, if the main member requests the disaffiliation of a dependent or their own withdrawal from ASHI during retirement, the main member must inform us with three months’ notice and sign a form provided by us upon request.
In case of the death of a paying member, dependents may keep their affiliation. For details about enrolment, please see page 'Surviving Dependents'.
Important reminders
It is crucial to keep banking and contact details updated, especially after retirement.
Family members should be informed about the medical insurance procedures and benefits. Additionally, UNSMIS should be notified if another job is found.
For further details, refer to administrative instruction ST/AI/2007/3, dated 1 July 2007, or contact UNSMIS directly.