UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust: Eligibility & Coverage (2026)

UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust: Who Qualifies, What It Covers, and How It Works

The UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust is a voluntary employees’ beneficiary association (VEBA) that pays health care benefits to eligible retirees of General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis (formerly Chrysler) who were represented by the UAW. Membership is closed: only retirees who retired from a UAW-represented position by the fall of 2007, or who had attained seniority by that date, qualify. The Trust is not a government program and has no income limit.

Quick Facts

What Is the UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust?

The UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust is a VEBA—a tax-exempt trust established in 2010 to take over the retiree health care obligations of the three Detroit automakers. It is not a government agency, not Medicare, and not a union-run fund in the traditional sense. It is an independent legal entity with its own governance committee, funded by contributions from GM, Ford, and Stellantis under collective bargaining agreements.

The Trust’s sole purpose is to pay health care benefits for eligible UAW retirees and their dependents. It does this by contracting with insurance carriers to offer medical plans (including Medicare Advantage plans for members 65 and older), prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, hearing, and an over-the-counter (OTC) benefit.

Key distinction: The Trust is a health benefits plan, not a pension plan and not a cash assistance program. It does not issue monthly checks to retirees.

Who Qualifies?

Trust eligibility is closed and based on your status in the fall of 2007. If you do not meet one of the criteria below, you are not eligible, regardless of how long you worked for an automaker afterward.

Who qualifies

• Retirees from a UAW-represented position when the Trust was first bargained in the fall of 2007.

• Active employees who had attained seniority in a UAW-represented position by the fall of 2007 and later retired.

• Surviving spouses of eligible retirees, provided they were enrolled at the time of the retiree’s death (or the retiree was eligible to retire), continue paying any required contributions, and enroll in Medicare Parts A and B when eligible.

• Eligible dependents, typically a spouse and/or children, as defined by Trust rules.

Who does NOT qualify

• Individuals eligible only for a deferred vested pension under an auto company pension plan.

• Non-retirees (active employees who do not meet the 2007 seniority test).

• Individuals discharged for cause, even if they receive a pension from the auto company.

• New hires after 2007 in UAW-represented positions: the Trust membership is closed and does not accept new entrants outside the original group.

Dependent rules at a glance

Income Limits

There is no income limit for UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust coverage. The Trust does not means-test eligibility for health plan enrollment, and the HRA benefit is available regardless of income.

This is a critical distinction from government programs like Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, or LIHEAP, which use income thresholds. The Trust is a collectively bargained health benefit, not a public assistance program. If you are an eligible Trust member, your income does not affect your access to Trust health coverage or the annual HRA allowance.

What income may affect: The cost-sharing amounts you pay (copays, coinsurance, deductibles) are set by the plan you choose, not by your income. Some Medicare Advantage plans may offer reduced cost-sharing for certain low-income members through Medicare’s Extra Help program (administered by the Social Security Administration), but that is a separate federal benefit, not a Trust program.

Asset Limits

The Trust does not impose asset tests. There is no savings cap, no property limit, and no resource review for Trust eligibility or HRA access.

This differs from SSI, which has strict asset limits ($2,000 for an individual, $3,000 for a couple in 2026), and from some state Medicaid programs that use asset tests for long-term care. Trust eligibility is based entirely on your status as a covered retiree or dependent, not on financial need.

Household Requirements

The Trust defines “household” for two purposes: dependent eligibility and HRA administration.

Dependent eligibility: A retiree may cover a legal spouse and unmarried children under 26 who live with the retiree and are claimed as tax dependents. A child with a permanent and total disability may remain covered beyond 26.

HRA administration: There is one HRA benefit per eligible retiree or surviving spouse—per household—for the year. If both spouses are UAW retirees from different auto companies, they may each have their own coverage, but HRA rules should be confirmed with RHCC to avoid duplication or coordination-of-benefits issues.

Citizenship and Immigration Rules

U.S. citizenship is not a stated eligibility requirement for the Trust. Eligibility flows from UAW-represented retiree status under the 2007 bargaining agreements, not from citizenship.

However, Medicare enrollment is mandatory for Trust members at age 65 (see below). Medicare has its own citizenship and immigration rules: U.S. citizens and lawfully present immigrants may qualify, but undocumented immigrants generally cannot enroll in Medicare. If a Trust member cannot enroll in Medicare Part A due to immigration status, Trust coverage may be affected. Members with questions should contact RHCC directly.

Mandatory Medicare Part A Rule

All Trust members must enroll in Medicare Part A at age 65. If a member does not enroll, they lose eligibility for Trust coverage. Members may be automatically enrolled in Part A when they turn 65, but members should confirm their enrollment status with the Social Security Administration and with RHCC.

This rule is one of the most important administrative requirements in the Trust. A failure to enroll in Part A is not an appealable “denial” in the traditional sense—it is an eligibility condition. Members approaching 65 should verify Part A enrollment before their birthday month.

State Differences

Trust coverage is national, but the specific health plan options vary by where you live and whether you are Medicare-eligible.

Medicare-eligible members

• The Medicare Advantage (MA) PPO is the primary plan for most Medicare-eligible Trust members.

• Medicare Plus Blue PPO (BCBSM) is available in Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, and Tennessee.

• HMO plan offerings are available in certain regions of California, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Oregon, Washington D.C., Washington (state), and Virginia.

• In Kansas, Medicare members are eligible for UnitedHealthcare and Traditional plans only; in Missouri, Medicare members may have MA PPO, UnitedHealthcare, and Traditional options.

Non-Medicare members

Plan options are more limited and are determined by the member’s ZIP code. RHCC or the plan carrier can confirm which plans serve a specific address.

Bottom line: The Trust is not “one plan everywhere.” What you pay and which doctors you can see depend on your state, your county, and your Medicare status.

Required Documents

How to Apply

There is no public “application” for the Trust. Eligible retirees are enrolled through their retirement process with the auto company and the Trust’s administrator.

Step 1: Retire from a UAW-represented position at GM, Ford, or Stellantis (or confirm that you already meet the 2007 eligibility test).

Step 2: Contact Retiree Health Care Connect (RHCC) at 866-637-7555, Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. RHCC handles enrollment, plan elections, address changes, and ID card issues.

Step 3: Choose a health plan. New retirees have 30 days from their retirement date to change plans effective on the retirement date. After that, rolling enrollment allows a change once every 12 months.

Step 4: Receive your ID card. ID cards are typically mailed within 2 weeks of the retirement effective date.

Step 5: Enroll in Medicare Part A at 65 and confirm with RHCC that your Trust coverage has transitioned to the Medicare-eligible plan.

Online Application

There is no fully online application for initial Trust enrollment. Enrollment is coordinated through the retirement process and RHCC. However, online tools are available for ongoing administration:

• HRA claims and reimbursement requests can be submitted online through the Trust’s HRA administrator (WEX).

• OTC benefit purchases can be managed online through the Trust’s OTC catalog.

• Plan information and documents are available at uawtrust.org.

Medicare-eligible members cannot enroll online for plan changes; they must call RHCC.

Processing Time

Payment Schedule and HRA Amounts

The Trust is not a monthly cash benefit program. There is no monthly check. The financial benefit comes in two forms:

1. Health plan coverage

The Trust pays a portion of the premium for the plan you choose. Many Trust plans have $0 monthly contributions for both single and family coverage, though this can vary by plan and year.

2. Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)

The Trust provides an annual HRA allowance to reimburse eligible out-of-pocket medical, dental, and vision expenses.

The HRA can reimburse Medicare Part B premiums, copays, deductibles, dental cleanings, orthodontics, prescription glasses, contact lenses, eye exams, hearing aids, and other eligible expenses. Recurring reimbursement requests can be set up for ongoing monthly expenses such as Part B premiums.

Important: The HRA is not income. It is a reimbursement account. You must incur an eligible expense and submit documentation to be reimbursed, or use the WEX card for eligible purchases.

Renewal Process

There is no renewal process for Trust eligibility. Once you are an eligible retiree or surviving spouse, coverage continues as long as you meet the ongoing conditions: paying any required contributions, maintaining Medicare Part A enrollment at 65, and (for dependents) meeting dependent eligibility rules.

The HRA resets annually. The Trust funds the HRA each year at an amount determined by the committee. Unused HRA dollars expire on December 31 and are not carried forward.

Reasons Coverage or Claims Are Denied

Appeals Process

Claim denials are appealed first through the plan carrier, then optionally through the Trust.

Step 1: Appeal to the carrier. If your health plan denies a claim, you have the right to an internal appeal with the insurance carrier (BCBSM, UnitedHealthcare, etc.). The denial notice includes instructions and deadlines.

Step 2: Voluntary appeal to the Trust. If you disagree with the carrier’s appeal decision, you may file a voluntary appeal with the Plan. Submit your name, plan name, and a written explanation to: UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust, Attention: Voluntary Review. Deadlines apply; check your denial notice for the specific timeframe.

Step 3: External review. Depending on the type of denial and your plan, you may have rights to an independent external review under ERISA or applicable state law. The denial notice should explain these rights.

Eligibility disputes (as opposed to claim disputes) should be directed to RHCC first. If RHCC cannot resolve the issue, request a written determination and ask about the Trust’s internal review process.

Common Mistakes

1. Missing the Medicare Part A enrollment deadline. This is the most consequential mistake. Enroll at 65 and confirm with RHCC.

2. Assuming the Trust is a cash benefit. It is not. It pays health plans and reimburses eligible expenses through the HRA.

3. Not using the HRA before December 31. Unused HRA dollars do not roll over.

4. Trying to add an ineligible dependent. Grandchildren, married children, and new dependents of surviving spouses are generally not eligible.

5. Waiting too long to appeal a claim. Carrier appeal deadlines are strict and are stated in the denial notice.

6. Not updating address or contact information with RHCC. Missing mail can lead to missed enrollment windows or ID card delays.

7. Assuming all states have the same plans. Plan options vary significantly by ZIP code and Medicare status.

Recent Changes (2025–2026)

• HRA amount increased from $600 in 2025** to **$1,000 in 2026.

• Plan election window for 2026 benefits ran from September 2 to October 31, 2025 for members who wanted to make changes effective January 1, 2026.

• Trust continues to operate as a closed VEBA. No new membership categories have been opened.

• Investment holdings: As of a January 2026 filing, the plan reported a 99.2% stake in NCSLF, alongside positions in Ford and General Motors shares.

Note: Some search results reference a separate bankruptcy matter involving First Brands Group and UAW-represented retirees at former FRAM/ASC/Airtex facilities. That proceeding is not the UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust and has different eligibility rules. Do not confuse the two.

Practical Examples

Example 1: Retiree who left GM in 2005 with a deferred vested pension.
This person is not eligible for the Trust. Deferred vested pension status alone does not qualify. Trust eligibility requires retirement from a UAW-represented position by fall 2007 or seniority by fall 2007.

Example 2: Ford worker who had seniority in 2007 and retired in 2015.
Likely eligible. The worker attained seniority by the 2007 bargaining date and later retired from a UAW-represented position. They should contact RHCC to confirm enrollment and plan options.

Example 3: Surviving spouse of a Chrysler retiree.
Likely eligible for lifetime coverage if enrolled at the time of the retiree’s death or if the retiree was eligible to retire on the date of death. The spouse must pay any required contributions and enroll in Medicare Parts A and B when eligible. Survivor processing can take 60–180 days.

Example 4: Retiree turning 65 who has not enrolled in Medicare Part A.
Trust coverage is at risk. The Trust requires Part A enrollment at 65. The member should contact SSA immediately to enroll and then notify RHCC to confirm continued Trust eligibility.

Example 5: Retiree with a 24-year-old child living at home, unmarried, claimed as a tax dependent.
Likely eligible for dependent coverage until the end of the month the child turns 26, provided the child remains unmarried, resides with the retiree, and is claimed as a tax exemption.

Example 6: Retiree’s grandchild living in the household.
Not eligible. The Trust covers natural born children, adopted children, and children under legal guardianship through age 18. Grandchildren are not covered.

Comparison Table: UAW Trust vs. Government Health Programs

Common Questions

Is the UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust a government program?
No. It is a private VEBA created through collective bargaining between the UAW and GM, Ford, and Stellantis. It is not funded by taxpayers and is not administered by any government agency.

Can I join the Trust if I am a new UAW auto worker?
No. The Trust is a closed group. Only retirees who retired by fall 2007 or had seniority by fall 2007 are eligible. New hires after that date are not admitted.

Does the Trust have an income limit?
No. Trust health coverage and the HRA benefit are not income-tested. Your income does not affect eligibility.

How much is the HRA benefit in 2026?
**$1,000** for 2026, administered by WEX. The 2025 amount was $600. Unused funds expire on December 31 each year.

What happens if I don’t enroll in Medicare Part A at 65?
You will lose eligibility for Trust coverage. All Trust members must enroll in Part A at 65. Contact SSA to enroll, then notify RHCC to restore coverage.

Can I cover my same-sex spouse?
Yes, if you are legally married. The Trust allows a retiree to enroll a same-sex individual as a “spouse” if they are legally married. A new same-sex partner who is not a spouse cannot be added after retirement.

Can my surviving spouse keep Trust coverage?
Yes, for life, provided the spouse was enrolled at the time of the retiree’s death (or the retiree was eligible to retire), continues any required contributions, and enrolls in Medicare Parts A and B when eligible.

Does the Trust cover dental and vision?
Yes. Trust plans include dental, vision, and hearing coverage, and the HRA can reimburse eligible out-of-pocket dental and vision expenses such as cleanings, orthodontics, glasses, contacts, and eye exams.

How do I appeal a denied claim?
First, appeal to your plan carrier using the process described in your denial notice. If you disagree with the carrier’s appeal decision, you may file a voluntary appeal with the Plan by writing to the Trust’s Voluntary Review address.

Can I use VA benefits and the Trust at the same time?
Yes. The Trust does not require you to choose between VA coverage and Trust coverage. You can use VA pharmacies and Trust prescription coverage without losing either benefit.

How long does survivor benefit processing take?
60–180 days is typical for survivor benefit processing and coverage transition.

What if I miss the plan change window?
New retirees have 30 days from retirement to change plans. After that, rolling enrollment allows a change once every 12 months, effective the first day of the second month after the request.

Key Takeaways

• The UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust is a private VEBA, not a government program and not a cash benefit.

• Membership is closed to UAW-represented GM, Ford, and Stellantis retirees who retired by fall 2007 or had seniority by fall 2007, plus surviving spouses and eligible dependents.

• There is no income limit and no asset test for Trust eligibility or the HRA benefit.

• Medicare Part A enrollment at 65 is mandatory; failure to enroll ends Trust eligibility.

• The Trust covers medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, hearing, and OTC benefits through contracted carriers.

• The 2026 HRA allowance is $1,000; unused funds expire December 31 and do not carry over.

• Plan options vary by state and ZIP code, especially for Medicare-eligible members.

• Surviving spouses can retain lifetime coverage if they meet enrollment, contribution, and Medicare requirements.

• Claim denials go first to the plan carrier, then optionally to the Trust’s voluntary review process.

• First step for any question: call RHCC at 866-637-7555 or visit uawtrust.org.

Official Government Resources

The UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust is a private entity, but members interact with several government agencies for Medicare, Social Security, and tax purposes. Only official sources are listed.

• Social Security Administration (SSA): ssa.gov — Medicare enrollment, Part B premium information, Extra Help

• Medicare: medicare.gov — Part A and Part B coverage, Part D plan information

• Benefits.gov: benefits.gov — Benefit finder for government programs

• USA.gov: usa.gov — General government services and referrals

• Department of Labor (ERISA): dol.gov — Health plan appeal rights and fiduciary rules

• IRS: irs.gov — Tax treatment of HRA reimbursements

Trust official resources (private, not government):

• UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust: uawtrust.org

• Retiree Health Care Connect (RHCC): 866-637-7555 | digital.alight.com/rhcc

Related Government Benefits

Trust members may also qualify for these public programs. Eligibility for each is separate from Trust coverage.

1. Medicare Part B — Medical insurance for seniors and disabled individuals; required in addition to Part A for full coverage.

2. Medicare Part D — Prescription drug coverage; Trust Medicare plans often include Part D, but members should confirm.

3. Medicare Extra Help (Low-Income Subsidy) — Helps pay Part D premiums and copays for low-income beneficiaries.

4. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) — Monthly cash for low-income seniors, blind, or disabled individuals.

5. SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) — Monthly cash for disabled workers with sufficient work history.

6. SNAP (Food Assistance) — Monthly EBT benefits for groceries.

7. Medicaid — State-federal health coverage for low-income individuals; may coordinate with Medicare for dual-eligible beneficiaries.

8. LIHEAP — Utility and heating assistance for low-income households.

9. HUD Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) — Rental assistance for low-income households.

10. State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs — Some states offer additional help with prescription costs for seniors.

11. VA Health Care — For veterans; Trust members can use both VA and Trust benefits without penalty.

12. Area Agencies on Aging — Local resources for seniors, including transportation, meals, and caregiver support.