1003.Social Security and Medicare Coverage Under a Section 218 Agreement

1003.1What is a coverage group?

State and local government employees are brought under a Section 218 agreement (see §1000.2) in groups known as “coverage groups.” The State decides, within the limits of Federal and State law, which groups of employees to cover under its agreement. The State also decides when Social Security coverage for the group begins.

1003.2What types of coverage groups are there?

There are two types of coverage groups:

• Absolute coverage groups

• Retirement system coverage groups