Retirement from the UN is a significant transition, and one of the biggest practical concerns for long-serving staff is: what happens to my health insurance? ASHI is the UN's answer — a programme that allows eligible former staff and their dependants to remain on the organization's health plan after separation. Given the cost of private international health insurance in retirement, ASHI can be worth tens of thousands of dollars over a lifetime. But you have to qualify for it, and the rules aren't always communicated clearly during an employee's active career.
What Is ASHI?
ASHI stands for After-Service Health Insurance. It's a continuation of your in-service health coverage (CIGNA or Aetna, depending on your organization) into retirement or early separation — but only for those who meet the eligibility criteria. The plan provides the same essential coverage as the in-service plan: hospitalization, outpatient care, prescription drugs, dental, vision, and emergency medical evacuation.
The key difference from active-service coverage is cost: ASHI recipients pay a higher share of the premium, since the organization's subsidized contribution diminishes (and eventually ends) the longer you've been separated from service. But even at higher personal cost, ASHI often remains significantly cheaper than comparable private market alternatives for retirees.
Who Qualifies?
Eligibility rules vary by organization, but the standard UN Secretariat criteria illustrate the typical requirements:
- Minimum service length: You must have at least 10 years of contributory service with a UN organization that participates in the ASHI programme. Some organizations require that 5 of those years be with the organization offering ASHI.
- Age at separation: You must be at or above the retirement age defined in your contract (age 60 or 62 for most staff; age 65 for staff who joined after 2014 under revised pension rules), or separate on a disability pension.
- In-service enrolment: You must have been enrolled in the organization's health plan at the time of separation. If you opted out of coverage during your career, you typically cannot enrol in ASHI.
- Continuous enrolment: There cannot be a break in enrolment. If you left the UN and rejoined, the years of prior service may or may not count, depending on your organization's rules.
Staff who separate before qualifying age (for example, those who leave the UN at 45 after 10 years of service) are generally not eligible for ASHI at separation — but some organizations allow a deferred ASHI claim when they later reach retirement age, provided they haven't enrolled in another employer's health plan.
Covering Your Dependants
If you enrolled dependants (spouse or children) during your in-service career and they were covered at the time of your separation, they may continue to be covered under ASHI. The rules for surviving spouses and divorced former spouses vary by organization — review your HR guidance well before you separate, as decisions made during active service can affect dependant eligibility in retirement.
The Cost in Retirement
Under most ASHI programmes, the organization contributes a sliding-scale subsidy based on how long you served:
- With 10–14 years of service: the organization pays roughly 50% of the premium
- With 15–19 years: approximately 60%
- With 20+ years: up to 66% or more in some organizations
These figures vary — confirm the exact schedule with your HR department, ideally several years before you plan to separate. The remaining premium is deducted from your pension payment, or invoiced directly if your pension is insufficient to cover it.
Steps to Protect Your ASHI Eligibility
Practical steps to take during your career:
- Stay enrolled continuously: Never opt out of your health plan, even in periods when you feel healthy and the premium seems wasteful. A gap in coverage can disqualify you.
- Track your years of service: Particularly if you've worked for multiple UN organizations, confirm that all qualifying years are properly recorded in your personnel file.
- Enrol dependants promptly: If you acquire a new dependant (marriage, child), enrol them immediately. Late enrolment may affect their ASHI eligibility.
- Request a pre-retirement briefing: Most UN organizations offer retirement counselling sessions — attend one 3–5 years before you plan to separate to confirm your eligibility and understand the costs.
Key Takeaways
- ASHI provides continued health coverage after retirement on the organization's plan, at a partially subsidized cost
- Standard eligibility requires at least 10 years of qualifying service and separation at or after retirement age
- Continuous enrolment during your career is essential — any gap can disqualify you
- The organization's subsidy increases with years of service, reaching 60–66%+ after 20 years
- Attend a pre-retirement briefing well in advance to confirm your eligibility and plan for costs
ASHI is a career-long benefit that requires career-long attention to protect. Start thinking about it now, regardless of how far retirement feels. Browse more UN career and benefits guides on UNjobnet →
