An employer entering into a contract is authorized to pay part or all of the premiums or charges for the contract and may appropriate any money necessary to pay the premiums or charges or portions thereof. The contribution required of an employee toward the cost of the coverage may be deducted from the pay, salary or other compensation of the employee upon an authorization in writing made to the appropriate disbursing officer.
The continuance of coverage after retirement of an employee may be provided at the rates and under the conditions as shall be prescribed in the contract, subject, however, to the requirements hereinafter set forth in this section. The contribution required of a retired employee toward the cost of the coverage may be paid by him to his former employer or in any other manner as the employer shall direct.
Retired employees may be required to pay for the entire cost of coverage for themselves and their dependents at rates which are determined based upon the reasonable expected use of retired persons.