Tap Retiree Health Benefits Before Medicare Eligibility
Although its a disappearing perk, 28% of large companies, according to a 2019 Kaiser Family Foundation survey, still offer retiree health benefits to former employees. If your employer is among them, you may be able to remain on the companys group health plan with no interruption in coverage. The retiree health plan will serve as your primary insurance, covering pre-existing conditions, until youre eligible for Medicare, when the plan will function as secondary insurance to supplement Medicare.
Dont assume your retiree health benefits are the same ones you received as an employee, cautions Steve Parrish, co-director of the Center for Retirement Income at the American College of Financial Services. Employers may offer a different program with fewer benefits or with a higher premium for their retirees versus their employees.
He also suggests studying the companys rules to see if you qualify. How do they define retiring versus quitting, and does it matter for health insurance? For example, if you give two weeks notice, does it count as quitting and youll lose coverage, whereas if you give a months notice you can retire? When in doubt, ask your HR department how it works.
Early Retirees And The Affordable Care Act
For millions of Americans, retiring early has meant losing the security and the peace of mind that come with employer-sponsored health insurance. Today, fewer and fewer employers offer coverage for workers who retire early. In fact, only 1 in 3 large employers offers retiree health coverage of any kind.
Buying private insurance is often impossible due to very high premiums or common exclusions on account of pre-existing health conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes.
The Affordable Care Act helps early retirees by controlling costs for them, their families and their former employers, improving the quality of care for everyone, and strengthening Medicare. The Early Retiree Reinsurance Program provides much needed relief for early retirees and for businesses. Heres how:
- The Affordable Care Act provides $5 billion in financial assistance to employers to help them maintain coverage for early retirees age 55 and older who are not yet eligible for Medicare, and their spouses, surviving spouses and dependents.
- Employers can use the savings to reduce their own health care costs, provide premium relief to their workers and their workers families, or a combination of both.
- This will make it easier for employers to sustain benefits for the workers who made their companies strong–and give retired workers the peace of mind that comes with employer-sponsored health insurance.
Learn more about the Affordable Care Act and Early Retirees
About Your Health Insurance In Retirement
Health insurance for retired members of the MTRS is not provided by the MTRS, but, rather, is a local contractual benefit. Most school districts offer continued health insurance to their retirees and either:
- participate in the Retired Municipal Teachers Program or
- offer their own group insurance plan .
How this insurance will be administered depends upon which school system you are retiring from. Since health insurance coverage is a very important issue for you as you consider your retirement, you may want to investigate your options several years prior to your actual retirement.
Also Check: Can One Retire On 1 Million Dollars
Policies Can Affect Access To Affordable Retiree Health Insurance And Early Retirement Behavior
According to this research, public policy initiatives have implications for retirement behavior if they alter the relative costs of health care pre- and post-retirement. Five recent or pending policy changes are especially likely to affect some employees’ access to retiree health benefits and, therefore, to modify retirement incentives by either encouraging or discouraging early retirement. These policy initiatives have implications for the behavior of potential retirees because they change the financial incentives associated with early retirement. At the same time, the policy environment can affect employers’ behavior and their willingness to offer retiree health benefits.
Two policiesâCOBRA and HIPAAâsupport a trend toward early retirement. Both COBRA and HIPAA make insurance coverage after retirement more accessible and affordable. Therefore, both policies could increase the propensity to retire early, because both allow workers to leave their employer before Medicare eligibility and still retain their health insurance coverage, for 18 months at the employer’s group rate, and after that through the individual insurance market. HIPAA should have an effect similar to COBRA, but it is likely to be smaller in magnitude because premiums are likely to be higher than the employer’s group rate once conversion into an individual policy occurs.
Cobra Is An Option Prior To Medicare Sign
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act is another way to retain health insurance through a former employer. Businesses with 20 or more employees must comply with the law, but youll pay up to 102% of the cost .
Ordinarily, COBRA only lasts for 18 months, but these arent ordinary times. Legislation passed last March temporarily extended COBRA coverage until 60 days after the national emergency ends. This has created a confusing situation. Has the national emergency ended yet? I wouldnt say so, says Parrish. COBRA coverage could extend beyond the usual 18-month window, depending on future government pronouncements, though how this will work remains unclear.
Read Also: Jp Morgan Retirement Phone Number
Retirement Health Benefits Affect Early Retirement Behavior
The timing of retirement is known to be a function of both the health and the financial status of older workers. Given the importance of continued health insurance coverage in retirement for ensuring greater financial security, one would expect access to post-retirement health insurance to influence retirement behavior.
Getting Ready For Medicare
Once you’ve figured out how to bridge the gap to Medicare, you’ll need to explore Medicare itself as you approach 65, the age when most people become eligible. There’s a lot to learn. If you’re like most people, you may be confused about how and when to transition from your interim coverage to Medicareand when you need to do it. And remember, Medicare coverage is provided to each eligible individual who enrolls. You cannot cover your spouse under your Medicare coverage they will have to enroll on their own when eligible. Here are answers to 6 common questions:
Read Viewpoints on Fidelity.com: 6 key Medicare questions
Also Check: New York State Police And Fire Retirement System
Fitting Health Care Into A Retirement Budget
Your overall retirement budget depends on two things: How much money will be coming in each month and the total cost of your expenses.
Only 51% of adults age 60 and over believe that their retirement savings are on track. On average, those 65 and older spend $4,185 per month. However, in 2021 Social Security only pays a maximum monthly benefit of $3,148 for those who retire at full retirement age the maximum benefit increases to $3,345 in 2022.
Social Security benefits are subject to annual cost-of-living adjustments increases to keep up with inflation.
Of course, it’s important to recognize that Social Security is only meant to supplement retirement savings: The Social Security Administration reports that Social Security replaces an average of 40% of pre-retirement income.
The point remains, though, you’re probably going to have to look beyond Social Security and into other sources to cover medical expenses. How much retirement income to budget for health care depends largely on your age and overall health. The healthier we are going into retirement typically means that less money will be allocated toward health care expenses, saysChris Schaefer, head of the retirement plan practice at MV Financial. The other side of that coin is that with a healthier lifestyle, life expectancy will be longer and, therefore, retirees need to plan for a longer time in retirement.
Gathering The 2019 Data
Tracking your true healthcare costs is the first step to getting a handle on this stuff. Premera makes it easy, giving me an Excel spreadsheet to download with everything broken down in detail for the year. Look for something similar from your provider, but if yours doesnt have that available then start saving those statements you usually toss in the trash!
As you gather your costs be sure to record the category of care for each item. Plans cover office visits, prescriptions, labs, emergency, urgent care, etc. all differently. I havent shown this for my costs above, its just too much detail here, but I do have it and use it when comparing plans and projecting future out-of-pocket costs.
A portion of Premera Blue Cross Preferred Silver EPO 4500 for 2020
You also need to understand the current cost of your health insurance. Ask your employer what the monthly COBRA payment is for this year, though you might want to make it clear youre not planning to quit.
Start with that number, but note that there is a 2% markup for administration fees. Also recognize that you likely wont get coverage that good on your own.
Read Also: Nycers Tier 4 Early Retirement Penalty
Our Healthcare Costs In 2019
Our healthcare costs so far for 2019 using Premera Blue Cross PersonalCare Silver, obtained through the WA state healthcare exchange, i.e. the ACA or Obamacare:
- Amount billed : $19,634.88
- Discounts for in-network providers: $12,189.68
- Amount paid by Premera: $1,633.13
- We paid: $5,812.07
Neither of us hit our annual deductible of $4,500. I came closest I think I might be losing a bet with my wife right now.
So, yeah, youre reading that right. We incurred $19k of medical bills this year. Not premiums, thats separate. How?!
How Can I Save Money
You may enjoy your retirement close to your own backyard. Or, maybe you spend your days far from home. The right health insurance plan can help you save money on out-of-pocket costs. When you visit in-network providers, you get access to the lower rates that they’ve negotiated with your health plan. When you see an out-of-network provider, your costs are typically higher. That’s why it’s important to choose a plan with in-network health care providers and hospitals in your area.
Read Also: Deerfield Retirement Community In Asheville Nc
What Are Your Health Insurance Options If You Retire Before Medicare
An older African American couple meet with their young male Asian adviser. They are going over … their pans for retirement and the future of their finances. They are all wearing casual clothing and are meeting in the comfort of the clients home on the sofa.
getty
Early retirement is a very common goal, but how exactly do you define early? For most people, early means stopping work before the availability of benefits that are used by retirees like Social Security and Medicare. Uncertainty over whether retirement savings can last without these programs is often the reason people put off retirement.
If you have dreams of sleeping in or traveling the world before youre eligible for retiree benefits, all is not lost. As is the case with any goal, you must decide to face it head-on and find ways to make it work within your financial plan. Here are a few ways to address meeting your medical care needs if you choose to retire prior to age 65.
Option 1: Obtaining insurance through the federal marketplace
Pros
· You have the possibility of finding health coverage similar to what you have with your employer Due to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, coverage from your employer and coverage through healthcare.gov offer similar coverage benefits, deductibles and premiums.
Early Retirement Health Insurance Options Before Medicare
Early Retirement Health Insurance Options Before Medicare
Many people want to retire before they are eligible for Medicare coverage at age 65, and some individuals are unfortunately getting forced into early retirement whether they like it or not. The annual Gallup Economy and Personal Finance survey has consistently revealed discrepancies in the age people think they will retire versus when they actually retire. Since 2002, the average retirement age was 62, as compared to the average anticipated retirement age of 64.
For those who retire before 65, it is important to understand what early retirement health insurance options exist to cover that gap in health care until Medicare is available. Many people underestimate the cost of paying for private health insurance, and some assume they will remain as healthy post-retirement as they were in pre-retirement years.
Premiums for private health insurance, even for just a few years, can significantly drain savings and create a financial challenge for living comfortably in retirement. With some planning ahead, however, there are a number of early retirement health insurance options available:
COBRA
Employer Retiree Health Insurance Benefits
Some employers offer continued group health benefits for retirees for these gap years, and some of those employers may even cover a portion of the premium. While not common, it is worth asking your HR department about.
Spouses health insurance
Public Health Insurance Marketplace
Medicaid
Read Also: Empower Retirement 401k Rollover To Ira
Review Plan Choices Each Year
Whether over or under age 65, once you’ve secured health insurance in retirement, you should be proactive about evaluating it by conducting an annual review of your coverage options during open enrollment each fall.
Benefits and costs change, and it’s possible a new plan may offer you better coverage at a lower price. You wont know unless you look. Once again, you may want to talk with an experienced agent or contact your state’s SHIP to ensure your plan change will benefit you.
Gaming The Cobra Rules For Short Coverage Gaps
Given the potential for financial disaster if an individual goes without healthcare coverage for even a day, it is generally advisable to avoid any gaps in coverage. However, in limited circumstances, an individual can effectively guarantee coverage if health services are needed, while avoiding paying for unnecessary coverage if such services are not required.
Recall that the COBRA continuation coverage rules require that an individual be given no less than 60 days to make their COBRA decision from the later of the date on which coverage is lost, or the date on which they receive their COBRA Election Notice. And once elected, the coverage is applicable retroactively back to the date the original coverage was terminated .
Thus, if new coverage will be secured by the end of the 60-day COBRA election window , an individual who does not expect to need care before the new coverage is secured can hold off on making the COBRA election with the hope of avoiding a few months of healthcare premiums. If coverage becomes necessary within the window, it can be elected at that time.
-laws-by-state.aspx” rel=”nofollow”> many states have similar requirements, via what are known as Mini-COBRA laws. Thus, those separating from service from smaller employers should check to see what options are available to them under state law, especially since Mini-COBRA rules vary dramatically from state to state.)
Don’t Miss: When Can You Get Your Retirement Money
Budget And Plan For Retirement
Before you retire early, you should make a budget plan that lets you fully assess your income needs when you retire. It helps to adjust the amount for inflation to the year you retire so that you don’t under-plan your needs. You should use a rate of 2% per year for the inflation rate when doing your math. This is because the Federal Reserve tries to keep the average rate of inflation at this level.
Your budget should include future health care costs with their expected growth rate. For example, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services estimates health care costs in the U.S. will rise at an average yearly rate of 5.5% from 2018 to 2027 and will total almost $6 trillion in 2027.
If you’re unsure how to proceed, you may want to consult a financial planner and an accountant. These professionals can help you set aside the right amount of money for health expenses. They can also help you structure your investments in a manner that reduces your tax burden when you need to use them for income.
Health Insurance Early Retirement Before Medicare
A wave of early retirements is being triggered by the economic and health crisis. Some older Americans have been laid off or decided that it was not worth taking the COVID-19 risk at work.
Unexpected retirement can cause many financial problems. One of them is finding affordable insurance that covers you until you reach 65. There are options to help you bridge the gap in your health coverage so that you can reach Medicare. However, each option has its own pros and cons.
Recommended Reading: Average Retirement Savings Baby Boomers
How Do I Reduce My Health Care Costs In Retirement
Apart from working to stay healthy, there are other ways you can manage your healthcare costs in retirement. Doing so requires carefully planning your income so you don’t bring in too much to qualify for subsidies for a health plan. Putting money in a health savings account is a great way to stow away tax-free money for retirement health expenses. You might also consider getting a part-time job that includes health benefits.
