Unlocking Senior Health Benefits Post-65 and in Retirement

Unlocking Senior Health Benefits Post-65 and in Retirement

Many people look forward to the day when they can retire from their jobs and focus on their hobbies or other personal interests. However, the idea of retirement has changed over the years. Retirement no longer means leaving your job once you reach a certain age or have accumulated enough wealth to live without working. Rather, it’s the point at which you choose to permanently leave the workforce and devote your time to activities that you find fulfilling.

While the concept of retirement has evolved, one thing that has remained consistent is the need for individuals to save and plan ahead for their financial future. Fortunately, there are a variety of resources and programs available to help seniors get on the right track to a successful retirement.

The best way to ensure you have enough money for a comfortable retirement is to start saving early. This allows your funds to grow over a longer period of time, which can help you achieve your savings goals faster. It’s also important to plan for other costs associated with retirement, such as housing, food, and transportation.

Another way to save is through employer-sponsored retirement plans, such as 401(k) and 403(b) plans. These plans provide tax incentives for employees to contribute money toward their retirement savings. These accounts allow you to invest in stocks, mutual funds, and other assets to help your money grow over time.

Some companies also offer retiree Senior health benefits post-65 and retirement health insurance as a part of their employee benefits package. In general, this coverage is similar to a Medigap policy and offers benefits that fill in Medicare’s gaps in coverage, like coinsurance and deductibles. If you’re considering retiring and aren’t sure what your options for retirement health insurance are, consider contacting your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). A SHIP expert can provide free, personalized advice on how to select the best Medicare coverage for your needs.

If you’re considering retiring, it’s a good idea to sign up for Medicare a few months before your current health insurance coverage ends. This will avoid a gap in your health insurance and prevent you from incurring a penalty for late enrollment. You can start the process online at www.socialsecurity.gov/retirement or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213.

A minority of large employers have started offering account-based retiree health care plans. In this model, an employer makes a defined contribution to an employee’s health reimbursement account (HRA), which is used to pay for their retirement-age Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D plan of choice. Employers may also contract with a private exchange to facilitate their retirees’ purchase of individual health insurance on a non-group basis. These exchanges are typically branded as “Alight” and offer retirees helpful, one-on-one support in selecting a plan that fits their unique needs. They also provide education materials on the health care marketplace and Medicare-related insurance. All Alight benefits advisors are licensed, certified, and experienced in retirement-related insurance and are not incentivized to steer retirees to specific health insurance carriers or plans.