Learn

Learn more about your Medicare benefits. The Emeriti Program is designed to build on the foundation of Medicare, and to provide additional insurance coverage in those areas where you need it most: major medical and prescription drug expenses that exceed what Medicare provides. To learn more about what Medicare covers and does not cover, please revew the A, B, C, Ds of Medicare. You can also visit www.medicare.gov for more information.

  Plan

Make sure you're eligible for the Emeriti Program benefits. In order to be eligible for the Emeriti Health Insurance Plan Options you must meet the definition of Retirement Eligibility under your institution's Emeriti Plan. You will be able to enroll during the 90-day period beginning with the last of these three events:

1. you cease employment;
2. you attain age 65; and
3. you enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B.

For more infomation, read more about eligibility for the Health Insurance Plan Options.

Enroll in Medicare. In order to enroll in the Emeriti Health Insurance Plan Option of your choice when you retire, you will need to be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. You become eligible to enroll in Medicare three months before your 65th birthday. The Social Security Administration handles Medicare eligibility and enrollment. You can contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 to enroll in Medicare or to ask questions about your eligibility. You can also visit their website at www.socialsecurity.gov.

Choose your Emeriti Health Insurance Options. In 2008, you will be able to build your own plan from a menu of medical, drug, and dental options at varying levels of coverage and cost. Now is a good time to start thinking about which level of coverage is right for you and for your spouse, domestic partner (if covered by your plan), or eligible dependent(s).

• To learn more about your Health Plan Options through Aetna (or HealthPartners for Minnesota institutions and their Minnesota-resident retirees), please review the Post-65 Plans.
• Use the Emeriti Health Insurance Plan Option Rate Guide to see what your estimated health plan premiums may be for each option, including the options available to any eligible under-65 dependents.
• Your spouse (or domestic partner if elected by your institution) can be enrolled in Emeriti Insurance at the same time you enroll. For more information about dependent coverage, review the Pre-65 Dependents Plan.

Check your account balance. Log on to Fidelity NetBenefits^® and check your Emeriti Health Account balances. See how you are progressing toward your goal by comparing your balances with the estimate that you received from the Retirement Health Care Calculator. The premium estimates that you received from the Emeriti Health Insurance Plan Option Rate Guide may help you put together more realistic figures for your health care expenses during your impending retirement.

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  Act

 
Checklist:

If you have not already done so, select your specific retirement date and notify your benefits office of that date. Timing varies by institution, but you will likely want to give notice at least three months before your intended retirement date.

There are three primary action steps that you must take at this stage to take advantage of your Emeriti Program benefits:

1. Enroll in Medicare. If you are at least age 64 and nine months, enroll in Medicare by calling the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or go to its website, www.socialsecurity.gov for information. If you have questions about coordinating the timing of your enrollment in Medicare and Emeriti Health Insurance Plan Options, call an Emeriti Specialist at 1-866-EMERITI (1-866-363-7484) for assistance.

2. Enroll in the Emeriti Health Insurance Plan Options that best meet your needs and those of your dependents by calling 1-866-EMERITI (1-866-363-7484). An Emeriti Specialist will help you:
   • Choose the Health Insurance Planoptions that are right for you. To learn more about your Health Plan Options through Aetna (or HealthPartners for Minnesota institutions and Minnesota-residing retirees), please review the Post-65 Plans.
   • Your spouse (or domestic partner if elected by your institution) can be enrolled in Emeriti Insurance at the same time you enroll. For more information about dependent coverage, review the Pre-65 Dependents Plan.
   • Compare personal premium rates for you and your dependents (you can also estimate your personal plan premium online).
   • Designate your eligible dependents, such as your spouse or dependent child, for health insurance coverage.

   Once you've completed your enrollment, you and your eligible dependents will each receive a comprehensive information kit and identification card for the Health Insurance Plan Option(s) you've selected.

3. Set up Emeriti Health Account funding instructions.
   Even if you do not plan to enroll in any of the Emeriti Health Insurance Plan Options, you may want to contribute to your Health Account (if your institution's Emeriti Plan allows voluntary contributions) to pay for qualified medical expenses including any other insurance premiums. Call the Emerit iService Center to:
   • Set up automated contributions. You can set up automated contributions from your bank account each month into your Health Account via Automated Clearing House (ACH ) to pay for future Emeriti Health Insurance Plan Option premiums and other qualifying medical expenses through the Reimbursement Benefit.

   • Contribute ad hoc lump sums to your Health Account. You direct a lump sum contribution from your bank account into your Health Account by setting up contributions via (ACH). After making your initial contribution, you can make additional contributions as frequently as on a quarterly basis (the minimum contribution is $250 per quarter). To sign up, review the ACH authorization form and call an Emeriti Specialist at 1-866-EMERITI (1-866-363-7484).

   If you don't have a balance in your Health Accounts but choose an Emeriti Health Insurance Plan Option, you must pay your premiums by setting up electronic transfers with an Emeriti Specialist at 1-866-EMERITI (1-866-363-7484).

   If your Plan offers voluntary contributions³, and you wish to continue making contributions to your Health Account during retirement, you can set up automated contributions from your bank account by calling 1-866-EMERITI (1-866-363-7484). (Depending on your plan, and if you haven't exceeded limits, you may be allowed to contribute a lump sum on a quarterly basis. Minimum lump sum contribution is $250.)

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   ¹ In NY, Empire Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company
   

   ² Guarantees are subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.

   ³ Under federal law, institutions with 50 or fewer employees cannot allow employee voluntary contributions.