I’ll be connecting with our benefits people as well in the near future, but I’m pretty sure I won’t get kicked off the County health plan I’m contributing to unless I stop working - period. I also know that despite not being in the state pension plan (I cashed out years ago when I left FL for IN but got back into their 401k “investment” plan when they changed the laws a few years ago) I get something like a $150/month stipend towards health insurance premiums from that, too.
Like Geddy Lee said, “Ten bucks is ten bucks.” I think half the battle is getting all this crap organized and laid out so you know what to do and when to do it and with whom. Our benefits people farm out SSA and Medicare stuff to a consultant, which is fine. They pay for it, I don’t. -D On Nov 25, 2023, at 6:04 PM, Buggered Benzmail via Mercedes <mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: I think your employer will turf you off to Medicare when you turn 65 so you don’t really have a choice in the matter. Saves them money. When I got Medicare I found a secondary plan that covered my particular doc and hospital system provider here in Chastun. It’s less than $40/month. There’s some dental coverage too, nothing great, mostly just the checkups. It also covers a gym membership which is pretty much the monthly cost of the supplement. And I get like $100/month credit to go buy over the counter stuff (and it’s kinda random what it is but it’s a good deal) at CVS/Walmart/Walgreens. If you do your annual doctor visit or something online you get another $150 credit. Most meds are covered in varying amounts. You need to see what plans are offered in your area and what they cover. Your benefits person at your job can probably help sort through them. Or maybe there’s some consultant who does that, maybe you can get your company to pay for it? --FT Sent from iFōn On Nov 25, 2023, at 5:44 PM, dan penoff.com via Mercedes <mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: Rick, I’m in the same boat as you - a year out from 65 this month and getting spammed by all the supplemental plan sellers, not Medicare itself. Here’s my advice: 1.) Consult a professional. It’s money very, very well spent. They know exactly what to do, how, and when. 2.) I am nearly 100% positive that you must sign up for Medicare at 65 or you risk not getting it or getting significantly reduced benefits as a penalty. We’re not planning on bailing out until 66 and 10 months, our 100% SSA vesting point, so we’ll continue to have health coverage under our employers until that point, or so we expect. 3.) Consult a professional. Kind of like Kaleb’s toasty stove, sometimes it’s better and cheaper in the long run to pay a professional. Especially when it involves your financial future. We use a “wealth manager” at our credit union to provide our planning needs. We gave him a few things to do a year or so ago with some discretionary funds we had, and he did great things with them, so we signed on for planning with him. I just finished the worksheet last week and we’re seeing him on Wednesday. I’m really interested to see where we’re going to come out. OK, I think, but I’m not a financial planner nor have I played one on TV or stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night. We don’t expect to live a lavish lifestyle by any means, so I think we’ll be OK. My biggest concern is the shock of going from work to not working, both from an activity point of view as well as a financial one. When I was at Kohler people were retiring all year long (5,000+ employees) and the ones that did well after leaving were the ones who had clearly established plans for what they were going to do. Like on a daily basis, not generally. Establishing a routine, getting out, staying active, that sort of thing. -D On Nov 25, 2023, at 5:26 PM, Rick Knoble via Mercedes <mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: Yes, I do realize the system will be bankrupt by 2025 or so. That doesn't stop time, and I will be sixty five soon. I am employed and have what would be considered a "Cadillac" health plan. I am in good health with reasonably good genes and no bad habits (i.e. no smoking, no alcohol, no illicit substances) I take supplements (vitamin d, ect.) but no medications. I almost feel guilty pecking that out on the screen. Anyway, I am getting inundated with junk mail, and spam calls regarding Medicare. It is my understanding that I don't have to sign up, if I don't plan on retiring at 65, and I don't. Is that correct? Also, stay away from Medicare "Advantage" plans? What is an accurate resource to go for information? Getting this correct, and not getting permanently screwed is important. Rick _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
