The Checklist sections
1.
Planning for the future
Age 55-64
2.
Becoming eligible for Medicare
Age 64 1/2 - 65
1
Planning for the future
It’s important to start planning for retirement. And once you turn 65, you’ll be eligible for Original Medicare. You’ll have exciting new options which are designed just for Postal Service retirees. So, maximize your benefits by choosing a plan that works best with Medicare.
Let’s look at some things to consider when planning:
The 5 Year Rule
As a Postal Service employee, you can continue you PSHB coverage when you retire if you meet these two eligibility requirements:
- You must retire on an immediate annuity (an annuity that begins to accrue no later than one month after the date of your final separation).
- You have been continuously enrolled (or covered as a family member) in any PSHB plan for the five years of service immediately before your retirement date. Or for the full period(s) of service since your first chance to sign up (if less than 5 years)
Preparing for future medical costs
Since health expenses may increase as we age, it’s important to be aware of coverage options and possible out-of-pocket costs.
Fortunately, there are two Aetna plans designed for retirees, the Aetna Medicare℠ Plan (PPO), (also known as Aetna Medicare Advantage) or The Aetna Direct℠ Plan. These plans provide extra benefits and cost savings when you’re enrolled in Original Medicare. The goal is to provide minimum out-of-pocket costs and maximum coverage as you enjoy retirement.
Living on a fixed income
Living on a fixed income in retirement requires planning. Managing your finances, including your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), can help provide you with peace of mind. It’s important to be mindful of your retirement savings and your expenses, both planned and unplanned.
Understand your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP):- Withdrawal guidelines
- Answers to frequently asked questions
Understanding Medicare
Prepare for your future health coverage with Medicare. Visit Medicare.gov to plan ahead for:- Eligibility time frame
- Expected premium costs
2
Becoming eligible for Medicare
Get to know Medicare and how it relates to you PSHB Plan.
What is Medicare?
Medicare may seem like a lot to figure out, especially since you keep your PSHB coverage after you retire. But think of it this way — if you’re enrolled only in an PSHB plan you have deductibles and coinsurance, which you pay out-of-pocket. If you’re enrolled in only Original Medicare, you pay out-of-pocket for deductibles and coinsurance.
But with Aetna® plans, those deductibles and coinsurance amounts can be lowered to $0 for most medical expenses. When you’re enrolled in Original Medicare as well, you might decrease your out-of-pocket medical expenses, as well as your monthly health plan premiums. So, let’s close the loop on Medicare with a brief description of its parts. Keep in mind, this does not consider your PSHB plan:-
Parts of Medicare:
Medicare Part A = Hospital insurancePart A covers most inpatient medical expenses like hospital stays and home health care. Generally, no premium is required. But there is a deductible before any hospitalization costs are covered. Parts A and B are considered Original Medicare.
Medicare Part B = Medical insurancePart B covers doctor visits, durable medical equipment, outpatient procedures and lab services. Most pay a monthly premium and a deductible before Medicare covers services. After the deductible is met, you typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for most doctor services.
Original Medicare = Part A + Part BTogether, both parts provide coverage in and out of the hospital.
Medicare Part C = Medicare AdvantagePart C is offered by private insurance companies and is approved by Medicare. It may offer more benefits at a lower cost than Original Medicare. You must sign up for Part A and Part B before enrolling in Medicare Part C. These plans are also now offered through PSHB with plans like the Aetna Medicare Advantage plan.
Medicare Part D = Prescription Drug PlanPart D is offered by private insurance companies and helps pay prescription drug costs. It’s included in some Medicare Advantage plans or can be added to Original Medicare coverage. When you’re retired with Medicare Parts A and B, your PSHB health plan will include a Part D prescription drug plan unless you enroll in a PSHB Medicare Advantage plan with Part D. The Part D plans under the PSHB Program have lower copays to help you save.
IRMAA. If your income is above a certain limit, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will require an Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) based on your yearly income. This extra charge is in addition to your monthly Medicare premiums for Part B and/or Part D. If IRMAA applies SSA will notify you with information on how to pay IRMAA and your right to appeal. Aetna® is not responsible for IRMAA, please see the SSA website for more information.
Important note
Under the PSHB Program rules, most Postal Service employees will be required by OPM to enroll in Medicare Part B after retirement when eligible. For information on PSHB rules and regulations, please visit OPM.gov/healthcare-insurance/pshb or contact the agency which maintains your health benefits enrollment.
Your first chance to sign up
Generally, when you turn 65*This is called your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). It lasts for 7 months, starting 3 months before you turn 65, and ending 3 months after the month you turn 65. For more information on how to enroll visit Medicare.gov.
*Exceptions apply if born on the first of the month or qualify for special enrollment.
Medicare Enrollment:- Visit Social Security website for more information and to enroll
- Call Social Security: 1-800-772-1213. (TTY: 1-800-325-0778)
Working beyond 65
If you are still working after you turn 65, you do not need to enroll in Medicare yet. You will receive a Special Election Period (SEP) when you retire that lasts 8 months. For help with your Medicare enrollment options, start with a visit to the Medicare website.
Visit the Medicare website to see the right course of action when signing up for Medicare.
Important note
Becoming eligible for Medicare provides a Postal Service retiree with a one-time opportunity to switch PSHB health plans. If you never used this option to switch plans when you became eligible, it’s not too late. There’s no time limit to this.
Medicare Part B late enrollment penalty
Part B has a late enrollment penalty. It increases your monthly premium by 10% for every 12-month period you don’t enroll after you are initially eligible.
Example:
Your Initial Election Period ended September 30, 2017. You waited to sign up for Part B until the General Enrollment Period in March 2020. Your Part B premium penalty is 20%. (You waited a total of 30 months to sign up, and it included 2 full 12-month periods.) You’ll have to pay this penalty for as long as you have Part B.
The Aetna Postal Service Retiree plans are designed for retirees with Original Medicare. They offer low out-of-pocket costs and Medicare Part B reimbursements. Visit AetnaFedsPostal.com/RetireePlans to see how enrolling in Medicare enhances these plans for you.
Live help / how to enroll
You have successfully navigated through the Aetna Postal Service Retirement Planning Checklist. There’s a lot of information and you may have questions. Chat with an Aetna federal team member now!
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