Human Resources: Employee Benefits: Retirement Checklist

HR welcomes you to review the Preparing for Retirement Checklist to guide you through the steps required, with help from Employee Benefits, for a smooth transition into retirement!

NOTE: In most cases, you must meet with an Employee Benefits Representative prior to retirement to complete necessary retiree benefits paperwork.

Planning for Retirement - Link to SUNY Benefits' retirement planning resources

Medicare & NYSHIP

The information below does not answer or consider all of the various scenarios but is provided as general guidance.

Q.  Do I need to enroll in Medicare Part A and B once I turn 65?

A.  If you continue to be an active employee in a "benefits eligible" position and you have New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) coverage either under your own or as a dependent of an active NYS employee (i.e. spouse), you are NOT required to enroll in Medicare (Parts A or B).This exemption also includes eligible dependents (i.e. spouse) of NYSHIP enrollees. However, in most cases you should at least enroll in Part A (hospital insurance) as for most people, Part A is free. NYSHIP would still be your "primary" insurer under hospital benefits as an active employee or dependent of an active employee with Medicare being your "secondary" payor.

Q.  How to apply for Medicare if I want to enroll in just Part A as an active benefits eligible employee?

A.  About three months before you turn 65, contact the Social Security Office to arrange for enrollment in Medicare Part A. Visit your local Social Security office or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. Additionally, information about applying for Medicare is available on the web at http://www.ssa.gov/

Q.  I am an active employee with a domestic partner who is enrolled in NYSHIP as my dependent and who is turning 65. Are the Medicare rules different for domestic partners?

A.  Yes. Because Medicare is a federal program that does not recognize domestic partners as Internal Revenue Service-eligible dependents, Medicare becomes primary for your domestic partner in most cases at age 65 (unless other eligibility applies) even though you are still working and he/she is enrolled in NYSHIP as a dependent. Regardless of your employment status, your domestic partner must have Medicare Parts A and B in place when first eligible due to age for Medicare. You the employee do not have to enroll in Medicare Part B until you retire.  Please note that your domestic partner would retain NYSHIP as secondary coverage and he/she would be eligible for Medicare Part B reimbursement from the NYS Department of Civil Service Employee Benefits Division. 

Q.  When I retire do I have to enroll in Medicare even if I am enrolled in NYSHIP?

A.  Yes, NYSHIP requires retirees to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B once you are retired and eligible for Medicare. Medicare becomes your primary insurance (Medicare pays first) at that point. Your covered dependents must also enroll when eligible (i.e. they turn age 65). NYSHIP will not provide any benefits for coverage available under Medicare if you or a dependent are eligible for Medicare coverage that is primary but fail to enroll when eligible.You will then be responsible for the full cost of services that Medicare would have covered.

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