Working after Age 65
At age 65, most people become eligible for Medicare Part A, which covers hospitalization, and Part B, which covers doctor visits and other medical services. Part A is provided at no additional cost to you, but Part B requires you to pay a monthly premium. As long as you continue to work, if you are enrolled in the Syracuse University medical plan, it will be your primary coverage for you and your covered dependents. This means you (or your spouse) can delay enrolling in Medicare Part B at age 65. Prescription drug coverage will also continue for you and your dependents in the Syracuse University health plan for as long as you continue to be actively employed in a benefits-eligible position.
Retired on or after Age 65
When you retire, the Syracuse University retiree medical plan, if you decide to elect it, becomes secondary to Medicare. As a retiree medical plan participant, you are required to be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B* and provide a copy of your Medicare card to Lifetime Benefit Solutions (any dependents that are covered under the plan must also be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B upon eligibility for Medicare).
Your provider will first submit your claims to Medicare, and any unpaid balance will be forwarded to Excellus BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS) automatically. As a participant, this will not change the amount you have to pay for cost-sharing (copays, deductibles, coinsurance, etc.). Excellus BCBS will then apply the University’s plan benefit after reducing for Medicare coverage.
If you are not enrolled in Parts A and B, the Syracuse University Retiree Medical Plan will reduce the benefit available by the amount Medicare would have paid, which will increase your costs for any services that Medicare would have covered. In addition, you may pay increased Part B premiums if you fail to enroll within three months of your retirement date. Finally, remember that prescription drug coverage is not available in the retiree drug plan once you reach age 65, so you may also wish to purchase a Medicare Part D plan. Review more information about health coverage for retirees.
*It is important to know that Medicare does not allow individuals to enroll in partial month coverage. Therefore, you are strongly encouraged to be enrolled in Medicare Parts A, B and D as of the first day of the month in which you retire, or become eligible for Medicare if later.
Medicare-Eligible due to Disability
If you become Medicare-eligible before age 65 due to disability and continue to work, the Syracuse University medical plan will remain your primary coverage and Medicare will be secondary. You may delay your enrollment in Medicare Part B only until you stop working. Once you stop working, Medicare will become your primary coverage and your Syracuse University medical plan coverage (if you are enrolled) will be secondary. If you are enrolled in the University’s coverage, you must be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B as of the first day of the month in which you are no longer working.
If you become Medicare-eligible due to a disability before age 65 when you are already retired, review the information about the prescription drug coverage options you have through the Retirement Disability Coverage.
Effect on Life Insurance
Your basic life insurance coverage will reduce to 65 percent of the benefit ($32,500 for faculty, $6,500 for staff) upon reaching age 65 if you still work. Upon retirement at any age, the benefit reduces to $3,000.
Should you have any questions, or require accommodations to access any information on this webpage, please reach out to HR Shared Services at 315.443.4042.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained within this website is accurate. However, benefits are governed by legal documents (which, in certain circumstances, may include insurance contracts). If there is any difference between the information in this website and the official documents, the official documents will control. As is the case with all of Syracuse University’s employee benefit plans, the University reserves the right to modify or terminate these benefits at any time.