Retiring: End of Benefits Eligibility

The following includes information about how retirement impacts employees' Brandeis benefits.

Medicare

Medicare is a government program that provides medical coverage to qualified people 65 years of age or older. Benefit eligible employees who continue working at Brandeis beyond age 65 are entitled to continue the same medical coverage they had before age 65. However, employees and their spouses should contact the Social Security Administration about three months before turning 65 in order to enroll in Part A of the Medicare program.

  • Retiring between age 62 and 65 with 20 years of service:

    • If you retire early, you may be able to continue the medical insurance only at your current employee rate and Brandeis would continue to pay its share until you reach 65 and are eligible for Medicare. If your spouse is 65 or older during this period, they should consider enrolling in Medicare. Dental and vision insurance can be continued through COBRA.

  • Retiring over age 65 and over:
    • Employees should contact the HR Benefits Team three months prior to retiring to request and complete the Employment Information Waiver Form, which when submitted to Social Security along with the Medicare Part B application, will allow the employee to enroll in Medicare Part B without penalty.

      Please note: continuing medical coverage through COBRA is not considered active coverage and may result in Medicare penalties.