Retiree FAQs

The University has established criteria in determining retirement eligibility. We use several key factors to determine eligibility and appropriate retirement grandparent level:

• Your hire date and employment status
• Years of cumulative service
• Your age at the time you plan on retiring

There are additional factors that are detailed in our Retiree Eligibility page. We encourage employees to read through the information and contact Retiree Benefits.

You will need to complete a Retiree Service Credit form and submit it to the Office of Total Rewards for review. 4Rs (those hired before 1/1/96) should complete the 4R Retiree Service Credit Form, and 5Rs (those hired 1/1/96 and after) should complete the 5R Retiree Service Credit Form.

Yes, we do. A comprehensive list of retiree health benefits is located here.

You will need to complete a Retiree Qualifying Event/Change Form. This form should only be completed once you have met with a Retiree HR Representative and have selected your retirement date.

If you’re Medicare Eligible, you will need to contact Via Benefits at (833) 945-1110 or my.viabenefits.com/UniversityofRochester in order to enroll in health coverage.

Your cost for retiree health plan benefits are determined by the health plan that you are enrolled in and your subsidy from the University.

Non-Medicare eligible retiree health plan costs are located here.

For Medicare eligible retirees, your rate will depend on the plan you select with Via Benefits. Subsidy amounts through a Health Reimbursement Arrangement are listed here.

For Non-Medicare eligible retirees, you will be billed quarterly by Administrative Services for your retiree health insurance. Covered spouses and domestic partners will be included on billing statements. The billing statement will include amount due, where to send payment and date payment is due by. Example: Health and/or dental coverage for January, February and March will be billed in February.

For Medicare eligible retirees, you will be billed by the insurance carrier in which you select a health plan with.

For retiree dental coverage, you will be billed quarterly by Lifetime Benefit Solutions. For more information on the retiree dental billing process, please visit the Retiree Dental page.

If you are Medicare eligible, you will want to enroll in a Medicare eligible plan that will be effective the first of the month following your retirement date. Example: You retire January 20th and enroll in a plan prior to January 31st, your coverage will start February 1st.

Three months before turning age 65 you and/or your spouse should begin the process to apply for Medicare. If you are both currently working and are not covered by a UR Retiree Health Care Plan, you may not need to apply for Medicare. Please contact the Office of Total Rewards to speak with Retiree HR Representative to review your situation.

Generally, Medicare Part A covers hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, nursing home care, hospice, home health services.

Medicare Part B covers medically necessary and preventative services such as clinical research, ambulance services durable medical equipment (DME), and inpatient/outpatient mental health.

Medicare Part D is prescription drug coverage. There are two ways to get prescription drug coverage – enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan that has Part D coverage or purchase drug coverage through Medicare Private Fee-for-Service plans and Medical Savings Account plans.

There are several ways to sign up for Medicare Part A and B. Apply online at Social Security, visit your local Social Security office or call Social Security at (800) 772-1213.

You may be eligible for active employee health benefits and will become ineligible for retiree health benefits.

If you are planning to retire and return to work TAR, contact the Office of Total Rewards at (585) 275-2084 as this will potentially change your benefit eligibility.

If you are planning to reduce your work schedule to Part-Time, employees can now retire at a part-time status and receive the full-time contribution if they cumulatively meet the full-time equivalent service requirement. While working Part-Time, you will receive active Part-Time benefits.

Please contact the insurance provider in which your plan is through.

For retiree dental cards, please contact Excellus at (800) 659-2808.

Please contact the appropriate TPA/insurer:

• Excellus (health) 1-800-659-2808
• Excellus (dental) 1-800-724-1675

Power of Attorney (POA) documents should be emailed to retireebenefits@ur.ngskmc-eis.net or faxed to (585) 273-1054 in confidence to the Post Retirement Administrator.

HIICAP provides free, accurate and objective information, counseling and assistance on Medicare and other related health insurance information or coverage plans. You can contact a local HIICAP counselor at (800) 701-0501 or visit their local offices webpage.

If you choose to enroll in a plan outside of the University coverage, current policy allows for you to change to University of Rochester Retiree coverage if you experience a qualifying event or during the University Open Enrollment period (typically occurring in the Fall).